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Tea tree oil as a deodorant: Tea Tree Oil in Deodorant – Why It Might Be Your Solution for All-Day – Zero Waste Outlet

Tea Tree Oil in Deodorant – Why It Might Be Your Solution for All-Day – Zero Waste Outlet

Let’s talk tea tree oil in deodorant. You’ve probably got questions: What is tea tree oil, where’d it come from, and why is it often popping up in natural deodorant ingredient lists? Should I be looking for a tea tree oil deodorant?

Here’s a comprehensive overview to decide if tea tree oil in deodorant might be for you. If not, don’t worry – there are plenty of other non-toxic deodorants to choose from.  

This magical plant-based essential oil is incredibly versatile with an interesting background. From cultural origins and ancient medicinal properties to current-day uses, this article will give you everything you need to know about tea tree oil and how it works in deodorants for your pits – providing all-day freshness. 

What Is Tea Tree Oil?  

Also called melaleuca oil, tea tree oil is derived from the leaves of a tree native to Australia – Melaleuca Alternifolia.  

Mature trees produce white fluffy-looking flowers each year and can grow 16-26 feet tall.1 The Australian tea tree thrives in low-lying, swampy, subtropical coastal environments.2 

For decades (and more likely, centuries), the Australian tea tree3 has been recognized as containing antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral properties. It’s even said to have anti-cancer activity. 4

Today, tea trees grow in plantations across Australia but also in California. 

History of Tea Tree Oil

Indigenous Australians saw the tea tree leaves as a multi-purpose herb. Leaves were often used as a direct application for healing. Tea trees were used as an antiseptic and antifungal by crushing the leaves5 to form a paste. 

Ancient tales6 hold stories of healing lakes, which we now know were lagoons where tea tree leaves had fallen and decayed over time.

The medicinal paste from these trees was eventually overtaken by a new form in the 1920s and 30s – an extracted oil. A scientist named Penfold7 studied the effectiveness of tea tree oil as a mild, safe, and effective healing remedy. At that time, it became common practice to gather, cut, and distill tea tree oil on the spot using wood-fired bush stills. 

In fact, Australia used so much tea tree oil during World War II that it became an essential component for all first aid kits. 

As the production and use of antibiotics grew, the use of tea tree oil faded until the 1970s, when there was a resurgence of natural remedies and products.

Medical Uses of Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has been known to some in the holistic health world as a catch-all healer for medical issues.5 Today, the most popular tea tree production method is the steam distillation of the leaves and branches, resulting in a powerful oil with many uses. 

It’s known to treat both common and more severe issues. 

It’s known for soothing common skin concerns like:

  • Insect Bites
  • Cuts and Burns
  • Acne and inflamed skin
  • Infected Wounds
  • Bruises
  • Boils
  • Lice
  • Eczema
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Ringworm

Alleviating allergic reactions such as:

  • Diaper Rash
  • Hives
  • Poison Ivy and Oak
  • Heat Rash
  • Sunburn

Resolving Congestion and Infections like:

  • Throat or Chest Infections
  • Congestion
  • Earaches
  • Cystitis
  • Gingivitis
  • Athlete’s Foot
  • Nail infections

Tea tree oil can even be topically applied for deeper long-term issues like arthritis and carpal tunnel.

Why We Love Tea Tree Oil in Deodorant

There’s nothing worse than struggling with body odor. 

Knowing you smell less than pleasant makes you uncomfortable and can be challenging to control – despite your best efforts to mask it. And your stress about smelling bad creates more sweat, that smells worse…

But the interesting thing about sweat? 

Sweat itself is not what smells – it’s the bacteria8 that mixes with your sweat. Makes you wonder what type of bacteria you have in your pits, right?

Tea Tree Oil in Deodorant Kills Odor-Causing Bacteria Naturally

Natural bacteria-fighting properties mean tea tree oil deodorant kills off the bacteria living on your skin – which is the real culprit for your smelly pits. 

Skeptics rejoice because a natural deodorant that works is possible!

Tea tree oil delivers the same antibacterial properties that many alcohol-based deodorants provide – in a pure, natural state.  

Tea Tree Oil is Gentle When Diluted Correctly

Tea tree oil is a powerful oil and could cause irritation if it isn’t properly diluted. But when diluted correctly, it’s very mild with little to no side effects. Tea tree oil also contains anti-inflammatory properties, helping to soothe and heal the skin. So it’s not likely to irritate your skin as a deodorant component.

