Quick, Easy, Homemade Deodorant…that Actually Works
Looking for a natural deodorant sans parabens, aluminum, and other yucky toxins? If so, you may have discovered that it can be difficult to find an effective brand. With a handful of ingredients that you may already have on hand, you can make your own effective, healthy deodorant in about five minutes. I get that it sounds crazy, but once I started making my own deodorant several years ago, I never looked back.
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.
Original from Apartment Therapy.
Quick, Easy, Homemade Deodorant…that Actually Works
