DIY Deodorant Recipe Featuring Essential Oils

If you are looking to use more natural products in your personal care routine, one of the first products we recommend to swap out is your deodorant.  Over recent years, research has shown that many of the conventional deodorants currently sold in the market contain ingredients that may be harmful to our wellbeing.

These ingredients have been shown to be harmful because they work to reduce our sweat output, meaning they can clog our pores, and slow down the release of our sweat which can cause long term health problems.

Sweating is a natural and very important process.  It’s a way our bodies can release toxins so that our bodily functions run smoothly. When toxins build up in the body they can cause inflammation, fatigue and skin and digestive issues. 

Our sweat is not what smells bad, it's the bacteria and microbes that naturally live on the surface of our skin, when mixed with our sweat, that cause foul odors. That means when we slow down the sweating process, we are keeping our bodies from detoxing.

Unlike conventional deodorants, natural deodorants feature ingredients like coconut oil, beeswax and essential oils, that focus on what’s happening on the surface of our skin - not our sweat glands, They can work just as well as conventional deodorants, plus they have many therapeutic properties that can actually improve the health of our skin and help our bodies rebalance and rejuvenate.

Deodorants that are made up of 100% botanical ingredients work by preventing the unpleasant odors from forming in the first place. The antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiseptic properties of the essential oils and carrier oils work together to neutralize the microbes from forming on the surface of the skin that cause bad odors.  Plus these essential oils also are able to penetrate the delicate skin underneath the arm, to enhance and support the deeper layers of our skin that contain our sweat glands, encouraging them to function properly.

Natural plant-based deodorants are easy to make at home.  Here is our favorite essential Oil deodorant recipe!

5 Best Essential Oils to use in your DIY Deodorant Recipes:

Lemon Essential Oil (Citrus limon):

Cold expressed from the peel of the lemon.  It is loaded with a very specific molecule that is known for its strong antimicrobial, antibacterial and antiseptic properties.  Lemon cleanses, refreshes and clears away foul odors and the microbes that cause them. Plus, its bright uplifting aroma can make us feel happier and more positive.

Tea Tree Essential Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia):

Steam distilled from the leaves of the tall tree native to Australia.  Tea tree essential oil has been shown to cleanse away bacteria, neutralize odors and improve the health and wellbeing of our skin’s resiliency. It also offers the experience of boosting our mood and our immunity.

Rosemary Essential Oil (Rosmarinus officinalis):

Steam distilled from the leaves of this common culinary herb.  Its leaves and oil have been used for centuries as a strong antimicrobial and antibacterial, staving off microbes and germs.  Its scent is stimulating and refreshing, and can help us feel energized and refreshed.

Lavender Essential Oil (Lavandula angustifolia):

Steam distilled from the common lavender herbaceous bush.  It has many therapeutic properties including antiseptic, antimicrobial actions, which is why we see Lavender essential oil used in so many cleansers and detergents.  In addition to its bacteria neutralizing properties, Lavender also soothes irritated skin, and supports the skin’s innate capability to heal.

Geranium Essential Oil (Pelargonium graveolens):

Steam distilled from the fragrant leaves of a large herbaceous bush. In addition to its calming effects on our nervous system, and its ability to soothe skin irritation, Geranium also has certain molecules that have been shown to be antimicrobial and cleansing.

Here is what’s you’ll need:

• Heat source, like an electric hotplate or your kitchen stove top - you need this to help slowly melt all the ingredients together.

• A shallow saucepan filled with about 1 inch of water

• A double boiler inserts to melt all the ingredients and to use to pour into your deodorant containers something like this is perfect.

• Mixing tools, like a small metal whisk, stainless steel spoon, or disposable wooden sticks, like popsicle sticks.

• Various small glass bowls, measuring cups and spoons to place your ingredients in.

• A digital scale that can measure amounts to .00, and has a “tare” feature and can easily switch between grams and ounces.

• 2 empty 2 oz deodorant containers

• Paper Towel

• Oven Mit

• Parchment Paper

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make a 4 ounces:

• 2.8 oz of Tapioca Starch

• 2.3 oz of Arrow Root Powder 

• 3.9 oz of solid Coconut Oil 

• .9 oz of Beeswax 

• 10 drops of Vitamin E Oil

• 6 drops of Geranium Essential Oil

• 6 drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil

• 4 drops of Rosemary Essential Oil

• 14 drops of Lavender Essential Oil

• 8 drops of Lemon Essential Oil

Here is how you make it:

1. Thoroughly clean and disinfect a counter or table top in your kitchen, and line a 18 inch area with parchment paper
2. Carefully clean and sterilize your jars, and set them on top of the parchment paper.
3. Using your digital scale, measure out the beeswax and set aside
4. Measure out your Coconut Oil in a separate measuring cup or beakers or bowl and set aside.
5. Measure out your Beeswax in a separate beaker, bowl or cup and set aside
6. In a small glass cup, or bowl, measuring cup or beaker, mix together all the essential oils and set aside.
7. Measure out your Tapioca and ArrowRoot Powder in separate cups, beakers or bowls and set aside.
8. Set your saucepan filled with about 1 inch of water on your heat source and warm until it starts to steam.
9. Place the double boiler insert into your saucepan, and add the measured beeswax into the double boiler insert and let it melt thoroughly.
10. While it is melting, add the Coconut Oil and let everything melt until fully liquidated. Then add the tapioca starch and arrowroot powder until well blended, making sure to get all the lumps out. 
11. Turn off heat, and using your oven mit, lift the double boiler insert out of the pan and wipe off the sides and bottom of the double boiler insert of any excess water, so that no water is left dripping.
12. Add your essential oil mixture and Vitamin E drops to the melted mixture and stir well.
13. Carefully pour the mixture into each deodorant container without letting the mixture spill out or ooze out the sides. 
14. Cap tightly and place in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours to set.
15. Once the deodorant containers have set, add a label and they are ready to use!

Congratulations!  You’ve made your own natural deodorant featuring essential oils! Use the same way you would your conventional deodorant.  Let us know how you are enjoying it!