*However, you should still test a small area with diluted tea tree oil first to make sure your body handles it well.

Tea Tree Oil Deodorant Promotes Sweat (A Healthy Function!)

Important note: we’re talking about deodorant – not antiperspirant, so you will still sweat when using a tea tree oil deodorant – it just won’t smell bad.

 

Even though many would love never to sweat again, it’s actually a crucial human function. There are so many reasons antiperspirants aren’t healthy for you – the biggest one being that it prohibits this natural detoxifying and regulating process of sweating.  

Natural Ingredients Shows What a Company Values 

Because tea tree oil is a natural component derived from nature, a tea tree oil deodorant will often be connected to a company that cares for and respects the environment. Make sure you support the brands that provide plastic-free deodorant or even zero waste deodorant options.

Your purchases have real impacts – so support brands that align with your values!

Natural Deodorant Transition: What You Should Know

We won’t sugar coat it – some people struggle with transitioning to natural deodorant from a traditional deodorant or antiperspirant. Be patient, lower your stress levels, and give your body time to detox and reset. 

You May Have a Buildup of Toxins or Chemicals From Traditional Deodorant or Antiperspirant 

Sometimes a natural deodorant transition may take longer if you have a residual buildup of chemicals or antiperspirant left in your sweat glands.

It might feel like the natural deodorant isn’t working at first. Rest assured, this is just your body flushing out toxins and finding a “new normal.” Your body is excellent at regulating – give it a little bit of time.

How to Assist Your Natural Deodorant Transition

One of the best hacks to speed up your natural deodorant transition is a charcoal underarm detox bar, which helps curb excessive odor in the beginning. 

Use this bar for the first few weeks before applying your zero waste deodorant to support your body’s detoxification process. Charcoal pulls out toxins and impurities, cleansing the pores and returning them to their natural state.

You might also want to reapply your deodorant once or twice during the day for the first couple of weeks. Not to worry, though – this should only be in the beginning to avoid unwanted odors. After your body adjusts, once a day will be plenty.

Shower daily, and be sure to scrub your underarms thoroughly as you’re transitioning to a natural deodorant. A soap saver bag helps you get a deep clean in the shower while preserving your soap bar.

There’s No Such Thing as a “Natural” Antiperspirant 

Your body needs to sweat. So any product that is trying to eliminate, minimize, or reduce your sweating is simply blocking a natural, healthy process. Sweating is crucial for regulating your body temperature, boosting feel-good endorphins,9 eliminating toxins, and much more. 

How to Apply Natural Deodorant

It’s not really any different from applying a traditional deodorant. You might notice the texture is a little different. Depending on the ingredients, it can sometimes feel slightly tacky at first. 

Try spritzing some rosewater before applying or putting deodorant on immediately after you shower – the additional moisture will help the ingredients glide evenly and absorb into the skin faster.

Don’t Give Up on Natural Deodorant Too Soon

After a few months, if you still find you are smelling unpleasant or experiencing irritation from your deodorant, try switching to a different formula. There’s not a perfect deodorant for everyone. We all have unique bodies that work better with some ingredients and worse with others. 

But with non-toxic deodorants on the rise, there are plenty of options with different active ingredients to choose from. 

When Shopping: Natural Deodorant Best Practices

Shopping for a natural deodorant can feel overwhelming. Here are our biggest tips for staying focused, avoiding information overload, and choosing the right product for you and the environment. 

Choose a Zero Waste Deodorant

At Zero Waste Outlet, choosing zero-waste and eco-friendly products are always our biggest priority. Not only is the production far less harmful to the environment, but plastic-free deodorant is also easier to dispose of at the end of its lifecycle taking extra work off your plate. 

With more and more companies boasting about their plant-based plastic containers, we’re here to share a hard truth: Plant-based plastics aren’t actually good for the environment, and Recycling isn’t the answer anymore.

That’s why zero waste deodorant is your best option! You can easily find natural deodorants in compostable cardboard containers or as zero waste deodorant bars.

Look Out for Toxic Ingredients

Like a shampoo and conditioner bar, just because you find a plastic-free deodorant doesn’t mean it’s safe for your body or the environment. As we shower (or bathe), water runoff sends our products into the earth’s natural water sources. You don’t want to send chemicals from a product claiming to be a “natural” deodorant into your body or water sources. 

Being conscious of ingredients is a simple way to care for your health and the environment’s health. Read ingredient labels every time (this will also help you avoid any ingredients you may react to). Always opt for a truly non-toxic deodorant. 

