When people think of salt, they usually conjure up images of salty foods like chips and pretzels or they think of the ubiquitous salt shaker always within arms’ reach on the dinner table. But salt also has a dirty little secret – it can be used as a natural deodorant.
I prefer to eat natural foods, use natural products to clean my house, and apply natural products to my body. So when my dad mentioned that salt was an effective odor killer, my interest was immediately piqued. I had already been experimenting with natural deodorants, all of which, annoyingly, left me smelling a bit ripe (I hate to admit it, but it’s true), so I started researching salt as an effective alternative deodorant.
Natural salt contains no aluminum additives, which is suspected to contribute to health problems like cancer, and it has no artificial or chemical ingredients. Aluminum-based compounds are frequently used as the active ingredient in mainstream antiperspirants, but some research has found the skin might absorb these compounds, causing hormonal imbalances that can lead to cancer. The research findings have been inconclusive, however.
If you want to err on the side of caution while researchers decipher the deodorant/antiperspirant-cancer link or if you just prefer natural products, I recommend checking out salt deodorant. Another bonus to salt – it is inexpensive and extremely long lasting. I have been using the same salt deodorant for more than a year and I’ve barely made a dent in that rock. Plus it doesn’t leave a yellowish residue on your clothes.
Want to give salt a try? To use, slightly dampen the rock salt with water and apply as you normally would any regular deodorant. Salt deodorants are available at health food stores and most drugstores. My only warning associated with this uber natural odor eliminator is that it interacts with marble and other natural stones, leaving permanent marks. So if you have marble or granite anywhere in your bathroom like I do, you might want to place a towel over the counter. (I am quite clumsy and already damaged parts of the countertop before I discovered this little trick!)
Who knew a solid rock of salt is all you need to naturally keep the stinky body odors away?!
I would die without my Trader Joe’s. I asked David if he remembered life downtown before the TJs. He said, “Yeah, it sucked.” 🙂 We used to have to drive to the suburbs for kosher meat and cheese, but TJs has virtually obliterated that need.
Trader Joe’s also makes an exceptional deoderant with no parabens, aluminum, artificial scents, or other potential cooties. It even has cotton to act as a wicking agent for sweat. Their whole line of natural body products is very good and very inexpensive. They have no animal testing or animal ingredients. Go Trader Joe’s! Great blog, Dina!
Wow – that’s great! Thanks for letting me know. There are no Trader’s Joes in my area, unfortunately, so I don’t get to benefit from their wonderful products 😦