Healthy Alternatives to Traditional Deodorant

I have used all the deodorants. For most of my 20's I was an Arrid XX Dry ONLY kinda girl. My pits aren't delicate flowers. They need extra extra help smelling the best ;). But.. As I learned more and more about living a healthier lifestyle, the deodorant thing kept coming up as an unhealthy choice that I could change and potentially make a huge impact on my future health.

1) At the VERY LEAST switch to an aluminum free deodorant ( usually with no antiperspirant) When in doubt, check the label. I very often use men's deodorant because most are strictly deodorant with no antiperspirant and we already have it in the house because i have a husband. Sure I smell a little manly, but it's better than nothing on days when I have to leave the house.

2) Experiment with making your own! It only takes a handful of ingredients and doesn't take much time. I like this coconut oil deodorant recipe a lot for controlling the stink, but it was a little messy to apply and seemed to get used up pretty quickly, I'm guessing because it was softer than a traditional deo. This recipe had a great consistency, and I believe with some tinkering, it could have become a winner. Alas, I did not tinker, and in its current state, it did not protect the senses from the assault of my pits. If I were going to make my own deodorant again, this is the recipe I would start with. Also, Wellness Mama has an AMAZING blog with recipes for almost any homemade skincare product you can think of, and lots more.

3) Try straight baking soda. I really liked using baking soda. I never smelled bad when i was using it, but it made my armpits break out. It could have been the quality of baking soda I was using, and I'd be willing to try again with some high quality naturally sourced (instead of chemically created) baking soda. Here's a great explanation of the difference in quality of baking soda.

4) Try Native deodorant. I *hear* that it's the best ever. So I ordered some! It hasn't come in the mail yet, but I have very high hopes. 

5) Truly go without. If you are at home, there's barely any reason to use deodorant at all. I have gotten very used to skipping deodorant simply because it was the best option available at the time. It's easier than you think to go without, even if you don't smell like a rose at the end of the day. 

6) Check Etsy and find someone else who can make your deodorant for you. The only problem with that is the trial and error that may be involved, same as with making your own or trying different store brands. Looking back, I would actually go this route instead of wasting my money on anything from a box store. 

7) Don't give up! I have been searching for a natural deodorant for YEARS. but I do believe it's one of those things that's actually worth the work. I just refuse to give in on this one! It may be the wannabe homesteader in me, searching for the DIY and healthier way of doing things, but I do not believe that smelling sweet all the time is worth the risks of traditional deodorant for myself or my family. I want my kids to have safer and healthier options right from the get-go. Maybe I can figure it all out so they never have to use an unhealthy deodorant!  Share your best natural deodorant tip with me in the comments because I'm open to all the suggestions you might have!