Homemade Deodorant

My goal is to some day be making all of my own personal hygiene products.  So, I began this mission with deodorant. 

I had some failures when I first started, but now I think I have a recipe that I am satisfied with.  It is actually a paste that you rub in with your fingers.  I experimented with making a solid deodorant, using a push-up container I had saved from my store-bought deodorant.  My first batch somehow turned from a solid to a liquid on me, and my second batch would crumble all over the place when I tried to apply it.  At that point, I decided to ditch the applicator, and just go with a simple plastic container.

I also concocted a couple new recipes: a spray on deodorant and a simple coconut oil deodorant.  I prefer to use the spray on for lazier days where I am not doing much work, the coconut oil deodorant for average days, and the more heavy-duty cream for my sweaty, labor intensive days--like if I'll be gardening or moving furniture.  Everyone's body is different, and I know I tend to sweat a lot, so I don't use the spray on deodorant as often as the other two.

Deodorant Recipe #1:  Deodorizing Cream

Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon Baking Soda
4 Tablespoons Arrowroot Powder (cornstarch may be substituted)
5 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
5 drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil
3 1/2 teaspoons Oil (I used coconut, but any vegetable oil would work)

Choose a container to keep your deodorant in.  You will want one that you can easily reach your fingers into.  I used a small plastic container with a tight fitting lid.  Stir the baking soda and arrowroot powder together in the container with a fork.  Add the essential oils and cut them in with the fork, until the mixture gets kind of crumbly (it's a little like making pie crust).

Stir in the oil (if you are using coconut oil, you'll want to melt it first) a little at a time.  Adjust the amount if necessary to form a paste that can easily be spread on the underarms.  To apply, dip your finger tips into the paste, and rub a small amount into each armpit.  If your coconut oil hardens the paste, don't worry.  It melts easily once your warm skin comes in contact with it.

Deodorant Recipe #2:  Spray-on Deodorant

Ingredients:

2 ounces Witch Hazel Extract

1 ounce Vodka

5 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil

5 drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil

You will need a small (at least 3 oz.) spray bottle for this deodorant.  Put all ingredients into the spray bottle, screw on the pump nozzle, and shake well.  Shake before each use.  Spray on pits as needed to control underarm odor.


And finally, I have taken to using this super simple recipe to control underarm odor.  It only has two ingredients!


Deodorant Recipe #3:  Deodorizing Coconut Oil

Ingredients:

1 cup virgin coconut oil
20 drops tea tree essential oil (if you are sensitive to tea tree oil, try others, like peppermint or lavender)

Combine coconut oil and essential oil in a small container.  Apply to underarms as needed to control odor.

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I hope you'll try a recipe and let me know how it works for you in the comments section below.  Thanks!