Beyond being a zero-waste and natural products store, I am a firm advocate for self-production and self-consumption as part of a more sustainable lifestyle.

Does that go against our interests as an online store? Well, a little bit, let's be honest. But the truth is that it is part of our DNA to make the most of items you may have at home, that you may have bought elsewhere, but also products that we have at Alma Eko.

The goal of Alma Eko is for you to take care of yourself with natural products, environmental care, and responsible consumption, and we have to achieve a balance, even while running an online business.

Our way of life and consumption has made us think that a different product is necessary for everything. But we can assure you, from our own experience, that this is not the case.

SAVE WITH SELF-PRODUCTION

If you are someone who is motivated to make your own homemade products, you will save a significant amount of money over the course of a year, in addition to knowing exactly what you are using on your body and why.

A large bar of Marseille soap, a kilo of baking soda, a jar of shea butter can last you for months and with them you can make different preparations to which you can give different uses.

Even so, we know that with the pace of life we lead in this frenetic society, finding the time to make your own products is not always easy. We encourage you to take it step by step and, furthermore, we are going to propose recipes that are as simple as possible so that you don't have to invest a lot of time.

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

NATURAL HOMEMADE DEODORANT RECIPE

For this recipe, we will only need three ingredients:

• 50 grams of coconut oil

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

Coconut oil has antibacterial properties, which makes it ideal to use as a deodorant, since it is the proliferation and accumulation of bacteria that causes 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 helps balance the pH.

I have sensitive skin and I have been using this deodorant for more than 3 years without any problem. I encourage you to try it before ruling it out for this reason.

• 15 drops of tea tree essential oil or another one you like

I acknowledge that tea tree oil has a fairly strong and peculiar smell, but I like it. Furthermore, it has antibacterial properties, and as we have already indicated, this makes it perfect for making a deodorant. However, you can use the essential oil that you prefer, the one you like for its smell and that gives you good results. If it is antibacterial, even better.

Examples of antibacterial essential oils are bergamot, patchouli, or lavender.

The quantities of the first two ingredients are approximate. You can adjust until you reach the desired density.

Also, keep in mind that coconut oil turns liquid above 25 degrees (77°F), so the consistency of the deodorant can vary from summer to winter and you might need a little more baking soda to get it to your liking.

RECIPE STEP BY STEP

STEP 1: If the coconut oil is not in a liquid state, 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: When it has cooled a little, but without having turned solid, add the drops of essential oil. It is better to include it when the mixture is not hot so that it does not lose its properties. Mix and you're done.

You have it!

HOW TO USE IT AND OTHER THINGS YOU'LL LIKE TO KNOW

A very small amount is needed and it is very long-lasting. Spread it on your underarm and don't worry about it all day.

You will see that the texture is a bit grainy because of the baking soda. You might find it hard to get used to that feeling at first, but over time it goes unnoticed. And, also importantly, it doesn't leave 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 they do not perspire. This causes certain toxins that we expel when sweating to stay inside our body. With natural deodorants, this does not happen. The toxins leave our body and it is the natural ingredients that ensure bacteria do not proliferate and bad odor appears.

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

I hope you liked this recipe.

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Last year, before launching this section, we already proposed a recipe for a concoction: homemade shea butter, coconut oil, and calendula balm. A super-moisturizing homemade balm for your skin; I encourage you to also take a look at it in case you feel like making it. It's also super easy!