DIY Coconut Oil Deodorant

Chemical and perfume free. Now, it's easy to make your own deodorant.

It’s time to ditch one more over the counter toiletry and make it yourself. Once we hit our teenage years, deodorant became a necessity for everyday life. If you step out of the house for three minutes without applying deodorant, the friction starts building and an unpleasant odor begins to follow.

Antiperspirants can lead to a blockage of toxins in the body. Sweating is a natural and beneficial function of the body since it helps extract toxins. Go more natural with  DIY Coconut Oil deodorant. Four ingredients is all it takes to feel fresh and smell wonderful while still allowing your body to work naturally.

Many commercially made deodorants and antiperspirants use aluminum and other chemicals. Over the last several years there has been a lot of buzz in the medical community as to whether or not these chemicals may attribute to, or even cause breast cancer. To date, there have been no definitive studies that substantiate the claim. With that said, as a breast cancer survivor I am on an ongoing mission to use fewer over the counter products, especially those I can easily and inexpensively make at home. Just like with the foods we consume, products we use externally can often be made without using chemicals or ingredients we can’t pronounce. I like to say, “When in doubt make it yourself”.

Ingredients & Why They Work:

Coconut Oil – Coconut oil has gained huge popularity in the past few years due to its numerous health benefits. What makes coconut oil great in this recipe is one of it’s natural acids. Lauric acid helps kill off bacteria, viruses and fungi. Bacteria loves warm places like armpits. Lauric acid aids in maintaining freshness.

Corn Starch – Cornstarch helps thicken the mixture so it becomes more of a solid instead of a liquid deodorant. Some people have allergies to cornstarch so an alternative is arrowroot powder, which thickens a bit more.

Baking Soda – Baking Soda is a universal odor neutralizer. Most deodorant mask unpleasant odors instead of neutralizing them. Fighting off odor is always better than just covering it up. Make sure you use baking soda and not baking power. Baking powder has chemicals that can react poorly to the skin.

Lavender Oil – Lavender is a go to for most essential oil needs. Bug repellent, sleep inducer and the ability to relax both the mind and body make it extremely beneficial. You can swap it out with any other essential oil of choice.

What to Do:

1. Coconut oil usually comes in solid form, so it may be necessary to melt it before using. Add 1/4 cup coconut oil into a small pot, warm over low heat until liquified.

2. Combine in a small bowl, melted coconut oil, 2 tablespoons cornstarch (or arrowroot powder), 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon baking soda.

3. Once the mixture has thickened, add 20-25 drops of lavender, or the essential oil of choice, and mix thoroughly.

4. Pour the contents into a glass jar with lid. A mason jar works well.

5. Apply a thin layer under both arms with either your fingers or a cotton pad. Coconut Oil Deodorant may be applied once or twice daily after showering and depending on your activity level. Stay fresh with DIY coconut oil deodorant!

Sources: frugal Living, Organic Facts, Authority Nutrition, Sweat Block, webmd 

Release even more toxins by doing some of our H.I.I.T. workouts. Below are some favorites: 
ABS H.I.I.T. Workout
H.I.I.T. Your Back Workout
Fat Blasting HIIT Workout – Burn Fat up to 24 Hours
HIIT Your Legs Workout

This post may include affiliate links.

SkinnyMs.

The SkinnyMs. team believes that all people, regardless of age, size, and fitness level, have the power to transform their lives — they just need the resources to do so. The SkinnyMs. method promotes healthy living through a combination of clean eating and regular exercise. We offer everything you need to be successful.

More by Skinny

4 Comments

  1. Baking soda is a skin irritant. For many people use if this recipie will result in red blistering and irritated under arms.

    1. It seems that it mostly causes irritation if you use it on open skin…like right after shaving your arm pits. I just use pure coconut oil on those days, which has the added benefit of providing lots of moisture to dry arm pits. My boyfriend and I have had no irritation whatsoever and have also found it to be more effective than normal deodorant we both are weight lifters, chronic sweaters, and used to have to use deodorant every day to control odor.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *