Raise your hand if you have been personally victimized by your own body odor? This is a subject that is personal and can be pretty uncomfortable… I have had my fair share of  (arm)pitfalls…from a diagnosis of hyperhidrosis resulting in a small stint with botox injections (ask me more about this if you are interested!) to lots of irritation and folliculitis. The latter relating to chronic stress and increased intake of sugars.
In 2014, my grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer. During this time, the media was swarming with accusations that conventional deodorant use was in part to blame for this diagnosis in many women. This is a very controversial topic but many studies have not found conclusive evidence the deodorant causes cancer 1.Regardless of this, I was ready to make a change and begin detoxifying every aspect of my life. Natural deodorant formulations free of aluminum and other additives, just became a constant trial and error and lots and lots of error. From sea salt, to pure lemon (ouch!), to every type of natural deodorant you can think of…nothing seemed to work.
I was not looking for an antiperspirant, and neither should you! Sweating is a natural and important metabolic process of the body. Perspiration is mainly involved in thermoregulation but also helps with detoxification of the body. With this in mind, the goal was to find a deodorant that neutralized body odor and maybe…just maybe…helped with excessive sweating.
Body odor, though often seen as a repulsive and unattractive quality, plays a huge part in sending cues of attraction, male detection of the female cycle, and the state of the body’s natural flora 2. Your body odor is largely determined by your skin flora 2. Your body’s natural flora is determined by many factors such as diet, stress, exercise, hormones, and hydration 2. The cleaner you eat, the cleaner you smell, it’s that simple!
Scent is an underrated form of communication in humans. Data collected from 198 male and female heterosexual college students found natural body odor was one of the most important factors in sparking and maintaining sexual interest 3. A woman’s scent changes across her ovulatory cycle, in part, as a form of communication 4. These subtle differences serve as cues for men to know where a woman is in her cycle, and how to treat her. Throughout their cycle women will experience two types of mate choices: a man who has high fitness genes and a man who can provide for her and her children 4. This will dictate how she wants to interact and be treated by her partner. It is possible for one man to fulfill both roles if he knows where a woman is in her cycle.  John Gary PhD, the author of Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus, believes intuitively understanding a woman’s cycle is the key to a long and fruitful heterosexual relationship 5. A part of this model relied on both men and women retaining their natural scents as much as possible, so as not to confuse the biological processes at play. Natural deodorant formulations are our best source of maintaining our natural scent and skin flora without smelling up a room.
I believe I have found the cheapest and most sustainable one…and…its HOMEMADE! I have been using this formula for over a year and can say hands down it is the best deodorant I have ever used.
The formula was created by wellnessmama 6. I have only tweaked the amount of baking soda for a little more neutralization. At a whooping $10, this preparation has kept me fresh and uber environmentally friendly for the past year.
HOMEMADE DEODORANT ingredients
6 T unrefined coconut oil (smells real good)
5 T baking soda
ÂĽ cup organic cornstarch or arrowrrot
lavender essential oils (or whatever smell you like)
Instructions
- Mix baking soda and cornstarch/arrowroot together in a bowl
- Mash coconut oil in with a fork and mix very well. If it is summertime your oil should be soft enough, if it is wintertime pop in the microwave for 30 seconds
- Add essential oils to smell!
- Store in a cute glass jar !
So this begs the question…is body odor friend or foe?
sprou🌱ing Rx 