create-your-own deodorant

A few years ago, we set out on a quest to find the best and healthiest deodorant option in existence. You may be thinking, "Oh great, another crazy person who thinks deodorant causes cancer"  Well, truth-bomb... the chemicals found in most standard brands of deodorant are linked to breast cancer and Alzheimer's, and we've known about this for years.  Now, I've had to learn to be balanced about this, because chemicals are found everywhere and in basically everything.  But when you find an easy and effective way to replace some daily-doses of aluminum, why not try it?
 It was a difficult (and sometimes hilarious) journey filled with pit rashes and sometimes smelling like a roast chicken... but we made it through to the other side. 

The FAILURES.
I'm sure some people can just go grab a natural deodorant at Whole Foods or wherever and be fine and dandy.  Well that was the case with us for a few weeks. 
1. Toms - I had a great couple of days first trying Toms... then my arm pits started to flake off like I had leprosy. Wonderful! Next...
2. Every Man Jack - This was a winner for a good while. A fresh, gender-neutral peppermint scent, a slightly high price tag, but it worked! Until it didn't anymore... Rats.
3. Earth Science - The mint rosemary was another awesome scent! Until it mixed with B.O. to create this uncanny resemblance to a rosemary chicken roasting in the oven. YUM!

So Zack found a recipe suggesting a simple mixture of baking soda + coconut oil + a starch!

Here is how you make it!
Step 1: Cool your coconut oil. 
If it's cool weather, you can probably skip this step, but if it's summer and your coconut oil looks liquified, pop it in the fridge for a bit!

Step 2: Loosen the chilled oil.
Now once the oil is in its solid state, it's harder to mix (but this is the consistency you need it to be) so don't quit on me yet!

Give it a couple minutes, and then start scraping and breaking up the coconut oil with a fork. Scoop out enough to equal about 1/3 cup.

Step 3: Add your starch.
We use arrowroot, but be warned this stuff is like fairy dust! If you barely flinch while scooping this stuff, it will puff out like a dust cloud! So LIGHTLY measure out 1/4 cup. Watch it, sister! This stuff's dainty. Gently pat it with a fork into the coconut oil.

Step 3: Add your baking soda.
Now add an equal ratio of baking soda (1/4 cup). Do the same smashing method with the fork. This will take a couple of minutes for the coconut oil to soften.  Once it seems to be well mixed, you can smooth/stir it with a spoon.

Step 4: Add your scent
Wow, we are only on step 4 and you're almost done! Heck, if you want only the coconut scent, then you are done!

If you want something more, try 2+ drops of a high-quality essential oil like lavender or peppermint! Zack also likes bergamot or lime, but keep in mind that citrus oils are photosensitive (meaning you will get a mega-sunburn if your skin is exposed with them... Trust me. It happened to me one time). But if it's winter or you're a ginger and your skin isn't seeing the light of day,  then go right ahead!

My current pick: Young Living Lavender
I used to not love this scent as much as peppermint, but its grown to be a favorite. Bonus-- this mixture does not smell like a musty, floral potpourri. 

Finally, I divide up my mixture into smaller containers to not only have more than one scent option, but to also have travel sizes!

Ta-da!!

Tips for use--

1. Store in a cool place. Since coconut oil has a melting point of  76 °F (24 °C), it's best to store your deodorant container in a cool spot or even in the fridge! When traveling, seal it up in plastic or a ziplock just to make sure nothing leaks!

2. This is not an antiperspirant. The starch does a great job of absorbing and preventing moisture, but if you are in 95 degree Alabama heat, you are gonna sweat, honey! It's good for you!

3. Just reapply! If you are going from work to the gym to a special event that night... You cannot think that this deodorant will still be sticking' around. These are natural ingredients not aluminum, remember? Just keep one of those travel sizes with you.

4. Not date-night approved. I will not even act like for a minute that I wore my natural deodorant on my wedding day. First of all, I couldn't be guaranteed that I would have chances in the craziness to reapply, and I wanted to look and smell like a frickin' princess that whole day! I also had loads of chemical hairspray and long-lasting lipstick, so it was a day for good ol' chemicals to do their job! 

5. Alter the strength. My skin is more sensitive and Zack wants a man-strength deodorant... We have altered this recipe to have either more coconut oil (for sensitive skin) or more baking soda (for dudes). If you would like to try one of our batches before buying the ingredients to DIY, let us know which strength you want and we will sell you a jar! 

I hope this helps someone else on their natural deodorant journey... Please comment if you have any other modification suggestions you've found. Also, if anyone is interested in how many batches you can make and how much it costs, comment below and I can get that info for ya!

Peace, love & good smells!

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