I’m back from vacation! I had a great time, but it’s good to be back. Thanks for all your well wishes – y’all are the best!
Back on June 11, I made a confession: I was still using traditional, mainstream antiperspirant / deodorant. Eeek! Yes, it’s true – despite having made great strides in “natural living,” I had never found a natural deodorant that could handle the central Texas heat and humidity for even one day.
Yet, the risks of traditional antiperspirants were always looming before me, and I finally decided that enough was enough. So, I made a commitment to switch to natural deodorant for one month, and I invited all of you to join me. At least 87 people left comments joining in the challenge! I was so encouraged by your commitment to be (potentially) stinky, in the name of health and natural living.
One Month of Natural Deodorant
When I issued the challenge, I warned you all that there might be a short detox period where you smell worse before you smell better (that’s why the challenge lasted for a whole month). Knowing that I was planning to make the switch and test several brands and recipes, I had actually already quit using traditional antiperspirant about three weeks before I posted the challenge online.
Photo by Neil Conway
Tom’s of Maine
I started out using a liquid roll-on made by Tom’s of Maine. I had high hopes that this deodorant would work well for me because I know that many of you love it. However, I’m sorry to say that for me, it failed to make the cut. I gave it three weeks, and despite a shower and fresh application each morning, I was always stinky by the end of the day.
I decided the problem must be inherent in the name: Maine! This deodorant probably works just fine for people who live where average July temps are in the 70s, but here in the upper 90s and 100s with high humidity, I need something stronger.
Homemade Deodorant
I then switched to a homemade recipe that many of you also recommended; I found it online here. I was impressed right away; I was still smelling sweet at bedtime, and what a frugal choice, too. To be honest, I never thought I would make my own deodorant; it just seemed so hippy-like, even for me. But I loved it!
I decided to put it to the test. I showered one morning and put on a fresh application. End of day, no stink. The next morning, I didn’t shower but I did reapply. I also spent time playing outside in the afternoon with my daughter. End of day, no stink. The next morning, I neither showered nor reapplied – AND I spent the morning out in the sun with my daughter at a splash park. End of day: no stink! I was sold.
Weleda
I still had once other brand that I wanted to test, though. I love many Weleda products, and the deodorant had been recommended to me by a few people. Weleda was kind enough to send me some of their deodorants to test. Unfortunately, I didn’t love this deodorant. It didn’t work well enough to keep me stink-free all day, and it had a strong scent.
The scent is all natural, from essential oils, but I get irritated by strong scents and prefer unscented or lightly scented products. It also stung my freshly shaven underarms. I was disappointed, but I will continue to support Weleda, because I know they are a good company and I’ve enjoyed many of their other products.
Photo by Liz
Looking Ahead
There are many other brands out there, but I have tried most of them at some point in the past. I’ve always given up and returned to my aluminum-filled antiperspirants, but not this time. I went back to the homemade deodorant recipe, and even took it with me on vacation this month. It traveled very well, and continues to be effective now in the rising Texas temps. I think I can safely say that I am a true convert!
Now I want to hear from you!
If you joined the challenge, did you stick it out? How did it go? What brand/recipe do you use?
If you didn’t stick it out, what happened? Can you start again?
If you didn’t join the challenge, would you consider it now? Why or why not?
Share your natural deodorant experience with us! Any tips, ideas, suggestions? What did you learn during the Simple Organic Natural Deodorant Challenge?
About Katie
I’ve just been using a baking soda & cornstarch mix that I apply with a fluffy makeup brush. The first 3 days was incredible! But then I did get sweatier and stinkier for a while and I nearly quit. But I stuck it out, and now I find that even when I do sweat in this South FL heat, I don’t stink at all! Its amazing!
We have tried so many different natural deodorants and nothing has worked as well as this, not for us anyway. And I love that its so simple, frugal, natural, and healthy! However, wearing black is an issue so I’m bookmarking the recipe you used and I plan to make a batch!
