Natural alum stone or "potassium alum" is the best-known alternative to conventional deodorants that contain aluminum salts. How it works ? Instead of blocking the natural process of perspiration, alum stone regulates excessive perspiration, and destroys bad odors through its antibacterial action. After being extracted from the alumiferous shale quarries, the mineral will simply be polished to avoid injuring the skin. It is then bought in pharmacies or organic stores in the form of a block of stone or in powder form, for cosmetic use on the face, for example. In its solid form, simply moisten the mineral block before passing it over dry armpits, or rub it as is on wet armpits. In powder form, it is best to mix it with other ingredients to increase the hold and the pleasure of using this natural deodorant. We recognize a real alum stone by its transparency but especially by the terms on the label:"potassium alum". We prefer it to its synthetic ersatz, which contains "ammonium alum", almost as harmful as aluminum chlorohydrate.
– 2 tablespoons of natural alum stone powder (alternative:white clay powder if it is difficult to obtain powdered alum stone, but it is less effective)
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 3 to 4 drops of essential oils of your choice. Palma rosa oil is recommended, as it covers perspiration odors very well. We mix everything, and pour into a small jar that closes well.
For this recipe, keep the ingredients of the previous recipe, and add 4 tablespoons of coconut oil. Heat the latter in a bain-marie, then add all the ingredients out of the heat before mixing everything well. Leave to cool before transferring to a roll-on deodorant bottle or to a jar for finger application. This very effective mixture with alum stone will keep for about 3 months.
– powdered or solid alum stone
– athutia stone (also called "zinc oxide")
– a little talc
– a little musk
– a dry mint leaf
– a clove
– a pinch of cinnamon
Heat the alum stone and the athutia stone in a bain-marie for a few minutes to soften them. Then grind in a mortar until you get a fine powder. Then mix all the ingredients together, and transfer to a jar with a little talc. Use this deodorant powder to perfume your armpits. Warning:talc leaves marks on some clothes, especially black ones.
