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Going Natural Isn’t Perfect

February 28, 2013 by Lauralynn Elliott

I’m a little disappointed. The natural deodorant I made is causing a rash. And it’s very uncomfortable. So much that I’m not wearing ANY deodorant today. It’s a really good thing it’s winter time and we’re having cold temperatures. If it was summer, I might not smell so great. LOL. Anyway, I can’t figure out which ingredient is making me break out. It really shouldn’t be the coconut oil because that’s what my moisturizer is made with, and my face is fine. So it has to be either the baking soda or the arrowroot powder. My husband seems to think the culprit is more than likely the baking soda. Baking soda is pretty alkaline, about a 9 on the scale, I think. Not enough to be caustic, but pretty high. I have no idea about the arrowroot powder. I’m very upset about this because I LOVE this deodorant. It goes on smoothly, smells great, and seems to work really well (summertime would be the test, though). I’m not sure which ingredient actually neutralizes the odor, although I suspect the baking soda has a lot to do with it. So just using coconut oil by itself probably wouldn’t work. It probably wouldn’t dry well either. Every homemade deodorant recipe I saw used those three ingredients I mentioned. Does anyone have any ideas? Do you guys think it’s the baking soda? Do any of you have any experience with this?

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged arrowroot powder, baking soda, coconut oil, homemade deodorant | 9 Comments

9 Responses

on February 28, 2013 at 10:10 am | Reply Susan Bischoff

When I tried to go natural on that, I also broke out. I totally can’t remember what was in mine. Sorry.
- on February 28, 2013 at 10:28 am | Reply Lauralynn Elliott
  
  It’s crazy. Anti-perspirant with all those chemicals doesn’t make me break out. But natural stuff does.
on February 28, 2013 at 12:25 pm | Reply Emma

As someone who buys perfume and deodorant ready to go, I don’t have much advice. But could you visit a health store and take an allergy test maybe?
- on February 28, 2013 at 1:40 pm | Reply Lauralynn Elliott
  
  I’ve always bought everything ready to go. I’ve just been concerned about breast cancer since some studies have shown anti-perspirants might contribute to it. I’ve never been allergic to ANYTHING! But the person at the health food store told me she knew a lot of people who have made their own deodorants. Maybe I can ask if this is a common problem.
on February 28, 2013 at 12:55 pm | Reply katmicari

I’ve had good luck with Desert Essence Tea Tree Oil Deodorant stick (not roll-on) but haven’t tried making my own. I do use baking soda (make a paste with water) to clean my scalp and it can be harsh on my psoriasis patches until it rinses off, so it could be the baking soda. I’ve heard some people say they just use plain coconut oil.
- on February 28, 2013 at 1:44 pm | Reply Lauralynn Elliott
  
  I love the scent of tea tree oil. I’m currently using a natural soap on my face that contains it. I think it has some healing properties. I’ve never heard of that deodorant before. I do know one thing…if I have to go back to using something store bought, it will be deodorant instead of anti-perspirant. I might try just coconut oil for awhile and see how that works.
  
  One thing I have noticed. The natural deodorant I was using apparently helped a little bit in keeping me dry because I can tell a difference in that today since I’m not using anything. At least I don’t stink yet! LOL
on February 28, 2013 at 2:31 pm | Reply Lauralynn Elliott

UPDATE: I’ve been checking on the internet, and this rash thing seems to be a very common problem. And it does seem to be the baking soda. I’m thinking of maybe going with just coconut oil mixed with a little tea tree oil. So now I’m wondering if I should still use the arrowroot powder. I wonder what role that product plays.
on March 1, 2013 at 12:29 pm | Reply Ruth Ann Nordin

I have no idea what any of those ingredients do, except for what I’m learning as I go through the comments. I hope the rash goes away soon.
- on March 1, 2013 at 12:55 pm | Reply Lauralynn Elliott
  
  This is my second day wearing NO deodorant (thankfully it’s cold today) and the rash is still there. I have another recipe that doesn’t use baking soda, so when those ingredients arrive, I’m going to try that one. It’s really fun experimenting with all this natural stuff. I just wish this deodorant had worked out, especially since I still have a bunch of it left.