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I did some homemade and it definitely worked better for me than the store bought natural ones. It even worked for my hubby! I posted the recipe on my blog. I sort of cobbled it together from a bunch of resources, based on what I could find locally. I think next batch, I’m going to order some supplies online ahead of time and fancy it up a bit.
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Does the homemade recipe need to be kept in the fridge b/c of the coconut oil? That’s been the one thing keeping me from giving it a try b/c I just can’t see myself going down to the fridge each morning when I need to put it on!!
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It doesn’t need to be kept in the fridge. Mine is in a canning jar on the bathroom counter and it’s fine. Actually, I don’t store my coconut oil in the fridge either.
I keep mine in the bathroom in the summer and it holds up just fine. It’s solid in the morning (because it’s cooler in the house) and by the afternoon, when the house warms up to 76-80 degrees, it does melt a little. It will become more solid again as the house cools for the night. I suppose it’s really only the really hot weather where this happens…so it’s pretty easy to store for at least 3/4 of the year!
I don’t keep the coconut oil or the deodorant in the fridge, just in the bathroom. It stays a little soft but it’s easier to rub in that way. It works great!
I’m glad you asked this, Jamie, because I’ve wondered the same thing. Here in Indy its been in the 90s for some time and our coconut oil is on a shelf in the pantry and is totally liquid.
After reading the responses here, though, I think I’m going to give it a try. I guess there’s nothing to lose but a little bit of time and coconut oil
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I keep my homemade-coconut-oil-cornstarch-based deoderant in the fridge in summer so it stays solid and just scrape some off with the back of my thumb nail. (Since my bathroom is right off of the kitchen, it’s easy for me logistically.) But when the temps get cooler again, I’ll keep it in the bathroom again.
This stuff is great to put on right after shaving too, I’ve never had it irritate, in fact I find it rather soothing.
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I had also been walking down this path, on and off, prior to your challenge post. However, I’ve been faithful since that day in June when I commented. I’ve used two different natural deodorants — one homemade (coconut oil, baking soda, cornstarch) and I’ve used the all natural crystal stick. We’ve had super hot, humid weather and we’ve been 90′ish most every day, so it’s been a great time to test. From a smell standpoint, either works fine for me. However, I like the convenience of the crystal and it does seem to actually keep my more dry under my arms, which is important to me. My biggest issue has been that ever since I quit using the nasty, chemical laden Secret antiperspirant, I’ve had these ugly pimply breakouts under my arms. They don’t really hurt, but they are ugly and I like to wear sleeveless. A part of me almost wants to go back to the Secret for a while to see if they go away, but I’ve made the change now, so I guess I’ll just stick with it. Anyone else have any weird breakouts under their arms after switching?
I’ve heard of this happening because of the baking soda. Have you tired creating a batch where you use a little less baking soda and a little more cornstarch?
This could also be detox and I have heard it takes some people a long time to detox, months even. I think that may have been my experience, too, looking back. Hopefully they will go away soon!
I had the same problem for YEARS and it only went away when I added tea tree oil to my deodorant. Hope that helps.
I’ve had a couple ‘reactions’ to baking soda under my arms… could that be it? Although I just use straight up b.soda and had read that by cutting it with cornstarch you shouldn’t have this problem. In my experience, once you’ve been off regular anti-perspirants for a while, you can’t just go back at any time. I guess those products build up to block sweat glands so they don’t necessarily work well a day here or there.
I used straight baking soda as well for awhile and at times seem a little irritated and finally made the switch to the homemade recipe on Passionate Homemaking and it works great! I also tend to sweat easily. Also I tried switching shampoo to baking soda and I got quite irritated around the forehead and when I stopped it went away!
From my experience (slightly longer than the 1-mo challenge, although not by a whole lot), the homemade coconut-oil-based deodorant a) works AWESOMELY, b) needs to be refrigerated (hard to get used to, but not as weird as you might think), c) does NOT travel well unless there is a cooler in which it can travel. Plane rides are probably ok (although mine always travels in its own ziplock bag), but car travel in the summer is difficult (just got back from my vacation in which my melted deodorant got all over the dress I was planning to wear to my brother’s rehearsal dinner – about 5 minutes before it was time to go).
Tips for good travel:
- zip top bag
- keep it in a cooler, if possible
- keep it upright, if possible (assuming you’ve put it in an old deodorant container, this keeps it from collecting on the lid and exploding on your rehearsal dinner dress when you have trouble opening it because it’s all collected in the lid)
- refrigerate again as soon as possible each time
- roll it up as high as you can when it’s still soft because otherwise you have to melt it a little before you can actually use it (or you risk breaking your recycled container).
@Liz – I also have had weird break-outs due to the natural stuff (including one painful lump under the skin that’s finally going away). Not sure what that’s from, but I guess I’m not so concerned because it seems to be getting better and I know exactly what’s in the deodorant!
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Another tip I’d have for traveling with it is to keep it in a small tupperware container (or canning jar) because the lid seals better than conventional deodorant tubes.
Katie,
I was anxious to see what your conclusion would be over the natural deodorants. For over a year now, I have been using miessence deodorant (hence one of the reasons I became a rep.). Due to my frugal nature, I have tried a few other natural ones and have had no success. This past month, I tried the homemade recipe, and like you, have been quite pleased with it. However, I struggle with having to keep it in the refrigerator and not being clear. So, I still found a solution. I’ll use the homemade deodorant on days I’m home or more in the winter when the white residue won’t be as big of an issue. Miessence will fill in the gaps. On that note, I prefer the unscented miessence. Also – the pimples can continue for awhile for some. It is part of the detox and let me tell you, I have learned it takes some people up to a year to detox their armpits. Just FYI for those struggling – keep at it. It pays off, in the end…eventually.
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Michelle, I don’t keep mine in the fridge and it works just fine. Coconut oil is shelf stable so it won’t go rancid. I started out putting it into an old deodorant tube but now I keep it in a little jelly jar and apply it with my fingers, and rub it into my skin like lotion. It disappears with no white residue! Try it that way; maybe that will help.
I didn’t join the challenge because i was basically already a convert to the homemade stuff. I had been stinky for most of my adult life, and that was even using men’s deoderant! once i made this switch, i can honestly say i’ll never go back. some days i may sweat more than before, but even after a whole day of sweating i am even close to as stinky as before.
I love home made deodorant! I haven’t used the store-bought stuff for over a year.
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I am going on 1 year of using a baking soda corn starch mixture for my deoderant, and I love it. In the winter I only need to apply every other or third day, but in the summer when I sweat on my way into work, I put deoderant on at work, and trust me if it wasn’t working, there are plenty of people who would tell me so.
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I totally resent the assumption that the Tom’s of Maine deodorant is less potent because it comes from Maine (which I’m pretty sure they were bought out by some big name company a few years back and might not even be manufactured here anymore) because we DO have high humidity and low to mid 90s in July & August! (Lived here my whole life!) lol (I’m kidding about the resenting part but wanted to make sure you know we DO have higher than 70s here!) I have never tried the Tom’s of Maine deodorant either btw.
Thanks for all the great info I’ll have to look into some alternatives!
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While I didn’t join the challenge when you originally posted it, I have been doing this for about eight months now. I use the same recipe, but on my most recent batch added a couple of drops of tea tree oil & a few drops of grapefruit oil just to try something different. It’s very, very subtle, but nice.
Overall, loving it, though I too had the stinky beginning and wanted to quit. Now it’s all good and I just scoop a little out of the jar in the morning!
I did actually put some in an old deodorant container (getting the container clean was the worst part, antiperspirant is disgusting!) and it worked well until about two months ago. Now with the A/C on in the apartment, it’s too solid to use right now. So, jar it is.
Thanks for sharing your results, Katie! I’ve been watching this challenge with great interest!
