Barb's Homemade Deodorant

We all hear how bad it is for us to use deodorant, but we all need it.   Apparently the aluminum, the parabens, other chemicals and additives in the product are harmful, yet most companies continue to use those ingredients to keep our armpits dry and good smelling.   I am very sensitive to a lot of underarm deodorants, so I decided to make my own.  A while ago, I bought Degree deodorant for women and something in it made my armpits itch.  Of course, I bought a three pack at Sam's Club.  There was no savings in buying in quantity when you don't use it.  I emptied out one of the containers and used that container to make my own.  I searched online and found a blog post that had a recipe.  http://becomingpeculiar.com/my-all-natural-homemade-body-care-products/

The first thing you do is melt, over a double boiler, 3 Tablespoons of Coconut Oil and 1 Tablespoon of beeswax.   Since I don't have a double boiler, I just fit a heat resistant bowl over a kettle of hot water. 

Coconut oil and grated beeswax melted together.

When it is all melted and stirred together, just add 1/4 cup of cornstarch, 1/4 cup of baking soda, 5 drops of Tea Tree Oil (for antibacterial effect) and a scent if you wish.  I added spearmint essential oil.  Don't ask me why I chose spearmint, it was kind of an odd choice. 

Ingredients for homemade underarm deodorant.

When all the ingredients are combined into a runny mixture, pour into an empty deodorant container.  Be sure it is screwed down to the lowest level.  You may have to work fast depending on how fast it cools.  It finishes cooling quickly in the container and is ready to use right away.  Because coconut oil melts at 76 degrees, it may become soft in the hot summer.  In this case, just keep it in the refrigerator.  Mine seems fine and it is a very warm day.  The beeswax helps keep it firm so melting may not be a problem.

The finished product.

It worked out very well. The baking soda absorbs odor, the cornstarch absorbs moisture, the coconut oil and beeswax makes it stay together  and the tea tree oil kills bacteria. The essential oil helps make it smell good.  In my case, like a stick of Wrigley's spearmint gum.  I peeled the label off so I won't confuse it for another brand.  Time will tell if it does do what it is supposed to do.  I hope others will tell me if it doesn't work.  You know what they say "A skunk can't smell it's own odor".  I may think this stuff is wonderful but others may not.