Learn how to make deodorant with essential oils that is all natural, and actually works!
Today is guest post from my sister Laura from Our Oily House. She is a wealth of knowledge on all things natural and essential oils. Stay tuned, because the two of us are planning some classes to share how we use essential oils in our homes.
Today she is sharing all about deodorant. Why the conventional stuff is a no-go, all natural brands you can use instead, and best of all, how to make deodorant with essential oils.
Free essential oil class
New to essential oils, and want to learn more? You can get my free essential oils class HERE.
Take it away Laura!
We are exposed to chemicals and toxins several times throughout the day. Products like soap, lotion, make-up, and deodorant are loaded with toxic ingredients, some of them known to be carcinogens. Chemicals like parabens and aluminum compounds mimic estrogen and can promote cancer cells to grow.
When I read this several years ago I felt overwhelmed and didn’t know where to start in getting toxins out of my home. My tip to you is to start with one product at a time and eventually you will make the switch! Once you get going you will realize that many products call for the same ingredients and you will start having everything you need to whip up things like, deodorant, sunscreen, or chapstick on hand!
Making your own is simple and cheaper.
The first product I started making was deodorant!
WHAT’S WRONG WITH CONVENTIONAL DEODORANT?
In a container of deodorant you will find aluminum compounds, parabens, steareths, triclosan, propylene glycol, trethanolamine (TEA), diethranolamine (DEA), fragrances, dye, and artificial colors.
What the heck are those things? I hate when I can’t pronounce the ingredients on something I am eating or using!
Aluminum actually clogs the pores and temporarily stops you from sweating. Sounds good, right? Isn’t that what we want?
NO! Sweating is one of the ways your body detoxifies itself and is a natural healthy process. Plus aluminum can interfere with estrogen levels causing a hormone imbalance.
Parabans are a group of compounds used as a preservative in most cosmetic and personal products.They too mimic estrogen and cause hormone imbalances.Parabans are found in 99% of breast cancer tumors!
Steareths is a waxy compound found in many of our personal products. This chemical is linked to cancer, hormonal imbalance, and other skin and organ abnormalities.
Triclosan is an antibacterial agent and preservative in personal care and home-cleaning products. It is a hormone disruptor; and can irritate the skin, lungs, and eyes.
Propylene glycol is an organic alcohol commonly used as a skin conditioning agent it is known to cause allergic contact dermatitis and itchiness.
TEA and DEA can cause damage to the kidney and liver.These chemicals have been banned in other countries because of the harm they can cause on the body and the link to cancer.
Artificial colors, dyes, and fragrances can cause allergic reactions, contain hormone disturbers, carcinogens, and linked to damage sperm. Some dyes like, red40, are banned in other countries.
CAN I BUY NATURAL DEODORANT?
Many people are aware of the cancer causing, hormone disturbing, and toxins found in deodorant. Thankfully you can find pre-made natural options. I have tired some of these and though they work and smell nice, I find them to be rather pricy! I prefer to make my own. 🙂
1) DoTERRA’s Natural Deodorant
2) Schmidt’s Natural Deodorant for Sensitive Skin: Fragrance Free
3) Baking Soda Free Grapefruit Deodorant Cream by Meow Meow Tweet
5) Green Tidings Organic All Natural Deodorant, Lavender
HOW DO I MAKE HOMEMADE DEODORANT?
I am excited to share this recipe with you!I have been making my own deodorant for 5 years now and love this recipe because it works, it is simple, and it is cheap.WIN WIN WIN!
How to Make Deodorant with Essential Oils Ingredients
3 tablespoons coconut oil
3 tablespoons baking soda
2 tablespoon shea butter
2 tablespoon arrowroot powder
Directions for how to make deodorant with essential oils
- Melt shea butter and coconut oil in a double boiler. I make my own by placing a glass bowl over a pot of water.
- Remove from heat and add in baking soda and arrowroot powder.
- Add essential oils of choice. I’ll list my favorite combos below!
- Store in a glass mason jar with an air tight lid or pour into empty deodorant container.
NOTE: If you are storing yours in a deodorant container you may want to keep it in the refrigerator because the coconut oil will melt below 76 degrees. If you are planning on traveling with it you can store it in a mason jar with an airtight lid.
