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Citric Essential Oil impact pH?
I have been making a basic deodorant using vegetable oils and baking soda. I am getting some kind of bubbling reaction with my citrus deo and not the other essential oil scented deos. It seems to happen more often in warm weather. I am wondering if it a reaction between the citrus essential oils (some cold pressed) and the high alkaline level. It is my understanding that steam distilled essential oils don’t impact pH - however, not all citric essential oils are steam distilled. In fact they are often cold pressed. Would this impact pH? I can’t find any scientific data in regards to if essential oils can impact pH or react with alkaline environments, however, I might be looking in the wrong way. Also, I was using Orange Wax, which might also impact/react in an alkaline environment, so I will be taking this out to see what happens. I am trying to change the essential oil mix so I get no bubbles but not sure if I should avoid the wax, the cold pressed or rethink the scent entirely. I have tried some experiments at home (I’m not a scientist) but am unable to reproduce the gassing that occasionally happens in any controlled way. Anyway, wanting to know if my thinking that it the essential oil blend that is the culprit is at all plausible. Any scientifically based input or hints where to research would be helpful. Thanks so much.
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1 Reply
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It does indeed sound like someting acidic has reacted with the baking soda. What are the other ingredients in the deodorant?
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