It's August. It's hot. I really think that the muggy August heat is God's way of making sure we won't be too sad in September when the summer slips away.
I have noticed a problem this August. I have been getting a rash under both arms. Using my Google-Fu, I began to suspect that my deodorant was to blame. I tried switching brands, but the rash was still there, and the new brand didn't actually seem to work as well.
TO THE INTERNET!
Over at Our Homemade Happiness, I came across a really easy homemade deodorant recipe. Not only is the recipe simple (only 3 ingredients), all of the components are supposed to be good for your skin: coconut oil, baking soda, and corn starch. Easy peasy.
Here's the recipe exactly from Our Homemade Happiness:
Homemade Deodorant
5 Tbsp. coconut oil
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup arrowroot powder or corn starch
essential oils (optional)
Mix the ingredients together with a fork until well combined.
It took about a minute to make. Since it was warm in here, the coconut oil was mostly melted and everything blended lickety-split. I put it into a disposable snack container with a snap-on lid. Perfect fit!
But does it work?
Oh, yes. Yes it does.
I tried it that day, having not put any deodorant on yet. It felt nice, and even kept working through a gym workout.
The next day I at a ton of onion laden foods, and my deodorant STILL worked.
The day after, I went to my son's preschool graduation and sat in direct sunlight on a 90 degree afternoon for almost two hours. When I got home, my husband assured me that the deodorant was still working.
Through all of these challenges, I never had to apply the deodorant more than once a day. Yesterday, I applied it very early in the morning, as I was going to work. By the time I woke up this morning, it was STILL working - a full 24 hours later!
It's been the better part of a week, and the rash that had been under my arms for the last month or two is GONE. Also, know how your underarms look sort of gray after you've washed off deodorant? That's gone, too. YAY!
The only drawback is that every time I open the container it smells so wonderfully of coconut oil that I really want a Mounds bar. Possibly an Almond Joy.
Well, at least I smell delicious.
I grew up close enough to Daytona Beach that friends and I often ran to the beach after school in high school. That coconut oil smell reminds me of those days. Such stupid things we did but such great memories!
ReplyDeleteHow do you apply it? Is there a mess involved when you are applying it?
ReplyDeleteNo mess! Just a little dab rubbed in with your fingers. Any left on my fingers I usually rub into my hands (or elbows or knees). The coconut oil makes it really good for any dry skin. :)
DeleteI do that too, Amy. I also emptied and rinsed out an old deoderant container and filled it with the homemade one. its texture is soft at first, but let it set a few days and it hardens much like store deoderant. :) love homeade!
DeleteReally? I was afraid to do that since it has been so hot here and our upstairs even more so. Maybe in the winter, I'll be braver! :)
DeleteHow long is the shelf life?
ReplyDeleteMine has never gone "bad" on me. the batch isnt huge so mine has always been good til its gone and i make more! :)
DeleteI love the smell of coconut too!
ReplyDeleteThis recipe works better than store bought deoderant on me! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDelete