Plant-Powered Beauty(BenBella, 2018) by Amy Galper and Christina Daigneault offers plant-based alternatives to mass-produced beauty products, with recipes that enable readers to make their own products to maintain their natural beauty and promote health and well-being. This deodorant spray makes 2 fluid ounces.
Conventional antiperspirants and deodorants often contain concerning ingredients like aluminum, parabens, and triclosan. And there has been mounting research suggesting it’s probably best to limit their usage. An alternative? Our Natural Spray Deodorant, made with ingredients like witch hazel (a natural antimicrobial and astringent) and rosemary hydrosol, offers antifungal properties and a fresh, clean scent.
Materials
- 2 glass or stainless steel bowls or glass beakers
- small stainless steel whisk
- 1 (2-ounce) glass or non-BPA plastic bottle with a spray top
- 1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin
- 25 drops Detox Essential Oil Synergy
- 1 tablespoon rosemary hydrosol (see tip)
- 5 teaspoons witch hazel
For Detox Essential Oil Synergy:
- 24 drops fennel seed essential oil
- 24 drops rosemary essential oil
- 40 drops mandarin essential oil
Steps
- In a bowl or beaker, combine the vegetable glycerin and synergy.
- In a separate bowl or beaker, mix the rosemary hydrosol and witch hazel.
- Once they are well combined, slowly drizzle the hydrosol and witch hazel mixture into the first bowl containing the vegetable glycerin and essential oil blend, continually whisking to completely incorporate all ingredients.
- Transfer the blend to the bottle. Affix the top and shake to further combine the ingredients. Keep out of heat and away from direct sunlight. To prevent hardening, do not refrigerate. The deodorant should last for 4 months.
Beauty Tip
- Rosemary hydrosol can be replaced with other hydrosols such as lavender, Douglas fir, lemon verbena, melissa, or rose geranium.
- Try a hydrosol that has known antimicrobial actions.
- Make sure your skin is completely clean.
- Point the nozzle of your deodorant bottle at the body part you wish to spray and hold the bottle several inches away. Spray once or twice, as desired, and reapply when necessary.
Beauty Note
What’s the difference between a deodorant and an antiperspirant? Deodorants neutralize odors triggered by the reaction between our sweat and the microorganisms living on our skin, while antiperspirants inhibit the excretion of our sweat glands. When formulated correctly using plant-based antimicrobial molecules, deodorants can have a significant effect in balancing out the ecosystem of our skin’s microflora and reducing unpleasant odors.
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Excerpted with publisher’s permission from Plant-Powered Beauty by Amy Galper and Christina Daigneault and published by BenBella, 2018.
