Let’s talk about body odor, shall we? Not the most delicate topic, but an important one, I think. Especially when you discover you have it! 😉
For as long as I can remember, I’d been using Fresh sugar deodorant and antiperspirant, and NEVER had an issue with smell or sweat. When we moved to Texas everything changed. It could also have something to do with getting older, hormonal changes, etc., but I’m convinced it’s Texas.
I switched to Secret clinical strength a couple years ago and it seemed to work okay also. But then a few months ago I started OOZING b.o. Seriously. I was mortified and tried using the Secret twice a day instead of only at night, tried other deodorants, and then I read one of the ten million articles out there on the miracles of coconut oil and decided to try making my own deodorant. At first, I ONLY applied coconut oil under my arms for a few days. Nada. Didn’t do anything for me. Then, I tried a recipe with baking soda & cornstarch which COMPLETELY CHANGED MY LIFE. I’m not kidding.
Coconut oil deodorant:
6 Tablespoons Coconut Oil
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup cornstarch
I mixed it all up in a glass container and viola, deodorant! I use a small spatula to get it out, and transfer some into a smaller container for traveling. The recipe above makes enough for a couple months; I think I made this batch in the beginning of June and there’s still a couple week’s left. I just apply a small amount (dime-sized) under my arms everyday and forget about it. No b.o.
You can add essential oils to your deodorant if you want – tea tree oil would be a good one – but I haven’t yet. It will also turn to liquid in extreme heat (this happens when I travel), but will quickly solidify at room temperature. I sometimes notice sensitivity when I apply it right after shaving, but it’s not so bad. It will STILL get white stains on your clothes if you’re not careful, which sucks, because I didn’t have a problem with that when I used Fresh. All in all though, I will gladly accept that for an all-natural deodorant that actually WORKS. And is SO CHEAP.
Have you tried making your own deodorant? Have you found success? Have you ever had an issue with body odor? Any solutions for deodorant stains on clothing?
Oh, and coconut oil by itself on a cotton pad is BRILLIANT for removing eye makeup/mascara.
Does it also help with actual sweating? I don’t have a problem with BO as I do with sweating and being wet..
I honestly don’t sweat very much, so i don’t know that i’m the best person to answer that. a friend i convinced to try it says she feels drier/better with it than other deodorants though…
I have had a hard time finding a safe deodorant that worked or didn’t smell worse than BO its self – so I can’t wait to try this! I recently bought my 3rd large container of coconut oil but also just decided to cut down on consuming it so this will help use it up.
Thanks so much for the tip!
I’m a heavy sweater. Not the kind you wear. But I have never felt that I could switch to a natural deoderant because of that issue. I have read great things about coconut oil in the diet and for skin, tho. I don’t think I’m the DIY type, unfortunately.
what? and i AM the DIY type?? 😉
try it . just try it. it’s so easy, and CHEAP….
LOL…You have a point there. Doesn’t it get your tops oily? I’d worry about ruining something. Esp. if it had any polyester or silk in it.
no, it dries really quickly. you don’t need much…
I love coconut oil for a variety of reasons! Recently (sadly) I found it VERY effective on cold sores. It’s antibacterial properties kill the virus. It’s also delicious on brussel sprouts…
I have this very same coconut oil but have only used it as a skin moisturizer. I’m not 100% sure whether it would work for me and my sweating and the hot and humid weather we have here, but you have me intrigued. I might give this a try!