Avoid Greenwashed Eco-Friendly Deodorants

To the same effect that toxic ingredients can be masked by a “natural” claim or hide behind a “fragrance,” greenwashed products can seem harmless (even productive) at first glance.

Do your research on the environmental impact the company is making. If they aren’t telling you loud and clear, then it isn’t good news. A truly “green” company has nothing to hide. 

Shop Locally

Check your local farmers market or your health-food store for non-toxic deodorants. Supporting local businesses is good for your community, boosts your economy, and provides local jobs. Often, small businesses are the most honest and genuine places to find clean, all-natural ingredients and zero-waste products.

Is Tea Tree Oil in Deodorant Right for Me? 

At Zero Waste Outlet, we believe in the power of Mother Nature for ingredients that work just as well (if not better) than man-made ingredients. Just check out our reviews on our zero waste deodorant with tea tree oil, and you’ll see why. 

But when it comes to natural deodorants, there’s really not a one-size-fits-all. 

At the end of the day, do what feels best for your body, especially when you’re making a significant change like a natural deodorant transition. If you find tea tree oil in deodorant doesn’t work with your body, don’t sweat it – try another natural deodorant.

There are plenty of options when it comes to non-toxic deodorants. Just remember to look for plastic-free deodorant or a zero waste deodorant as you shop, and you’ll be golden. 

Wherever you are in your zero waste journey, there’s a zero waste deodorant out there for you.

Check out our selection of zero waste deodorants and send us an email if you’ve got any more questions. 

We’re here to help.

Sources:

  1. Tea Tree: The Genus Melaleuca
  2. Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil: a Review of Antimicrobial and Other Medicinal Properties
  3. About Australian Tea Tree Oil
  4. Australian Tea Tree Oil Melaleuca alternifolia 
  5. Encylopedia.com – Tea Tree Oil 
  6. Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil: a Review of Antimicrobial and Other Medicinal Properties
  7. Penfold, Arthur de Ramon (1890–1980)
  8. 14 Benefits and Uses for Tea Tree Oil
  9. 12 Reasons Why Sweating Is So Freaking Good For You 

DIY Tea Tree Oil Deodorant With Lavender

Health & Beauty

BySilvia Updated on

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In my many years of trying -and often failing- to be and Enviromom, finding deodorant alternatives has been one of my biggest challenges.

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Welcome to EnviroMom!

Let’s face! There are many things I can let go off, but putting up with my own body smell is something I feel very reluctant about – the risk is too much for me! But every now and then, when I know I don’t need to go out, I like to experiment with my favorite “guinea pig”, my husband, who I know will give me honest and brutal feedback!

After experimenting with lavender oil in my kitchen cupboards (turns our roaches hate lavender smell), it was time to do my tea tree and lavender oil as a deodorant experiment.

With my transition to living a healthier life – I am working from the inside out to improve my well being. I have really started working on living plastic-free and eating better – like bringing these DIY oatmeal packets with me to work – to trying new healthier skin care options.

I know over the counter deodorants are not the healthiest option because most contain things such as aluminum zirconium trichlorohydrex – and while the ingredients really have not been proven to have any real impact on health I would rather try healthier alternatives.

But can a more natural DIY alternative antiperspirant option hold up to this busy moms sweat?

I was on a quest to find out.

At my favorite natural oils shop, the sales clerk saw me carefully analyzing the deodorants and asked if she could help. After telling her about my needs she recommended I just give tea tree oil and lavender oils a go for a few days! Something I had never considered before despite loving the smell tea tree oil in all things personal care related.

So, I decided to follow their advice and went home with both oils!

Using Tea Tree Oil & Lavender

Below are the details of what I did during my test period.

  • Make sure you are not shaving your armpits on the same day!
  • Make sure armpits are completely dry so the oils can absorb
  • Each day I dabbed one drop of the tea tree oil under each armpit and rubbed it a bit to make sure I covered my armpit.
    • Warning: oils are super strong – when you open the tiny bottle, be prepared for it to hit your brain within a fraction of a second!
  • I waited for that to dry – about 60 seconds or so
  • Then I added 1 dab of lavender oil and waited for that to dry before getting dressed

After a few days of this, I was quite pleased with the outcome and so was my husband.

It’s summer, it’s hot and all the running after three kids put the oils through some tough testing!

UPDATE: I have heard from some readers that they like to use the tea tree oil underneath their traditional deodorant as an extra layer of odor protection. So if the tea tree oil on its own is not doing its job – then this would be an option as well!

My New Tea Tree Oil Deodorant Recipe

Now that I am moving forward with using this as part of my daily routine I decided to make a batch of it so I can easily access it when I need to instead of dabbing it all the time! While some have created real deodorant using coconut oil or shea butter to create a type of roll on deodorant, I opted for a spray to keep things easy and it works really well for me.

Ingredients

  • 20 drops of tea tree oil – I particularly love the Eco Modern Essentials Tea Tree Oil
  • 1/2 cup distilled water or witch hazel*
  • 5 drops lavender oil or another scent you prefer* – I use the Eco Modern Essentials Lavender Oil as well

Instructions

  1. Add tea tree oil to an amber-colored roll-on bottle
  2. Add water
  3. Add lavender
  4. Shake vigorously to mix
  5. Store away from light in a cool place

An 8 ounce bottle usually lasts me about a month – but may vary for you. I just do one small roll in each armpit and am good to go. Be sure to test, but keep in mind that essential oils can be strong (even after diluted in water)!

*I use water for the recipe – but in doing my research I found that witch hazel can be a great option as many have said it does a great job of controlling sweat. I am not someone who sweats a lot so did not feel I needed that.

*I used lavender oil because for me it is a soothing element to counteract the roughness of the scent of the tea tree oil – but I would play around with other oil scents if you are not a fan of lavender!

Why Does Tea Tree Oil Work?

Tea tree oil is a great deodorant option for a few reasons!

  • Antifungal – it has the ability for it to kill yeasts and fungi and has been proven in several medical reviews.
  • Antibacterial – it will kill off the bacteria that your body creates when you sweat. While sweat itself has no odor – the combination of sweat with the bacteria that is on your skin does! Tea tree oil helps kill that bacteria leaving you relatively odor free.

The lavender I added just gives a nice subtle scent so the tea tree oil odor is not so overwhelming.

Final Thoughts

Have you given this a try? Let me know what you thought and it it worked for you to mask those yucky odors!

Silvia

Silvia is a mom of three pre-teen kids and is passionate about living a more sustainable family life. She feels she has only just begun her journey towards environmentally friendly living, and hopes that EnviroMom can be a resource to help other families on their own journeys!

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Essential oil Medicomed Natural tea tree – “We whiten teeth, apply for facial skin and as a deodorant, compare with EO from the company Natural Oils LLC (+ photo collages)”

Hello everyone! Today I would like to tell you about tea tree essential oil from Medicomed LLC.

Appearance

1) Original composition:

natural tea tree essential oil.

2) The bottle is made of tinted glass.

3) The Latin name of the essential oil is written on the box and on the bottle itself

Melaleuca alternifolia

4) The volume of the bottle is 10 ml.

5) Convenient dispenser included.

6) Instructions for use are not included, but there is enough information on the box itself on how to use this essential oil.

7) The bottle does not have a cap with a first opening ring. As a deodorant 0003

tea tree essential oil has antiseptic and wound healing properties, and also has a pleasant, slightly fresh smell, I decided to use it as a deodorant. I will make a reservation right away that I am the owner of sensitive skin, so when using conventional antiperspirants, I always had irritation on my armpits, and the skin itched (I apologize for the details). It was just torment. So since I switched to using oil instead of deodorant, the situation has changed. Tea tree essential oil does not allow bacteria to multiply, so it eliminates the smell of sweat with a bang!

In any case, micro-wounds form after shaving, which may not be visible to the naked eye. Tea tree oil perfectly heals, so the skin of the armpits always looks well-groomed. Plus, the oil does not clog pores, unlike deodorants. This allows the pores to function normally and the amount of moisture released naturally decreases. So I advise everyone to try it!

For teeth and oral disinfection

There are two ways to use tea tree essential oil for this purpose:

1) First, brush your teeth with regular toothpaste. Rinse your toothbrush and mouth with water. After that, drip 3-4 drops of oil on the brush and brush your teeth again. The tongue may become a little numb. Finally, rinse your mouth again with water.

2) Apply toothpaste to the toothbrush and drip tea tree oil on top (or first drip oil and then apply toothpaste – it doesn’t matter). Clean your teeth with the resulting mixture.

The effect of using the first or second method is almost the same, only the second method is much faster! See photos of teeth before and after

For facial skin

As I said, my skin is generally sensitive, prone to redness and peeling. Acne does not appear often, mainly during PMS. After reading reviews about the use of tea tree essential oil, I applied it in its pure form with a cotton swab on a pimple in the evening. In the morning, of course, I got rid of the pimple, but after that I was tormented to remove the red spot. Looks like she burned her skin.

