Today I am so excited to share this recipe for homemade chemical-free deodorant that works… even in 40C/100F heat!
My journey away from aluminum-laden but very effective anti-perspirant/deodorant began in Egypt when I had some lumps under my arms checked out by a doctor. He diagnosed blocked sweat glands and advised I stop using anti-perspirant.
Until I had blocked sweat glands, I had never considered what it meant to stop my body sweating by using chemicals.
With no feasible alternative (I did try skipping antiperspirant/deodorant altogether for a day or two, with the smelly, soggy results you would expect) I decided to continue using my favourite brand.
Then we moved to Australia, and I finally got down to the last antiperspirant/deodorant stick I had imported from America. I also fell pregnant with David. I decided to save my stick for emergencies and purchase a natural chemical-free deodorant without antiperspirant.
During the winter the purchased deodorant was fine, and I noticed my body adjust by sweating less over time. However the deodorant couldn’t handle summer heat, so I was uncomfortably smelly last summer.
As the weather heated up again this year, I searched once more for an effective natural deodorant. When I read Wellness Mama’s struggles with the same issues, I decided to buy shea butter and essential oil and give her recipe a go.
I have now been using Wellness Mama natural deo in high heat, occasional humidity, and often with a baby on my back for over a month this summer. I can tell you, it works for me.
NOTE: After a year without chemical antiperspirant, my body was already used to sweating less, so I don’t know what the transition directly from a commercial brand antiperspirant to this recipe would be like. But if you want to give chemical-free odour protection a try, this is the recipe to use.
Here is how I make my Wellness Mama natural deo:
Need:
* 3 T Coconut Oil
* 2 T Shea Butter
* 5 T Baking Soda
* Essential Oil (optional)
Do:
1. Gather supplies: an old deo stick and press’n'seal (if you don’t have those, use a small jar), shea butter, essential oil (I bought both here), coconut oil, and baking soda.
2. Clean the old deo stick and dry thoroughly.
3. Place press’n'seal on top of stick to keep product from draining down into the bottom of the stick (if you skip this step, you won’t be able to dial the stick up and down once the deo hardens). Poke a hole just in the middle of the press-n-seal to allow the stick to move up and down.
4. Dial the base of the stick down to hold your product.
5. Melt coconut oil and shea butter in double-boiler (if you have one) or use a heat-proof bowl that fits in your saucepan like I do.
6. Remove from heat and stir in baking soda (and a drop or two of essential oil if using).
7. Pour in prepared deo stick and refrigerate until solid. Continue to store your stick in the refrigerator if your house is warm to prevent melting. (If you store your deodorant in a jar, it’s easier to use if kept at room temperature.)
8. Dial up the product and apply as normal. Enjoy soft skin and a sweet scent, the natural way!
