Hi to everyone who found this post. If you have, it might be due to your recent experiences with increased sweating and body odor due to hormonal changes. One of which is perimenopause. Sigh. Okay, so, no one really ever gives solutions, right? I recall distinctly hearing about hot flashes, night sweats, drying up vaginas and all sorts. However, no one ever spoke about what they did to combat those things. So let this be a lesson to all of us, when you are around young women, don’t just offer complaints, also offer empowerment! With that said, there are also young women who experience hormonal fluctuations for other reasons, so perhaps you are amongst that group and have found your way here. I tried to make the title crystal clear. 🙂 Given that it is probably now super obvious that I am among the suffering, I decided to do something about it. I shopped. High and Low, far and wide. Nope. When that happens, I give myself the present of time, time and other resources to create a solution to my problem. So, that’s where we’re at, making our own deodorant at home that doesn’t have harsh chemicals or the cursed aluminum. Let’s start with the basics, which I didn’t have to look far to find. A homemade deodorant, easy.

Making deodorant at home can be a fun and rewarding process. Here is a simple recipe for making a natural deodorant for women:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of baking soda
• 1/2 cup of cornstarch
• 1/2 cup of coconut oil
• 10-15 drops of essential oils (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the baking soda and cornstarch.
2. Add the coconut oil to the mixture and stir until it is well combined and has a smooth consistency.
3. If desired, add 10-15 drops of your preferred essential oils and mix well.
4. Pour the mixture into a clean, empty deodorant container or jar.
5. Allow the deodorant to set for a few hours or overnight before using.

Then, the more interesting part, adding herbs that will help with the slaying of odor. Because really that’s what I’m after…slaying any nefarious odor that decides that regardless of my diet it will surface at the slightest sign of effort and sometimes with no effort at all! I put my herbalist practitioner hat on and got out some of my reference books. Here’s what I found that seems pretty decent for my purposes and of course now make some of the “fragrances” of “natural” deodorants at the shops make sense.

Yes! There are several herbs that can be added to homemade deodorant to help reduce body odor associated with hormonal changes. Some of these herbs have natural antiseptic, antibacterial, and deodorizing properties that can help to keep odors at bay. Here are some examples:

1. Sage: Sage has antimicrobial properties that can help to kill odor-causing bacteria. It also has a natural scent that can help to mask unpleasant odors.
2. Lavender: Lavender has antibacterial properties that can help to reduce body odor. It also has a pleasant scent that can help to mask unpleasant odors.
3. Rosemary: Rosemary has antimicrobial properties that can help to kill odor-causing bacteria. It also has a fresh, herbal scent that can help to mask unpleasant odors.
4. Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil has antiseptic properties that can help to kill odor-causing bacteria. It also has a fresh, clean scent that can help to mask unpleasant odors.

To use these herbs in your homemade deodorant, you can add a few drops of essential oil to the mixture or mix in dried herbs for a more subtle scent. Keep in mind that some people may be sensitive to certain essential oils, so it’s always a good idea to test a small patch of skin before applying the deodorant to your underarms.

When all is combined and potted simply apply a small amount of the homemade deodorant to your underarms using your fingertips. I of course am not a huge fan of putting it on with my fingers because that just creates another step to my fairly quick shower and go regimen. There are a few products that can help with this, reusable, refillable and all that good stuff. I’ll link to those at the bottom of this post.

It’s important to note that everyone’s skin is different, and what works for one person may not work for another. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to do a patch test on a small area of your skin before using the deodorant regularly. If you end up making your own Deo I’d love to hear from you. Have you used any oils besides coconut? If so, which ones and why? Enjoy and keep learning!

https://amzn.to/3IVkrcP – Roller ball applicator

https://amzn.to/3TazXqh – wooden spoon/spatula for a schmearing application

https://amzn.to/41OJc38 – a Twist up applicator for if you make a slightly sturdier mixture

https://amzn.to/3F4bigX – Pushup style which is compostable, pretty cool if you want to share some of your amazing new creation with a friend!