Purpose Update Plus a Homemade Deodorant Recipe

Hey y’all. It’s been a Mississippi minute since our last chat. Or maybe it’s just me and I’m really missing P-Valley, lol. I believe they are renewed for a third season, but this blog post is not about that today. 

I just wanted to share a life update that I think would benefit this community. I shared a new job, but the nature of the job is not new for me at all. It is everything I love in one. Mentoring BIPOC youth, create, and share information that can help our community thrift. That’s it. I’m a simple girl. But I do have to say, I prayed for this opportunity. To work in a place where my gifts are encouraged, work with equally eager and professional staff. Look, God added extra on top of that. I am really thankful for this opportunity especially while CVD19 still exists. So, I will be using this blog to share some of my reflections, but also a lot of the recipes from the STEAM activities I do with my students. 

Recently, we shared with our community how to make deodorant. We know that mainstream deodorant brands tend to contain harmful metals and chemicals that overtime can bring unbalance to the body. But if you are like me, you think the natural deodorant brands aren’t efficient and too expensive. The next best step is the ancestral way. Have you ever seen an elder use a homemade deodorant or paste version? 

Making your own deodorant is a very simple recipe. You will need

• 2 tbsp cornstarch 
• 2 tbsp baking soda 
• 2 tbsp olive oil (add more by the tbsp until desired consistency)
• 3-5 drops of essential oil 

Directions

• Take a bowl and mix in your dry ingredients, the cornstarch and baking soda. 
• Next, mix in your olive oil. I recommend adding 2 tbsps into the mixture until you get your desired paste-like consistency. 
•  Once you are satisfied with your mix, add your essential oils. For my deodorant I added 2 drops basil, 2 drops tea tree, and 2 drops of rosemary. 
• Lastly, transfer your mixture to a container with an airtight lid. 

Tips

• When using essential oils, I chose plants I knew were astringent and  anti-bacterial, because the purpose of the deodorant is to kill the growing bacteria from our sweat. And the purpose of antiperspirant is to stop sweating, and astringents close pores. 
• I like slowly adding in the olive oil, because I didn’t want my paste to be too oily or too dry. I like to aim for a good balm texture, but if you prefer a gliding deodorant add more olive oil. 
• Keep practicing your recipe, and actually try your product! Test different essential oils, recipe ratios, and most importantly have fun. 

Extra Readings 

• The Science Behind Deodorants and Antiperspirants 
• The Science Behind Antiperspirants