The weirdest natural deodorant you have ever seen

We have been working on natural deodorants for the last 18 months (but have not yet published or shared any recipes) and we have made emulsions, balms, sticks, hydroalcoholic sprays and hydrogels.

A couple of months ago, I have had one of those "WHAT IF...?" moments and I decided to make a deodorant sprayable oil. I have never seen or heard of any such product, natural or synthetic, before. If you have stumbled upon a deodorant oil or know of anybody who has made this, please let me know so that I can give that person/brand the credit for making this product. My recipe wouldn't be the first one in that case.

Anyway, I prepared this oil out of pure entrepreneurial curiosity and used it the first time with a lot of skepticism. Quite to my astonishment, it was much better than I have imagined it and I kept using it for a while. The more I used it the more my skepticism turned to satisfaction and to admiration. I then found the courage to ask a few other formulators and testers to make and test this product. One of the first people who made and tested this weird oil was our lovely Jilly who is an amazing formulator and a tutor by Formula Botanica. She is not only very picky, she is a runner and is very hard to please when it comes to products that she uses during and after her runs. I'm sure she prepared this formulation more because of curiosity and respect for me than because of any desire or excitement. Her first reaction was: "not as bad as I thought" and she continued using this product for a couple of weeks. Her judgement varied from "not bad" to "acceptable" to "the more I use it, the more I love it" so that she finally gave the product away to other testers.

Long story short: we decided to share this formulation with you and leave the judgement to you.

Before we start:

1- This is not an antiperspirant formulation and wouldn't keep you completely dry, specially during hot summer days or sport activities

2- As weird as it might sound, please continue using the spray for one week before you announce the verdict.

3- During all the time we're applying this product, we have not observed any staining on the skin or the textile but still I recommend you to be careful and don't wear your most expensive shirts or dress during the first applications.

Now let's go to the practical part:

This is an oil based formulation. Quite easy to make. No need for any preservative (you're hearing this from the preservative Mama"), no need for pH or viscosity adjustment, no need for homogenisation and dispersion. All in one top and at room temperature. Easy-peasy. As Leonardo Da Vinci said: simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. This is one excellent example for an effective KISS formulation.

Formulation:

Lexfeel Natural 82,7%

Isoamyl laurate 10,0%

Dermofeel TEC eco 5,0%

Dermosoft Decalact deo 1,0%

D-Tocopherol 0,2%

alpha-bisabolol 0,2%

Organic rosemary CO2 extract 0,1%

Sage CO2 extract 0,1%

Hop CO2 extract 0,1%

Antimicrobial CO2 extract 0,1%

Organic patchouli oil 0,2%

Organic rosemary oil 0,1%

Organic petitgrain oil 0,1%

Organic wintergreen oil 0,05%

Organic peppermint oil 0,05%

Procedure:

Blend all ingredients in a glass beaker (a magnetic stirrer would be perfect but not necessary). Fill in a suitable bottle with a spray pump and have the courage to test it.

Background and some more explanations:

I started making deodorants after I started reacting to all available deodorants on the market, natural as well as synthetic, certified as well as uncertified products, products with and without alcohol, products with and without aluminium. Just after second application of any product, my armpits start becoming red, itchy and hypersensitive. If I have the courage to continue the application (like when I was away on a conference and had no deodorant of my own with me), the sensitivity develops into wounds.

I have chosen all of the extracts and essential oils for their antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. You may like or don't like some of the individuals or the overall blend but be aware that you may compromise the performance by leaving out or swapping some ingredients. Our hop extract is fragrance reduced. I personally have no problem with the scent but I don't have a very sharp and sensitive nose. Jilly for example, does not like it at all and complains that she feels smelling like a brewery when she uses the hop extract (even at this low concentration). This recipe is just a suggestion and a frame formulation for you. Try to add your personal notes and tweaks to it but please consider the safety of essential oils and the fact that you're applying the product over a very sensitive area of the body, specially if you have the habit of shaving the armpits.

I would love to hear your feedbacks about this formulation. Please share your photos and experience with us either via Facebook or Instagram.

BeHappy and have fun