I have tried many natural unscented deodorants over the years and they all wore off within hours of application. And I’m not an overly sweaty person. Heck, it’s too cold up here to do much sweating most of the year!
I came across using Milk of Magnesia as a body deodorizer on a message board some time ago. It seemed utterly ridiculous. I mean, Milk of Magnesia is that chalky white liquid you drink when you can’t ”go”. You might remember seeing the iconic blue plastic bottle sitting in your nan’s medicine cabinet over the years. But it’s just a laxative. Right? Well, yes and no. It does work wonders to relieve constipation but chemically conscious people have been touting its benefits as a safe and natural deodorizer for years.
What is Milk of Magnesia?
Milk of Magnesia is really magnesium hydroxide. Which literally means magnesium suspended in water. And while you can get MOM with additives to make it taste better (for its purpose as a laxative), for using it as a deodorant, it’s best to try to source one with the least amount of ingredients as possible.
Magnesium and the Body
I was already familiar with magnesium as I have been struggling with a deficiency for a number of years. According to the National Institute of Health, magnesium is crucial for optimal body function. If you are low in magnesium, you may experience muscle spasms or cramps, And while it occurs naturally in the foods we eat like leafy green vegetables, whole grains, nuts, beans and fish, sometimes we are not getting the daily recommended amounts. People who suffer from environmental sensitivities, asthma, gastrointestinal disease and disorders, and type 2 diabetes can benefit from supplementing with oral magnesium.
But what about applying it topically? I had to research to find some answers to make sure that it was safe before trying it myself. This article posted in PubMed studied transdermal application of magnesium to the body and they concluded that it is most effective when absorbed through sweat glands and/or hair follicles. Excellent!
How to Use Milk of Magnesia as a Deodorant
I decided to give it a go. I’ve read that it works best applied on clean skin. It can be a bit tricky to use as there is no applicator. I find it best to shake the bottle the night before and in the morning, stick my finger inside the bottle neck where the residue gathers and is a little thick. Then I apply it to my underarms. A blast of air from the hairdryer to the armpits helps to get rid of the wet, sticky feeling.
Effectiveness
Research shows that magnesium hydroxide has effective antibacterial properties. We know that body odour comes from bacteria so it makes sense that magnesium would be beneficial. If you’re expecting to be dry all day, using Milk of Magnesia may not fit the bill. Neither will any other deodorant… what you’re wanting is an anti-perspirant. And with those come a lot of harmful chemicals. But if you want zero body odour? I can attest that this works 100%. It is nothing short of amazing.
