Sweat, bad odor, and sticky armpits, a common problem we all have to face.Have you ever looked more closely at the ingredients list on your deodorant? If not you would be surprised how many chemicals you’re applying onto your skin.
Aluminum is found in most deodorants or antiperspirants to stop sweat from leaving the body. It actually blocks the pores and sweat glands. Some studies claim that it may cause breast cancer or even induce Alzheimer’s.
But aluminum is not the only questionable ingredient. Talc, BHT, stearyl alcohol … and did you know that under the term fragrance, they are allowed to put any ingredient going from safe high-quality essential oils to carcinogenic chemicals (which are less expensive than essential oils and more often used).
This natural deodorant recipe makes a wonderful alternative to conventional products on the market. You know exactly what’s in them, they are inexpensive and are cruelty-free.
I’ve been using them for a couple of months now, yes also during the ‘sweaty’ summer period. And I’m convinced. I tweaked the original recipe and added beeswax for a harder consistency and poured them in an old deodorant stick instead of a glass jar. And I love it! They are easy to take along and apply… and the biggest advantage. it withstands higher temperatures and is therefore travel-friendly. Even when poured in an old deodorant stick, no messy leaks.
Homemade Natural Deodorant Recipe
Ingredients
- ⅕ ounce (6 g) beeswax beads or shavings
- 1 ⅓ ounces (40 g) coconut oil
- 1 ¼ ounce (35 g) baking soda
- ½ ounce (15 grams) arrowroot (or more baking soda, corn starch, potato starch, etc.)
- ½ ounce shea butter (it gives it a smoother touch, you may always add more to your liking)
- 20-30 drops of 100% pure essential oil(s) of your liking. (I like tea tree oil, palmarosa, ylang-ylang, lavender, and sandalwood)
How To…
- Melt the coconut oil, shea butter and beeswax in a double boiler over low heat.
- Remove from heat and add arrowroot and baking soda. Mix until well combined.
- Add essential oils of your liking, mix gently and pour into a clean, glass container or clean deodorant stick.
- Store like normal deodorant.
Note: If you use the deodorant just after a shave, it may sting a bit.
I’ve been using this natural deodorant recipe with the beeswax for months and have never seen stains on my clothing. But there are reports that state beeswax may have this effect. You can leave the beeswax out of your recipe, but then I would recommend pouring your deodorant in a jar to avoid leaks.
I apply it just after my morning shower and if it is a sweaty day, I re-apply it in the late afternoon.
What about you? Have you ever tried making your own deodorant? Share your favorite recipes or essential oil combinations with us in the comment box!
Thanks for reading. I hope this information was helpful. Until next time!
Amy Goodrich
Crazy cat lady, life and food lover, certified biologist, and holistic health coach.
Nice article Amy. I’m gonna finish the last of my Lavilin and then give your recipe a shot 🙂
Great! Love my homemade deodorant. Just made a new batch with lavender a few days ago 🙂
Your recipe states “•½ ounce (15 grams) arrowroot (or more baking soda, corn starch, potato starch, etc.)” I’ve been wanting to make my own deodorant but do not have any arrowroot and cannot find any at the local walmart or grocery store and been wondering if I could just increase the baking soda. What effect will it have on the deodorant if I do substitute more baking soda or maybe some corn starch for the arrowroot?
You can just use more baking soda or corn starch instead of the arrowroot. It will not have a major effect on your final product. It serves as a thickener and helps draw out more toxins.
Thank you, Ms Goodrich, for your prompt reply. I may make this over the weekend, if I don’t decide to wait until I order some containers to put it in. Or I may just use muffin liners for the first time and order the containers for later use.
I made this deodorant this past weekend. I did order some deodorant containers and they came in this past Friday, just in time. One batch of the recipe filled the container with a small amount left over, which I put into a muffin liner. The deodorant seems to work well, when I get hot and sweaty I can smell the Lavender which tells me that it is working, I used Lavender and Eucalyptus oils as that is what I had on hand and both say one of the properties is deodorant. My only complaint is that it isn’t as hard as I expected it to be, ie, it melts as soon as I start applying it and then it gets on the sides of the container and I have to clean it off. I thought maybe next time I make it I would add a little more beeswax if you think that will work ok. Please let me know what you think? And thank you for the recipe, I do love it in spite of it melting.
Depending on how warm it is where you live the deodorant may be softer and melt more quickly. You can increase the beeswax to make a harder consistency. You could also remelt the deodorant you made now and add more beeswax and let it harden again. Good luck!