A few years ago, natural deodorants started to gain popularity due to a growing awareness among people about the potential harm of aluminum, parabens, and synthetic fragrances found in conventional deodorants to our health and the environment. Many of us were enthusiastic about making a natural deodorant at home, based on baking soda, shea butter, corn starch, wax and essential oils. For a while, I was quite happy with such deodorant as it was inexpensive and easy to make, and effective enough to replace antiperspirant.
However, it wasn't long before problems started to arise. The deodorant left stains on my clothes due to its high fat content. Re-application was very impractical as I had to use my fingers or a spatula to apply it. I found the smell of essential oils too strong and incompatible with my perfume. The most problematic thing was that the baking soda started to give me rashes on my skin, which were increasingly annoying.
I started researching and found out that baking soda is not suitable for use on the skin as it is alkaline and in contrast with the acidity of the skin. As a result, baking soda strips the natural moisture barrier, causing irritation, dryness, and discoloration. There is also potential for allergic reaction. No wonder so many people have problems with such deodorants, especially teenagers!
But I didn't want to give up on natural deodorants so the only option was to improve the formulation. I found that, unlike a cream or a stick, a roll-on is a much more practical solution. It allows for an emulsion, which means a wider range of active and antimicrobial ingredients, as you can use water-soluble and oil-soluble ingredients. The percentage of fat can therefore be negligible (bye bye stains!). Re-application is easy. Instead of essential oils, I opted for a luxurious and non-allergenic natural perfume.
After a lot of research and testing I succeeded in formulating a deodorant that satisfied all my demands. The result is Miri, a premium natural deodorant that offers everything you need - effectiveness, great scent and easy application (roll-on), while being kind to the skin. Just one application of the blend of spicy and fresh tobacco, sweet vanilla and rich and floral sandalwood will leave you feeling refreshed and protected all day long.
