In the DIY world of home health and beauty products, deodorant seems to be the the most feared replacement. Stinking is NOT OKAY in our culture, right?
But aluminum crammed in your pores cannot be good for you, and it seems in recent years that store-bought deodorant is becoming less and less effective anyway. This deodorant uses a natural moisture absorber (cornstarch), a natural deodorizer (baking soda), and a natural anti-bacteria/fungal oil (tea tree oil) to keep any stink from developing in the first place.
So, here’s what I suggest….make this stuff ahead and use it on SATURDAY, or a sick day, or any day you aren’t going to see anyone special, so you’ll feel secure and not look like a nut obsessively sniffing your underarms all day. Once you get over the stink phobia, let your body get used to it, and you’ll never go back.
1. Put 1/4 cup each of baking soda and cornstarch** in a bowl with 10+ drops tea tree oil. (I like 20 drops, but I’m a tea tree oil nut. I hear lavender oil will work as well.)
2. This deodorant can be used as a powder, but if you want a stick, go to the shortening section of the store and buy this solid-at-room-temperature-awesome stuff:
3. Stir 2+ TBSP in until it’s the consistency you like.
4. Smash into empty deodorant container. (Will be a bit sturdier once it sets a day or so.)
When applying this deodorant, use a lighter hand than you would with normal stick deodorant, especially the first couple of days or it’ll drop little balls on your bathroom rug.
Used correctly, this stuff is invisible and lasts for ages, as it works with a very light layer. You should not be able to SEE it once applied.
**If you have especially sensitive skin, increase the amount of cornstarch to 6T and decrease the baking soda to 2T.
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try this
Wonderful!! I used lavender, since that is what I had on hand. Hubby used it before doing concrete work, and it worked surprisingly well. Works better on him that it does on me, but it is nice to know it is safer to use. My teens are using it now.
THanks for the great tip!
Holy moly, this stuff works! It’s just as effective as that aluminum-ikky stuff I used to use. And works much better than any natural types I’ve bought. Plus, it smells good – tto and coconut sounded like a strange combo, but it’s really nice.
Thank you so much!
@Kitter—YAY!!! I have to tell you. I was about to NOT post this. I thought that NO ONE would want it. I thought, well heck, maybe one or two will appreciate it…and it’s one of our most popular recipes! HA!
Made my own deodorant this and have been using it the past few days. My pits don’t itch anymore and it really works. Thanks for posting it. It was very easy to make.
@ Judith–HOORAY!!! Mine neither. GOSH the itching was horrid.
I hate the smell of coconut so where do you get the lavendar oil? And I think I would like the powder form. Has anyone tried it just as the powder? How did that work?
@ Shylee–I just sniffed my coconut oil. I can’t smell a thing. But, I get my essential oils from Amazon. And I used to use the powder form. It worked just fine, but it was a bit messy. That and if you have really sensitive skin like mine, you need the moisturizing oil to keep away the itchies.
Does it leave white flakes?
not unless you’re too heavy handed
I can’t believe it. I really can’t. It honestly works! I’m so excited! I’ve always used regular women’s deodorant and just lived with the nastiness in my skin. Now I not only have a cheap alternative, but one that is not going to have lasting effects! I am so excited about this! I don’t have any stains on my clothing; and although I used about 20 drops of tea tree oil, I cannot smell deodorant or body odor! THANK YOU!
Is the coconut oil solid or liquid, I’m having a hard time finding it in solid form. Thanks.
I absolutly love this deodorant! My husband and I both use it. I also try to push it on anyone who comes to the house. I have noticed that it does not nest into the arm pits of his t-shirts like his old deodorant did. You should get a medal!
I made this yesterday, and I love it already. I used about 2 T. each of beeswax and vegetable oil instead of the coconut oil because I wanted a higher melting point (I travel a lot and don’t want to risk it melting in a hot car) and because I don’t have coconut oil. Next time I make it I might try mixing in less beeswax or a little more oil (I might try the coconut oil), since it’s a little hard to put on. It works pretty well. The place where I work gets really hot, so I need something that works. It stopped working about mid-afternoon, which is much longer than other deodorants I have used, but I think that’s because I didn’t apply enough. Thanks for the recipe!
HAHA! I didn’t invent it. But it is the BOMB!!!!
@Mary–Is it really hot where you live? Coconut oil is solid here, but we keep the house below 75F
Ivory Soap, I live in hot Nebraska, but the Lou Ana Coconut oil I found, which looked just like what was in your picture, was at Wal Mart and liquid at room temp. Is your’s like Crisco solid? Thanks for your help. I really want to make this for the hubby who can’t wear commercial deoderants.
I love your blog. We used to live in the city and had chickens for a while there. Now we live in the country and have lots of chickens that we raise to feed the foxes, bob cats and coyotes!!!!! They are kind enough to “share” a few eggs with us now and then.
I’ve been using a mix of bicarb (what we call baking soda) and a bit of cornflour for years now – mix it up in a shaker with big holes, and put it on like you’d put talc on. Works better than any deodrant or antiperspirant I’ve ever used. No smell at all. No matter how hot and sticky it gets.
It also doesn’t leave a residue on your clothes like deo/antiperspirants can.
I’ve used straight bicarb too, and fine for me, but my hubby gets a rash from it unless it’s diluted with the cornflour (too alkaline for him).
This recipe looks great too – going to have to give it a go. Might be easier for trips away (rather than having a powder leak out in toiletries bag). Thank you!
