Being just about out of deodorant, I once again started a search for a natural deodorant that really works. Maybe I just have stinky pits or something, but most of the ones I have tried don’t work or, if they do, seem to lose effectiveness pretty quickly. So I often resort to regular grocery store ones or rotate a natural one with a grocery store one, especially in the hot summer months. I still try and stick to ones with the lowest ratings I can find according to the Skin Deep Database though.
This time, I came across a site for homemade deodorant. I was pretty skeptical, though to be honest I’m not sure why I would be, since my homemade cleaners and bug sprays seem to work as well if not better than any chemicals from the store. But I was. However, after reading the reviews I decided to give it a try. The aluminum in most deodorants has been linked to Alzheimer’s, and since my grandmother has it, I’d like to do whatever I can to lessen the probability of me getting it too. If that means making my own deodorant, so be it. 
If it saves me money in the process (and it does, even using organic ingredients), even better. It took me all of five minutes to make, using ingredients I always have in the house anyway, so for me it was quicker than running out to the store too.
Natural Deodorant
- 5 TB coconut oil (I used extra-virgin, cold-pressed, organic)
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup corn starch
- essential oil
Melt the coconut oil on low heat. Coconut oil has a very low melting point so it won’t take long. Remove from heat and add the baking soda and corn starch. Stir until smooth.
Add a few drops of essential oil depending on your preferences. I put five drops of tea tree oil for it’s antibacterial and antifungal properties, and orange because I love the smell. Next time, I might also add a couple of drops of lavender. Once it has cooled somewhat, give it another stir to prevent the oils from settling.
The only thing I forgot to do was figure out a container to put it in once it was done. All I had in the house were plastic, two-cup rubbermaid containers. It didn’t even fill one of those halfway. I like the idea of reusing an old deodorant container, except that coconut oil has such a low melting point that I would be worried about it leaking. It would have to be somewhere upright and it wouldn’t work for traveling. I think next time I will see if I can find some squat glass containers to use.
So far, it seems to work as well as any store-bought ones I have tried. The true test will be to see how it holds up over time though.
I hope it works for you! It has been working beautifully for me — and I felt great about letting my young daughter use some for her starting-to-get-stinky pits.
Cool! I will have to try that. I haven’t had luck with natural deodorants either, but I was planning on giving it a try again when I ran out. I also found a nice PDF of natural cleaners that might add to your list above: http://cleancalgary.org/images/uploads/File/GreenCleaning.pdf
Interesting! I can’t wait to hear how it wears. What’s the final texture like?
It seems to be working pretty good so far! It’s been hot out and I’ve had no problems. *knock on wood*
Jen, Thanks for the pdf! I will add that to my page, there are some great ideas in there.
Annie, I think that if it was in a reused deodorant container, it would be similar in texture to deodorant, though it melts a bit as it goes on since it’s coconut oil. In the container I have it in, I kind of scoop a bit up and rub it on and it’s very similar to what coconut oil in a jar is like, though a tad “powdery” almost.