How many of you try natural deodorants only to find that they don’t work? You spend money on all sorts of brand that claim to be “clean” or “natural” when really they’re just greenwashed. It gets rather discouraging and rather expensive because these natural brands aren’t cheap. Plus they didn’t work either.
When I met my husband, who is in law-enforcement, we went through this process trying to find him a deodorant that worked well for his long days dress in a uniform for a very active job. He also is a very athletic guy who wanted something that would work well. It became my task to find a deodorant that worked for him, but I couldn’t, so I came up with a recipe that actually WORKED! A deodorant that doesn’t have baking soda in it (which can get a little irritating when it’s worn every day). He has been using this deodorant for almost 5 years now. I make him a fresh batch every 4-5 months.
Before I tell you my recipe I want to tell you a few things.
First, what’s the difference between deodorant vs antiperspirant?
They are used as interchangeable terms, but in fact they are very different. Deodorant has odor-controlling properties and is not meant to keep you from sweating. Whereas antiperspirants prevent your sweat glands from excreting liquid. Deodorant is technically a skincare and antiperspirants are technically an over-the-counter drug by the FDA. The odor your body creates is not from the sweat but rather a bacteria. You can learn more about the difference about them here.
This is where creating a clean homemade deodorant came into play. I could control the ingredients and use ones that actually are nourishing to the skin and kill the odor causing bacteria without preventing the body from sweating (which the body needs to do as it is part of the bodies natural detox process).
Why didn’t I include baking soda?
Baking soda is great for MANY things such as a scrub and intensive cleaner. However, that isn’t really what I want to have in a deodorant that is worn every day on a sensitive area of skin.
What are some of the toxin chemicals found in every deodorant found on store shelves?
Anything with petroleum based ingredients you would run far away from! Also a poison control warning and keep out of reach of children warning? hard pass! If the products in our homes that we use on our bodies have poison control warnings on them, WHY THE HECK WOULD YOU USE THEM?
Even a lot of natural options contain these toxic poisonous chemicals (and guess what, these ingredients are in more than just deodorant). “Fragrance” or “Parfum” is an ingredient that you want to steer clear from as well. I will probably write an entire blog post just about why to avoid artificial fragrance because it’s just that BAD! I personally like to stay away from anything hazardous in our home and I love to share and introduce people to safer options for you and your homes.
One of those products, is deodorant.
I want the deodorant that we use to be the following:
- No toxic chemicals
- No baking soda
- Safe and gentle ingredients
- Easy to make
- Budget friendly
- Stick or paste form
- Controls odor
What’s in my DIY Deodorant:
- Coconut Oil
- Arrowroot Powder
- Zinc Oxide (non-nano)
- Shea Butter
- Beeswax Pellets
- Vitamin E Oil
- Essential Oils
You can store this deodorant in a mason jar with a lid and apply it like a paste, or you can purchase deodorant tubes. You can get all the ingredients linked here.
Ingredients:
- 3 TBSP coconut oil
- 2 TBSP Shea butter
- 1/4 Cup Beeswax Pellets
- 1/2 TSP Vitamin E oil
- 2/3 Cup Arrowroot Powder
- 2 TBSP Non-nano Zinc Oxide Powder
- 25 drops of essential oils (I like a combination of Tea Tree, Lavender, and Cedarwood)
Equipment needed:
- Double boiler or wide mouth pyrex (or heat safe bowl)
- Wood Popsicle stick or spoon for stirring
- Empty deodorant container or mason jar
Instructions:
- Combine coconut oil and beeswax into a double boiler or glass bowl or mason jar in a sauce pan. Gently heat until oils and wax are completely melted, stirring occasionally. Add the shea butter and melt it fully.
- Remove from the heat and add vitamin E oil, arrowroot powder, and zinc oxide. Stir until very well combined and free of lumps. Reheat mixture slightly if necessary.
- Once everything is combined and slightly cooled add the essential oils and mix well.
- Immediately fill the mixture into a small mason jar or deodorant containers.
- Let it cool and then it’s ready to use.
That’s it. Super simple and easy DIY non-toxic natural deodorant recipe!
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