Now that you know I’ve gone No’poo, I’ll tell you about how I’ve gone No’dorant. Anti-antiperspirant maybe? Either way, it’s not pro-B.O.
A few months after I made the No’poo switch, I started looking into other ways to remove chemicals from my personal care products. So I started with the one that I liked the least, my deodorant. I just really hated it. Why? 1. It didn’t work. At all. I tried many kinds - none worked. 2. It just seemed creepy to cover my skin in chemicals to trap in the toxins my body was trying to release. So I turned to the internet and found that many people were using concoctions made up of things like baking soda, cornstarch, coconut oil and essential oils.
A few months after I made the No’poo switch, I started looking into other ways to remove chemicals from my personal care products. So I started with the one that I liked the least, my deodorant. I just really hated it. Why? 1. It didn’t work. At all. I tried many kinds - none worked. 2. It just seemed creepy to cover my skin in chemicals to trap in the toxins my body was trying to release. So I turned to the internet and found that many people were using concoctions made up of things like baking soda, cornstarch, coconut oil and essential oils.
I’ve tried a couple of different methods. Some folks just “splash”
on some regular old baking soda after a shower, I found my skin way too sensitive for this method (believe it or not, straight baking soda on the skin can cause a rash). I kept the baking soda in a fancy salt shaker and would just shake a bit into my hands and rub it in. However, there was often a lot of “over-splash” and I wound up with a layer of baking soda dust on my bathroom sink. I researched more and found that the best way to fix the “my-skin-is-too-sensitive” problem is to cut the baking soda with cornstarch. I tried that mixture, but I would still occasionally itch and of course, still had the over-splash problem. So I moved to the next and still current solution. BUT, before we move on from these dry mixtures – don’t discount them because they have a purpose! Maybe it’s just me or maybe it’s not but no one will admit it anyway but I have some clothes that even when I wash them the armpits still smell. Like the deodorant residue (from traditional yucky-type deodorants), from the old days when I wore it, has trapped a layer of b.o. with in a gross film. Or sometimes you just need to wear something again before you have a chance to wash it. Well let me tell you, sprinkle a little baking soda (the cornstarch mixture will work too) on the inside armpit fabric and the problem will vanish. And yes, I have done this with black sweaters and have had no negative outcomes.
Now on to the good stuff…
Baking Soda
Cornstarch
Lavender Essential Oil
Tea Tree Essential Oil
(NOTE: I opted not to use any essential oil in this batch - so it just has a light coconut scent)
Simple. I bought a decorative glass jar at IKEA (where else?) and basically just added the first three ingredients until I got the consistency I was looking for. I had seen recipes where people have added very little coconut oil and shaped the mixture into a bar and some even went as far as to shove it into an old empty deodorant container for easy application; I was not at all successful with this method AT ALL. I really just ended up with a bunch of messy crumbs. I opted to go for a “lotion-like”
I used a two tablespoon cornstarch/one tablespoon baking soda powder mixture and then added two-and-a-smidge tablespoons coconut oil and stirred. Ready! This is also where you would add your few drops of essential oil
I do only make a small amount at a time. This will last a long time but not too long - this contains no preservatives so you don't want to keep it around forever. Sticking your fingers in the jar everyday can introduce bacteria into the mixture - so making a fresh batch every so often is nice.
CHALLENGE: Coconut oil changes from a solid to a liquid somewhere around room temperature. So in the winter the mixture can become too solid. My solution – I keep the jar on the warm spot over the pilot light on my stove. You’ll have to find a solution that works for you.
NOTE: Did you read that? I do keep my deodorant in the kitchen and on the stove.
NOTE 2 (The real note): IF YOU KNOW ME AND WANT TO MAKE THIS – you will need to buy your own baking soda and coconut oil – however, I have extra cornstarch and a large amount of Lavender Essential Oil and a fair amount of Tea Tree Oil so feel free to get a few drops from me. Wait, does this count as a blog give-away?!
GIVEAWAY: Tablespoons of Cornstarch and drops of Lavender and Tea Tree Essential Oils!!!! (Contest Rules: The award can only be given out at a time when we are already hanging out, unless you want to make a special trip to me to get your oil and cornstarch. So really, if you don’t know me or we don’t hang out – sorry, but you can’t win. Also, offer only applies while supplies last.)
!? A giveaway? I'm fairly certain we have cornstarch but I would love to win a few drops of oil to give this a whirl. Also. I heard this blog gives away awesome brownies baked inside of cookies and delivers them to your door if you win. Please confirm if this is true.
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