Homemade Deodorant! (Yes, it works!)

Every since I gave birth to my first child, my body has not been the same. Of course, I have the same issues most women have, stretch marks, extra belly skin, and bags under my eyes from loss of sleep. One thing no one thought to mention was how the hormone changes might affect other things, like body odour. Yep, apparently a fluctuation in hormones can make you sweat more and stink more.

I was very embarrassed by this lovely little change, I was loading on tons of deodorant to try and combat it. It wasn't working and I started to become increasingly worried about the chemicals in it. I have heard that what is in deodorant can go into my body and cause problems, then I started to worry if it could be affecting my breast milk and hurting my babies. So I took the plunge and made a simple, cost effective, deodorant.

Recipe:

1/4 cup of Arrowroot Powder or Cornstarch - this is a thickening agent.
1/4 cup of Baking Soda
and 6Tbsp of Coconut oil (you may need more and they don't have to be perfect, just spoon it out)

Directions:

Mix your dry ingredients together in a bowl, then start adding the Coconut oil. Mash it together after each spoonful of Coconut oil until you get the right consistency. The easiest way is to use a spoon and literally mash it around, or if you have a Pestle and Mortar that would work perfectly. You want it to start to stick together, like a stick of regular deodorant would. You want it to become mold-able and caked together.

Once it is caking together nicely, you can add some Essential oils. I used Tea Tree Oil, it is a natural anti-bacterial. It is perfect for this, as bacteria is what causes our sweat to smell. I also added another essential oil for smell.

Add about 5 drops of Tea Tree Oil (it is very strong, you only need a little bit)
Add about 15-20 drops of an Essential Oil of your choice. I used Peppermint, so I smell like a candy cane.

Put your mixture into a small container with a lid and you can apply it with your finger in the morning, or you can put it in an old deodorant tube.

I have to keep mine in the fridge, or else it gets to soft and almost melts. I just turn the knob on the tube so the deodorant sticks up and place in the fridge, then apply like any other deodorant in the morning and I am good to go.

Hope it works well for all of you.

Much Love

Marissa