Many people use bicarb soda or a 1:1 bicarb/ cornstarch mix very successfully as a deodorant, however bicarb gives me a rash. I realised yesterday I hadn't posted the recipe I use yet, so here is the recipe I use for myself and DH:
Homemade Roll-on Deodorant
1/4 cup distilled witch hazel
1/4 cup aloe vera gel
1/4 cup mineral water or filtered water
1 tsp vegetable glycerine
few drops tea tree oil (tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic)
* Mix well and pour into a clean, used roll-on deodorant container (the 'ball' can be levered out gently with the tip of a rounded knife for cleaning and refilling).
27 comments:
how long does this keep for, does it need refridgeration? and how long is it effective 6 hours? 12 hours?
Hi anonymous,
It doesn't need refrigeration, and I find that it is still fine for the amount of time it takes me to use up the mix - about 6 weeks or so. I reapply it if I have been doing something to make me sweaty, otherwise it seems to work all day long. It won't stop you sweating like an anti-perspirant does, but during a normal day I find that I don't get smelly and neither does DH who uses the same deodorant.
Hope that helps.
Cheers, Julie
Hi Julie,
Would it be ok to use lavender oil instead of tea tree oil? Lavender oil also has antiseptic properties, and also deoderising properties. Also, I am already buying it for something else and then I don't have to buy two! :)
Thanks,
Leah
Hi Leah,
Yes, definitely. Lavender scent is also a bit nicer for women :-)
Cheers, Julie
Hey i don understand what distilled witch hazel is.. cud u please explain..
n also i have a strong body odur.. so will dis suffice..??
Hi anonymous,
Distilled witch hazel is the extract distilled from the bark of the Witch Hazel tree - it's commonly found in health food stores, although I can buy at my local supermarket in the cosmetics & medicines section. Body odour is usually caused by bacteria under the arm so using an antibacterial essential oil such as tea tree oil will help to some extent, but I think it will depend on the severity of the problem. Hope this helps.
Cheers, Julie
Where do you buy your aloe vera gel from Julie? Health Food Shop?
Hi Melinda,
I used to buy at my local health food shop before it closed down - now I buy it in bulk online at Aussie Soap Supplies, along with lots of other ingredients I use for various things.
Cheers, Julie
This sounds Good! What does it smell like though? Does it have a strong tea tree smell?
Hi Anonymous,
Yes, it does smell like tea tree oil. If that doesn't appeal to you, you could try any other antiseptic essential oil such as lavender or peppermint for example. Remember though, it's the antiseptic qualities of these oils which inhibit the bacteria that cause body odour.
Hope this helps,
Julie
In terms of packaging, is there less waste by making your own from packaged ingredients than by buying a new deodorant?
Thanks for the great blog, Katherine
Hi Katherine,
I buy the ingredients in bulk, so yes for me, it does save on packaging waste. If you were to buy small quantities however, packaging could be an issue :-)
Cheers, Julie
John here. I make lip balm, so I know the importance of buying in bulk. Just make sure you keep it properly stored. I had some stuff go bad, to the tune of fifty dollars. Not a bad loss, but it still hurts when your stuff runs unevenly.
Hi John,
Thanks for the tip - it sure would be a waste of time, resources and money to buy in bulk and have it go bad!
Cheers,
Julie
hi.. im not sure i can find witch hazel here in Karachi, Pakistan.. can u suggest a similar alternative.. thanks
Hi ayaz,
Hmmm, I'm not sure if I know of a reasonable substitute, I'm sorry. You could try rubbing alcohol or vodka, but you won't have the same healing effect that witch hazel has. Have you tried using pure bicarbonate soda or a mix of bicarb soda and cornstarch powder, dusted on?
I have heard that tea tree oil is banned in the EU for personal care products as a harmful ingredient. Have you heard about this and what are your thoughts. Thanks!
Hi Melinda,
I did hear of the EU investigating the use of neat (undiluted) tea tree oil a few years ago but haven't heard anything since, and can't find anything recent on Google confirming that it is banned? As I said, the investigation was over the use of neat oil, used undiluted on the skin, whereas a few drops in a deodorant which lasts for months, is not the same thing. I guess you need to use your own judgment...
Cheers, Julie
I just made the rosewater toner you posted, and it's lovely!
Question for this recipe: is it important to use distilled witch hazel rather than undistilled? The bottle I bought for the toner is undistilled and I'd like to use it if I can, as there is quite a bit left.
Thanks for the wonderful ideas! I want to slowly replace the expensive, commercial products in my home with simpler homemade blends and your site is a great start.
Hello birch,
I'm guessing that there isn't a lot of difference, other than perhaps the distilled has a longer shelf life because it has fewer impurities. I'm sorry I've taken so long to reply to your question - you've probably already gone ahead and used it anyway, in which case I'm sure you'll be fine :-) I hope you like it!
Cheers,
Julie
Hi Julie
I've been using tea tree oil for years as an all-over BO-preventing wash.
About once a month (I do it after a shower at night when I’ve washed all the sweat & grime off) I fill the hand basin with warm water & splash in about a teaspoon of tea tree oil. Then soak a washer & rub it all over myself, (paying particular attention to my underarms & not getting it in my eyes) – re-soaking the washer after each arm/leg etc. The tea tree oil kills the bacteria that makes the BO smell. I also put some teatree oil in the wash - especially when washing anything that’s been particularly sweated in (like my gym clothes or the shirts I wear when I ride my pushie to work or the clothes I wear to mow etc) because I don’t think washing in cold water & hanging in the shade kills the germs & they can get back onto my body next time I wear the shirt/use the towel or sheets etc.
not a problem -- i just got around to making it, and i'm excited to try out out!
Great recipe! Very luxurious!
here the recipe that I use. It is very simple but still works great:
http://blog.skinmdnatural.com/2011/01/skin-care-tips-good-natural-deodorant/
Hi Julie,
Thanks for posting this recipe. I was wondering what bottle you are using? I'm having a hard time finding anything bigger than 2oz.
Thanks,
Christy
i love this. i'm going to try it and get back to you. thanks.
Hi Julie, I am a farmer in Southern Philippines and just discovered that the coconut sap vinegar is and excellent deodorant as is.
Nice!I found a very interesting blog. Thanks for sharing.
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