DIY deodorant

Eating right is self care but self care is not limited to eating right. Self care, is for want of a more simple description, the act of taking care of yourself. Eating foods that nourish, that help you thrive, that feed you are vital but self care has many strings to its bow. Self care is the sleep you get, the company you keep, the relationship you have with yourself. It is the voice inside you and whether you feel loved or not. Self care is exercise and movement, it what you choose to fill your day doing. Self care is also physical. How you take care of your own physical body. Do you stretch it when it is stiff? Do you listen to it? Do you respond to its calls?

When I coach about health all of these come into play. It is never enough to drink a green juice and be on your way. Health is a mind set, it doesn’t come in pill form. It is inhabiting a mind and body that offers you freedom and joy. One step to self care is being aware of your body and the products that you use on it. Today it is just as easy to buy a chemical, paraben and sulphate free product as it is to not, and so i would implore you to look at the labels.Chemicals are easily absorbed by the skin, our largest organ, and it therefore makes no sense to eat clean, but wash dirty.

It is so easy to make this deodorant and since I have been using it, there has been a rather unexpected side effect… I sweat less! I have tested this in every situation. Packed London tube, coffee date with an ex boyfriend I hadn’t seen in 10 years, morning runs, HIIT training, long days and warm evenings. This deodorant can quickly be mixed up and stored in a jar. I like to keep it at home in a cool place, then simply warm a little on your finger tips and use where needed.

The shea butter has a higher melting point that the coconut oil and so it helps keep the deodorant in a solid state. Vitamin E oil can be bought at health food shops but if you have Vitamin E capsules then just break one open and use that. Adding essential oils helps to give the deodorant a natural smell, but it also gives it antibacterial properties which help fight bacteria and sweat – thats a win win!

Ingredients
3 1/2 tablespoons unrefined coconut oil
2 1/2 tablespoons shea butter
1/2 teaspoon Vitamin E oil (optional)
6 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons baking soda
10-15 drops essential lavender oil

Method
Place the coconut oil into a clean jar place into a pan filled with boiling water
Let the coconut oil melt and then simply stir in all the other ingredients mixing really well
Leave to cool
Store in the jar in a cool place