Deodorant

Step 2 Mix it up

Combine 1/4 cup (60mL) cornstarch with 1/4 cup baking soda.

Add essential oils - I used 8 drops of lavender with 3 drops of sandalwood.

Add 2 Tablespoons coconut oil and a few drops of vitamin E oil (opt). Though the coconut oil I got for this project had a low melting point, the stuff I have at home has a higher one, which I would recommend. That kind I bought in my grocery store near the Crisco and other baking needs.

Mush the ingredients together until they start to form a silky mass. Add more of the coconut oil or dry ingredients to adjust. Then you're ready to start packing it in to your container.

Comments

[whitneyvegan]

Call me dense, but do you heat up the coconut oil first? This is my first time using the stuff, and it's hard as a rock.

If you do heat it up... how? Microwave? Stove?

I feel dumb, haha >_>

[Shippygirl]

I broke out in a vicious rash from a recipe that contained cornstarch, baking soda, and coconut oil in the same amounts. It didn't include the other ingredients. It worked until I broke out. :(

[starspinner]

I agree with the comment by deannac.cut back on the baking soda.

bakins soda is awesome. I used it to save pans that fall victim to people forgetting their macaroni on the stove. mmm burnt pasta. but think of how effective that makes it. if you've ever used it for cleaning, you can feel the spotless cleanliness on your fingertips. cut it back. it's just like diluting vinegar - different strengths for different purposes.

[ToniRose]

I haven't broken out (yet), but it hasn't worked as well for me using the same formula (except cocoa butter instead of coconut oil). I'm wondering if the essential oils are more, well, "essential" than I'd realized.

In other words, without some antimicrobial, perhaps the butter or oil is acting as a culture medium. Any thoughts on my theory, scooch
 or other folks?

[deannac]

My daughter broke out too. I think that the next time I make deodorant, I will cut down on the baking soda. When I use cornstarch as a body powder by itself, I have no problems, but when I add too much baking soda, it dries my skin out and cracked skin develops on body creases. Unfortunately, my daughter (11) will probably never want to use another one of my "experiments" again. Too bad because it really worked for her too.

[klofquist]

Because regular old Arm and Hammer baking soda contains aluminum (my main reason for making my own deoderant) I use either aluminum free baking soda bought through Azure Standard or I have also used Arrowroot powder with wonderful results! Hope this helps!

[suckrpnch]

I am almost positive (almost) that baking soda does not contain aluminum. Baking powder, on the other hand, mixes baking soda with a few ingredients, one of which, often has aluminum in it. You can always make your own baking powder, though, with baking soda and cream of tartar (optionally with corn starch added).

[scoochmaroo]

That sounds horrible! I remember breaking out in a rash after using some particular Burt's Bees product for a week. It sucked because up until then, it had been one of my favorite products. It just smelled sooo nice.

[Shippygirl]

I wish it hadn't broke me out because before I broke out, it was working great. In the communities I'm in, the majority of people don't have this problem with it and it works for them. I used diaper rash ointment with zinc oxide as a deodorant until the rash went away. It controlled the smell and helped heal the rash. I kept extra shirts at work and the ointment because it wore off sometimes on active days. I haven't found any other natural deodorant that worked as good as coconut oil/baking soda/cornstarch recipe. I discovered coconut oil because of this, so the experience had an upside.

[picklet]

You wonder if it's necessary to avoid the aluminium. Well, if you look at the research of what they found in tumors in the breast, you might change your mind. Also, it's no surprise that the most frequent quadrant for breast cancer is the upper outer one. That's right next to where all that stuff from the deodorant or hair removal product gets absorbed by the skin. Hope this helps :)

[dejure]

It has become increasingly obvious to me there is a trend of erring on the side of "no caution." It is often associated with terms like "generally recognized as safe." It is most evident in matters with which the FDA deals. Such matters often involve large corporations, significant amounts of money and paid for reports. Because of this trend, my brother is now a millionaire, after being compensated for damages out of having used an "approved" medication purposed to aid in weight loss.

Do those who cite things like "no link has been shown between _________" not see how strange promotion of such statements appear? At one time, there was no link shown between:

1) Lead and diminished thinking capacity
2) Fish oil consumption and improved health
3) Mercury ingestion and death
4) Consumption of limes and reduction of scurvy
. . . . . .

[ejgertz]

The much more likely reason that many breast cancers are in the upper outer quadrant is that this is the area containing around 60% of breast tissue. So far, studies of this very question have not found a link between anti-perspirant use and breast cancer, nor a link between the parabens in some anti-perspirants and breast cancer.

[mark_olson]

Nice instructable. My wife has recently jumped on the anti-aluminum bandwagon. This is maybe not necessary but I wonder if mixing the liquids together first would make even distribution of the essential oils more assured.