The {Sofia’s Ideas} Frugality Series :: {Beauty} Hygiene

The {Sofia’s Ideas} Frugality Series ::

{Beauty} Hygiene

Now that I’ve introduced you to the Stages, I’m going to begin with Beauty since that is where I (re)started.  Last time, we talked about Skin Care.  This week, its all about personal Hygiene.  In particular, I want to share my journey with deodorant.

© Daniel Gilbey

Papa had been warning me about deodorant for years, but I thought he was just being an alarmist.  Whenever we had family visiting from abroad, he would show me their deodorant labels to educate me on the differences of what we get here, in the U.S., and what they get abroad, by the same manufacturer.  Popular brands of deodorants and antiperspirants contain harmful ingredients.  Yes, they work.  They do their job.  Congratulations, you don’t stink.  But at what cost? {Stage 1}

I tried to make the switch to natural brands during that period of awakening.  I avoided aluminium, parabens, fragrance, triclosan, etc.  I purchased the most expensive, in hopes of finding something that actually worked – to no avail.  I lived in South Florida.  It’s hot.  And I just couldn’t take stinkin’ all the time.  So I switched back.  (Gasp!)  Intellectually, I understood the dangers of deodorant, but I rationalized it by saying that my new & improved immune system would take care of any naughty cells.  {Stage 2}

And of course, I stockpiled tons of this garbage during {Stage 3}.

However, like I’ve said… We have a choice.  We can pay now or pay later.  We can either choose to invest in our health or choose to subsidize our illness.

So I made a commitment.  I was going to figure this out.  I didn’t want my sons and daughters putting these toxins on their chemically-sensitive and developing bodies.  Alzheimer’s, cancer, autoimmune disease?  Um, no thank you.  So, the first thing I did was make my own.  {Stage 4}

Sofia’s Ideas Homemade Deodorant Recipe ::

• some baking soda

• some cornstarch

Directions :: Place random amounts into a sealed container, shake like heck.  Apply 50 times a day with a large poofy powder brush.

Brilliant, right?  Well, the truth is, it was astounding!  Papa and I were amazed at how well it worked.  It was a revelation!  We gushed about it everyday!  And that lasted for about 2 weeks.

Something went severely awry at that point and we were just rancid!  I mean, we knew we were going to experience some detox, so we tried to push through it for a couple of weeks, but like I said, we live in Florida.  It’s hot.  And we were stinkin’.

So again, we started purchasing every natural brand we could find at Whole Foods, drugstore.com, and Etsy.  Nothing worked for very long.  Eight weeks in, we switched back to the chemicals.  (Gasp!)

And that’s where we still are today.  Honestly.  I wish I could say that I found the perfect solution, but this is a work in progress for us.  I have a few homemade recipes that I think I can pull off, but I feel kinda “meh” about it.  Know what I mean?  I just want someone to tell me “Buy this.  This works.  And its safe.”  The end.

Seriously, my poor kids – are they really destined to have the mom that makes homemade deodorant and toothpaste?  Aren’t we weird enough as it is?  ;0

This recipe seems simple enough, though, and I already have all the ingredients.  We shall see.

What about you?  Have you tried to make the switch?  Have you found the magic potion?

• The Story of Cosmetics is a great introduction.  If you have not watched this video, I urge you to take a few moments of your time.  If you see value in it, share it with others.

• Skin Deep  is an essential tool to use.  The Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Database is THE resource.  Grab something out of your cabinet now and look it up – I bet you’ll be surprised!

• The Dirty Thirty by Glamology is a quick list for reference.  Print this out or bookmark it on your phone so you can refer to it while out shopping for products.

Tagged as: Beauty, Eco-Booty, Eco-Education, Home, {The Fugality Series}