I have stinky armpits. I never used to, but since the hormonal stirs of childbirth things have changed, and now for the first time in my life there are some B.O. issues.  

I also don't like to use aluminum antiperspirants--the whole "well, maybe we shouldn't be smearing non-native metals onto freshly shaved skin that's really close to breasts and lymph nodes in this age of appallingly high cancer rates" thing sounds just a little sensible to me.  (So does the "isn't there a better way to detect cancer than giving yourself an annual dose of radiation?" question, but that's another post.)

So I've spent the past few years trying to find a stinkypit solution.  The "crystal" deodorant works pretty well, actually, although it's alum rather than aluminum, and I try not to use it right after shaving.  But it's good stuff, either in stone or spray form.  Then I experimented with some of the other deodorants--they either didn't work well enough for me or gave me a rash (whatever zinc product is in some of them doesn't agree with my skin.) Tom's of Maine Calendula has been my best bet.

So the other day when I made my last batch of diaper goo (too soft, for some reason) and lotion (absolute pure yumminess and perfection), I put aside some to try my own batch of deodorant solid, using a 2 oz used (okay, trashed) container. It is AMAZING--by the end of a 12 hour workday, I couldn't smell a trace of yuck--and even the next morning, the pits of the shirt I wore that whole day smell absolutely fine. So here's my recipe, if anyone is weird enough to want to try it:-)--

1 oz solid "oils"--half beezwax, half shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, or what-have-you. (All beezwax would probably work too. Don't use coconut in warm climates or it'll melt.)
1 oz liquid oil--I used grapeseed
40 drops lavender eo
30 drops clary sage eo
10 drops lemon eo (note: it's widely believed that using citrus in body prep is not a good idea and can sensitize your skin.  Most reputable aromatherapists would say this is a no-no.  I use it anyway, in small amounts, and it hasn't given me trouble, but you are warned:-)

Melted the solid in the liquid, stirred the eo's into the warm liquid, poured it into the deodorant container, and refrigerated it till it was solid. GOOD stuff!
--J