Vinegar for Deodorant

I can't believe we did not think of this sooner. 

As we were listening to positive affirmations on Sunday, and one said "Know that abundance comes to you today whether it is from a person coming into your life, a good idea, or a moment of chance. Do not worry about the form in which it comes, just know that it will." Neville said to assume that something was coming that day. I liked the idea of "a good idea" but didn't think any further on it, which I think is the key... not to think and just to know. THEN we were out walking, it came to me, the next culinary cosmetic, deodorant. I already use vinegar to wash my hair, people use it to clean surfaces, perhaps it would work as deodorant?!

We have not bought deodorant in over a decade, not even the all natural stuff. Our bodies regulated and turns out we don't need it... for the most part, lol. There are absolutely some days where we wish we hade something, anything, and now we have a potential perfect solution. We took a peek at our herb books and found that lavender, roses, and rosemary are all odor neutralizers. Since we have all of them growing in the garden, it is a perfect fit. We like to create from things that we have in abundance. If it is something we cannot easily get a hold of in a sustainable way we start imagining alternatives. 

So off we goooo! The idea has come. We have no expectations. For us, the concept itself is of value, so thus it is already an abundant one. He made the first batch on Sunday and by Monday we already had labels designed and printed. By Monday afternoon, I got my first opportunity to test it.

After a full days work, it was time to walk down to our favorite watering hole. We do this everyday, there is a nice spot where the spring water meets the ocean surrounded by natural lava rock pools. We think of it as our own Japanese Onsen, a cold one. Always refreshing, very wabsi sabi. As we set on our journey, I could tell I had been sweating and perhaps a little smelly so I used the spray. When I say "miraculous", I mean it!!!! It totally worked. All smell neutralized, in fact, it smelled like flowers. Then I even sprayed it in my mouth and it is insanely delicious. Hahahha if I grossed people out with eating hair vinegar, just wait... your deodorant is edible, but not just that, its really tasty and you could totally spray this on fruits and desserts. We will be forever keeping a bottle in the car. 

After receiving the idea download, I went into research mode and found that ACV is already a popular deodorant alternative. Even though it already exists, I am happy that this idea came to me naturally and that I did not know it was a thing. This is why we avoid looking at outside influence! We want to have our own ideas and if we start seeing what other creatives are doing, it makes our ideas feel less authentic. We love when you guys make suggestions but for the most part, we really stick to our own lane. So anyway... now we really know it works cause apparently its been a popular alternative for as long as vinegar has been around. 

Research shows that it kills the odor-causing bacteria and helps balance the skin's pH. It wont stop you from sweating, but it does effectively neutralize the smell caused by bacterial breakdown of sweat. It restores the skin's natural acidity, making it an inhospitable environment for foul-smelling bacteria. I knew the scalp is naturally acidic so it did not surprise me to learn that our armpits are too. I had already been considering a body wash for this reason. I can't wait to share with you the abundant ingredient I came up with for that after pondering what to use for weeks. 

Sour Flower Vinegar Deodorant - game on!!! We will forever be using this and are so excited to add it to culinary cosmetic pantry.  The best part, he will use it too, since he doesn't use products in his hair this will be his first time using the vinegar cosmetically :)