Probiotics.
A buzzword within the natural health community. And rightfully so! Most health conscious individuals understand the positive effects on digestion that come from using probiotic foods and supplements. In fact, the benefits of ingesting probiotics have been well researched and the craze is taking over.
If you haven’t already heard of fermented foods, kefir, and kombucha you will soon. These are nutritional powerhouses used by those seeking to live a healthy lifestyle through a superb digestive system. Courses such as the Lacto-Fermentation eCourse by Gnowfglins will give you the knowledge base you need in order to implement these cooking methods.
Likewise, as the known benefits of probiotics are now expanding into mainstream culture, new research is showing remarkable promise for the use of this “good bacteria” in topical remedies.
Emerging thoughts include the idea that probiotics can actually help improve the balance of bacteria on your skin, very similar to the way they are known to improve the balance of bacteria in your digestive system. This will provide relief for those who suffer with eczema, psoriasis, various rashes of the skin, skin allergies, acne, unsightly discolorations, and interestingly enough it is also proving to be a powerful antidote against aging (a.k.a. wrinkles)!
Our skin is the largest organ in our body. It, above all, requires extreme care for overall health as it is our first line of defense against disease carrying pathogens. Often times we forget that our skin contains millions of beneficial bacteria, also known as micro flora. Micro flora provide an essential role in preventing undesirable bacteria from developing.
This is part where we transition into what all of this means for our underarms (smile).
All of the chemicals in conventional deodorants serve to kill these “bad” or undesirable bacteria that cause that unwanted natural scent. However, in the mean time, they kill the “good bacteria” too. Leaving our bodies defenseless.
There are many reasons why we should be concerned about using anti-perspirants and commercially prepared deodorants! Here are just a few:
- There are hidden dangers in the active ingredients of conventional deodorant (i.e. Aluminum, Parabens, Propylene glycol, Phthalates, and Triclosan). Current research shows a strong link between anti-perspirants containing aluminum and breast cancer, birth defects, allergies, and hormonal imbalances. These potentially hazardous chemicals have no place in our homes and certainly no place under our arms.
- Even with all of the options for an all-natural, “green” deodorant, it is simply too pricey for this frugal chick!
- Let the body do what the body will do! I believe that when we attempt to inhibit the natural functions of the body we negatively effect the rhythms created for a purpose.
It was these concerns, and new research findings on probiotics, that lead me to create my own solution.
Homemade Probiotic Deodorant
Ingredients
-1 tbsp. cocoa butter
-1 tbsp. coconut oil
-1 tbsp. shea butter
-1 tbsp. beeswax
-2 1/2 tbsp. arrowroot powder
-1 tbsp. baking soda
-1/4 tsp. vitamin E oil
-15 drops essential oil of your choice
-2 capsules powdered probiotics
Method
1. Melt cocoa butter, coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax over low heat.
2. Remove pot from heat, then add arrowroot powder and baking soda. Whisk with chopsticks until all powders are dissolved and combined. Add vitamin E oil and essential oils at this time. Allow mixture to cool in pan. Once it is cooled and the consistency of pudding, open capsules of probiotics and add powder to mixture. Stir with spatula quickly to combine.
3. Add mixture to clean, used deodorant container. Place in refrigerator to cool and harden. After this, product may be stored on counter (Note: Using a shelf stable probiotic such as Bio-Kult will prevent the need for refrigeration). This recipe will fill container and last for 3-4 months. Remember…a little goes a long way!
Notes
-When choosing a probiotic supplement for this deodorant it is important to find one that is shelf stable. It should also contain highly resistant beneficial bacteria such as lactobacillus and bifidobacteria. These “good bacteria” have the ability to survive the pH of our stomach acid during digestion and are the one’s that should be included in this recipe.
-If you have sensitive skin, substitute baking soda and use arrowroot powder solely. You may also consider omitting the essential oils.
-Use good smelling essential oils, any scent or combination of scents will do. So pick your favorite and have fun with it!
Looking for the raw materials necessary for this recipe? Mountain Rose Herbs is my go to for essential oils, butters, oils, and miscellaneous bulk items (i.e. arrowroot powder). A well appointed local health food store should also have these items in stock. You can purchase beeswax here.
Not up for another DIY? These are available in my Etsy shop along with an herbal deodorant option!
Be sure not to miss a single post, click this link to receive my free eBook and Frugally Sustainable tips by email.
