DIY Coconut Oil Deodorant
By now you may or may not have heard about this whole make-your-own-deodorant trend. I ditched conventional deodorant about four years ago and really only wear it a couple of times a year – usually when I’m wearing a fancy dress.
This recipe is super simple. Here’s what you need:
Coconut Oil (I like the virgin kind because it still smells like coconut)
- Baking Soda
- Corn Starch
- A container to put it in
Essential oils are optional. Lots of recipes I’ve seen call for them, but I don’t think you need them. If you have them and want to add them, go for it.
Coconut oil can be pricey. The nice thing about investing in a jar is that you can use it for so many things. I use it in cooking, in this deodorant, and also in a mix with Shea butter as a moisturizing lotion. This jar is about halfway gone and I’ve had it for about a year.
The container I chose holds about 8 teaspoons and was part of a jelly sampler someone had given us. I recently saw the same sized jars at Wegmans (our local grocery store) in the canning aisle for $1.49 each. A shallow canning jar will work too. Really, anything with a lid on it that you can fit your finger into to scoop it out.
For this batch I used a ratio of 4 parts coconut oil to 3 parts corn starch to 1 part baking soda. Some recipes call for more baking soda (I’ve seen as much as half BS/half corn starch suggested) but I found that this amount burns my skin. If you have an itchy or burn-ey reaction after several applications, cut the baking soda down.
Since I knew that this size jar was about 8 teaspoons, I used 4 teaspoons of the oil, 3 teaspoons corn starch, and 1 teaspoon baking soda. Coconut oil is solid at room temperature, but but this mixture seems to stay soft enough to apply. It should look like frosting once you’ve mixed it.
Too solid would be if you scooped some out on your finger and it didn’t melt a bit. You want it to be at least wet enough to melt into your skin when you apply it.
Put it into your container and you’re done.
Use a clean fingertip right after a shower and apply.
Now you might be asking yourself, “Does it really work?” I think so. With hygiene habits normally employed in our culture, this should work. I’ve also made this recipe for a couple of guys and they’ve said it works too. Making a switch from conventional to any other kind of deodorant (or none at all) may leave you a bit smellier in the initial few days (it does for me anyway), so keep that in mind. That said, I am employed, I am a college student, and I work out (sometimes). I have not had any complaints from anyone about my personal care. None of the people that know me or love me have said that I smell, nor have I noticed any disgusted and/or horrified looks from strangers.
Now go try it for yourself! Tell us about any modifications you make so we can try it too.
About Shaina Charron
Shaina Charron has lived in Rochester for 25 years. She is the mother of one four and a half year old little boy. She spends her days trying to gratefully fill her roles as a mom, daughter, sister, friend, student, and employee. In January 2010 she left a full-time job of two years in order to spend more time with her child and return to college. She is currently earning her Liberal Arts Associates Degree and planning a transfer to a four year school where she can study social work.
Shaina enjoys spending time with her family and their beloved pets, crafting, reading (her favorites are the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon and Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling), eating and cooking (mostly vegetarian, though occasionally gluten free and vegan as well), spending time with friends, and being outside in nature.
As a mother, she’s found breastfeeding, bed-sharing and gentle discipline to be the best fit for her child. She dreams about the beach in Florida, living in a cabin in the woods, and taking a cross country trip without any sort of time or financial restraints. She is looking forward to sharing her adventures with you.