DIY Coconut Lime Deodorant

By Kathy C.

Ingredients

• 2 Tb. coconut oil
• 1 Tb. baking soda (Also called Sodium Bicarbonate or Bicarb or Bicarbonate of Soda)
• 3 Tb. arrowroot powder (buy this in the baking aisle of grocery store)
• 5 drops lime essential oil, or your preferred essential oil

Details

Servings 1
Adapted from vintageamanda.com

Preparation

Step 1

Anti-perspirant stops you from sweating.  We can’t make this at home, and we might not even want to (if you believe it’s good to sweat out toxins!)
What we can do is make a natural deodorant which inhibits bacterial growth so you smell sweet all day long.  Hooray!

This deodorant is simple and it works for me.  Variations of this recipe are all over the internet, but after a lot of experimentation, this is the blend that I love and use regularly.
This lovely, tropical-smelling homemade deodorant contains 4 ingredients:
1)Coconut oil. Coconut oil is moisturising and has a natural antibacterial effect.
2)Arrow Root Powder. Silky smooth for a nice texture. I prefer Arrowroot powder to cornstarch, because cornstarch may encourage yeast growth? Not good. Stick with Arrowroot.
3)Baking Soda. Absorbs odors (you know how Grandma kept a box in the fridge to make it smell nice … same idea in your underarms!)
4)Essential Oils. Antibacterial again, and odor-busting. I use lime essential oil for a tropical fragrance!

And here’s how to make it:

Just mix it all together and put into a container.  If you want easier mixing, melt the coconut oil first and then let harden before using.
Always always always label the container!
To use, scoop out a little bit (maybe 1/4 tsp) on your finger, press against your underarm for a few seconds to soften, then rub in. Repeat on the other side.

My little secret: the top of my deodorant did not look this good at first. So, I melted it down with a hairdryer for a few seconds, then smoothed it with a knife. Yes, I admit it. Pretty beauty products are more fun though!

Troubleshooting:

Coconut oil melts at very low temps, so if you live in a hot climate, you might want to store this in the fridge. Or add a bit of beeswax to hold it together.
Baking soda can irritate some people’s skin. If you want more odor-fighting, increase the amount of baking soda. For a gentler deodorant, decrease the baking soda, or leave it out alltogether.
Don’t like coconut lime? Use a different essential oil like tea tree or lavender.
Lime essential oil makes your skin extra sensitive to sunlight. Since you use deodorant under your arms, it shouldn’t be a problem!
Effective deodorant seems to be a very personal thing, so change the ratio of baking soda and arrowroot powder until you find what works for you!

Christine says:
November 30, 2012 at 22:20
I used just straight coconut oil and it worked very well as a deodorant, even in a hot climate. After my shower I rub coconut oil all over my body, including my underarms. It takes a few minutes to sink in but then your whole body is soft and sweet smelling for the rest of the day.