Homemade Coconut Oil Deodorant

Back to the kitchen cupboard and I’m not mother Hubbard, but I made my own deodorant with coconut oil and baking soda. I’ve used this recipe for a year and it works great for me — no rash or sting or stink. No chemicals too. It’s got to be better for you. Let’s take a look at the two ingredients–

Coconut oil is anti-inflammatory, antipyretic (anti-itch) and an analgesic (anti-pain)(Ref). Another benefit — coconut oil is anti-bacterial(Ref). Since bacteria causes the problem that deodorant is trying to prevent, natural coconut oil is a good choice. This is super easy, no mess.

Baking soda removes odors from your refrigerator, and musty smells from old books — so it seems like a good choice for a deodorant. But the chemical run-down on this has more to say. Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. Baking Soda has a pH of 9 — slightly alkaline and neutralizes acids. The pH is a measure of acid — base (alkaline), and goes from 0 to 14. It is a measure of hydrogen ions and hydroxyl ions. Pure water being a 7, is neutral, or balanced, because it has an equal number of these two ions. A higher pH number is more alkaline (more hydroxyl ions, and lower pH is more acidic (more hydrogen ions.)

Some people are sensitive to baking soda on their skin. If you notice this, make it with only 4 Tablespoons of baking soda. Don’t use it right after you shave!

Ingredients:

8 Tablespoons of baking soda

10 Tablespoons of coconut oil

Here’s what you need:

Glass Mason-type jar (this can be an old, clean jar from applesauce or jam)

Baking soda

Coconut oil

Measuring spoon

Spoon or flat knife, to stir it

Plastic wrap

Container for the deodorant

homemade deodorant with baking soda and coconut oil

Ingredients for homemade coconut oil deodorant

Steps for homemade deodorant with baking soda and coconut oil:

Step 1: Measure out the coconut oil and baking soda and put them in a glass mason-type jar. The coconut oil was solid so I scooped it out with a measuring spoon. [If your coconut oil is in a glass jar, you can melt it down in the microwave to get it liquid and then measure out 10 Tablespoons and put in this jar — that is the easiest way.]

In this photo I melted the coconut oil in the glass jar it came in and then measured it:

Step 2: Set the jar in a pan that has about 3 inches of water. [or you can microwave the jar for about 1 min]

Step 3: Heat over the stove until melted. (Coconut oil melts at 76 degrees F.) Stir to mix well.

Step 4: Remove from heat. Let it cool and continue to mix. While it is still liquid, but cool and mixed well, pour into a small container lined with plastic wrap. Or use soap molds. Or you may melt it in a small Mason jar and keep it in the jar.

Step 5: Cool in the refrigerator.

Step 6: Remove from the refrigerator, pull on the plastic wrap to get it out of the container.

Step 7: Wrap plastic around it, leaving the top half exposed.

Step 8: Wrap bright tissue paper around it and store in a cool bathroom. (Below 76 degrees F.)

Tips: For the summer months, this will melt somewhat, but since it is cool here in No. Cal, it is staying firm. For summer I keep it in the container and apply it with my fingers.

It goes on smooth, slides easily over your skin. Some people say baking soda stings for them. I guess not for me. Everyone is different, so let me know what you think if you give this a try.

Or you can put it in a container with a lid. I like this method the best because you can travel with it, and in the summer months, it tends to get really soft and can melt. I don’t mind applying it with my fingers — which is what you have to do when it gets warm and the room temp causes it to melt a little. I recommend using it after you bath at night. Then it times to soak into your skin and not leave any residue on your clothing the next day. For me, it lasts the next day, until I shower after a workout or long day. Also, you don’t need the plastic wrap in this container.

**I just made a new batch — same ingredients but I decided to use my soap molds, which worked great. Here are some photo updates:

Melting the baking soda and coconut oil in a Mason jar.

Cover the jar and shake it every 5 minutes to mix thoroughly

Pour into soap mold while still warm and liquid. Next place in fridge to cool.

Baking soda deodorant — one from the mold, the other in the jar.

The finished products -- homemade deodrant

The finished products — homemade deodorant

The deodorant bar is wrapped in tissue paper. The jar is covered with a glass lid.