Easy DIY Deodorant With Simple Ingredients

It took me awhile to get on this bandwagon. I’ve been a fan of deodorant and antiperspirant for a long time and didn’t want to make the switch to natural options, because for one, I’ve tried quite a few natural alternatives and found that they hand’t worked and also, eewww. I don’t want to be a sweaty, stinky hot mess in this Florida heat. 

Though knowing how bad so many of the deodorants I was using were for me, and of course how well our bodies absorb what we apply on the skin, especially in the underarm area, it took me a loooong time to get on board with making a different choice. But you guys, I decided to give it a go, again. And I’m glad I did. This is one super simple (and inexpensive) recipe that you can whip up in just a few short minutes!

DIY Deodorant

Ingredients:

1/3-1/2 cup coconut oil (We started making our with 1/2 cup coconut oil, but found it to set faster with less. It’s a amount to start with though, as you transition your body into the natural ingredients)

1/4 cup arrowroot powder

1/4 cup baking soda

4 tbsp cornstarch 

1/4 tsp essential oil (or about 10 drops)

A note about ingredients: Although arrowroot powder is a better choice, you can also use cornstarch if that’s what you have, but at least make sure it’s non-GMO! Arrowroot powder is derived from a South American plant given the name “Arrowroot” and used and valued by the Native Caribbean Arawak people because it would draw out the poisons from a wound… and drawing out toxins is a great thing! Cornstarch is extracted from corn usually in a harsh manner, utilizing chemicals and high heat.

Also, if you find you’re especially sensitive to baking soda, you can try  instead as an even healthier alternative, just make sure it’s food grade. Diatomaceous earth is essentially silica, which is a crucial trace element needed by our bodies which helps with sensitive areas of skin that might become rashy and it also helps to draw out toxins.

What to do:

1// Melt the coconut oil down to a liquid state if it isn’t already.

2// Mix in essential oil.

3// Add in arrowroot powder and baking soda and mix until smooth.

4// Pour into your jar or airtight container, and apply with your fingers or a small spatula. (The coconut oil should set and the deodorant will go back to a semi-solid state.)

This recipe comes together in just minutes, and lasts a LONG time, since only a little is needed each day! I will say that it still doesn’t have the full antiperspirant properties of traditional deodorant, but that is one of the reasons that traditional deodorant is so harmful to our health. However, out of many of the natural solutions I’ve tried, this one works, and smells (and keeps me smelling) the best!

If you’re wondering what essential oils to use, you can base it on scent, as a lot of people like Lavender and Lemongrass or even Melaleuca, and you can suit it to your particular needs.

For my recipe I used eight different oils! All eight are full of antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiseptic, astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. I used a 1/4 teaspoon measuring spoon and added drops of each oil until it was full and poured into the mixing bowl. The ingredients in mine are Lemon, Grapefruit, Geranium, Lime, Cypress, Lavender, Clove, Peppermint and Oregano. On top of being antibacterial and antimicrobial as listed above, cypress and geranium are both reported to be good deodorizers, clove bud is an antioxidant and has anti-aging properties, while grapefruit tones the skin as it and lemon help to remove toxins from the body.

You can always start with whatever essential oils you have on hand and adjust as you add to your collection!

Side note: There may be an adjustment period when coming off of chemical deodorants, and natural may not work for you right away. Give your body time (up to a few weeks) to adjust.

Have you tried making your own deodorant before? Have you used essential oils? What was your favorite?

xo

 

 

As always, you can use code FRESHMOMMY for 10% off every order at Spark Naturals.