It’s a hot and sweaty time of year. To top it off, I have a 5-month-old fetus cooking in my abdomen like a little monkey in a hot zone. But this blog is not for complaining, and really I have nothing to complain about because I love hot weather.

My purpose in bringing up the outdoor temperature is to tell you about my favorite deodorant. My sister bought it for me at a store called Lush in Los Angeles. It’s a cream deodorant that works really well (and is really expensive – at least in my opinion).

When I visited the Lush store in my area last week, the salesman informed me that they are discontinuing the cream deodorant in the next few months! So I decided to experiment and find a way to make it myself, based on what I know it is made of (oils and bicarbonate, or baking soda). I was successful! Here is how you do it:

1. For a first time user, I recommend making a small batch as outlined below and trying it to see if you like it rather than making it in bulk.
2. Use a small container with a tight-fitting lid and a wide enough mouth to reach into (ideas include an old lipgloss jar, a mint tin, a screw top travel container, or a small glass mason jar) to mix and store the deodorant.
3. Place a couple of teaspoons of baking soda in the jar and add a few drops at a time of coconut oil, stirring all the while with a toothpick until it is the consistency of a thick paste.
4. If desired, add 3 or 4 drops of your favorite essential oil for smell purposes.
5. Spread a small (pea-sized or smaller) amount under each arm with a cotton swab or with your fingertip. You want a very thin coat because it is very effective and too thick of a coat could stain your clothes.
6. You can store the extra in the container – it will keep for several months at room temperature.

I really love this stuff. It is inexpensive, good for your skin, and doesn’t contain any aluminum or other harsh chemicals that most deodorants do. Also (at least for me personally) it works better than the harshest chemical deodorants I could find! And, as a smell control freak, I have more control over the smell when I make it myself rather than being subject to the strange woodsy scent that Lush used. If you try the recipe, please let me know how it works for you in the “Comments” section below!

If you are excited about making your own stuff please sign up for our e-mail newsletter on the front page of our website: www.marilynfarms.com. Our most recent version has already been sent, but you can click here for a copy which provides great recipes for sunscreen and bugspray!

I tend to travel a lot for conferences and have gradually realized that nothing makes me thankful for deodorant like running through the airport at top speed while dragging a carry-on behind me in order to make a connecting flight, and then having to catch my breath on a plane while sitting in a seat that is way too close to my fellow passenger.

Most “normal” deodorants contain aluminum and other scary ingredients, so over the years I have weaned myself from them and opted for more natural deodorants to help lower my overall lifetime exposure to chemicals.  One of my favorites has been the liquid spray deodorant made by Weleda.  The recipe for my knock-off homemade version is below:

2/3 cup rubbing alcohol
1/3 cup purified water
10 drops essential oil, whichever scent you prefer.  I usually use a combination of jasmine, citrus, and peppermint.

Combine all ingredients in a glass jar, cover, and shake well.  Pour into small spray pump bottles for use (these can be purchased at most drug stores).  Will keep indefinitely if stored at room temp or cooler.

Please note that you may go through a “stinky” period while transitioning from normal to natural deodorant, but trust me – this too shall pass.  If any of you out there have found recipes for homemade deodorants that you like please post them in the comments section!