DIY Natural Deodorant

DIY Natural Deodorant

DIY natural deodorant.

The holy grail of the crunchy world. If you use homemade deodorant or are looking to start making your own, you have arrived, friend.

Welcome. We’ve been waiting for you.

There is a misconception about us crunchy people, and that is that we reek of BO or that we smell like patchouli. Let me debunk the myth once and for all, I don’t stink nor do I like the smell of patchouli. I smell like fresh cut flowers.

Okay, maybe not, but we do make our own natural deodorant. Those that have tried making it before know that it is not easy to come to the perfect formula at first try. I tried so many different recipe, some did work but I didn’t like the consistency, and many are in the form of cream

or paste that you must scoop with your fingers. I wanted non of that, I wanted a formula that could be applied like a commercial deodorant, after all that’s what I had been used to for so many years.

DIY Natural Deodorant

1. Gather everything you’ll need:

• .55 oz of grated beeswax, that’s about 3 tbs (find it here)
• 1/2 tsp Shae butter (find it here)
• 1 tbs virgin coconut oil (find it here)
• 1 tsp bentonite clay (where to buy)
• 1 tsp arrowroot powder (where to buy)
• Pure lime essential oil, about 20 drops (where to buy)
• Pure tangerine essential oil, about 10 drops (optional)

You’ll also need:

• food scale (like this one)
• Small pot
• Small stainless steel bowl
• Measuring spoons
• Clean deodorant container (like this kind)

2. Measure the beeswax

3. Add all the solid ingredients to a double boiler. I simply use a stainless steel bowl over a small pot with water on medium heat.

4. Wait until they melt and add the arrowroot powder and clay, stirring continuously to avoid any clumps.

5. Once a homogeneous consistency add the essential oil and stir until you think it’s all well combined.

6. Turn stove off and and remove the bowl allowing it to cool down for only about a minute (you don’t want to wait until it starts to solidify).

7. Pour onto a clean deodorant container and allow to cool off completely until very solid.

The benefit of these ingredients

Coconut oil alone can act as a deodorant, whenever I run out of this recipe I use pure coconut oil, the problem is I find myself reapplying more often. Coconut oil due to it’s antibacterial and antifungal properties kills the bacteria and yeast that cause the bad smell.

Shea butter is one of the most gentle moisturizers available. It contains fatty acids, vitamin E and D that protect and heal the skin from any irritations.

Bentonite Clay is well known for it’s detoxifying properties. This combined with the arrowroot powder helps keep you dry by absorbing the excess moisture. This formula acts as a natural antiperspirant for me. It is not labeled as such because it is not a commercial strength antiperspirant and I can’t guarantee it’ll keep you dry all day, but it does work better than all the other recipe I have tried. And before I receive the comments saying “isn’t it bad to stop your body from sweating?” the answer is no. I say no because the armpits are not the only place where we sweat to allow our body to stay cool and eliminate toxins, the body sweats from many different part.

Lime essential oil if you haven’t tried a piece of lime as deodorant I suggest you try and you’ll be amazed how efficiently rubbing a piece of lime will work to keep you odor free (and for a long time, may I add!). Tangerine essential oil is optional, I only use it to break up the strong acidic smell of the lime EO, when combined with the sweet smelling tangerine you get the perfect citrus smell.

Sensitive skin option

Many recipes out there use baking soda but it can be very irritating to those with sensitive skin–not to mention I am not a fan of the grainy feel it leaves behind. I believe the alkalinity in the bentonite clay with the acidity of the lime essential oil creates a balance and it can be used by those with sensitive skin. If you are still concerned about the lime EO I recommend using lavender, ylang ylang, rosemary, or frankincense since these are some of the most gentle for sensitive skin. Plus, you can create some really yummy smelling combination with any of those!

• .55 oz of grated beeswax, that’s about 3-31/2 pack tbs
• 1/2 tsp Shae butter
• 1 tbs virgin coconut oil
• 1 tsp bentonite clay
• 1 tsp arrowroot powder
• Pure lime essential oil, about 20 drops
• Pure tangerine essential oil, about 10 drops (optional)

1. Add all the solid ingredients to a double boiler. I simply use a stainless steel bowl over a small pot with water on medium heat.
2. Wait until they are all melt and add the arrowroot powder and clay, stirring continuously to avoid any clumps.
3. Once a homogeneous consistency add the essential oil and stir only you think it’s all well combined.
4. Turn stove off and and remove the bowl allowing it to cool down for only about a minute (you don’t want to wait until it starts to solidify).
5. Pour onto a clean deodorant container and allow to cool off completely until very solid.

Not ready to try your hand at making your own?

Have you been wanting to try a natural deodorant but feel trying new recipes is not for you? Maybe it’s a time issue, or a matter of finding all the right ingredients, and sometimes finding these ingredients feels like an investment because you have to buy more than the quantities you need.

There is only one ready-made natural deodorant that Ii would recommend, and that is by Scratch Mommy Skincare. I’ve used it before and I know it works wonderfully. Handcrafted with only organic and Non-GMO ingredients. Come check it out.

Original article and pictures take http://naturallymindful.com/2014/02/diy-natural-deodorant.html site