Natural alternatives to deodorants

The need for deodorants isn’t just linked to body odour, it is also about how you want to feel about yourself. You can choose to smell musky, fruity, flowery, lemony fresh or traditional like sandal or rose. However, with the number of questionable ingredients found in regular deodorants, no wonder people want to go au naturel. Whether you ran out of your stock or want natural alternatives to deodorants, nature has got your back!

Here we list the common ingredients that are the best natural alternatives of deodorants.

Baking soda

Popular for absorbing odours, baking soda is a widely used ingredient for DIY deodorants. Just mix 1/4th tbsp of baking soda with lukewarm water and apply. Remember to let it dry completely before dressing up!

Alternatively, mix one-part baking soda to 6 parts cornstarch for your DIY antiperspirant. For those with dry skin, 1 part baking soda combined with 2 parts shea butter will be a better option. Do make sure to conduct a patch test before using baking soda since its high alkalinity can cause skin irritation.

Lemon juice

The citric acid in lemon in lemon juice naturally eliminates odour causing bacteria, not to forget the fresh fragrance it leaves behind. Just apply freshly squeezed lemon juice with cotton to the sweat prone areas and you are good to go!

However, do not apply on cuts, bruises and freshly shaved regions since it can sting. Fresh lemon juice not only eliminates the cause of body odor but also leaves you healthier by killing bad bacteria.

Coconut oil

Yes, this holy grail ingredient can serve as a deodorant too! Just rub on a little coconut oil and let its antibacterial and antiviral properties take care of the rest!

Do wait for soaking before putting on your clothes to avoid staining. Remember, the coconut oil isn’t acting as a deodorant but it helps kill bad odour-producing bacteria and therefore eliminates the need for deodorant.

Witch hazel

Witch hazel is a flowering plant found in North America, Japan and China. It acts as a wonderful deodorant by absorbing excess moisture and killing bacteria.

Put on your natural witch hazel deodorant by soaking a cotton ball in it and applying it to the sweat prone areas. The best part? It doesn’t leave behind any residue. However, you might have to reapply since it dries out quickly.

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar acts as a great natural deodorant due to its antibiotic properties. Mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water and spray it whenever required.

Given the huge number of alternatives, now you can steer clear of any harmful ingredients you want and use your own DIY deodorants. Which one are you going to try first? I’d start with lemon as that’s always handy in every household but other options are also equally effective. Have a favourite ingredient we missed? Do let us know in the comments below!