Homemade Deodorant

Homemade Deodorant

I’ve wanted to try some homemade deodorant for a long time now.  I want to get away from the aluminum (linked to Alzheimer’s disease and also genotoxic, meaning it causes genetic mutations like cancer with prolonged exposure) and parabens (which are found in many breast cancers, for whatever reason).  So, I looked at several recipes others were using with success and created this recipe for myself.  I have already been using a spray on version for several weeks that I like and it works well, but sometimes it’s difficult for me to wait until it’s completely dry before getting dressed.  My homemade recipes work at least as well as any commercial product I have used, maybe better.  I’ll let ya know in July.  ;)

SECRET COMING à If you have trouble remaining fresh, and you’ve tried several deodorant brands, I have a secret for you.  Body odor is caused by bacteria.  The toxins (waste) from the bacteria are what smell.  So, if you kill the bacteria, no smell, right?  So I figured alcohol kills bacteria and you could splash some alcohol or witch hazel on your pits after you shower before you put on your deodorant, but how unpleasant is that?  So, I thought, body splash is mostly alcohol, right?  So just spray 4 or 5 spritzes of some delightful smelling body splash under there and wait a minute or so (it dries quickly) then put your deodorant on.  IT WORKS!!  It’s great for a quick refresher if you’re changing clothes, too.   I have been fresh all day, every day for a couple years now (well, except those yard work days.  There’s no stopping that stench.)  

Ingredients:

½ cup + 1 TBSP Coconut Oil (I used what I got in the cooking oil section at the grocery store. If you get unrefined it has more of that wonderful coconutty scent.)

1 ½ TBSP Beeswax pellets (this makes it stay solid, so, if you don’t mind a creamy deodorant you apply with your fingertips, you can leave this out, or you could keep it in the fridge.)

½ cup cornstarch (absorbs wetness)

½ cup baking soda (prevents bacteria growth)

3 TBSP arrowroot powder (also optional.  It adds to the function of the cornstarch and baking soda, but my original recipe did not call for this.  I just had some on hand so I put it in.)

10 drops clary sage essential oil (lemony scented and anti-bacterial) and 10 drops rosemary essential oil (this has a bit of an herby-medicinal smell to me, but it is a boost for the anti-bacterial.  If you need extra odor control, you might put this in.  Lavendar, Sage and Tea Tree essential oils, and others, are also anti-bacterial.  I had clary sage and rosemary on hand.) If you don’t have essential oils, don’t fret, they aren’t necessary for this to work.

1 Vitamin E capsule.  Just snip it and squeeze it in. (also optional.  It’s just good for your skin and it’s a natural preservative.  I don’t think this will grow mold or anything anyway.)

Empty deodorant containers.  I filled 1-2.6 oz and 3-1.7 oz ones that were used Secret solid containers with this recipe.  The labels came off nicely. J 

Directions:

1. Melt the coconut oil and beeswax pellets over VERY low heat.

2. Add the baking soda, cornstarch and arrowroot.

3. Mix until creamy.  (It should be the consistency of thick lotion.)

4. Add essential oils and Vitamin E and mix.

5. Pour in empty deodorant containers.

6. Let sit overnight or until completely cooled and set before capping.

Hope you like it.  Let me know what you think and if you have any suggestions for improvements!

**UPDATE**  I've been using this for a few days now and they've been hot days.  I did pretty heavy housework today and I do not detect any odor.  The consistency of the deodorant is just a wee bit softer than my normal Secret solid. It is also a little sandy--like baking soda feels, but it sinks into my skin and doesn't feel greasy or gritty.  I like it fairly well, but I'm leaning toward going back to the spray-on I made because I like the way it feels on my armpits after it dries and I powder. I'm going to give it a few more days and see what I think (plus I have four containers of rub-on, lol). I will put up my spray on recipe one day soon.

**UPDATE#2** Okay, So it's 8/15 and I'm just starting my third container of deodorant (and I gave one to my daughter) so I'll need to make more soon.  I have been standing my deodorant in front of my bathroom cabinet (where the a/c hits it) and it's much easier to put on.  That tells me a little more beeswax would help keep it more solid and, therefore, easier to "rub" on without smooshing.  I'll try that.  I have also noted that the baking soda is a bit drying and causes a little irritation if I don't moisturize. (at least, I think it's the baking soda since that was suggested on a couple sites I read).  I can't decide if I'll leave that out or just continue to moisturize a little.  I REALLY like the odor control and hate to change the formula.  I AM going to try a batch without baking soda for my daughter because she has REALLY sensitive skin and said it stings her after she shaves.  I'm SURE that is the saltiness in the baking soda.
**UPDATE#3** 8/27 My hub assures me that I do not smell and I guess he would know...so no odor that I just can't smell.  :)  I have been recently using my spray on in the morning (since I needed to use it up) and powdering then using my solid in the evening when I get ready for bed and don't want to take the time to wait. (along with a couple spritzes of body splash first)  This is working extremely well and has kept me from having any irritation at all.  I think I may have found the perfect combination for me. Still putting it in front of the a/c, though, until I use up this last container.