DIY Detoxifying Deodorant Cream

Editor’s Note: Today’s guest post is from Karli Von Herbulis who lives just outside of Baltimore, MD with her husband Matt and their daughter, Hallelujah, born January 2014! She is the blogger behind Feed Me, Mama, as well as the co-author of Set Apart: Becoming a Woman of Virtue in a Modern World. She is passionate about natural health, home remedies, and responsible consumerism- she believes that each action we take is one that builds the Lord’s Kingdom. Karli is excited to be a mama and raise her daughter up in the way of the Lord. Karli would love to connect with you on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram!

One of the most unfortunate things about trying to live a pure, natural, healthy life is the price tag that often comes with those choices! Quality products made with responsible ingredients just cost more money to manufacture. This is especially true when it comes to health, beauty, and hygiene products.

One of the first natural hygiene products I tried back in college was a natural deodorant. It was horrible. It smelled awful, made me sweat more- it was just nasty. Now, I realize that my body was probably detoxing from the years of using normal antiperspirants, which simply clog the pores rather than absorbing moisture. Sweat is natural and good! When the body sweats and you’ve used an antiperspirant, it continues to produce sweat as it fights the blockage of the pores, causing an overproduction of sweat. When you make an abrupt switch to a deodorant that doesn’t block the pores (such as this one), there can be an adjustment period as the body learns that it doesn’t have to overproduce anymore!

That said, it is important to note that this is a DEODORANT, not an ANTI-PERSPIRANT. You will sweat! However, with the addition of cornstarch and bentonite clay, I think you’ll find that you stay very dry- I know I do.

Today, I want to share a recipe that I had been dying to concoct for quite a while, and I think I’ve finally got it down. I received a lovely sample of a cream deodorant in a Conscious Box I got a few months back, and I fell in love with the concept. It took me a bit to get it right, but this made a batch that I totally love, cost next to nothing, and will last a really long time. Exactly what I needed!

**Don’t want to make your own?  Grab some at our store!**

Here’s what you’ll need:

6 Tablespoons Organic Virgin Coconut Oil, 5 at room temp, 1 warmed
4 Tablespoons baking soda
3 Tablespoons organic cornstarch (you can also use arrowroot powder here)
2 Tablespoons Bentonite Clay
Several drops of essential oils, to your scent preference. Start low and add slowly!

Let’s get started!

Place room temp coconut oil in a bowl.

Add baking soda, cornstarch, and bentonite clay.

Mix together with a fork. It will be thick and may not combine completely.

Add melted coconut oil and mix together. You’ll see that this binds everything together and forms a beautiful, creamy consistency. You may want to use your hands and squish together like sensory dough; make sure to remove jewelry first!

Add essential oils until you reach desires scent.

Transfer to a glass jar and you’re done!

To use, simply scoop out a bit on your fingertip and apply to your underarm. Coconut oil warms with body heat so it will spread easily.

What’s so great about these ingredients?

Coconut Oil: A natural antibacterial, anti fungal, and antiviral. Provides a smooth, spreadable consistency and is moisturizing and healing for the skin.

Baking Soda: Neutralizes body odors.

Cornstarch/ Arrowroot: Great for absorbing moisture- I actually use cornstarch as a dry shampoo and as a mattifying powder for my face!

Bentonite Clay: Also absorbs moisture quickly, as well as helps pull out toxins from sweaty pits.

Essential Oils: You’ll get different properties depending on the oils you use. I prefer to mix a purifying or detoxifying blend with melaleuca. Melaleuca is a great antibacterial and anti fungal, which is great for funky pits. Rosemary, Lavender, and Lemon would also work for this same purpose.

**Don’t want to make your own?  Grab some at our store!**

What essential oils would you use to scent this deodorant?