Make Your Own Deodorant

I know, I know….

It sounds weird.

The deodorant I use daily

I make my own deodorant.  Some do-it-yourself stuff I try and quickly abandon.  Some things I try and later abandon because even though they are pretty good, they take a quite a bit of effort.  Other do-it-yourself projects are definite winners. This deodorant is a winner.  Although it's not as easy as picking up a stick at the store, is very much worth the effort.

I've been using it for about five or six years and I'll never go back.  The recipe is from my mom.  I don't know where she got it, but I am posting it below. 

It is not an antiperspirant but I don't prefer one anyway.  Before I used this I was using a commercial deodorant product made for men which I had to reapply on hot days.  This product prevents odor all day, even in the heat.  I don't add scent, but I know others who will add a few drops of essential oil.  My skin is very sensitive and I would rather keep the recipe as simple as possible.

As an added bonus this deodorant is free of nasty chemicals so it won't cause any unwanted side effects. 

Make-Your-Own Deodorant

Ingredients:

6 Tablespoons extra virgin coconut oil*

2 Tablespoons beeswax- grated or pellets

1/4 cup baking soda

1/4 cup arrowroot powder - can substitute cornstarch, though I have not

Melt coconut oil and beeswax on low heat in a small saucepan.  Remove from heat and stir in baking soda and arrowroot powder.

Pour into a shallow, wide-mouthed container or into old deodorant dispensers.  To use, scoop a small amount onto finger and spread evenly on underarm.  Use sparingly, a little goes a long way.

I double the recipe and it lasts me six months or more.  Only a small amount equal to less than a quarter teaspoon is needed each day.  So in addition to being a great deodorant, it's also very cheap!

Also as a note, this all-natural product is softer in the summer and harder in the winter.  This is due to the melting point of coconut oil being 76 degrees.  It does not become a soupy mess in the summer, it's just more like paste.  

*Extra virgin coconut oil is a key ingredient.  Expeller pressed coconut oil will not eliminate odor.