Description

Most deodorants that you will find in the store are actually anti-perspirants; that is they stop you from sweating by closing your pores. This may sound good but closing your pores can result in irritation, break-outs, and even infections. The main ingredient in many of these deodorants is aluminum, and in addition to the problems listed above aluminum has been linked to Alzheimer’s and other illnesses. A common alternative is baking soda, but baking soda has it’s own problems. It’s not the sweat under our arms that stinks, it is bacteria that causes the problem and so baking soda works by neutralizing that bacteria on our skin. Unfortunately the pH of baking soda is 8, while our skin is more acidic and ranges from about 4.5 to 5.5., this high pH can cause problems for our skin. While some people may be able to use it many will experience rashes, red bumps, discoloration or other negative effects. Baking soda based deodorants may seem fine for weeks or even months but eventually many people will have to give them up.

So what is the alternative for those of us who want to smell fresh but avoid dangerous ingredients like aluminum or skin-irritating baking soda? Magnesium Hydroxide! Magnesium hydroxide is a naturally occurring compound which is found in nature as the mineral brucite. Magnesium hydroxide is commonly used in antacids like milk of magnesia. So why use magnesium hydroxide in deodorant? Magnesium hydroxide stops the odor-causing bacteria without causing skin issues in part because unlike many compounds it is not absorbed through the skin so it has no internal effects.

This recipe pairs magnesium hydroxide with kaolin clay (absorbent and draws toxins), babassu oil (anti-microbial and provides slip), beeswax (wonderful for the skin and firms the bar), vitamin E oil (anti-oxidant) and essential oils (for scent and anti-microbial properties).

The cardboard tube that this deodorant comes in is 100% compostable, so please don’t throw it in the trash!

82 g / 2.9 oz