Traditional deodorants and antiperspirants contain ingredients that can be hazardous to your health. Antiperspirants try to get the body to stop sweating by using aluminum. Remember that sweating, while sometimes gross, is natural! It is your body's way of releasing toxins and impurities. So you can imagine what happens when you force those toxins to stay inside. Links have been found between the aluminum in antiperspirants and Alzheimer's disease and even breast cancer. The other ingredient in deodorants that really affected me was propylene glycol, which is also the main agent in antifreeze. Every time I used a product with propylene glycol, it made my skin burn. Interestingly, the Material Safety Data Sheet warns users to avoid skin contact with liquid propylene glycol, because it is a skin irritant that can cause liver and kidney damage.
A couple of years I ago I started using 'natural' deodorants. I was able to find brands that were aluminum and propylene glycol-free. Even natural deodorants contain ingredients that are questionable. I couldn't pronounce and didn't know what glyceryl laurate was; and just where was the natural fragrance coming from? To be fair, many of these ingredients really are natural, where the biggest concern is skin irritation, which can even be a side effect of coconut oil, if you're allergic. Still, I knew that these weren't products that my great-grandma would have used.
I made the switch to coconut oil as a deodorant after reading about the success others were having with it on the Internet. To use, just dab a tiny bit of coconut oil on your finger and rub it on your underarms just like you would with any deodorant. There are also many recipes on the internet for a homemade coconut oil based deodorant. Most of these include coconut oil, cornstarch or arrowroot powder, baking soda, and essential oil. This is a good place to start if you are uncomfortable suddenly switching to coconut oil alone. Personally, the idea of cornstarch and baking soda absorbing into my skin kind of creeps me out, but maybe that's just me. I hope you'll add deodorant to your growing list of uses for coconut oil!
Tropical Traditions is one of my favorite places to buy coconut oil. They almost always have Buy 1 Get 1 Free specials going on. They frequently have free shipping offers as well as great deals on their other amazing products. They offer an extensive selection of coconut products, organic foods, natural skin care products and household goods, pet products and more.
Disclaimer: If you order by clicking on any of my links and have never ordered from Tropical Traditions in the past, you will receive a free book on Virgin Coconut Oil, and I will receive a discount coupon for referring you.
Does it matter what type of coconut oil. Refined/not refined etc? Thanks
ReplyDeleteI use Artisana's raw, unrefined, extra virgin coconut oil. Refined coconut oil is treated with sodium hydroxide and bleached, so I always use the most natural option.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing that works is Limes. Rub the lime under your arm (use up to 7 days). Works really well. I will have to try the coconut oil.
ReplyDeleteInteresting! I usually find that as long as I'm eating well that I don't need deodorant. But this is a great option that I may make my preteen son try! :-)
ReplyDeleteI've been using organic virgin coconut oil as a deodorant for about two years. I think it's great. I tried mixing baking soda with the coconut oil, but the baking soda gave me a rash. So, I just use coconut oil. I also rub coconut oil on my beard before brushing on shaving soap. Makes for a more comfortable shave.
ReplyDeleteDoes it really stop stink? Do you have to reapply at all? What about when you stink?
ReplyDeleteAs stated, the lauric acid in coconut oil kills odor-causing bacteria. I personally never reapply it, but everyone is different.
ReplyDeleteAfter being diagnosed with contact dermiatitis from the deodorant ive been using, i started using just plain coconut oil instead of deodorant. It really works for me!
ReplyDeletei truly believe it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you posted this. I use coconut oil for my hair, but I'm happy that there's another use. I've been having a hard time finding the Arm & Hammer one, which is also natural. Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteI have heard you can empty an old deodorant container and fill it with coconut oil? any tips on refridgerating it?
ReplyDeleteI tried refrigerating mine but it got so hard I could barely use it. I prefer having it as a cream. I love the smell!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this! I had not heard of coconut oil for deodorant. I actually rarely ever use any deodorant, but for those times that I do, I would love to use something natural like this!
