Sunday, June 17, 2012

Homemade Deodorant

After figuring out that I was allergic or sensitive to almost all commercially made antiperspirant/deodorants, I decided that I needed to take the leap and find out how to make my own.  Especially, when the one and only commercial antiperspirant/deodorant I could use, left my pits smelling like rotten food by the end of the day.  GROSS!

I had read online from many moms that they were using a concoction of coconut oil, baking soda and corn starch.  For some reason it just seemed so daunting, so I didn't bother, even though I had ALL of the ingredients handy.  But then, for some reason, my friend Erica, said she used that mixture and it was wonderful.  THAT, was it, it did it for me.  Well, it also helped that I saw the bottom of my current stick so I needed something QUICK!

My first batch was a flop.  I added too much corn starch so it dried up and was brittle.  But I didn't give up.  I tried again, adding in some shea butter to help it firm up nicely.  There was no 'recipe' for the deodorant I made, I just winged it.  But it basically went this way:

2 T unrefined virgin coconut oil
2 T shea butter
~2 T baking soda
~2 T corn starch
(you may want to tweak the recipe to work for you, but this one works for me.)
a few drops of a soft essential oil if you like. 

So, pretty much equal parts across the board.  And how I made it:

Melt shea butter and coconut oil (I just used the microwave, doing the shea butter first since it has a higher melting point, then the coconut oil.  I'm sure you can use a double boiler but that's too many dishes for me!)  Make sure to mix well and that all of the butter/oils are melted, then I would start slowly adding in the baking soda and corn starch, 1 T at a time.  Make sure to mix well.  It will still be a very liquidy consistency and will not be ready to put in a deodorant stick yet.  I toss mine in the freezer, checking it every couple minutes to make sure it doesn't freeze, but just firm up to a scoopable buttery texture.  Once that is ready, I take it out and stir a bit more, and then put in my reused deodorant stick.

I've had luck that mine doesn't melt in the warmth.  I think it might be the shea that keeps the coconut oil from melting completely (it has a very low melting point).

Pros:
  • Knowing what is in your product
  • Keeping nasty chemicals/preservatives off of and out of your body
  • No artificial fragrances that may offend your friends
  • Easier to shave, since it leaves skin MUCH softer and cleaner
  • After a week or two(maybe 3) you will notice you will not sweat as much during regular activities.  True story.  (I successfully used it during a hot spell of 110* in December 2010, while pregnant.)
  • Inexpensive
Cons:
  • Having to buy the products to make it, in more than you need at first.(but is okay, since you'll be making more!)
  • Can sting a little if applied too soon after shaving.
  • Have to let the pits dry a bit after application.(or just rub your arm/armpit together to rub it in faster.)
  • Might melt if left to get too hot.  (I haven't had that problem though.)
  • May not completely keep you from feeling wet.  (Over time, I have sweat less and less.  Which the commercial AP/D did NOT keep me dry anyway!)

I hope you enjoy this!  Please leave any comments you have about this, or if you have a different recipe that works marvelous as well.

**I'll add some pictures in the next few days.

Peace, Love and Go Green!