Homemade Deodorant

This isn't an anti-perspirant at all, but if you do perspire you won't start to smell. It also won't discolour or stain your clothing.

What you will need

INGREDIENTS
-¼ cup (60ml) Baking Soda (Soda Bicarb)
-¼ cup (60ml) corn starch, chick pea flower or arrowroot powder (arrowroot powder is best, but I couldn't find it and I didn't want to use corn starch as I'm not sure about GMOs so I went with chick pea flour)
-5 tablespoons of coconut oil (semi-soft state – refrigerate or leave out at room temperature to adjust).
-(Ladies version)15 drops of essential oil. (I mix 2/3 drops each of Rose Geranium, Naouli, Lemongrass, Peppermint, Lavender and Rosemary).
-(Gentlemen's version) 15 drops of essential oil. (I mix 3 drops each of Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, Orange, Peppermint and Rosemary). Then, in a separate bottle, I mix a drop each of Cinnamon and Clove essential oil in a bit of olive oil. These two oils are very strong so pour a few drops of this mixture in to your preference.
(A drop of two of this oil can be used for your toothpaste as well).


Put the dry ingredients into a jar and mix. Add the coconut oil bit by bit, working it into the powder. The end result should be like icing sugar, slightly liquid, but pretty much able to hold it's shape (depending on how hot/cold the day/room is).

Not too thick, not too runny

If it’s still too runny, you can add more dry ingredients by the teaspoon (just mix them half/half). Depending on the climate it may not set at all or it might be grainy, but it will apply fine either way and the anti-bacterial properties of the coconut oil exist whether it’s liquid or solid. The lavender and rosemary are also anti-bacterial and work wonders if you are already sweaty.

To apply, simply rub a pea-sized portion into your armpits. The mixture will melt into your skin and won't stain your clothes. No nasty white marks either.  One application should last the whole day, but a second dab should do the trick on sweltering days.


Put the finished mixture into a small leakproof jar with a lid to put in your bag. I tried re-using a roll on container, but I don't want to use a microwave it to melt it so I just use an old eye cream jar and a scoop I made by cutting up an old Kinder Egg scoop. Much easier!