ReplyDeleteI am goint to try this....adding Clary sage and Geranium essential oils. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love coconut oil for so many things, I will try this out. One less thing to buy at the store. I found your link on Frugally Sustainable.
ReplyDeleteCoconut oil is an incredible oil! I use it for SOOOO many things too. I just made deodorant with it too, but I also added baking powder, arrowroot and essential oils. It makes it thicker and works really well— all day long. I really wish I had tried this years ago rather than buying aluminum-tainted deodorant off the shelf.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying coconut oil as deodorant first time I hope it works will let you know
ReplyDeleteActually, most antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, which is nasty, nasty stuff. Causes brain damage if ingested, and it has a sweet odor and taste, so animals may want to drink it if it's left sitting in an open container. Propylene glycol is also used, it is safer, but not as effective in cooling engines.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying coconut oil today as deodorant, also put some on as aftershave! I smell delicious ;)
I have a contact dermatitis allergy to propylene glycol myself ... It's in many things! Foods too! Salad dressings , medicine that has coatings etc! I'm going to try the deodorant idea! Ty!!!
ReplyDeleteI started using coconut oil as a deodorant after I saw 50 uses for it on Pinterest a few weeks and find amazingly, it works. I started smearing my feet with it (originally for moisture and not as a deodorant) but have noticed my feet and shoes don't smell anymore - they are odor free. As my feet sweat profusely (way more than my armpits) I am ecstatic.
ReplyDeleteIs there anything coconut oil CAN'T do? Thank you for this idea!
ReplyDeleteBetter be careful with lime. If you have lime juice on and are exposed to the sun you get a really bad rash!
ReplyDeleteI have always had issues with my underarm skin and continue to switch to more and more gentle, natural deodorants. I'm excited to try this. I love coconut oil as a beauty product. This is awesome.
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
ReplyDeleteI have to purchase Secret Clinical strength and I use Certain dri at night. I still sweat and have a terrible phobia of someone smelling me so I carry a travel size Clinical strength Secret in my handbag. I am going to order my extra virgin coconut oil tonight. I will let you know if it works. Thanks fo this site.
ReplyDeleteInteresting on the coconut oil! I haven't tried this one. Deoderant was a really tough one for me - it took me a while to find one that worked that met my criteria. I use the Crystal rock deodorant, and I LOVE it. It's different than regular stuff but it lasts years and is great. The only caveat is I have to put it on right out the shower, before bacteria has formed - I'm guessing like coconut... and it doesn't work if I'm really active on super hot summer days. Do you think coconut oil is similar?
ReplyDeleteAlso, do you have a way to respond to emails when you repond on the blog? I think my name should be linked to it - sometimes it's tough to try to remember to go back to a post and check for a response. (-:
~K
OMG that is what was happening to me. When i used deodorant my armpits burnt. My skin peeled it was so painful, i even tried two different brands. The culpirt was propelyne glycol!
ReplyDeleteI always have coconut oil at home because i use it in my hair so i will try it for deodorant!
I love using coconut oil as deodorant! Did you read that news article re: sweat being a natural antibiotic? We want to keep sweating but can do without the odor. Coconut oil does the trick!
ReplyDeleteI have been using an aluminum-free, cream deordorant for years now called Yodora. It is very gentle and effective and I am happy with it, as it actually seems to kill the germs that make you have body odor, meaning that if I forget to use it for a day, I still will not have any underarm odor. I am wondering if coconut oil does the same thing...will try it. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI have been using coconut oil as a deodorant for about 3 months now. It does work, but won't last for more than one day. And I find that at the end of the day I start smelling like an old man. So today I tried adding some essential oil to straight coconut oil. It's actually an essential oil blend of ylang-ylang, mandarin, grapefruit and lavender. Smells heavenly. And now so do I. I love this stuff!
ReplyDelete