Honestly, I don’t sweat that much.
TMI?
I mean, I wish that I would sweat more (as weird as that might sound). Sweating is your body’s natural way of ridding toxins, so it’s really a good thing. Onoccasion, I do wear deodorant, especially if I know I’ll be in a situation where I’ll likely sweat.
Since I started my *real* journey toward better health from the inside out AND the outside in, I’ve been going through all of my products and eliminating toxic ingredients…things that are bad for me and bad for the environment. I looked at the label on my conventional deodorant at home and was shocked. It was jam packed full of nasty, harmful ingredients. It was pretty scary, really.
Many deodorants (even those that claim to be “all-natural”) contain aluminum &/or aluminum derivatives (as these serve as an antiperspirant…which we do NOT want). This has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease and a host of other horrific health concerns. Parabens are in many deodorants…also downrightdespicable. Read this post I wrote a while back to learn more about parabens.
Sooooo, off I went to create my own homemade DIY deodorant recipe.
It had to be effective, yet gentle, and (of course) non-toxic. Now, I know what you might be thinking…
Yeah, and there are already about a million other homemade deodorant recipes out there.
Yup, there sure are. But now, there are one million and ONE. Hehe.
I am proud of this homemade deodorant recipe creation because it contains a few ingredients you may not typically see in deodorants and I’m not really sure why!
I’m ready to share my DIY deodorant recipe with you. It is effective, said by not only me (the not-so-heavy-sweater), but also by my husband (probably-your-typical-sweater). Oh, and it’s easy, to boot. Yay!
First, a little education about why I am using each ingredient…
Coconut & Almond Oils
Raw, unrefined, virgin coconut oil has wonderful antibacterial properties. This is important in those armpits, right? The coconut oil used in this recipe will liquify at 76 degrees; below that and it’s in a semi-solid state. I like to add another oil to help the deodorant stay more fluid, if you would. Enter almond oil.
We have an extensive post on carrieroilshere. You’ll see below that you can easily substitute a different oil that is liquid at room temp oil, but I really like almond oil.
Shea Butter
This is another one of those amazing things that nature gives us. Raw and unrefined shea butter is high in vitamins A and E and is incredibly soothing for your skin. Sounds like a good thing to put in such a vulnerable place, like your armpits, huh!? You can read more about shea butter here.
Beeswax
Raw beeswax (all-natural, unrefined, no additives, etc.) helps to stabilize this recipe so it isn’t runny. Beeswax is another inherently excellent choice in skincare products, as it does not clog pores, but it does help the moisturizing properties of the butters and oils in this recipe to ‘lock’ into your skin so they can do their jobs.
Arrowroot Powder
This is a go-to for deodorant recipes, for good reason. Actually, I always have some on hand for both food and skincare recipes. Arrowroot not only helps to serve as a thickener in this deodorant, but it also has the power to help draw out toxins. Sweet! Since when we sweat we are eliminating toxins, why not help draw them out!?
Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
Here’s where things really get a bit different than what you typically see in homemade deodorant recipes. Food grade DE is another super thing to keep around your home. I use DE in my toothpaste, garden, once to rid my house of a few fleas, as a means to exfoliate, etc etc etc!
DE is almost entirely silica, which is a crucial trace element needed by our bodies, and one in which many are deficient.
By adding DE into your homemade deodorant, you are giving your sensitive skin a nice dose of DE (essentially, silica) which helps with sensitive areas of skin that might become rashy and it also helps to draw out toxins.
So, not only does DE help draw out moisture and remove toxins, but it also helps to ease sensitive skin. Win! Oh, and remember to purchase food grade DE (and don’t breathe it in…best not to get it into your lungs as it is super finely ground stuff).
Vitamin E
I’ve written a pretty extensive post about Vitamin E here.
Okay, now that you’ve been schooled on the ingredients, finally…the simple recipe.
| Homemade DIY Deodorant Recipe (4oz) |
Supplies/Ingredients-
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Make It-
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In my latest batch I used organic lavender essential oil (this is a brand I use and love) and Patchouli. Why? Well, they smell good.
Oh, and Lavender has some super qualities for skincare (read about essential oils in a post I wrote here). I’ve also used Tea Tree EO, as it also has great antibacterial qualities. Remember though, less is more with EO!
The consistency of this lovely deodorant is firm, yet extremely spreadable. I use my finger to dip out a SMALL amount (seriously…you really do not need much) and just rub it into my armpits. It works perfectly in deodorant tubes, too.
Also, please note…if you are not used to using natural products for your armpits you will likely have a detox phase.
This is totally normal!
Having an initial cleanse is actually pretty important. Or…if you find that you truly cannot go for a few days without deodorant, you will have to use this one (or any other natural deodorant) for a week or so before you body starts to adjust. It pains me to hear of people who try to use natural deodorants without detoxifying their pits, who then complain that they don’t work. You have to get rid of the decaying matter in your body (esp breeding ground pits!!!) before you can ask your body not to smell. …and remember, sweating is a GOOD thing!
We want to sweat…we just don’t want to stink.
If you have been using a conventional antiperspirant there will absolutely be a transition / detox period. My advice is to keep your new deodorant on hand, as well as the old. Perhaps go back and forth for a few days while your body adjusts. The detox period is real. If you use conventional deodorant your body will need to expel all of the toxins that have been introduced there daily.
Having an initial cleanse is actually pretty important.
Many people use apple cider vinegar in the AM and PM for a week or two to help encourage detox.
You may want to do a little extra research on switching to a natural, organic deodorant to help give you a better understanding of what to expect. Also, if you want a stronger scent from the deo, you can always add a few more EO drops (so long as it isn’t irritating you) and you can also add a bit more DE. It will make it a bit more ‘stiff’ in consistency, but will help in grabbing odors.
And there you have it…the perfect effective homemade DIY deodorant recipe.Think you’ll give it a try? Let me know when you do!Until next time…
xoxo,
Jess, aka Scratch Mommy
Looking for my homemade DIY DeFunkifying Deodorant recipe for super sweaty pits (STILL with NO baking soda)?
Click the picture below!
This post was shared at- Thank Goodness It’s Monday, Show Me What Ya Got, Let’s Get Social Sunday, &The Pin Junkie.
