Cornstarch

What is it?
Starch is a kind of carbohydrate, to use a simpler word: sugar. When sugar needs to be stored, plants usually store it in the form of starch. Seeds generally contain starch because in this way it provides a ready store of energy for the seed to germinate. Seeds of the corn plant are particularly high in starch and this substance is extracted from corn and used for many purposes. It is used in the paper industry, adhesives, textiles, medicine and food. Indeed most people have corn starch at home as it is used in so many recipes, usually as a thickening agent.

Sustainability report

Corn starch is not a sustainable ingredient. Although corn starch comes from corn, which is a renewable resource, corn production is often done on very large scales with single corn fields extending over huge areas. This is problematic for the local biodiversity and often relies on chemical pesticides and fertilisers to increase yield. Additionally corn requires a lot of irrigation. 

The process of extracting the starch from corn is relatively simple, and since corn has such high levels of starch this is a relatively efficient process. However the process is energy intensive nonetheless. 

Overall I would say that corn starch is not a particularly sustainable ingredient, however given that in home cooking it is generally used in very small quantities and that few alternatives exist which can do the same job, I would not worry about it if you have some at home. 

I use Maizena corn starch. 

What about its use in Kayan Naturkosmetik?

I used corn starch in my deodorants because it is very effective at absorbing moisture, it has a smooth and fine texture and is soothing to the skin. In combination with the odour absorbing properties of bicarbonate of soda this is a perfect deodorant. The quantity I use in the deodorant is much higher than what we usually use for cooking, as it is the main ingredient in the deodorant. However the alternative substances used in industrially produced deodorants are much more harmful to the planet and to our health. So overall, if you are someone who needs to use deodorant, this is probably your best option. 

How can we improve?

Arrowroot powder is considered to be a more natural alternative to corn starch, however it is very difficult to get reliable, unbiased information on this so I am still doing the research! Arrowroot powder is also very high in starch and it is the dried and powdered form of a root tuber of a tropical plant. My plan is to continue to learn more about arrowroot powder and where I can source it from, and if it seems to be a genuinely more sustainable alternative to corn starch I will experiment with switching to arrowroot powder in my deodorants. Watch this space, or join my mailing list to be sure to hear about how it goes!

Image produced with AI.