I remember years ago when I thought that all those granola crunching hippies were getting hysterical over things that did not seem important to me at the time. Things like nuclear proliferation, global warming, and chemicals in everything we put in and on our bodies.
Well, I guess I am finally morphing into one of those granola crunching hippies (minus the granola) because I find myself more and more concerned with these sorts of things.
Ever since I started listening to approximately 475,047,022 podcasts since summer- almost all of them from the low-carb or paleo-sphere, I’ve slowly become more interested in cleaning up my act, both inside and out. It’s a very very slow process. Make no mistake, there are certain chemicals that I can’t seem to part with (I’m talking to you, Goldwell hair color, Japanese Hair Straightening and Evil Coke Zero). But I am doing my best and that’s something.
So, today’s fun find was found at Cave Girl Eats. Liz Wolfe has a whole section on body care, and is half of one of my very favorite podcasts, (Balanced Bites Podcast)
The concept is simple: to make your own deodorant from coconut oil and baking soda. So easy, so inexpensive! I suspect a box of baking soda and a large jar of coconut oil used for this purpose will last you until you become a granola crunching hippie yourself.
In the video, I discuss the supposed “invisibility” of the standard “Invisible solids” sold on the market (lies! lies!) and I pull out all the stops and do a quick experiment to see if the home-made deodorant is “invisible” (Hint: it is). I also cover the ‘grease’-on-the-clothes” concern (hint: there is none).
What about the ‘sweat factor’? Standard deodorants are also antiperspirants because they somehow plug your pores with multi-syllabic chemicals. The coconut oil/baking soda blend does not block your pores. Granola-crunching hippies like this, but ladies wearing silk do not. I have found that I do not sweat any more with the ‘natural’ deodorant than with the standard product. And I’ve put it through every test from the weight room to kickboxing classes to cardio sprints to hiking to plyometric circuits.
And odor? There is no odor, except for that from the coconut which gives me an odd Pavlovian response that makes me want to grab my frying pan and a mound of diced veggies.
DIY deodorant that smells good!
Q: Do you have any natural beauty secrets? Do you listen to podcasts? If so, what kind or which ones? Anyone interested in my current podcast list for a future post?
I can’t watch the video right now bc I’m in bed and B is sleeping but I will when we get up. This is something I would really like to know how to do and it sounds super easy! I rarely wear deodorant bc of the chemicals. I only wear it when I know I’m
going to sweat a lot and be around people. With this option I’d be more inclined to wear it more for sure. I haven’t done it in a while but I enjoy making homemade masks and exfoliating with milk and sugar.
I think you’ll like it!
I’m sold! Deodorant is definitely one of those things that freaks me out, but I keep using it because the “natural” alternatives totally suck. This actually is EASY. Definitely trying it. Thank you for sharing!
Yes I’ve tried those store-bought natural products and I felt like I sweated MORE wearing them haha!
i just like watching you talk. Miss you. I would try to make this but probably would fail miserably. But i might give it a try, cause you make it look Cotter EASY!
So so easy! And you are sweet- I miss you too.
deb i love this video! and i have to try this. just coconut oil and baking soda?
Yes! That’s it- so easy and works a charm! Even for a runner like you!
I’ll definitely try it, I’ve been using olive oil to clean and moisturize along wiith some other natural oils, it rocks!! So now I want to see what else may work and I remembered you posting this! Check out the blog empowered sustenance for the oil control method if you’re interested
Thank you! I’ll look into that!
Wow! That does sound easy! I’ve been meaning to find a natural deodorant for ages, thank you very much for sharing it!! Olya
You’re welcome!