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What Are the Different Deodorant Alternatives?
In recent years, the dangers of some commercial deodorant and antiperspirant ingredients have been brought to light, and as a result, many people are now looking for deodorant alternatives. Baking soda is one of the easiest and most popular deodorants, and this can be mixed with cornstarch to absorb moisture. Astringents can help close pores, and some natural deodorants, like alcohol and lemon, may even help kill bacteria that causes odor. Mineral salt and essential oils are also possible deodorant alternatives.
Sodium bicarbonate, commonly referred to as baking soda, is one of the simplest deodorant alternatives that people can use. This substance, which can be found in nearly everyone's kitchen, is a natural deodorizer. To use it as deodorant, a person can simply rub it onto the underarms. It can also be mixed with a small amount of water or oil to make a thick paste before applying it to the underarms.
Some people may also want to get rid of underarm moisture. Applying cornstarch to the underarms can help absorb much of a person's perspiration. It can be mixed with baking soda to help prevent moisture and odor.
Commercial antiperspirants work by constricting sweat glands, so they can not secrete sweat. Astringents, like witch hazel, can also work in the same manner. They constrict the pores, so sweat can not seep through and mix with the bacteria on the skin, which causes odor.
Alcohol is also an astringent, and some people also believe that it is one of the more effective deodorant alternatives. Spraying alcohol under the arms can also kill the bacteria that causes odor. Lemon juice also has the same effect. A slice of lemon can be rubbed under the arms to help prevent odor.
Essential oils are also used as deodorant alternatives. Some essential oils are very pleasant smelling, and they can be used to mask offensive underarm odor. Also, some have antibacterial properties, which help eliminate odor-causing bacteria. These oils can be used alone, or they can be mixed with other deodorant alternatives.
Mineral salt is can also be used as a natural deodorant. This type of deodorant is sometimes sold as a solid salt crystal, but it can also be found in roll-on and stick versions. Although it does not kill bacteria that causes underarm odor, the mineral salt helps create an environment where it can't live or replicate. This results in less bacteria and less odor.
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![A combination of cornstarch and baking soda can be used as a homemade deodorant.]()
By: Yuriy AfonkinA combination of cornstarch and baking soda can be used as a homemade deodorant. -
![Applying pure witch hazel, from the witch hazel plant, may help get rid of body odor.]()
By: dianamowerApplying pure witch hazel, from the witch hazel plant, may help get rid of body odor. -
![Baking soda can be added to water to create a thick paste that can be applied to the underarms as a deodorant.]()
By: Africa StudioBaking soda can be added to water to create a thick paste that can be applied to the underarms as a deodorant. -
![Many commercial deodorants try to constrict sweat glands so they can't secrete sweat.]()
By: Jason StittMany commercial deodorants try to constrict sweat glands so they can't secrete sweat. -
![Deodorants are designed to mask the smell of body odor emanating from the armpits.]()
By: vladimirfloydDeodorants are designed to mask the smell of body odor emanating from the armpits. -
![Sweat mixing with bacteria on the skin causes body odor.]()
By: HamsterManSweat mixing with bacteria on the skin causes body odor.
Discussion Comments
Has anyone here tried a baking soda paste as deodorant? I know that it is a great odor absorber, but I do wonder about its texture and how it would work for this.
Baking soda is extremely grainy. Even when you mix it with water, it retains its rough texture, though it does thin out a little. I have made baking soda toothpaste by mixing it with water, and I can still feel the rough grains in my mouth, even though it has been diluted.
Is there a trick to making it work as a deodorant? It seems to me that after it dried, it would flake off in white chunks all day long.
I use lemongrass oil and bergamot oil instead of deodorant. The lemongrass smells very citrusy and the bergamot smells like flowers, so together, they make a very pleasing scent.
The lemongrass is anti-bacterial, and the bergamot is antiseptic. This combination is ideal for an area that produces a lot of moisture and tends to harbor organisms.
I put a cup of water into a spray bottle first. Then, I put in 30 lemongrass drops and 15 bergamot drops. I shake it all up, and it is ready to serve as my deodorant.
@shell4life – I think your friend is referring to aloe vera gel. It is definitely cooling and soothing, and it dries rather quickly, so there would be no issues with retaining moisture under there.
I use an aloe vera gel that contains alcohol. The alcohol helps dry out the area, and it also sterilizes my skin after shaving, so I have fewer breakouts as a result.
I just use a tiny drop of it under each arm. I hold them up and blow on them until it is dry, and I can go for the rest of the day without developing an odor.
I'm not very active at my job, so I don't know if aloe vera gel would work for someone who does strenuous activities on a regular basis. However, if you do only moderate activity, it should work fine.
I am frightened by the evidence that traditional deodorants can cause damage to our internal organs if used for a long time. I have been looking into other, more natural ways to stay fresh.
A friend told me that she uses aloe vera, and it controls the odor very well. She didn't tell me what exact product she uses, so I'm a bit confused.
Most aloe vera products I have seen come in the form of a lotion. Wouldn't a lotion be too thick to be used as a deodorant? I imagine that it would get sticky and actually cause your underarms to retain moisture.
Does anyone know what type of aloe vera product would be good to use as a deodorant? I'm ready to make the switch.
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