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I hate that Colgate bought Tom’s of Maine. It makes it seem so naturally-fake. If that makes sense.
I just bought some Tom’s of Maine, thinking that since I’m starting 5K training soon, I’ll probably be stinky anyway…. I’m also planning to try a home-made batch, but didn’t join the challenge over the summer since we have been traveling and I didn’t want to be stinky for our family reunions! Thanks for sharing your experience!
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I survived – and will continue. I am looking to attempt making homemade deodorant now.
I put together my deodorant using the recipe that you gave and I love that it’s only three ingredients. I used to wear Tom’s of Maine but I didn’t like the un-fresh smell at the end of the day (not BO, but some other weird smell..) I keep mine in the fridge in an old deodorant stick and I make sure to give it a little time to rub in and wait to put on a shirt, otherwise I get greasy marks (but they’ve come out in the wash). It works great if I’m just going to the office for the day, but when I’m out and about mid-day I get really sweaty and uncomfortable because the deodorant does nothing to keep from sweating. So, I guess I just have to plan to wear darker clothing that doesn’t show as much and to avoid being extremely warm during the summer (except for working out or at the pool or around home, then I don’t care if I sweat). It’s a good thing the humidity isn’t too much of an issue where I live!
I just made an herbal deodorant stick I found in the “Green Spa” at the following web site:
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/publications/resources/
I’m Canadian. Hi! Anyway, it’s relatively solid when I put it in the fridge, but very “body butter like” when I leave it out. Our heat is always at room temperature or above. Nyah hah… I think I found the problem… I used grapeseed oil instead of coconut. Whoopsie.
You see, I’d read that bergamot, cypress (blue), (clary) sage, witch hazel, lavender and even tea tree oil are natural gentle antiperspirants, and that bergamot is best in either rice bran or grapeseed oil as a carrier. But it just might be the coconut oil that holds it all together. I thought the beeswax would do it.
All I need to tinker with the recipe and make more is some shea or cocoa butter and a few more essential oils. All those mixed together create a woodsy smell, and vanilla or lime don’t really get rid of it, though I don’t find the combination unpleasant. Bf is all but refusing to use it though. :\ I made one for me, and one for him.
I love that same homemade recipe!!! I live in Central Texas and it’s held up surprisingly well to the active summers that happen in our family.
My one question is how do you get it into your old deodorant container? I’ve been storing it in a jar, but would love to get it into an old deodorant container for easier application. Every time I try to push/screw/etc the plastic piece that pushes the deodorant up down to the bottom of the container, I end up breaking it… The containers I have are old Secret Clinical Strength containers (so glad I’m not buying THAT anymore, it was so pricey!). Any advice is greatly appreciated!!
You could try heating the mixture slightly before shmooshing it into the container. That would soften it up. Just don’t heat it too much, or it’ll be liquid!
I too switched to the homemade kind and I have loved it so far. I made the one with coconut oil, baking soda, and arrowroot powder. I have yet to smell after using it exclusively for about a month now. This includes swimming in the Arizona 113 degree heat and playing outside as part of my job. Here are my only concerns:
I sweat more which I am not use to. This is not a bad thing since this is what your body is suppose to do, but I am not use to it yet.
I also worry about the oil staining my shirts. I am not sure if I use too much oil but I just don’t want my cloths ruined by it. Anyone have advice or comments on this?
After traveling with it in a hot car I do have to re-mix it a bit but I don’t mind.
It’s great to be free of all the toxins in my past deodorant.
I’ve never had a problem with it staining my shirts. I apply it when I get out of the shower and by the time I get dressed, it’s completely absorbed. My hubby on the other hand can’t use it because arm hair doesn’t absorb oil and it was rubbing off on his shirts. It just about ruined all of them by the time we noticed it wasn’t sweat marks.
A pea size amount should be sufficient in keeping odor at bay. I also found that I sweat less, than when I used antiperspirants, I think because my glands are working properly now, and not unnaturally clogged. Maybe it will even out for you as well.