Essential Oil Combinations for homemade deodorant
For Women:
- 4 drops lavender, 3 drops clary sage, and 2 drops melaleuca
- 4 drops lime, 3 drops bergamot, and 2 drops lemon
- 4 drops geranium, 3 drops lavender, and 2 drops grapefruit
For Men:
- 4 drops cypress, 3 drops bergamot, and 2 drops rosemary
- 4 drops lemongrass, 3 drops melaleuca, and 2 drops sandalwood
- 6 drops wild orange, 3 drops helichrysum, and 2 drops rosemary
If you have ever made your own deodorant with essential oils please share your favorite blends with me! I love trying new ones! I am currently using lavender, grapefruit, and geranium and loving it!
Get access to my online resource library here for your FREE printable deodorant label HERE.
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Print the Recipe How to Make Deodorant with Essential Oils
How to Make Deodorant with Essential Oils
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil
- 3 tablespoons baking soda
- 2 tablespoon shea butter
- 2 tablespoon arrowroot powder
- Essential oils of choice
- deodorant container
Instructions
- Melt shea butter and coconut oil in a double boiler. I make my own by placing a glass bowl over a pot of water.
- Remove from heat and add in baking soda and arrowroot powder.
- Add essential oils of choice. I'll list my favorite combos below!
- Store in a glass mason jar with an air tight lid or pour into empty deodorant container.
Notes
- If you are storing yours in a deodorant container you may want to keep it in the refrigerator because the coconut oil will melt below 76 degrees. If you are planning on traveling with it you can store it in a mason jar with an airtight lid.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Hi,
Look forward to trying your natural deodorant! How much beeswax would you use to obtain a more solid stick and would it still need to be kept in the fridge? I live in Florida and my bathroom is rarely at 76 degrees!
Thanks!
Hi!
Would replacing arrowroot powder with tapioca flour, agar agar or cornstarch work?
I’ve read that using cornstarch on armpits promotes fungal growth… but do you know anything about tapioca or agar agar?
I’m very excited to try your recipe out but unfortunately I don’t have any arrowroot 🙁
I have make my own deodorant for years using cornstarch and I’ve never had any problems. I’ve never had any fungal growth in my armpits or any other issues of that kind. I keep my deodorant in a jar in a drawer in my bathroom. If you want a solid deodorant stick, using some beeswax along with the shae butter really works nice.
First time I made my own deodorant..I used bentonite clay along with arrowroot and it made my pits dark…I still loved that it was natural and I don’t like to waste so I used it all up… My next batch I ended up using diatomaceous earth along with arrowroot..no dark pits here haha
I love you and your sisters blogs…keep up the awesome work
Thank you! I know, I love making the homemade deodorant!
Will this be smooth like conventional deodorant? I tried the schmidts brand and it was too abrasive and hard!
BEEn using native deodorant with My last nursing baby and love it…. so curious how this would compare to it! Guess I have to try! THANKYOU. Also do you have any natural facial cleanser recipes
To share??
I do not have a natural facial cleanser recipe, but my sister does: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e30UjGEzcdg
BEEn using native deodorant with Mymensingh last nursing baby and love it…. so curious how this would compare to it! Guess I have to try! THANKYOU. Also do you have any natural facial cleanser recipes
To share??
hi there, do you have printable recipes?? Mary
Hey Mary! Just added it. Thanks for bringing that to my attention!
I have made my own deodorant in the past and loved it. After I ran out of my homemade stuff, I purchased Schmitt’s bergamot and lime deodorant simply because I needed it ASAP and didn’t have time to make any. . It smells amazing but I hated the way it applied and clumped up. Happy to have your bergamot and lime ratio. I’m making this today!!!
Hello! Is there a substitute for the baking soda? It makes my arm pits red and painful. 🙁
Denise
Try just using more arrowroot and see how that holds up! 🙂
I have made this deodorant many times and have left out the baking soda entirely. It’s really not needed. The coconut oil can also be used entirely alone or with the essential oils and cornstarch.
Hi! I was wondering if the coconut oil will leave stains on the underarms of shirts? I am excited to try this recipe 🙂
I make my own deodorant all the time with just coconut oil, corn starch -or- arrowroot powder and essential oils. I’ve never had stains from this deodorant and I can even go a day or two without re-applying if I needed to.
I have sensitive skin and have trouble with homemade deodorant with baking soda. What amounts of Arrowroot or corn starch do you use in proportion to the coconut oil? I would love to try your version. Thanks so much!