Deodorant: The Natural Way to Keep BO Away

The scent carrying, odor-eliminating properties of diatomaceous earth (DE) make it an effective ingredient for homemade deodorant. It's a great way to protect against body odor even if you have very sensitive skin, and this simple recipe lets you pick from the scents you love.

If you've tried homemade deodorants before and have found that even they irritate your skin, don't give up yet. Diatomaceous earth is almost perfectly pH neutral, meaning it won't irritate skin that is sensitive to acidic or alkaline levels.

Before making your deodorant, apply a little essential oil to your wrist, as you might when testing a perfume or cologne. This will help you determine if the essential oil you want to use in your deodorant irritates your skin and if the scent is complementary to your skin's natural smell.

How to Make Your Own DEodorant

You will need

These Ingredients:

• ¾ cup cornstarch
• ¼ cup food grade diatomaceous earth
• ½ cup melted coconut oil
• ½ tbsp essential oils

This Equipment:

• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Mixing bowl
• Spatula and wooden spoon
• Saucepan
• Container for the coconut oil

Instructions:

Step 1

Place dry ingredients in a mixing bowl and combine evenly.

Step 2

Place coconut oil in your saucepan and melt on the stove at low heat; then add essential oils. Mix well and remove from the stove.

Step 3

Gradually add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients, stirring until well combined. You may want to add more melted coconut oil until you reach a consistency you like.

Step 4

Once the coconut oil mixture has reached a consistency similar to peanut butter, use your spatula to move it over to a container for storage. To use your homemade deodorant, use two fingers to rub the mixture under your arms.