As I grew wiser, I mixed base oils and essential oils (including tea oil) and applied this mixture to my pimples as well as the sore spots. After a few days, the redness and pimples were gone.

Conclusion:

1) When using the oil as a deodorant, tea tree essential oil can be used alone or mixed with base oils. It all depends on the sensitivity of YOUR skin.

2) It is better to use undiluted tea tree essential oil for teeth whitening.

3) For sensitive facial skin, base oils should be diluted with tea tree essential oil.

4) For facial skin prone to oiliness, tea tree essential oil can be applied pointwise to inflamed areas (my sister and girlfriend have just such a skin, so they only use it in its pure form).

____________________________________ COMPARISON OF TWO BRANDS ___________________________

The first tea tree essential oil I bought was from Medicomed LLC. It suited me perfectly, but the second time it was no longer in the pharmacy, and I had to take the company Natural Oils LLC

In general, I can say that these two brands are not very different from each other. The volume of the bottles is the same, each is made of tinted glass, and each does not have a cap with a first opening ring (for some, this may be a significant disadvantage). The price range is the same. Both products do the job perfectly. The only difference is that the Medicomed LLC essential oil box does not include detailed instructions for use. In my opinion, the products are interchangeable, and it’s not worth puzzling over the choice for a long time.

Happy shopping everyone!!!

LAVENDER deodorant

LAVENDER deodorant composition Crimean Tales: baking soda, potato starch, shea butter, macadamia, aloe, cocoa, allantoin, extract of lavender, linden, St. John’s wort, calendula, lavender wax, ether tea tree oil, lavender, grapefruit.

For fans of the Krasnaya Polyana lavender deodorant (which we had before), I specifically left its composition here so that you can compare.

This is the composition of the Krasnopolyansk deodorant Lavender: baking soda, corn starch, shea butter, coconut oil, beeswax, allantoin, essential oils of tea tree, geranium, lavender.

LAVENDER deodorant Crimean Tales works great . Before putting it on the site, she herself used it for six months. Perfectly eliminates odors, and Crimean lavender is more delicious.

No aluminum!

About I’ve known for a long time that even if you don’t have any deodorant on hand, a weak aqueous solution of baking soda will save and replace deodorant, removing unpleasant underarm odor.

Starch draws excess moisture from the surface of the skin when you move and sweat.

Shea Butter and Macadamia are good for nourishing the skin and can relieve inflammation in the skin.

The Crimean manufacturer has kept the highlight of deodorant – allantoin (an extract from the medicinal herb comfrey, another name is larkspur) , which has strong disinfecting properties. It is she who first of all eliminates the bacteria that are the culprits of the unpleasant odor in the armpits.

Aloe, linden and calendula extracts work as ingredients to soothe and heal the skin. This is important to prevent irritation and diaper rash.

Tea tree, lavender and St. John’s wort essential oils does not need to be specially introduced. They have excellent bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties.

The result is a very successful combination of powerful natural ingredients that prevent bacteria from multiplying in the armpit area, which produce an unpleasant odor.

How to properly apply deodorant. Important secret.

The consistency of the deodorant is a thick paste that dissolves well in water and hydrosols.

You take a little of this paste on the tip of your finger and apply it to WET SKIN in the armpit area. The deodorant in this case softens very well and quickly, and it can be easily applied to the skin.

After showering in the morning, don’t dry your armpits, but immediately apply deodorant while it’s wet and forget about the smell of sweat for the whole day.

Or just wet your armpits, don’t dry and apply deodorant to your wet skin.

I personally love spraying my underarms with hydrolates before deodorant.

I use in combination with LAVENDER deodorant for mood hydrolates: lavender, sage, rose.

And if we are talking about a hydrolate that would enhance the effect of deodorant (Although there is no need to enhance it. It works great.) and reduce sweating, then Black Walnut hydrolate is best suited here.

When you apply deodorant, you can smell the lavender scent in your armpits. After 30 minutes, there is practically no smell of essential oils anymore !!! NO!!! bad smell of sweat. And the effect lasts 10-12 hours.

In a jar 60 gr. Deodorant. It lasts me 6 months.

Deodorant withstands heat well and does not lose its properties even if you do not close it tightly. It’s better to close it, though.

If you have shaved your armpits , apply deodorant not earlier than after 10-12 hours, so that the micro-wounds on the skin heal.