If you are looking to take the plunge and try a natural, cheaper deodorant, then this has to be the easiest recipe around. Effective, too. Now, this deodorant will not stop perspiration, like your store-bought antiperspirant. But the antibacterial action in the virgin coconut oil plus the odour fighting bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) really help this product do its thing.
I must admit that over the years I have been disappointed by some of the natural deodorants on the market, both because of the high price and poor performance. So I was a bit dubious about this one. But I figured, it was inexpensive, I had read some good things about it on the Internet, and I will be on maternity leave for a while----so have a good chance to test it out. I am not willing to go to work with sweat stains or odours. It just isn't that kind of place. I am almost always a dedicated Mitchum girl (with all of the supposed risks of aluminum and chemicals, etc).
You will need:
A jar or old deodorant tube
1/2 cup Virgin Coconut Oil (this has to be virgin, because the more processed versions have lost their antimicrobial properties)
1/4 cup baking soda/bicarbonate of soda
1/4 cup cornstarch/cornflour
I warmed the coconut oil enough to make it easy to work with. Then mixed the three ingredients together. Store in a jar or put in an old deodorant container. Unless you live in a very hot place, you can store this on the shelf. If it gets really warm and the deodorant gets too soft, then store it in the fridge. Apply as needed, preferably to clean, dry skin.
This is working well after a day. I am wearing an acrylic jumper, which is a good test for it. I like the gentle coconut smell. You can add some essential oils of your choice. I might experiment in the future.
I admit that I wasn't sure this would work. But I have been using it all week and it is working so well! I am not sure if I could use it with a tank top because I could get white marks. So I will check that out as the weather warms up.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think that my clothes are a teensy bit smelly at the end of the day, where sometimes I can wear a shirt more than once with Mitchum. But the real test for me is if I can apply more the next day if I need to skip my bath. And of course because it has baking soda, I can. I have always kept some Arm & Hammer deodorant around for those days when you are smelly and in a rush! The baking soda absorbs odours so well. So far so good!
My sister tried some out while she was visiting. SInce she liked it I gave her a pot to take home with her. She was disappointed that it melted. But have no fear!!! Coconut oil retains its properties whether it is solid or liquid. In fact, although it is a solid in the UK for much of the year, it is a liquid fat in warmer climates. I have heard of people storing it in the fridge. This seems a bit silly as I don't get dressed in the kitchen. I just use it soft or hard by applying it with my fingers.
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