I have been meaning to make my own deodorant for a while now. Why, you ask? For quite a few reasons! I'm trying to avoid toxins and deodorants can be full of them! Even the crunchy deodorants seem to have something wrong with them.Common Toxic Chemicals in Deodorant
Aluminum - A developmental and reproductive toxin.
Parabens - A reproductive toxin.
Propylene Glycol - Immunotoxin.
Fragrance - (can contain Phthalates)Neurotoxin and immunotoxin.
Sadly there's many more chemicals in deodorants that are also toxic but those listed above are some of the big ones.
Now that you know why I decided to make my own deodorant, how about the recipe? It's actually a very simple recipe, very easy to make, and it can even be put into an old deodorant container.
Homemade Deodorant
3-4 Tbs. Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (EVCO - I use Nutiva)
1/8 cup Baking Soda
1/8 cup Arrowroot or Cornstarch (Arrowroot is preferred as Cornstarch can contain GMO's and talc)
Mix Baking Soda and Arrowroot together. Add EVCO. MIx well with spoon or hands until it is about the consistency of commercial deodorant. Transfer into a bowl or old deodorant container. You may want to put the deodorant in the fridge to harden but as long as the room temperature is below 76 degrees your deodorant will stay in it's proper form.
I have only just started using my deodorant but I'm already loving it. It works great so far and since I use non-refined EVCO my deodorant smells like coconut! Yummy!
Dropping by through BabyCenter. Not only does this sound better because I know what each of the ingredients actually are(!), but it's not at all expensive.
ReplyDeleteAny idea how long the deoderant's good for? Also, how long does the coconut oil last before going bad?
Thanks :+)
The deodorant should keep for as long as you use it. (assuming it doesn't take you years to go through deodorant :) Coconut Oil lasts for a LONG time. My container of EVCO says it's best if used within the next 2 years! I'm hoping to do a post about EVCO all by itself soon...just got to get things together!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
ReplyDeleteCan you add essential oils for fragrance?? Just curious...
ReplyDeleteOh, pinkmamazo here from BBC... :)
Yes, you can add essential oils. However, EO's can cause irritation so it's best to try it out in a small batch first.
ReplyDeleteWhere do you buy your arrowroot powder?
ReplyDeleteI buy my arrowroot from either mountainroseherbs.com or bulkherbstore.com. They both sell organic arrowroot powder for about $5/lb. However, only bulkherbstore.com sells it buy the 1/2 lb.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to comment on how awesome this recipe is. I started using it a few months ago & loved it, but my container got lost for a few days. I didn't have the time to make more, and after 3 days without deodorant I was starting to feel like I needed it (the effectiveness seems to lasts two days easy w/out reapplying if you haven't showered it off). I dug out my old bottle of store bought deodorant & put some on. An hour later I stunk in a way I havent stunk since I started using this stuff! thanks so much for sharing the recipe! I will never go back! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, I am going to have to try this!
ReplyDeleteDoes this work at all for perspiration as well?
ReplyDeletepaxmommy23 - Technically this is not an anti-perspirant. However, I have found that you will probably sweat as much as you would if you were using your usual deodorant. As your body adjusts to using a natural deodorant, it will not sweat (or stink) as much. I actually ran out of this deodorant maybe 6 months ago and because I've been too lazy to buy more arrowroot, I have been not using any deodorant at all! I don't sweat or stink anymore. Now I do want to make some more deodorant just because it does smell a bit nicer then good old me. :) I just wanted to show that my body has adjusted so much that it no longer "needs" deodorant/anti-perspirant.
ReplyDeleteany suggestion if one doesn't want to smell like a coconut?
ReplyDeleteIf you do not want the coconut smell then just use expeller pressed coconut oil. Only cold pressed coconut oil smells like coconut. You can also add in essential oils to make it smell nicer.
ReplyDeleteI'd really love to try this out, but I have some questions. Where can you buy non-refined EVCO and is it cheap? Also, what kind of deodorant container can you put this in?
ReplyDeleteAntonia - You can buy non-refined (cold pressed) EVCO at lots of places. Many natural stores carry some form of coconut oil however, it's usually expensive and you might not have many options.
ReplyDeleteI buy Nutiva although there are other brands (Tropical Traditions is another good one). I suggest buying through vitacost.com or amazon. To give you a general idea on price, a 15 oz Nutiva sells for $8.99 at vitacost. Vitacost actually has their own brand of coconut oil but I have yet to try it but that's even cheaper. Just make sure it says "cold pressed" on the label for un-refined. If you do not want the coconut smell then go with "expeller pressed" which is refined but without chemicals.
Any old deodorant container will work. :) Some people opt for a glass jar instead as depending on how hot your house gets it can melt.
I have been using this for a month now. I added theives' oil for scent and antibacterial properties. IT IS AMAZING! I used to 'stick' by the end of a shift (nurse) Have not had odor issues since starting to use this. thanks you so much for the recipe and tips on natural products. three women dear to me were diagnosed with breast ca this year alone and it has proven to be a wake up call. thanks for your work and blog, you are making a difference!
ReplyDeleteis there an alternative to the coconut oil? I LOATHE the smell of coconut, alas...
ReplyDelete(I've been using Tom's of Maine forever, but am game to try something new.)
Shelli - Have you tried expeller pressed (not cold-pressed) coconut oil? It doesn't smell like coconut. I recommend that. As for an alternative to the coconut oil entirely, I'm not sure. I feel like I've heard of recipes using something else but I can't remember what.
ReplyDeleteI bought NOW Healthy Foods brand virgin coconut oil at my local health food store for somewhere around $6 (I think) and it's 20 oz. Wonderful stuff! I need to find some arrowroot and make some deoderant...
ReplyDeletei tried this and LOVED it! i added grapefruit essential oil, and it smells amazing! i added it to my blog and linked back to you! thanks for the great tutorial.
ReplyDelete