Quick, Easy, Homemade Deodorant…that Actually Works
Ok, so I’ll admit the homemade deodorant bit wasn’t love at first sight for me. My first attempted recipes ended in burning armpits and a painful rash. Ugh. But after several tweaks, I finally discovered the perfect concoction: it smelled great, it went on easily without glopping, and it worked. (And as long as we’re being candid, I live in Charleston, where summers average in the 90’s with close to 100% humidity, and I wait tables in a restaurant with poor air conditioning…so I know a thing or two about deodorants that don’t work.)
Homemade deodorant made easy, voila:
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp cocoa butter
- 2 Tbsp Shea butter
- 1 Tbsp baking soda
- 2 Tbsp corn starch
- 2 tsp Aloe Vera gel
- 20-30 drops essential oil of choice*
*It sounds weird, but my husband and I both prefer peppermint oil. It smells great, of course, and has a cooling effect throughout the day.
Directions
- Melt the butters in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Stop and stir every 20 seconds or so.
- Stir in the remaining ingredients.
- Pour into a container of your choice and let set. (I use an old stick deodorant container and freeze it for faster setting.)
That’s it! It’s literally about a five minute process, so easy it can even be completed with a baby on one hip. (Ask me how I know…) And don’t be afraid to tweak the recipe to meet your needs. More corn starch means more wetness control; more baking soda means more odor control but can cause burning and rashes; and your butters may be harder or softer than mine, so adjust accordingly.
Readers, I’d love to hear in the comments about your experiences with this recipe and even other natural or homemade deodorants!
(Image: Lauren Pavao)