So you don’t want to use the standard grocery store antiperspirant due to its toxic aluminum content, but you’ve tried the health-food-store deodorant and it just doesn’t work — despite its own not-very-natural ingredient list. What to do?
Try this recipe!
I mixed up a batch of this deodorant several months ago and gave it a hardcore test on our hot, muggy trip to Argentina. I was amazed! Never has a deodorant worked this well for me. You still sweat, but it doesn’t smell. Even after being in the same clothes for well over 24 hours of travel down to Buenos Aires, my shirt smelled only of baking soda. My socks were a different story, however…
Coconut Oil Deodorant
1/4 cup coconut oil, at room temperature (not melted)
2 Tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot
2 Tbsp baking soda
essential oils (optional)
In a bowl, with the back of a spoon, mix your cornstarch (or arrowroot — both work equally well) and baking soda (plus any essential oils) into the coconut oil. These ratios are flexible — use more coconut oil if it seems too dry, or more baking soda if it’s too goopy.
This is the consistency I like — still crumbly, but wet enough to easily hold together and get packed into a jar:
Tip: don’t melt your coconut oil to accomplish this task; although it’s easier to mix, the cornstarch and baking soda will sink to the bottom of the container as the deodorant hardens, and the top layer will be coconut oil only — which, by itself, doesn’t work as well at preventing stink.
Scoop into a jar. Store at room temperature. If it’s hot enough in your house that the oil liquefies and the ingredients separate, shake the jar before you use it each time.
To use, scoop some out with your fingers and smear under your arms. I use a generous pea-sized amount for each arm.
And there’s no problem with the coconut oil leaving an oil stain on your clothes? Sounds like
you gave it a good test, good to hear of something both effective and inexpensive!
Hi Jane,
Nope, no stains to speak of, even though I was afraid of that too. Maybe let the oil soak in for several minutes first before putting your shirt on, though.
Yay,I’m so excited to try this! I really don’t like buying that other stuff and much of the natural deodorant is so expensive. Thanks for sharing, Jill
Jill,
I know — they’re expensive, and they never work for me! This recipe does, though, and I hope it works for you too 🙂
Cheers,
Lindsey
This is a wonderful recipe! I cannot wait to try it! If it works as well as you say it does, I would love to post the recipe on my site (with a link back here, of course!) if you would allow it!
Hi Stephnie,
I’ll be curious to hear how it works for you! And yes of course you can put a link on your site if you like it! Thanks so much!
Best,
Lindsey
Is the mixture smooth or quite grainy? I tried this once and it was just too grainy and irritating to my underarms. I’m thinking of using shea butter/cocoa butter instead of the coconut oil :/
Hi Michelle,
I’m guessing that’s the baking soda making it feel grainy. If it were the coconut oil, any lumpiness or feeling of graininess would disappear as the oil melted against your warm skin. If the baking soda is too grainy and irritating, then unfortunately there’s not much to be done apart from reducing the amount of baking soda and seeing if the deodorant is still effective for you with that reduced amount. 🙂