Teach Soap

So I decided to make my own deodorant. After all, I already had all of the ingredients except for the tea tree oil. My recipe was 1/4 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 3T coconut oil, 1T beeswax and 6 drops tea tree oil. I've been using it for a few weeks, and it's working just fine. Today, for some reason, I happened to glance in the medicine cabinet mirror as I was applying it and was shocked. My armpits are fire engine red. Not pink, not rosy, I mean a very angry looking RED! I guess I was so surprised because my pits don't hurt, or burn or itch, they're just horribly red. I'm not typically sensitive to much of anything at all, and from what I've read, tea tree oil isn't a particularly sensitizing substance, at with only 6 drops in there, I'm just at a loss to explain this. I suppose I could always be sensitive to one of the other ingredients, but they seem pretty benign. I'm wondering if anyone out there has had tried making their own deodorant and had a similar experience. As an experiment, I'm rubbing some on the inside of my forearm to see if the same thing happens there, or maybe it's just because of the kind of moisty underarm situation? (the deodorant works well at preventing odor, but it's not an anti-perspirant) Any ideas?

Baking soda can be super irritating, I'd guess that's to blame.

_________________
Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

The baking soda?! I never would have suspected it. Oh rats. Every deodorant recipe I looked at used baking soda. Guess I'd better run out and get myself some store bought deodorant until I can come up with a new recipe. Thank you, paspenka and soapbuddy for your input. My fire engine red armpits thank you, too.

Doh!! At least they don't itch and burn? SOMEWHERE sells a gel deodorant base, if I can find it, I will link it for you! I believe it uses a cotton product rather than the more traditional aluminum even. I shall search for it!

_________________
~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

Yep, this is very common with baking soda deodorants. Also, that is a LOT of baking soda.

I've used this recipe and it works good http://www.lisaliseblog.com/2013/05/how ... -soda.html
Although I decreased the cocoa butter a bit & added a little coconut oil to make it glide on easier.

_________________
Genny

Thanks Hesty, I would appreciate any recipe you can find. I'm collecting them now, in case this turns into a trial and error type thing. And yeah, I'm counting myself lucky that they're only red and not painful!

Genny, thanks for the lisalise recipe, I think I have all of the ingredients, I just have to check my clays to see if I have the kaolin. I only sell soap, but since I have many of the ingredients, I like to try making bath and body products, and deodorant is the latest on the list. I'm determined to find a recipe I can actually use. Thanks again.

_________________
Olivia :)

Unfortunately the company that was selling gel deodorant base discontinued it because their supplier went out of business BB sells a solid deodorant base though, and it is baking soda free!

_________________
~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

The LisaLise baking soda free recipe calls for lavender & tea tree oil. Is it a good idea to put essential oils under your armpits everyday of your life? I know these EOs are good for the body but I would think you would not want to put it into your body every single day of your life bc of the chemical constitutents of the EOs that go so easily from under the armpits into the bloodstream. Maybe it would be better for daily use without the EOs?

It's a fine idea. You don't want to use them undiluted, but diluted is fine.