My lavender deodorant

Well, I was about to post the recipe to make a sun screen, but as a friend asked me to, it is the recipe of the lavender deodorant that I post instead. But don’t worry if you are going on ski holiday soon, the sun screen is coming soon!

Sarah, this is for you 😉 ! (and everyone who needs a super deodorant)

This recipe is pretty common but I think I got inspired by the one on the blog of Antigone XXI (which is a really great blog, for the French speaking).

Honestly, this recipe, it is just perfect! Easy to make, it smells good, it leaves no mark on clothing, but most of all… it is super efficient! I swear, it’s a crazy thing. Try it yourself, you’ll see.

Ingredients to make the lavender deodorant

• 100g of liquid coconut oil (that you can buy in organic stores, with the other cooking oils. It is often sold solid and not liquid, like the one I use. If you don’t like coconut smell, you can buy a neutral one. But always buy organic and virgin ones.).
• 60g of baking soda (that you find in most organic stores or supermarkets with the household products)
• 40g of starch or arrow-root (I use Maïzena, which is cornstarch)
• 15 drops of true lavender essential oil (that you can find in organic stores or specialized stores, or directly to the producers, or even make it yourself if you’re motivated and you find a great recipe)

Realization of the lavender deodorant

• If, like mine, your coconut oil is solid, you first it to melt it in a water bath.
• Once it is melted, remove from heat and add little by little the baking soda and the starch, whisking with a fork to avoid lumps (same than for cakes!)
• Finally, add the essential oil and mix.

Now, you have several options. Either you don’t really like changing your habits and you buy a stick (or even better, reuse a former empty deodorant stick), either you agree it is sometimes necessary to change a little bit your habits, and you use a simple jar.

• Option 1 : you pour the nice preparation (cause yes, it is nice, you’ll see) in the stick (being careful that the piston is at the bottom of the stick) and you wait for it to get hard enough, head down (you can put it in the fridge so it’s faster).
  Advantage : you don’t change your habits and some will find this easier to use.
  Disadvantages : if it is too hot, it melts, it drips, it’s not fantastic… And potentially, you use more than you need.
• Option 2 : you put the preparation in a classic jar (a spread jar that you reuse for example, after cleaning and sterilizing it) and you apply you deodorant with your fingers. Some people told me it is disgusting. Are you serious people? You just got out of the shower, you are clean, and it is disgusting? So you tell me, how do you apply your moisturizing cream? I’m not judging, I’m just trying to understand ;).
  Advantage : you apply just what you need. Even if it melts a little (it can happen because coconut oil starts melting at 25°C), no big deal, because it is in a hermetic jar.
  Disadvantage : well, you need to get used to apply your deodorant differently. But you’ll see, you can make it finger in the nose (well, it is a French expression to say it is easy, don’t try to apply your deodorant with actually your fingers in your nose 😉 ).

So, are you more option 1 or option 2? You have to know that I won’t judge you :), anyone is obviously free to do as one likes and is more comfortable with.

To be noted: I recommend not to use this lavender deodorant if you leave (or travel) somewhere with hot weather (lucky you!), or you need to put it in the fridge. But I will soon post an other recipe specially for hot weather 🙂 (meanwhile, if you speak French, you can see the recipe of Chocolate and Zucchini, tested and approved in Senegal) !

NB : I’m neither a professional of deodorant, cosmetics, armpits, and I’m not a scientist either. It is all about my own researches and experimentation. Some ingredients (such as essential oils for example) can be allergen or not recommended (for pregnant women for examples). I would advise that you do your research first.

Photo credit : Spiterman (creative commons)