I’ve finally cracked the code: A homemade deodorant that actually works, folks. This organic deodorant bar recipe is super easy to make and won’t leave your armpits chapped like so many homemade recipes can. There’s even a sensitive-skin alteration for those who have extra sensitive underarms!
This may be one of my more “crunchy” posts for those of you that aren’t as into the idea of natural living as I am. Before you walk away, I’d like to suggest- don’t knock it ’til you try it! Here’s why.
Why Make Your Own Deodorant?
In case you haven’t heard, we’ve been smudging aluminum toxins over our armpits for years! We’ve used chemicals that clog our pores and allow bacteria to feast there. Gross. In a world polluted with toxic metals, the last thing we need is to be applying them to our underarms, so close to our lymphatic system and blood stream.
After word of this information spread, organic deodorant bars quickly hit the shelves and were snatched up by consumers just as fast. The issue with this? They either A) Didn’t work or B) Left people with awful rashes. Then came the homemade deodorant craze. I tried a ton of DIY deodorant recipes that were too clumpy, too gritty, too sticky, or too weak. After much experimentation, I created this recipe that is smooth, gentle, and efficient. It has even kept my pits from stinking while gardening in the blazing heat of Florida, the ultimate underarm stink test.
I’ve also switched to homemade foaming hand soap and now make my own dry shampoo too! The Handmade Home tab of the blog has lots of homemade recipes to help you on your natural journey!
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Sweat It Out
We often associate sweat with a bad stench, so we do all that we can to prevent it from happening. This includes the aforementioned smudging of aluminum toxins onto our armpits. This is a bad idea. Sweating is natural. It’s one of the main methods our body uses to rid itself of toxins.
The good news- you can still sweat without the stink. This organic deodorant bar recipe will allow your body to carry on with natural detoxification while keeping your underarms fresh. It’s all about the ingredients.
Organic Deodorant Bar Ingredients
Shea Butter & Coconut Oil– These natural oils moisturize the skin. They also help prevent skin irritation from the powder ingredients that fight odors. If you purchase refined coconut oil, this ingredient has antimicrobial properties that’ll fight odors as well.
Beeswax– The small amount of beeswax in this recipe goes a long way. It helps hold the ingredients together in stick form so it’s applied with a smooth glide. Don’t skip this ingredient, or else you could be left with a mushy, chunky mess.
Arrowroot Powder– This powder absorbs some of the sweat without clogging your pores. You can still sweat it out without the world seeing (or smelling) the process!
Baking Soda– This ingredient has gotten a bad rap due to the rashes people acquired with recipes that use way too much. I’ve made sure that there’s juuust enough baking soda to help fight odors and absorb sweat without the irritating side effects.
Essential Oils- Use skin-friendly essential oils to add a wonderful scent to your organic deodorant bar! I love using lavender for the smell and tea tree for the antimicrobial properties. I am not an essential oil expert, so be sure to consult one before adding an oil to your deodorant bar!
How to Make DIY Organic Deodorant Bars?
Melt beeswax over medium heat in a double boiler, constantly stirring. If you don’t have one, melt it in a glass bowl over a simmering pot of water. (You only need a few inches of water so that the base of your glass bowl is elevated above the water).
Melt in the shea butter and coconut oil, and stir to combine all 3 ingredients. Remove from heat and continue to stir.
Add the baking soda and arrowroot powder before the melted wax/oils begin to harden!
Pour into an empty deodorant container, a silicone bar mold, or a muffin pan!
Place the bars into the fridge and let them cool until hard all the way through. I like to store mine in the fridge since coconut oil melts with warmer temperatures.
Customize Your Homemade Organic Deodorant Bar
Scent: Use your favorite essential oil combinations to to customize the smell! I personally use lavender and tea tree oil. For a more woodsy and rustic scents, consider using sandalwood, bergamot, and cypress combinations!
Sensitivity: If you have extra-sensitive underarms, you can swap 1 tablespoon of the baking soda for 1 tablespoon of arrowroot powder. Some people have success leaving out the baking soda all together, however I find it most effective to use as much as your skin allows.
Storage: If you have empty deodorant containers, use those for the easiest application. If you use the silicone bar molds or muffin tin, store the bars in a mason jar with parchment paper separating each bar.
Pin It For Later!
A Simple Organic Deodorant Bar Recipe
A homemade organic deodorant bar that actually works! No rashes, no toxins, no stink, and no hassle.
Ingredients
- 1.5 tablespoons beeswax
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons shea butter
- 2 tablespoons baking soda
- 2 tablespoons arrowroot powder
- Essential oils
- Deodorant container/ silicone mold / muffin pan
Instructions
- Melt beeswax over medium heat in a double boiler, constantly stirring. If you don't have one, melt it in a glass bowl over a simmering pot of water. (You only need a few inches of water so that the base of your glass bowl is elevated above the water).
- Melt in the shea butter and coconut oil, and stir to combine all 3 ingredients. Remove from heat and continue to stir.
- Add the baking soda and arrowroot powder before the melted wax/oils begin to harden!
- Pour into an empty deodorant container, a silicone bar mold, or a muffin pan!
- Place the bars into the fridge and let them cool until hard all the way through. I like to store mine in the fridge since coconut oil melts with warmer temperatures.
I am excited to try this! I’ve tried so many recipes that don’t work or leave a rash. Thanks!!
Wow this sounds like a great recipe! I would much rather make my own than buy an expensive one to get a more natural version.
I cant wait to try this! I’ve been looking for an easy deodorant recipe and this one looks promising! Thank you!
This looks so lovely! Very keen to try this!