Finally! We've started a section on Alma Eko's blog that we've been really looking forward to. It's been in our thoughts for a long time, but it's taken us a while to get it up and running. Here it is!

We have called it 'Alma Eko's potions' and in it we are going to show you recipes for homemade hygiene, cosmetic and cleaning products . Always with natural ingredients .

We just started this section in July, the month without plastic , and we think it's wonderful. Because when we make our own homemade products, what we achieve is not to consume plastic containers, to reuse, to make the most of the resources at our disposal... It is one of the sustainable acts par excellence.

WHY WE STARTED THIS SECTION

If you have been following us for a while, you will know that we are firm defenders of self-production and self-consumption as part of a more sustainable lifestyle.

Does this go against our interests as an online store? Well, yes, a little, let's not kid ourselves. But the truth is that this section is here to help you get the most out of items you may have at home, that you have bought elsewhere, but also products that we have in our store. Our priority is caring for the environment and responsible consumption and we have to achieve a balance , even if we have an online business.

Producing your own hygiene, cosmetic or cleaning products is a great way to reduce waste. Especially packaging . Because, for example, with a kilo of washing nuts (on their own or in combination with other ingredients) you can get a lot of cleaning solutions for your home. It will last you months and you will avoid packaging different products that are unnecessary: ​​a bottle for windows, another as a degreaser, another for washing dishes, another for the washing machine, a special product for bathroom surfaces...

Marketing bombardment over decades has led us to believe that a different product is needed for each thing . But we can assure you, from our own experience, that this is not the case .

SAVE WITH SELF-PRODUCTION

If you make the switch and make your own homemade products, you will save a significant amount of money over the course of a year . A large bar of Marseille soap , a kilo of baking soda , a jar of shea butter or a handful of beeswax chips can last you months and you can use them to make different products that you can use for different purposes.

However, we know that, with the pace of life we ​​lead in this hectic society, finding the time to make your own products is not always easy. We encourage you to go little by little and, in addition, we are going to suggest recipes that are as simple as possible so that you do not have to invest a lot of time.

The recipe we bring you today is a clear example. You can have it ready in just a few minutes and it will last for months.

Homemade natural deodorant recipe

For this recipe we will need only three ingredients:

• 50 grams of coconut oil

The one we are using is of very good quality. It is organic, certified bio, cold pressed and comes from a fair trade project .

Coconut oil has antibacterial properties , making it ideal for use as a deodorant, since it is the proliferation and accumulation of bacteria that produces bad odor.

• 40 grams of baking soda

It will give consistency to the mixture and its absorbent properties will make the moisture in the area disappear.

This ingredient may not be suitable for sensitive skin, but in combination with coconut oil, which is very moisturizing and nourishing, it balances the pH .

I have sensitive skin and I have been using this deodorant for over 3 years without any problems. I encourage you to try it before discarding it for this reason.

• 15 drops of tea tree essential oil or any other oil you like

I admit that tea tree oil has a rather strong and peculiar smell, but I like it. In addition, it has antibacterial properties , and as we have already indicated, it makes it perfect for making a deodorant. However, you can use the essential oil that you prefer, the one that you like for its smell and that gives you good results. If it is antibacterial, even better. You can use thyme , eucalyptus or lavender , for example.

The quantities of the first two ingredients are approximate. You can adjust them until you get the desired density . Also, keep in mind that coconut oil becomes liquid above 25 degrees, so the consistency of the deodorant may vary in summer and require a little more bicarbonate.

STEP BY STEP RECIPE

STEP 1 : If the coconut oil is not liquid, heat it in a double boiler until it is.

STEP 2 : Mix the coconut oil with the baking soda until you get a homogeneous mixture. Let it cool.

STEP 3 : Once it has cooled down a bit, but has not turned into a solid, add the drops of essential oil. It is best to add it when the mixture is not hot so that it does not lose its properties. Mix and it's ready.

There you have it!

HOW TO USE IT AND MORE THINGS YOU WILL LIKE TO KNOW

You only need a small amount and it lasts a long time . Spread it on your armpit and don't worry about it all day long.

You'll notice that the texture is a little grainy because of the baking soda. It may take a little time to get used to this feeling at first, but over time it goes unnoticed . And, importantly, it doesn't leave any residue or stains on your clothes .

You should also know that this deodorant is not an antiperspirant , so it is healthier for your body . Conventional deodorants, with aluminum salts, block the pores so that you do not sweat. This causes certain toxins that we expel when we sweat to stay inside our body. With natural deodorants, this does not happen. The toxins leave our body and it is the natural ingredients that prevent bacteria from proliferating and the bad smell from appearing .

Also, since it contains bicarbonate, it is an effective whitener for the armpit area . In my case, I have always had dark spots in that area and I didn't realize that they were due to the deodorant until I finally and permanently switched to this recipe that I have been using for 3 years.

We hope you like this new section, that you are encouraged to make the recipe and tell us how it went.

Last year, before opening this section, we already suggested a recipe for a potion: homemade balm made from shea butter, coconut oil and calendula. We encourage you to take a look at it too, in case you feel like making it. It's also very easy!