In the ever-evolving world of natural skincare, multi-purpose products are becoming increasingly popular. One such product is our beard butter; a luxurious blend of natural butter and oils designed to nourish and soften facial hair. But did you know this beard butter could also serve as a natural deodorant? Let's explore its potential as a versatile addition to your personal care routine.
With a bit of research, we could tweak our recipe and transform it into a fully-fledged deodorant by adding a few key ingredients, inspiring a sense of creativity and possibility.
Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate): Effective at neutralising odours but can be irritating for some. (This immediately puts me off as I don't want to mess with high Ph sensitivity testing)
Magnesium Hydroxide: Gentle on the skin and effective at neutralising odours. (Could be a potential candidate)
Activated Charcoal: Absorbs odours and toxins. (Not sure if this would darken the product and therefore stain white tshirts)
However, if the current set of ingredients is working, why change something already effective?
So, I asked ChatGPT to analyse our ingredients and found the following information suggesting it could be an effective deodorant. Let's look at some of those active ingredients.
Beard Butter Ingredients (Elements Metal)
|
Ingredient |
Properties |
Deodorant Role |
|
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter |
Moisturising, anti-inflammatory, skin-soothing |
Creamy base - soothes skin, doesn't neutralise odour |
|
Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter |
Moisturising, emollient, nourishing |
Adds texture, hydrates skin, lacks odour-neutralising properties |
|
Borago Officinalis (Borage) Seed Oil |
Anti-inflammatory, soothing, rich in gamma-linolenic acid |
Suitable for sensitive skin, not deodorising |
|
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil |
Moisturising - balances oil production, conditions skin |
Maintains skin health, doesn't neutralise odour |
|
Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil |
Rich in antioxidants, nourishing, anti-inflammatory |
Supports skin health, lacks odour-neutralising properties |
|
Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter |
Emollient, moisturising, skin-protecting |
Creamy base, conditions skin, doesn't neutralise odour |
|
Tocopherol (Vitamin E) |
Antioxidant, skin-conditioning |
Supports skin health, doesn't neutralise odour |
|
Cinnamomum Camphora (Ho Leaf) Leaf Oil |
Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, soothing |
Reduces odour-causing bacteria, aids odour control |
|
Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil |
Antimicrobial, astringent, deodorising |
Reduces bacteria, provides fresh scent |
|
Boswellia Carterii (Frankincense) Oil |
Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, astringent |
Reduces odour-causing bacteria, soothes skin |
|
Pogostemon Cablin (Patchouli) Leaf Oil |
Antibacterial, antifungal, deodorising |
Neutralises odour, reduces bacteria |
|
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Oil |
Antimicrobial, deodorising, uplifting scent |
Reduces bacteria, provides a refreshing scent |
|
Zea Mays (Corn) Starch |
Absorbent, soothing |
Absorbs moisture, reduces wetness |
|
Citral, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool |
Fragrance components, some antimicrobial properties |
Adds scent, mild antimicrobial activity, aids odour control |
So, looking at the table above, we can discount the base oils and butter in terms of their deodorising properties. But they are suitable for moisturising the skin and are good for sensitive skin.
The main things we need to look at are the essential oils and the Corn Starch.
Cinnamomum Camphora (Ho Leaf) Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Oil, and Boswellia Carterii (Frankincense) Oil are potent antimicrobials that help reduce the foul-smelling bacteria that develop under our armpits. These essential oils work synergistically to combat the bacteria responsible for body odour, ensuring you stay fresh throughout the day.
Additionally, Pogostemon Cablin (Patchouli) Leaf Oil offers strong antibacterial and antifungal properties, further enhancing the formula's ability to fight harmful bacteria and maintain a pleasant scent.
Zea Mays (Corn Starch) effectively absorbs moisture, reducing wetness and helping to keep the underarm area dry and comfortable.
Over the last few weeks, I have tested the Elements Metal Beard Butter as a natural deodorant. So far, I have experienced pretty good results.
Now, it hasn’t necessarily stopped me from sweating as, despite the name, it doesn’t include any actual metals in the ingredients.
However, it has effectively prevented unpleasant odours, providing a reassuring sense of freshness.
You don’t need to use a lot—just a tiny amount under each armpit. Or maybe use any excess you have after grooming your beard and rub it under the arms.
Why not try it yourself and see how you get on? It could just be the natural alternative you’ve been looking for…who knows, maybe we'll eventually add a natural deoderant to the collection of skincare products we offer.