In browsing the Internet I came across an interesting blog. I was going to link to it, but when I tried to go to the URL today, the account was suspended. Bummer! I’m hoping it’s a temporary glitch (here’s the link just in case it is a glitch).
Anyway, on this blog was a post called How to Make Your Own Deodorant. I found it interesting because I never thought of doing so. The blogger gave poignant information about the chemicals used in deodorants.
The biggest offenders are SLS (sodium laurel sulfate) and SLES (Sodium laureth sulfate). These chemicals are commonly used in shampoos, deodorants, soaps and detergents for their foaming quality. Used alone SLS and SLES can cause eye, skin, mouth and nasal irritation. When SLS/SLES are combined with other nitrogen bearing ingredients commonly used in beauty products it can become carcinogenic.
A product containing as little as 2% SLS can cause irritation and inflammation. Many beauty products contain higher percentages.
Making My Own Deodorant
After reading the blog and comments, I decided to try the blogger’s recipe. You’ll need two ingredients:
- Baking Soda
- Cornstarch
Here’s the recipe:
Add 1 part baking soda to 6 parts cornstarch and mix well. That’s it! The blogger put hers in a pretty little jar and used a cotton ball to apply it. Me, I used an empty EcoDent container. It works perfectly.
According to the blogger (sure wish her site was up so you can read it from the expert), this mixture lasts for over 24 hours (just shy of 48). The 
reason for so much cornstarch is that baking soda used straight can cause irritation. She knows because she tried it straight and after several days she began to itch. The cornstarch is not only soothing, but it works as a mild antiperspirant (some folks use arrowroot powder instead of cornstarch).
I made a batch and tried it yesterday. After a day of gardening, exercising and running errands, my deodorant is holding strong.
Now I’m really going to put it to the true test. I’m asking the rest of the family to give it a try over the weekend. If it works as well as I think it will, no more store-bought deodorant for this family.
Give it a try and let me know how it works for you (I love experimenting with green ideas).
September 2019 Update: I’ve changed the ingredients in my deodorant to baking soda with a few drops of tea tree oil.
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Interesting, Felicia. I’ve wondered about the efficacy of homemade deodorants. With the soda/cornstarch mixture, does it rub off and leave a white residue all over the arm holes of sleeveless shirts?
Another site to find the safety of personal care products is EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. There you can look up specific products or by category and they’re listed with a hazard score.
Here’s the url – http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/
I rub the mixture in so it doesn’t rub off onto my clothing. My daughter had a black shirt on yesterday with no problem, but you have to make sure to rub it in.
Thanks for the link. Looks like a good resource.