I think this is the ultimate sign of going full-on crunchy. Well, maybe besides not wearing any at all. This cream deodorant is long-lasting and very effective. I’ve been wearing all summer while lifeguarding so trust me it’s been put to the test!
Make sure you detox before switching! If you are currently wearing a deodorant with aluminum, you might find that putting this deodorant on will irritate your skin more. That’s because your body has trapped chemicals in your pours and they have no way of leaving your system. It can take up to a month for it to leave your system! Scary, considering we put it on our body daily.
Why I Love this DIY
- Completely natural and easy to obtain ingredients
- Non-toxic and chemical-free
- Inexpensive and takes less than five minutes to make
- Zero waste and effective!
- Ability to control the fragrance
How to make homemade deodorant
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup (4 Tbsp) cornstarch
- 1/4 cup (4 Tbsp) baking soda
- 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp) coconut oil*
- 25 drops essential oil (optional)
- I used about 10 drops of tea tree and 15 drops of lavender*
You can also keep this recipe fragrant free! Which is great if you are highly sensitive to smells.
I store my homemade deodorant in an elite pint mason jar*.
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Directions
- Soften the coconut oil in the microwave. No more than 30 seconds!
- I melt mine in the glass container I will store it in.
- Combine all ingredients in a jar and mix. I like to whip the cooled mixture with a fork to gives it fluffiness.
- It’s that easy! I also added tea tree oil because, along with the coconut oil, it is also anti-bacterial. Lavender is a favorite smell and helps with skin irritation.
To Use
Dip the tips of your fingers into your jar and take a teaspoon-sized amount. Rub the cream on the tips of your fingers to melt the coconut oil. Apply to your underarms and go conquer your day.
I apply after showering. I only need to apply once a day but it is safe enough to apply more than that.
Notes
This recipe is shelf-stable and lasts me up to 4 months. A whole batch will get me through the entire summer. Because the ratio of powder ingredients to oil is 1:1, it remains a cream at higher temperatures. Some of my other beauty recipes that are majority coconut oil (like toothpaste) melt much easier in a hot apartment.
Related: DIY Luxurious Whipped Body Butter
But It Doesn’t Make You Stop Sweating…?
Right, so you will still sweat when you wear this deodorant. It’s deodorant, not an antiperspirant. In my opinion, it’s much more natural to let yourself sweat. It keeps you cool and it’s how we were made! But you won’t smell when you do sweat which is the point of deodorant!
Stain…?
So far I have not had any problems with this staining my clothes. I was especially worried that the coconut oil would stain because it is well, oil. But no problems yet! The amount of coconut oil is not substantial enough to sit on the skin. The coconut oil gets absorbed into my pits (in a minute or 2) and, basically, hydrates my skin.
If you are worried, wear tank tops to not get sweat marks. Wearing light and breathable fabrics like cotton helps wick moisture and keep you cool. Cotton and linen are some of the most sustainable fabrics and easy to wash.
Who knew that deodorant could be so simple? It is hard to believe that it works so well when traditional deodorants have a laundry list of ingredients and chemicals. Now that the summer is almost over, I can say it is thoroughly tested. Are you convinced?
Happy Making-
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