Many commercial deodorants contain
I can only imagine how much toxic crap my body absorbed in my high school PE locker rooms, where Impulse was sprayed liberally by me and 40 other teenage girls… Not good at all. As well as being toxic, commercial deodorants can be expensive!!
So I created this natural deodorant recipe and have been using it since 2015. I must say that I, along with hundreds (even thousands) of others, all agree it’s pretty damn good! Having a thermal appliance makes it easy to create, and a little goes a very long way so you’ll save bucket loads of money too!
To help prevent any irritation, be sure never to apply after hair removal (especially shaving or waxing
NATURAL DEODORANT PASTE
Makes: 250 g | 8.8 oz Prep time: < 10 min.
Ingredients
65 g | 2.3 oz shea butter
65 g | 2.3 oz coconut oil (the type that solidifies)
10 g | 0.4 oz beeswax
70 g | 2.5 oz sodium bicarbonate (bicarb)
40 g | 1.4 oz arrowroot flour (or cornflour)
40 drops of essential oils
My choice of essential oils…
My favourite essential oils in this recipe are patchouli, tea tree and lemongrass, but don’t be limited by my suggestions. Use oils that fit your budget, or those that you already have in your collection. Read here for more information.
Method
1. Add shea butter, coconut oil and beeswax to a glass bowl and heat until completely melted. (Double boiler method– place bowl on a pot of gently simmering water and stir frequently; Microwave method– heat in short bursts on low, stopping and stirring frequently). Remove from heat.
2. Add remaining ingredients and mix until combined.
3. Transfer into
4. Place into the fridge or freezer to set (this will reduce the chance of graininess developing over time).
Thermal Appliance Method
1. Add shea butter, coconut oil and beeswax to thermal appliance bowl and melt: 4-5 minutes | approx. 70˚C (158˚F) | low speed. Extend time if required, until ingredients have completely melted.
2. Add remaining ingredients and mix for 5-10 seconds on low/medium speed. Scrape down sides and repeat if required, until ingredients are combined.
3. Transfer into
4. Place into the fridge or freezer to set (this will reduce the chance of graininess developing over time).
To Use
Scoop a small amount of balm (the size of your fingernail is plenty) and rub gently onto clean armpits.
Recipe Notes
For an extra kick, substitute the arrowroot powder for bentonite clay – a simple straight swap. Sometimes deodorant paste just doesn’t cut the mustard for everyone all of the time and this little hack might just do the trick!
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Krissy Ballinger
Author, Advocate & Founder
Krissy wants to see a world where people make conscious, educated decisions that honour both humans and habitat. With a background in education and health promotion, she devotes her time to passionately increase awareness on common and avoidable toxins, in everyday items like washing powder and deodorant, and to educate individuals on how they can easily reduce their daily exposure, through simple and realistic do-it-yourself ideas and recipes.
Krissy has sold over 40,000 copies of her natural DIY recipe books, including her award-winning book, Naturally Inspired - Simple DIY Recipes for Body Care and Cleaning, and her newly-released kids book, Make & Play - Natural DIY Recipes for Kids. She offers honest and gentle guidance, education and 100+ natural DIY recipes on her website.
Hi Krissy
In regards to the deodorant I notice it leaves a stain on the clothes under the arms and I am having to soak the clothes. I use bentonite clay and my friend uses cornflour and we both get the stain.
Is this normal?
Hi Sheryl, if you’re getting stains you’re using too much. Just the smallest smear will do the trick and you can boost effectiveness with a drop of tea tree before application. If you haven’t seen my stain removing recipes, check this link out 🙂 https://krissyballinger.com.au/?s=stains
hi ,
curious about how much of each essential oils you use in your recipe??
thanks and can’t wait to give This a go.
Hi Emily,
It is totally up to you. Try equal amount first time and see if you like it 🙂
Hello
If i wanted to add vitamin e oil how much should i add. Thank you
I’d add about 1 tsp.
Thank you for letting me know.
Hello,
I have made this recipe for my wife and she loves it. We even put it on our kids feet.
I want to make the same for myself but can’t use bicarb. Do you know if I can just replace it with magnesium hydroxide powder?
Have you seen my carb-free recipe? https://krissyballinger.com.au/recipes/body-skin-care-recipes/bicarb-free-deodorant-paste/
Hi Krissy,
I’ve been making this for a couple of years now and love it. The most recent batches have had the bicarb noticeably settle to the bottom (I set it in the fridge to cool). The last of the jar is very gritty and irritating, but this wasn’t happening before. Could it be ageing ingredients?
Thank you 🙂
Hey Sarah, good to hear you’re using natural DIY deodorant! It could be that your bicarb is grittier than usual? Or your ingredients were too hot when you added your flour and bicarb? Just let it set and mix vigorously with a spoon, squashing the bicarb against your bowl/container – that should help. I don’t think the age of the ingredients would cause this issue.
Love this deodrant!! Super easy to make and great deodorant.
Absolutely love this deodorant- applies like silk and I love the different combinations of essential oils you can add/try.
I have made it for 5 friends and have 5 friends and now returning empty containers for refilling. Too easy 🙂