Make Your Own Deodorant

This looks like a photo of regular deodorant, but it's actually my homemade deodorant. I'd been meaning to try this out for a long time as part of my general trend toward eliminating personal care products and their associated risky chemicals from my life. In fact, back in 2009 I considered going deodorant free, but that never happened (probably for the best). But I recently realized that even the natural deodorant I'd been using, while free of aluminum, still had a low rating on the Good Guide due to a questionable ingredient called propylene glycol. This fall when this deodorant finally ran out, I decided to follow my successful homemade replacement for shampoo and make my own deodorant.

It was as easy as mixing coconut oil, baking soda and corn starch. I left out essential oil since coconut oil itself has antibacterial properties and I like the scent of it. I started out with Crunchy Betty's recipe of 1/4 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup cornstarch, and 5 tbsp coconut oil but found that I had to add a little more of this and a little more of that until I got a consistency that was solid enough to refill my deodorant container. Winter is a good time to try this out, since coconut oil is only solid below 76 degrees Fahrenheit. I would prefer to use a little glass jar rather than a plastic container, but since I need to carry my deodorant with me for bike commuting, it's better for the container to be lighter. I also figured I would be able to roll it on like I was used to, but the homemade stuff doesn't hold together as well, so I scoop out a little and rub it on with my finger. I don't even necessarily have to worry about washing my hands afterward since the ingredients are all safe and edible.

Do I smell? I don't think I sweat or stink anymore than I did on regular deodorant. I don't shower after biking to work, I just reapply this and I'm good to go. My boyfriend said he would warn me if I smelled too much and that hasn't happened. Now, I just smell slightly of coconut, which I find pleasant. My roommate is impressed and wants to try it out, so I need to remember to make her a sample soon.