I've always had a testy relationship with deodorants. Most deodorants on the market left white or light colored marks on my skin and clothes. Obviously, because I'm dark-skinned and love wearing black this is a problem. I searched for years to find the perfect deo that went on dry, didn't leave marks, was paraben- and aluminum-free and all that jazz. I found one, but had to get creative when it was discontinued. Going back to other deos wasn’t an option because my skin and clothing didn't miraculously change color.
All About Witch Hazel
I did some research and found a few recipes that try out. Most of them involved making a paste with baking soda, coconut oil, arrowroot and essential oils. But, I'm lazy and was skeptical that they wouldn't leave any white marks. I found some threads that talked about using only coconut oil, rubbing alcohol or witch hazel.
Since I had a newfound appreciation for witch hazel, I trusted my ingenuity. I put some in a spray bottle with a few drops of tea tree oil and tried it out. Friends, the rest is history! FYI, witch hazel is a natural astringent and anti-inflammatory product. It's used to treat swelling, inflammation and skin irritation among other things.
How To Make and Use DIY Deodorant
Grab a glass or plastic three-ounce spray bottle. Pour in two ounces of witch hazel. Add 10-12 drops tea tree oil and a teaspoon of melted coconut oil. To use, shake the bottle and spray onto your pits after the shower. I pump the nozzle 3-5 times on each side. Hold your arms up for a few seconds to allow for the mixture to dry. The blend goes on clear so there’s no risk of any white stains on the skin or clothes.
As with my of my DIY beauty products, you can customize this to suit your needs! I'm not a fan of strong smells so I leave my deodorant kind of plain. If you're looking for a stronger scent, add in a few drops of your favorite essential oils. You can try vanilla, rosemary, eucalyptus, lemon, grapefruit etc. Use your imagination! You can also do without the coconut oil and essential oils. If witch hazel isn’t available where you are, try rubbing alcohol. You can find all these ingredients at a grocery or drug store.
A Multipurpose Blend
I’m all about creating products that have many uses, this DIY spray deodorant is no exception. It works as a deodorant and so much more! Because of the witch hazel and tea tree oil, I also use it as a toner and aftershave spritz. Bye bye odor and skin irritation! I’ve also used it to help get rid of a toenail fungus and to treat other minor skin irritations. I add tea tree oil because it adds even more anti-inflammatory and healing powers. The coconut oil helps seal moisture into my dry skin.
Did I mention how cheap this DIY spray deodorant is? $1 gets you a month and a half supply of deo. 16 ounces of witch hazel costs $4, 16 ounces of coconut oil costs $6, and 1.5 ounces of essential oils costs ~$4 too. To make the most out of all the products, I use them for countless other projects around the house. I love any DIY project that helps me simplify my life and save money. Instead of having a lots of single-use products, it’s best to have a select few that will multitask.
Just a note - this deodorant is not an antiperspirant. I'm not a fan of antiperspirants because sweat doesn't bother me so I can’t offer any tips. If you're looking to sweat less, do some research and find some products that work for you. If you're particularly bothered by how much you sweat, seek medical advice.
What's your favorite deodorant? What’s your favorite essential oil combination? Let me know in the comments below!