This is so good to know! I live just north of Dallas and had been using a natural deodorant during the winter, but as soon as it started to get hot, I was REALLY stinky and went reluctantly bad to the conventional stuff. I’ll give this a try! I trust another Texan – another Southerner at all! – to know what hot is.
I didn’t join the challenge, but I was looking forward to your results!
I’m definitely going to try out making my own deodorant with the recipe you provided. I actually tried using just coconut oil as deodorant just to see what would happen and it didn’t work for me. Mixing in the baking soda & baking powder sounds interesting, so I’m going to give it a try!
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I have not yet been willing to make my own, but I did switch back in March so I’d be used to it before it got really hot here (Austin, too). I’ve been using Crystal Roll-on. It does have potassium alum in it, but it rates a zero on skin deep. I do have to reapply daily, especially if I’ve been eating garlic, but I don’t have to shower.
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I have been wanting to switch to homemade deoderant for a while now, but now that summer is finally here in the northwest I just got discouraged. But I am going to give it a shot anyhow! I have all of these ingredients sitting around the house right now and have no excuse! I think I will try a little essential oil in it for scent… hope this works! thanks so much for the encouragement, love this blog!
I used a mix of baking soda and cornstarch for part of the time, though that didn’t hold up as well and sometimes applying without getting it all over the bathroom was tough. I used a Tom’s of Maine apricot deodorant, though it had some of the not-so-great ingredients. Sometimes I used both.
So…still experimenting! I really need to get some coconut oil and try this recipe.
started right away. made my own with coconut oil, baking soda and cornstarch. smelled but by the second week that was mostly gone. smell still comes and goes I haven’t figured out if its food or what but its not any worse then when I used aluminum deos so I’ll stick with this. I did feel uncomfortable having damp armpits (does anyone else find the word armpit gross?) for the first little while but now I’m okay with it. its not like there are balls of sweat running down me and its been hot – over 100 and in the 90s everyday with walking a dog and taking a two year old with us that is sweat inducing definitely. I’m glad you challenged us because I never would have tried it. I mentioned it on a beauty board I frequent and several people started and said they have no smell either. several use commerical “all natural” brands but I’m glad to save the money and use my own.
I have been using the homemade recipe (coconut oil, cornstarch and baking powder) and been loving it. I have found that I don’t even need to apply it every day and I don’t smell. Plus it is 90′s here and super humid!! Plus I am almost 9 mo. pregnant and more sweaty and hot than usual!
I too had problems putting it in my old deodorant container. When I turn it to make the deodorant come up more it doesn’t work. I tried to let it warm up but it still doesn’t work, and when I left it in the bathroom it turned to liquid and spilled everywhere. But keeping a jar in the fridge makes it too hard to apply with my fingers so I think my next try is going to be keeping a jar in the bathroom. We’ll see. But other than those technical problems I am loving the deodorant and so excited I have detoxed one more item in my bathroom!!!
as a side note, I have central air in my house – keep it at about 78. the basement where my bedroom is, stays about 10 degrees cooler. I made my concoction and put it in a little plastic dixie cup and scoop it out with a little scoop I have left over from some makeup thing? it has NEVER softened up except when I am rubbing a pea sized amount into myself even though my coconut oil in my kitchen cabinet often liquifies.
I do have an all natural deo from a local company here that has some lemon and lavendar essential oils and honestly, with that, I still felt stinky. I guess I’d rather just my own stink than my stink with other stuff added.
right now, after a day of 95+ degrees, not showering this morning, walking at noon and carrying a sand/water tray several blocks I only smell a bit of coconut smell.
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Wow, this homemade deodorant recipe looks so nice and simple and it might be something that even I, the highly sensitive one, might tolerate. I rarely use deodorant, but this sounds so good that I might even give it a whirl.
