Homemade Deodorant

This is hands down the best deodorant I have ever used. I started using it last fall. It even works well in hot Texas summers.

Before I found this, I tried pretty much every "natural" commercial product, even the crystal thing. Everything made me breakout. Then I tried this. And I broke out in a rash again. Since I knew exactly what was in the homemade recipe, I started googling. Turns out it is pretty common to detox after years (about 20 years for me) of using commercial deodorant full of metals and other toxins. Which is just gross. So I had a few weeks of uncomfortable rashes. That's a bit of an embarrassing story. I'm sharing it in case it happens to you, you will be aware of what is happening.

I got this recipe from a Made in the USA facebook page. If you want to try it, but have no interest in making it, she does bottle it and sell it. On information on what kind of coconut oil to use, click here.

 Mix (see note about ratios below):

• 1/2 c coconut oil (see note below)
• 1.5 tsp arrowroot (find it in baking aisle by baking soda)
• 1.5 tsp corn starch
• 1.5 tsp baking soda (get a good quality)
• 5-10 drops essential oils (I use orange and tea tree)

I store it in something like this. I know a lot of natural people are against plastic. One day I will upgrade all my containers, it's just not a huge priority for me at this time. It's on my radar, just not top on my list.

Just dab your fingers in and rub it on your armpits (I feel really weird publishing the word armpit...).

A note about mixing coconut oil. Coconut oil changes consistency with the temperature. In the winter, it is solid. In the summer, it is liquid. If your coconut oil is too hard to mix, just heat it up a bit. I turn on the stove and but the bowl on the stovetop in between the burners. Some people also keep their oil in the fridge, so it's always hard. Not my preference, but you keep your oil where you want.

You can play with the ratios. I have seen this recipe with a lot less coconut oil and more of the powders. I like the kinda lotion consistency of the recipe I posted. But if you want it less oily, add more powders or less oil.

Q&A from readers:

Q: I don't use natural deo bc I hate to sweat. Does it help at all?

A: It's not an antiperspirant. But I really think I sweat less since I've been using this. And my sweat doesn't smell as bad (I'm really bordering tmi here), probably because there's no metals & other toxins mixed with the sweat. However, the arrowroot is there to absorb the sweat.

This post is featured on Thank Your Body.