Homemade Soft Deodorant

Making your own deodorant can be a great way to control what ingredients go on your skin and allows you to create your own customized scent! Check out the ingredient substitutions to see how this deodorant can also be made to work with sensitive skin. This soft deodorant is specially formulated with the following ingredients:

Shea Butter: This makes a soft, smooth deodorant and helps reduce the chance of skin irritation. Note: Shea butter contains latex (a natural rubber). If you have an allergy to latex, this ingredient can be substituted in equal proportions with Mango Butter.
Arrowroot Powder: This helps absorb moisture (i.e., sweat).
Baking Soda: Along with raising the pH of the deodorant, baking soda absorbs bad odors, which reduces the stink. Some people are sensitive to baking soda, and it can cause skin irritation. Note: It is common for skin irritation to occur during the first few days (known as the detox period) if you are transitioning from commercial deodorant. If you continue to experience skin irritation, it may be due to the baking soda in the recipe. If you have sensitive skin, try using food-grade diatomaceous earth instead of the baking soda in the recipe.
Coconut Oil: This ingredient is known for killing bad bacteria and for its soothing and moisturizing properties. Many say that after using a coconut oil deodorant, their armpits are smoother and the hairs softer.
Probiotics: Adding some good bacteria to your deodorant can help balance out the bad bacteria that leads to bad odors. This is optional, but it can help increase the effectiveness of the deodorant. Choose a shelf-stable probiotic for the best benefits.
Essential Oils: These not only give your deodorant a pleasant scent but can also help fight bad bacteria, affect your mood, or benefit a variety of other ailments depending on the oils you use.

Here are a few essential oil suggestions for deodorant from Modern Essentials:
Single Essential Oils: melaleuca, lavender, geranium, eucalyptus, cedarwood, cypress, spikenard
Essential Oil Combinations:
5 drops lavender + 5 drops melaleuca
9 drops rose (or geranium) + 3 drops orange + 2 drops clove
2 drops marjoram + 2 drops clary sage + 2 drops spearmint (or peppermint) + 2 drops clove + 2 drops patchouli
5 drops orange + 3 drops juniper berry + 2 drops spikenard
4 drops lime + 4 drops orange + 2 drops clove + 2 drops petitgrain

Homemade Soft Deodorant

Servings: Yield 2 oz. (60 ml) | Time: 10 minutes active; 1 hour inactive | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients & Supplies:

• 1 1/2 Tbsp. (21 g) Shea Butter
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. (14 g) arrowroot powder
• 1 Tbsp. (12 g) baking soda or 1/2 Tbsp. food-grade diatomaceous earth (for sensitive skin)
• 1 Tbsp. (12 g) Coconut Oil
• 1 probiotic pill or enough to get 30+ billion CFUs (optional)
• 10–15 drops essential oil (optional)*
• 2 oz. Salve Jar

Instructions:

1. Melt shea butter, arrowroot powder, and baking soda in a double boiler (or place in a heat-proof glass dish, then place dish in a pan of simmering water).
2. Once melted, add coconut oil; stir until fully incorporated. Remove from heat.
3. If you are using the probiotic capsules or adding essential oils to the whole product, wait for the mixture to cool a little before stirring in the probiotics and essential oils. Pour mixture into the salve jar to cool completely.
4. To use, scoop out a pea-sized dollop of deodorant, and split it between both sides. Rub it into your underarms with your fingers. Wash your hands afterwards.

*You can leave the deodorant unscented and then add whatever scent you desire each day/week. To do this, drop an oil on your finger or on the deodorant, and rub it into your day’s scoop before applying to your underarms.

This recipe has been thoroughly tested even in the heat of summer, and it holds up well! Give this recipe a try—you’ll be glad to be free of the parabens and aluminum in commercial deodorants.

Have you tried making your own deodorant? What essential oils do you use? Tell us below!