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I’ve tried just about every natural deodorant out there and my new favorite it from Trader Joe’s – it’s made with cotton, unscented, no aluminum, parabens, etc. I was a little skeptical because I like a subtle cover-up scent, but it works so well that you don’t need it. It’s under $3 a container and awesome!
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I did not join the challenge as I have been using homemade for two years now.
I use cocoa butter which makes it more solid and melts at body temperature, baking soda, arrowroot powder and coconut butter and if I am feeling fancy some essential oil and vitamin e. I love how it works, I love how simple and cost effective it is. I do have problems when I am sweaty with getting white rings on dark shirts though.
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I mixed the coconut oil with baking soda, arrowroot flour and cocoa butter. Smells so nice.
I’d been saving containers so found several to be handy. A lipgloss size for bringing along, a larger one for the bathroom. Neither of them leak. This test was great but I knew I’d pass, I’m 53, so can most of the time forgo any. But I have my daughter here, and she took the challenge. The first couple of weeks it would only work for a few hours, but she carried the small container with her. After we both have been running around with a toddler, to the park, batch cooking, gardening, even a family get together, we can proclaim this test a total success.
I have been using that recipe for over a year and love it! It sometimes leaves oil on my clothes but comes off in the wash. I made the switch once I had a baby and was breastfeeding. I couldn’t bear the thought of all junk entering my breast milk.
Look for anything with:
Potassium Alum (liquid mineral salts)
http://www.saje.ca/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=16&Show=ExtInfo
Been using the above for about 4 years – swear by it!
You can make the swith – its very easy.
I have been using the exact homemade recipe as you… with an added 5-10 drops of lavender oil….. for over a year!
I love it! I have never had any complaints about foul odor… not even being in HOT climates for vacations.
The switch is worth it to me, as a cancer survivor…
as well as a frugal shopper.
I love being able to run down to my kitchen cupboard when I run out, and I never have to walk down the cosmetic aisle again.
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I agree with you about Tom’s of Maine. I would also suggest trying different types of Tom’s. I have two different ones and one works better than the other and I am living in humid southeastern Ontario. I used it today (stink free so far!) and there is a humidex of 35 degrees.
I also use the Deodorant Stone. A salt crystal I bought from Bulk Barn. My husband uses it to and he works outside all day long and it works amazingly well! On really really hot days when I’m outside I’ll use the salt crystal. It was only $6 and it’ll last for a ridiculously long time between the two of us.
I am definitely going to try your homemade deodorant recipe. And I can’t wait! Over the years, I have tried probably every brand of natural deodorant and none of them worked for me! But for some odd reason, they all work great for my husband (must be a pH thing). And recently I have been on a hunt for deodorants that don’t use any plastic – but unfortunately, even the crystals all come wrapped in plastic. So homemade is the perfect solution for me.
I didn’t commit by comment to join the challenge, but definitely started ruminating over it after I read the post. I’d been using Tom’s, but always smelled by the end of the day! One day before showering I impulsively whipped together the homemade blend (c. oil + b. soda + cornstarch). It brought an immediate and wonderful change for me. I’ve always been a sweater, but I’m currently 8 months pregnant in what’s turning out to be a very hot SoCal summer, and we’ve been working on several outdoor projects. Never a stink with this stuff! I keep the deodorant in a little Pyrex container in the bathroom with a little spoon next to it, which I use to stir if it gets too gloopy. To apply, I just dip two fingertips into the mixture and rub it in. I haven’t had any problems with stained clothing, and it was also fine on a hot road trip (keep it good and sealed!). It’s been GREAT! Thank you for the catalyst to make the change!
LOVE this challenge and can’t wait to try it! Can you please tell me what ARROWROOT powder is and where I can get it? Thanks!
Katie, I missed your challenge, but I switched to a more natural deodorant so many years ago, I can’t even remember how long. And Tom’s of Maine stick deodorant has usually worked fairly well for me, even though it didn’t always at first. I noticed that as I cleaned up my diet, my “smell” did too. However, I live where it’s dry and 90 is a heat wave, so it doesn’t get the brutal test that you’re facing in TX. I think I may still try your homemade recipe and see if it works even better.
