Homemade Deodorant Recipe

I have a confession. My armpits have been antiperspirant free for over nine months. No, I did not run out and neglect to purchase more. Even with frequent coupons available for deodorant, and the ability to get it free with coupons, I still chose not to buy any. Believe it or not, I am still happily married. And I just survived the hottest summer on record in Texas without it {gasp!}.

In an effort to reduce the chemicals in my home, aluminum containing deodorants were an easy fix. The evidence of a possible link between them and breast cancer is inconclusive. I would rather not take my chances. So at first I tried the natural store-bought options. They work fairly well, but are a bit pricey for this frugal gal. A homemade version makes a lot of sense.

There are many different versions of homemade deodorants. The most basic recipe calls for a few simple ingredients which you may already have on hand. Start by gathering some empty twist-up deodorant tubes (recycle old ones or ask your friends for theirs). You will need a medium bowl and a sturdy spoon.

Simple Homemade Deodorant (adapted from Surviving the Stores)

5 Tbsp. of Unrefined Coconut Oil (one of my frugal musts)
1/4 – 3/8 cup of Baking Soda
1/4 – 3/8 cup of Cornstarch or Arrowroot Powder
Essential oils of your choice (optional)

Mix all the ingredients thoroughly until it forms a paste. You may need to adjust the powders to get the consistency you desire. I enjoy using lavender essential oil (about 15 drops) and a bit of tea tree oil for a nice scent. Skip the lavender if this is for your man and opt for sage.

Carefully spoon the mixture into your empty deodorant tubes and level the top. This may get a bit messy! Place them in the fridge for a few minutes to harden if necessary. This should fill about three full sized tubes for roughly $2.

When applying your homemade concoction, just use a very thin layer on clean skin. If you are new to going aluminum-free, you may need a few days to adjust. A little sweat never hurt anyone. ;)