"Anyone that doesn't agree with leggings as pants can physically fight me.
And I'm going to win because I have a full range of motion due to the fact that I am wearing leggings as pants."

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Homemade Deodorant, yes, I am that person

About a year ago I made my first batch of homemade deodorant from a recipe of Amy Karol's. In theory I liked the idea of natural deodorant (to avoid the aluminum that may, or may not, be linked to Alzheimer's because why tempt fate) but in practice, I never really used the stuff.

So, I gave it to my sister, who loved it and used it all up. It worked so well for her that she convinced me to make another double batch and to actually try it myself this time. So I made a second batch, using the same recipe as the first.

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And I loved it too. It isn't antiperspirant, just deodorant, but it takes that job seriously. I've had zero stink. Yes, I still sweat, but I did that with regular deodorant/antiperspirant anyway. I actually have less issues with odor now than when I was using conventional deodorant.

I did have 2 problems with the original recipe, though.
1) It was really stiff. To use, I had to scrape up a little pea-sized ball with the back of my fingernail and rub it around until it melted.
2) Halfway through the batch, the texture became more and more gritty, which started to irritate my underarms. I think the baking soda settled to the bottom half of the container before the melted oils had a chance to cool and solidify.

So, I devised one solution to both problems... our Kitchen Aid

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Ingredients
3 parts Shea Butter
1 to 2 parts Baking Soda
2 parts Cornstarch
Vitamin E Oil (use a couple of squeezed gel caps if your measured parts are Tablespoons, more if you're making it by the cup)
2 parts Cocoa Butter (melted and then cooled, but still mostly liquid)
Essential Oils (enough to make it smell good, but not overpowering- I used tea tree, lavender and wild chamomile- it's very nice. Make sure you've used these before directly on your skin to avoid any sensitivities.)

Instructions
-To the mixer bowl add the shea butter, baking soda, cornstarch and Vitamin E. Using paddle attachment mix at med/high until it is lighter in color (almost white) and somewhat fluffy.
-With mixer running, slowly drizzle in cocoa butter.
-Mix on med/high for a couple minutes until nice and fluffy.
-Place bowl in fridge for 5 minutes.
-Repeat those last two steps as necessary until the mixture has cooled to room temperature.
-Add essential oils and mix until blended thoroughly.
-Spoon into lidded container, making sure to clean the mixer bowl immediately because someone in your family is guaranteed to come along and sneak a taste without realizing that it's deodorant.
-Apply a generous amount to clean underarms, making sure to rub it in well.
-Do the happy dance because you at least your deodorant isn't going to poison you.

Important Note- Make sure to store this below the melting point of 75 degrees or so. Once it melts, the texture will be the same as the original recipe.

15 comments:

LacyHolly said...

I have wanted to make my own deoderant for a long time now!!! I bookmarked a 'recipe' just the other day actually! Yours sounds better tho :)

I love that there are other people out there that are like me...most of my friends find me to be nuts.

I stumbled upon your blog one day and am oh-so-happy I did! I love your ideas! (I make produce bags too!...they're on my blog)

Well, anywho...I just wanted to leave you a quick comment and tell you your blog rocks!

OWL MOMMA said...

cool recipe! I'm glad you're one of "those people"... it's nice to have company.

Regina said...

I've been using Angry chicken deodorant for over a year and a half and I completely love it. I'll have to remember your modifications for my next batch.

Homemade Mamas said...

We are happily "those people", too! The recipe we've used is on our blog, but we're excited to see a different one - we'll have to give it a try!

em for mighty said...

this sounds very cool. i get jason's apricot deoderant (i never ever wear anti-perspirant--yikes!)...maybe i can make my own instead! thanks!

auroramae said...

Thanks Wendy for sharing this awesomeness with me.
I am one of those people who just sweats from doing nothing. Wendy gave me my own jar of this deodorant, and well I am in love! Yes, I still sweat but I can't stop smelling my armpits in amazement of how good this stuff works! (Sorry if that was TMI, but REALLY I LOVE IT)

auroramae said...

Oh and p.s. I love how fun all the people that commented seem!

Unknown said...

I love this! Thank you for doing this. I have tried all natural deos and I can't find one that works for me. I am SO going to try this :)

FinnyKnits said...

Really? Wendy, I love ya and this is just another reason. Good for you for being one of *those* people, even if I'm just going to go back to my Mitchum like I never saw a recipe for how to use my Kitchenaid to make deodorant.

Wander to the Wayside said...

Gosh,like Aurora, I would go around smelling my armpits all day, especially with lavendar in it as I'm a lavender-aholic!

Unknown said...

I guess this makes a clever gift. For myself, a pinch of baking soda, straight up, works just as well, with less fuss.

Angeleen said...

YES!!!

Thank you, Wendy, from the rest of us who are "those people."

I WILL be making this... after the temps here drop enough for it to solidify. ;) XOXO

gardenmama said...

what a great idea, thanks for the recipe : )
I would love to have you check out the give away on my blog!!

Stacy (Mama-Om) said...

I only ever wear deodorant, too, but have never made my own. I like your recipe because it doesn't use coconut oil (which I'm allergic to) ... so maybe I'll finally give it a go!

Wendy said...

I've been using home made deodorant for a while now. First it was just a mixture of baking soda and essential oils, but I found a recipe using coconut oil, baking soda, corn starch and essential oils (I use lavendar and tea tree oil). The mixture is really soft, and I stuffed it into an old deodorant dispenser. I keep it in the refrigerator, except when I want to "roll" it up :).

It works great and smells awesome, and since my grandma had dementia - probably Alzheimer's, I need to take all of the precautions I can ;).