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I didn’t join the challenge because I missed it the first time around, however, ‘ve been using my own homemade deodorant for many months now, and I love it! It’s a simple powder, and while I do sometimes have to re-apply in the evening during the height of the summer, for the most part it works beautifully.
Thank you for the link to the homemade variety you’ve been using – I have been thinking of looking into an alternative for those truly brutal days of summer.
I haven’t used conventional deodorants, or any antiperspirant at all, for years. I use a deodorant called Kiss My Face (Lavender) and I love it. But in an attempt to save a little money, and maybe have something I liked even better, I made the homemade stuff. Coconut oil, baking soda, and cornstarch.
It worked for a couple of days, and I was thrilled. But then I got super stinky! I was on vacation, and I sweat a lot because of the humidity. My poor husband. I made an emergency stop at Walgreens in Seattle and got a stick of my trusty old lavender deodorant.
I may try another formulation of homemade deodorant sometime in the future, but really, I’m happy with what I’m using, and it’s a wee bit pricey ($5-6/bottle) but the bottle is recyclable, and (most importantly) it’s both natural and effective for me.
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I’ve been using Tom’s of Maine roll on and the homemade stuff this month. We also live in central TX, and for the most part, this has worked just fine. I don’t like the white residue of the homemade mixture, but some of you have suggested putting it on when it is a little melted and rubbing it in (I’ve been storing mine in the fridge). I’ll try that.
My biggest issue, though, is when running. Neither the Toms of Maine nor the homemade mixture work seem to work against chaffing, which is fairly painful by the time I get toward the end of my run (which isn’t that far, just a couple of miles). And, the homemade mixture has been known to run down my arms, which is pretty gross. Any suggestions?
I used Toms of Maine for several months but it did not work for me in the Texas heat. I switched to the Crystal Roll On (and seriously, what is up with the picture on the label? My kids were like “Mommy why is that woman putting lotion under that man’s arm?”) over a month ago and it does work well if I have just showered. Reapplication doesn’t seem to work. If I feel like I need to “cheat,” I use Speed Stick Unscented (it rates a 1 on the EWG database).
My husband, who I NEVER thought would go natural, actually tested the Crystal but was too uncomfortable out in public. He has been using the Speed Stick Unscented but in Texas in July he says it doesn’t hold up when he is outside. I haven’t noticed any odor. He would die if he knew I posted this!
Ok, I bit the bullet and tried it. I’ve been using the super-”powerful”, clinical strength store-bought deoderant (at $7 or $11 a pop!) but it still hasn’t been working. I have reapplied numerous times throught the day, and I still STINK by the end of the day.
So, this lead to my desparate attempt to try the natural deoderant. Guess what? It works. I don’t stink by the end of the day, I feel dry, and it’s just as convienent (I put it in an old deoderant bottle). One small snafu? I apparently am allergic to one of the three ingredients. Both my armpits broke out in a rash that I haven’t been able to clear up. (Dilema: Go stinky to let the rash clear up, or don’t stink but put the suspect product back on??).
I used cornstarch, baking soda, and coconut oil. I’ve used the cocount oil as lotion without any reactions, so I think I’m going to try to make another batch without the cornstarch. As soon as I find the alum (I can’t remember the name?) I’m gonna do that.
Anyways, long story short, the deoderant is great, if you aren’t allergic to it (or don’t mind an armpit rash, I guess lol)
Way to go for trying it! That’s awesome. I just want to say that the rash may be a detox reaction from the Secret – that’s really common, I experienced it and I know a lot of other readers did, too. Try to give it a month before you switch things up unless it really becomes unbearable. (The more you itch, the more you want to itch!) Hang in there!
Thanks! I’ve been using the Secret (and several other brands, off and on) for years, so it’s possible that it’s a detox rash. I hadn’t thought of that.
