Monday, January 14, 2008

Staying Sweat-Free

I think it goes without saying that a top priority beauty essential is to stay sweat-free. If you have viewed my other blogs and previous posts on this blog, you already know that I'm transitioning towards a healthier lifestyle and enjoy experimenting with new things. With that said, the correlation between commercial deodorants and cancer risks are frightening. So, I can't in good conscious recommend using traditional deodorants. There are some great alternatives available, which, admittedly, make application and ease of use a little more challenging. Nonetheless, I think it's well worth the effort to make healthier changes. You'd be surprised by how many deodorizing ingredients you probably already have in your cabinets.

Baking Soda: It works by neutralizing the odor of sweat. It’s strong enough to use alone. Apply a coat light with a powder puff or a damp washcloth.

Basic Deodorant Powder Recipe: ½ cup baking soda, ½ cup cornstarch, and a few drops of essential oils of choice. Place ingredients in a glass jar and blend. Apply a light coat with a damp washcloth.

Basic Liquid Deodorant Recipe: ¼ cup each of witch hazel extract, aloe vera gel, and mineral water, 1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin, a few drops of antibacterial essential oils such as lavender or tea tree. Fill the concoction in a spray bottle and shake well. This makes a ¾ cup of liquid deodorant with an indefinite shelf life.

Apple Cider Vinegar or White Distilled Vinegar: You can simply fill a spray bottle with one of these vinegars and stay surprisingly fresh. The offensive smell dissipates rather quickly, but apple cider vinegar has a much gentler scent to begin with.