I rash out with the straight bicarb too. And hubby complained about the mess from the powder. That’s why we switched to this.
I might try this, but I will use Patchouli essential Oil in place of tea tree or lavender.
@Hrm–Tell me how it goes!
This looks great, however, I’ve developed a serious allergy to corn within the last couple years… any suggestions?
Yay! I’ve become resistant to so many deodorants on the “market”. I’ve even tried the rock crystal one and various ‘natural-herbal’ types and either rash out or they’re ineffective. Thanks for the recipes and all the poster comments. I’m going to try this today, with lavender as I prefer the smell of it to the tea tree oil. I’ll let you know how it goes. Thanks again. Here’s another product to cross off my ‘be a consumer list” xox
This will definately help with the “itchies” because extra virgin coconut oil is extremely anti-fungal/anti-candida, etc. I’ve been using straight baking soda mixed with a drop of water but want to try this one because I miss the scentiness (Lavender is my fav.)
FYI, I’m a soapmaker, and the Luana Coconut oil is a 76 degree melt point oil. So, if your house is above 76 degrees, it will be liquid.
You can get the 92 degree melt point Coconut oil, but it’s harder to find.
I love this stuff! I don’t have sensitive skin so the baking soda is fine for me, but it’s nice to know about the cornstarch addition. If you’re having trouble finding coconut oil, I recommend using shea butter. It’s what I use and can be found in any natural food store I believe.
Can you use shea butter instead of Coconut oil
I’ve never tried it. But, if it’s solid at 80 degrees, you may have solved everyone’s coconut issue!!! Tell me how it goes so I can spread the word.
What about cocoa butter? Mom uses that for salves sometimes. You’d probably have to mix it with something to soften it though.
I am also resistant to most deoderants. I have to coat it on. Even then it doesn’t work very well. I really hope we can try this soon! It sounds like a unanimously great recipe!
Thanks a million for this DIY stuff, indeed so effective without the sticky mess of commercial deodorants. I substituted tea tree oil with eucalyptus oil and it is still great. No underarm odor for 24 hours!
If the coconut oil smells “coconutty”, it must the unrefined type. There is refined and unrefined. The refined doesn’t smell. I use the unrefined oil to sesason my cast iron. Mmm, it smells good!
This concoction works great! After 24 hours, my underarm is still completely bereft of bad smell. Thanks a million! By the way, I substituted tea tree oil with eucalyptus oil since it is abundant here in our country and I do love the mentholated scent.
According to this website http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/learn/butter/shea.php,
“At room temperature, Shea Butter is semi-soft and solid. However, the melting point of Shea Butter is 89-95 degrees and it will melt readily once applied to the skin. ”
I have both coconut oil and shea butter in the fridge. I have all the other ingredient. I get to try this. Woot!
I was thinking Shea butter would be great since it would smooth the under arm area as well, and should be great for the itchiness—I was going to mix up some tomorrow so I think I’ll try that instead and let you know how it turns out.
I”m so curious about the shea butter!
HURRAY!!!!!
I absolutely love the smell of coconut.
That’s my experience too. I”ll never go back.
Anybody tried pam kernal oil?
That would be “palm” kernal.
I use just plain shey butter under my arms. It works G-R-E-A-T!
I just started making my own deodorant and love it. I’ve never found anything that work even remotely as well. I make mine with baking soda, cornstarch essential oils and olive oil. It is runny but if you apply a thin layer with your fingers, which is all you need, it absorbs instantly. No icky residue at all.
Hey, this sounds interesting! One big question though, does this stuff also keep your shirt from getting wet? I love the idea, I’ve been looking for something natural for a while, but wet underarms are very embarassing! Thanks!
Leann, you probably have another starch in the house that you cook with like tapioca or potato or arrowroot? I wonder if any of them are a good replacement for cornstarch in this recipe?
It really does for me, but I don’t know why. Maybe the cornstarch absorbs it? Don’t know, but my wetness problem is gone.
This looks great and I can’t wait to try it — as well as your homemade liquid soap. I’m wondering…can the same coconut oil be used for both recipes?
Also…do you make homemade laundry soap? I started making my own last January and I love it. My daughter and I haven’t used anything else since then. I first heard about it when the Duggar parents were on ‘The View’. I began an online investigation and after some experimentation came up with a recipe and consistency I love. It’s really inexpensive and does a great job.
I also make homemade fabric softener — recipe courtesy of Suzanne @ At Home with the Farmer’s Wife. I love the stuff — it also does a great job and is very inexpensive.
Well…..now that I’m fully awake and have done more exploring, I see that you do make your own laundry soap! The recipe is nearly the same as mine. I encourage everyone to try this. It really does work!
Unfortunately, I’m still getting a rash while using this. Any ideas which of the ingredients could be causing this?
(also noticed that the coconut oil seeped out of the bottom for a few days even with it by the air conditioner — NOW-brand Organic Virgin Coconut Oil, unrefined — picked it up at GNC — was solid when I purchased it. I guess it has a low melting point)
Awesome! I was so tired of the film that the drug store variety anti-perspirants/deodorants left and I was tired of the natural ones not working. I used this for the first time today and was out in the MA summer sun and no odor! Yeah! Finally something that works and is good for my skin.
This is amazing. Even the heavy-duty stuff had stopped working for me, so I was skeptical. I found this very effective. I use the powdered version. Amazing!