DIY - Homemade deodorant

Deodorant is an essential in our bathroom, and yet it is not particularly good for our health. It contains aluminium chloride, which is very effective at suppressing perspiration but just as toxic as it is effective! It can also contain parabens, which, according to some studies, are also harmful to health. Nowadays, it is fairly easy to find organic deodorant with a clean composition, but quite often it is expensive and/or simply ineffective!

But rest assured, you are not condemned to having to choose between staying fresh all day and putting questionable things on your armpits! There is in fact a very simple, inexpensive, and — above all — effective way to avoid smelling of perspiration: making your own deodorant!

A small disclaimer before we give you the recipe!

Our homemade deodorant recipe contains bicarbonate of soda. It can be applied to the skin without any problem but may, however, be uncomfortable for people with sensitive skin. For this reason, we recommend always choosing food-grade bicarbonate of soda, which is finer. We also recommend not applying this homemade deodorant right after shaving your armpits.

How to make homemade deodorant?

Ingredients

• 50 g coconut oil
• 30 g bicarbonate of soda (ultra-fine)
• 20 g cornflour
• 5 drops true lavender essential oil
• 5 drops palmarosa essential oil
• 5 g vegetable wax (in summer only — not essential in winter)

Coconut oil, in addition to being very nourishing and moisturising, has the added benefit of being antibacterial. Bicarbonate of soda neutralises all unpleasant odours and is non-toxic. Cornflour has absorbent properties. Palmarosa essential oil is highly effective against perspiration, as well as being antibacterial. And finally, true lavender essential oil is also antibacterial, and it smells wonderful!

Equipment

• Small glass jar
• Electric hand mixer
• Scales
• Tablespoon

Why is the vegetable wax optional?

The only purpose of the vegetable wax in this recipe is to solidify the deodorant. However, below 25°C, coconut oil is solid, so the wax is completely unnecessary in winter.

How do I make my homemade deodorant?

Step 1: Cleaning your equipment and containers

First, you need to clean your work surface and sterilise your equipment. This is a very important step — if you skip it, you will shorten the shelf life of your deodorant. To begin, tie your hair back and wash your hands. Clean your work surface, then disinfect it with 90% alcohol. Next, submerge your metal utensils and your glass jar in a saucepan of boiling water for around ten minutes. Wipe any plastic items with a cloth soaked in 90% alcohol. Finally, leave everything to dry on a clean tea towel.

Step 2: Making the deodorant

If you are using the wax, melt it in a bain-marie.

Weigh all the ingredients and pour them into your mixing bowl. If you are using the wax, allow the mixture to cool slightly before adding the essential oils (essential oils lose their effectiveness at high temperatures).

Beat all the ingredients with your mixer until you obtain a smooth cream.

Pour the deodorant into the previously cleaned jar and it is ready!

How do I store my homemade deodorant?

It is entirely up to you! You can either store it at room temperature or in the fridge.

How do I use my homemade deodorant?

Nothing could be simpler: after washing your hands, just take a small hazelnut-sized amount of deodorant on your finger and apply it under your armpit!