I’ve sadly gone back to the Secret though b/c I can’t live with the rash anymore lol. I need to let it clear up, then I’ll go stinky for a while I guess. Lord help my hubby!
I started to get a few little red bumps after I started using this. I’ve found that exfoliating (using a soft bristle brush with medium pressure in small circles) my underarms cleared them right up! I exfoliate, shave, and use the deodorant when I get out. It has actually made my underarm skin a lot smoother!
I was going to try your challenge, but am having a hard time buying coconut oil. I would’ve thought it’d be at the grocery store? Where do I find it?
I think it depends on the grocery store – I found it here at my store but I know a lot of them don’t always have it. You would definitely find it at any health food store or natural grocer. I actually order mine online now that I use it so much, for so many things – it’s much cheaper to buy in bulk. If you want to check it out online, try Wilderness Family Naturals, Tropical Traditions, or Mountain Rose Herbs. Hope that helps!
I had trouble finding it for months too. Then I made the treck to Trader Joes. Nope, still not there. But there was a “natural vitamin” or something store in the same plaza, so I found a bottle there. It was $15. On the way home from that trip, I stopped at the military commisary that I go to every week, and guess what was on the shelf? For $5.
It was next to the PAM cooking sprays and stuff. I don’t know if I never looked there before, but that’s where it is now. I was expecting it to be with the olive oil, but apparently not lol.
Hope that helps a little!
The biggest impact everyone can make to be natural is by using nothing or doing nothing. The fundamental problem of the consumerist society is that everyone is coerced into doing something or using something. So I don’t use anything other than an organic soap and some coconut oil sometime. May be I smell a bit and has some dandruff, but that doesn’t worry me a bit. (BTW, this is a well documented innovation methodology – trimming, any design is the best when you have taken out all the unnecessary parts!)
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I also use the homemade recipe with one tweak. I divide the coconut oil and use half coconut oil and half organic coco butter. It makes the deodorant smell like chocolate and works just as well. I love it and I have even converted my husband.
I have tried this and love it but when I sweat the baking soda irritates me, I think it’s the baking soda. Anyone else have this? Thanks!
I completely LOVE face naturals deodorants. I have looked for years trying to find a truly all natural, organic skin care line that’s has no chemicals in them and all their deodorants are 100% all natural, organic and chemical free with no aluminum. They are AMAZING and I fell in LOVE on my first order. My friends and family that has tried their products rave about them. face naturals customer service is the best I’ve ever experience from any company and you get a real feel of their passion when you order and try their products. face naturals is it for me!
I’ve been using the coconut-cornstarch-baking soda stuff for about a week now and it’s been working great! I haven’t gotten any red bumps/irritated skin so far, neither have I had stink. The only time I’ve noticed any smell was after my zumba class, and that was *extremely* faint!
I usually sweat heavily, but since the New England cold has settled in I’ll have to wait and see how I’ll get used to being sweaty. Hoping I’ll detox by then and sweat less. Keeping fingers crossed!
As to containers, the homemade deodorant recipe fits nicely in an old 5.5 oz. screw-on lid container that I found lying about. The old deodorant container just seemed too fussy to deal with, and probably more of a hassle if melted. With the jar it’s really easy to apply the correct amount anyways.
I’ve found that store-bought organic deodorants were no good (at least the ones that I had tried). The first one I tried was Toms of Maine which BURNED after I put it on, couldn’t use it for more than two days straight (didn’t put it on after I shaved either, couldn’t even imagine what kinda fire that would cause). I had also tried Jasön apricot, it wasn’t so bad in the beginning, but again started to hurt after two weeks or so of normal application. It was also pretty bad after my zumba class, think I’ll stick to homemade. Maybe try some scented oils for the next batch!
*Note* I also started drinking a lot more water around the time I started the homemade deodorant.
*update*
I’ve noticed that my stuff seems to be losing potency. Adding around 6 TBS of baking soda seems to help. Does anyone who uses the empty deodorant stick from this stuff have this problem?