Homemade Deodorant

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.