Living Naturally Tip #1- Coconut Oil Deodorant

Not the best picture, but here's my coconut oil deodorant and pit-powder jars!

Coconut oil as deodorant. Reeeeeely, you say with skepticism. Yes, really!

Coconut oil is naturally anti-microbial (do a Google search. You'll find plenty of sources) which makes it an easy and effective odor barrier. Body odor comes from the waste products of microbes on your skin that thrive in dampness, and using an anti-microbial to stop the stink seems much safer than using aluminum to block sweat pores in the first place. Blocking body functions rarely ends well, in my experience.

I've had all sorts of problems with anti-antiperspirants/deodorants since puberty. I've tried the strong ones, the crystal ones, the 'natural' ones. I've layered products, I've sprinkled powders, I'd just about given up.

So I tried making my own and surprise surprise, it worked perfectly.

For exactly 24 hours.

24 hours and 1 minute later, stinkola.

Here's what I do. It's a 2 step process. That's not the end of the world, Take a little time for yourself!

First, the oil. I melt coconut oil and put it in a reused small jar, like a washed out face cream or mini-mustard jar. I add some liquid vitamin E for its additional anti-microbial properties and just to be nice to my arm pit skin. I also add a few drops of Lavender essential oil. I like Lavender, and it's also anti-microbial (as are most essential oils.) Shake it up to mix and done.

To apply, I scoop up about an index finger nail's worth, assuming it's rehardened. In the summer time, 2 fingers dipped in is usually enough. Arm up, rub it in, repeat other side. There you go.

I follow with a dusting of powder, a mix of cornstarch, baking soda and arrowroot powders, using an old clean makeup brush. These help absorb some dampness, and any accidental odors.

However, I don't use the powder in the summertime when I'm wearing tank tops. I find that I get a friction burn around the edges of my pits, and the skin there feels grainy like the powder, when I don't have a shirt to brush off excess. And I still don't smell! My theory is that the exposed pits (in tank tops) dry faster than shirt-covered ones, so the oil is enough.

None of my clothes are stained by using these products, either the oil or the powder. I've been making my own deodorant for over 2 years now. The only time it failed me was when I had a little cleansing episode last fall and everything about me stank. Whatever left my body that time did so by all means possible, and all I could do was shower more to wash it off!

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