Homemade Natural Deodorant

I’m so excited to revamp this post for you folks since I have a brand new deodorant recipe that I am IN LOVE with. Making your own natural deodorant has the benefits of being frugal and practical. You are able to control the ingredients you use and therefore know exactly what you are putting on your body.

For example, a recipe with one clove… what!?!?! No good recipe only has ONE clove of garlic (in my humble opinion of course) and is in desperate need of 3-4 times that amount! Call it an garlic education if you will…

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A Little Bit About Sweating

First and foremost, we are supposed to sweat. The human body is designed that way it is for a reason. Our underarm region is full of lymphatic tissue and sweating helps us release toxins from our bodies. Sweating is also a form of temperature regulation.

It’s widely known that commercial antiperspirants contain aluminum (among other nasty ingredients) which is thought to contribute to cancer. Because our underarms are rich with lymphatic tissue, it makes it one of the worst places on your body to spread a cancer causing agent. For women, these ingredients are being absorbed directly adjacent to our breast tissue and a double hit for women is that most shave their underarms. While this is considered fashionable and aesthetically pleasing for the majority of women (and men), you are actually removing a natural defense mechanism your body has (the hair helps to sweep away toxins in our sweat). Now, I’m not suggesting that you stop shaving (although if you want to go for it!), instead what I’m saying is that if you’re going to slather stuff on your pits consider using something natural. 😉

New and Improved Deodorant Recipe

I’ve recently discovered the awesomeness that is bentonite clay. Easily found online or at natural health food stores, this ingredient will take your deodorant making to the next level. This is also a nice alternative recipe for folks who find the baking soda based deodorants irritating.

  • odour absorbing
  • helps to absorb toxins from the skin (including heavy metals)
  • non-irritating unlike cornstarch or baking soda

Note: Bentonite clay is detoxifying. I did notice for the first few weeks that it did not help as much with odour has I had hoped. However it improved with use which leads me to believe that the clay was helping to remove toxins during those first few weeks.

This recipe can be poured into old sterilized deodorant containers (which is what I did) or glass jars if you don’t have those floating around. Alternatively you can purchase new deodorant containers. This recipe makes enough for two deodorant containers.

  • if your beeswax is solid, grate it first as this will make it easier to measure

Instructions:

  • Combine your coconut oil, beeswax and Shea butter into a double boiler
  • Once they have melted stir in your arrowroot powder and bentonite clay until everything is mixed well
  • Allow this to cool for a few minutes and then add essential oils if desired
  • Allow this to cool for a few minutes and then add essential oils if desired
  • my new favourite combination is patchouli, pine and cedarwood

If your house is warm you may need to store your deodorant in the fridge (I have had to do this). Alternatively you can tinker with the beeswax amounts.

Original Deodorant Recipe

For those who have no issues with baking soda here is my original recipe. Just as a note, I can use this just fine in the winter months so this might be a nice alternative for the cooler weather months.

  • 3 parts coconut oil (example – tbsp)
  • 3 parts baking soda
  • 2 parts Shea butter
  • 2 parts cornstarch/arrowroot powder
  • Essential oils (optional – I used patchouli and bergamot this time, last time I used lavender and rosemary)

Instructions:

  • Put your coconut oil and Shea butter in a double boiler
  • On medium heat stir until it’s melted
  • Remove from heat and add in your cornstarch and baking soda
  • Mix well
  • Add essential oils and pour into a container of your preference

Enjoy!

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P.S. Pin for future reference and to share the garlic love 😉