If you want to avoid chemicals, but don't want to give up deodorant - read on! This is the easiest, cheapest, and most effective deodorant you will ever use. Those are big claims, I know.
As someone that sweats, a lot, I have tried everything from deodorants claiming to be all natural all the way up to products marketed as clinical strength. Heck, I even got so desperate that I tried using deodorant and antiperspirant designed for men at one point. I wasn't completely satisfied with anything I purchased.
I like that the natural deodorants don't include some of the scarier things such as aluminum, but they still have more ingredients than I want to put on my skin AND they don't work very well for me. I was constantly having to reapply which is both inconvenient and expensive. The clinical strength deodorants and antiperspirants work pretty well, but I worry about putting that chemical cocktail on my skin every day and they're not cheap.
What's a sweaty girl (or guy) to do? Make your own!
The number one reason I use this homemade deodorant concoction is because it works. It controls odor and keeps me dry. I wouldn't be using it if it didn't, no matter how cheap or natural or easy to make it is. The fact that it doesn't contain a lot of the icky ingredients in store-bought deodorants and that it costs way less are just extra bonus points as far as I'm concerned.
You only need two ingredients to make your own deodorant/antiperspirant.
Yep, that's it.
In a covered container mix:
- baking soda - 1 part
- cornstarch - 3 parts**
**Play around with this ratio until you find what works for you. Some people use a ratio of 1:1 and some use 1:6 (1 part baking soda to 6 parts cornstarch). Baking soda on it's own is too harsh and will eventually cause skin irritation if not used with the cornstarch. If you experience skin irritation, add more cornstarch.
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my homemade deodorant |
Cover the container and shake well. Apply to dry underarms with a powder puff, cotton balls, a fluffy makeup brush, a piece of cloth, toilet paper, or anything else you have laying around that might work. I was originally worried about a white residue showing up on my clothes, but it hasn't been a problem so far. In fact, I've had less issues than with traditional deodorants.
Some people also combine these two ingredients with coconut oil and beeswax and essential oils to form a sort of stick deodorant that is similar to traditional deodorants. I haven't found it necessary, but there are plenty of recipes for this if you search online.
Stay dry and healthy!