You are simply amazing. How inspiring to make your own probiotic deoderant. Thank you for sharing how you do it!
Wow–This looks wonderful!
I have been using a blend of coconut oil and equal parts baking soda and cornstarch for years. Love it. I do need to make a change somehow for winter though as our house is so cold the coconut oil is almost too hard to spread.
I, too, discovered a recipe for the same deodorant a couple of months back and I really like it! Only coconut oil and baking soda with a bit of cornstarch. Can’t beat the price or the results…no irritations!
Wow. Didn't know you could this. Might have to give this a try.
Very interesting! I have the same trouble as Kimberly though with the coconut oil making my homemade deodorant so hard in the winter. (Although I just hold it under my arm for a little bit until it softens enough.) Does this stay softer even in colder weather since it has the butters and beeswax in it?
Fantastic! Thanks for sharing.
You're a AZ valley girl too, right? Would you wear this in August?
@Stephanie G. I am and yes I did:) Not this one because I just started making this recipe about a month ago, but I was using baking soda and coconut oil which was way more oily than this! So I actually anticipate that this will work much better in the summer months!
Thank you for posting. I live in AZ too and was wondering like Stephanie G if it would hold up to the Az summers LOL. I think I might have to give this one a shot!
Cool beans! I'm going to try adding some probiotics to my homemade version, for now. When I run out, I'll try the whole recipe! Thanks!
Love this! I am totally going to try it. I've never been satisfied with the effectiveness of natural deodorants, so hopefully this will work better! Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks for linking your great post to FAT TUESDAY. This was very interesting! Hope to see you next week!
Be sure to visit RealFoodForager.com on Sunday for Sunday Snippets – your post from Fat Tuesday may be featured there!
http://realfoodforager.com/2011/11/fat-tuesday-november-8-2011/
This post will be featured at Sunday Snippets this week! Please come over and check it out! I’ll be at the conference this weekend so I can’t send the link.
www. RealFoodForager.com
Awesome! Thanks! Visit me at http://raisingdieter.blogspot.com/
new follower!
great! I use the crystal deodorant, made of mineral salt. cuts the odor down but you still sweat. I never use anti-antiperspirant because I also feel that we sweat for a reason!
I am writing this recipe down right now… probiotics in there is interesting.
Interesting. This would take some getting used to for me because I am addicted to my anti-perspirant. But I know that I need to get away from the aluminum…..
Thank you for sharing. I have found a few deodorant recipes and just need to get my butt in gear to make some. You have been pinned!
Not just the aluminum Christine, but the parabens, propylene glycol, phthalates and triclosan as well!
Amazing! Thank you for this. I have all of these ingredients already since I make soap so I am going to make some today. I have had problems with regular deodorant not working well after I had kids. Why, I really don't know haha! Maybe it's the stress
I had that same problem too! It started when i was about 5 months pregnant with my son…at that time it was just excess wetness but no increase in odor. Then when I got pregnant with my daughter, the odor came into play. I could take a shower in the morning and a couple hours later, I needed another one! I think it’s a hormone thing, since I also developed a skin allergy to pewter during this time that I didn’t have before. Now I make my own deodorant and it works better than anything else I’ve ever tried, even the clinical strength stuff!
We did a body care post a few weeks back. Leslie (my co-blogger) made a good point — we want to reduce smell, but not our bodies ability to sweat which is a natural function to rid the body of toxins. As much as I am dismayed by that, she is correct. I have been using coconut oil and baking soda and it works great for the odor. I will have to try your method. I have other questions for you too but I think I will write you an email.
Great write up. You talk about improving the balance of your skin, and there is another very frugal and sustainable way to do that. Stop using soaps and shampoos for your daily bathing!
With the exception of times where I actually get properly dirty and I need something to break up the mess, I don’t use any soap or shampoo at all for daily bathing. I’ve been doing it for over a year now. It takes a few weeks for your body (mostly your hair) to get acclimated to managing itself properly after a lifetime of self-imposed chemical warfare, but once that is done, you are home free. My hair is more manageable, and a number of minor skin conditions I’ve thought I’d just have to deal with forever have either improved considerably or gone away entirely. Just hot water and washcloth is all I need.
About six months ago I made the mistake of washing my hair with shampoo, just because it had been so long I wanted to remember what it was like. It felt good, but my hair didn’t seem any more clean afterwards. It seemed kinda limp and lifeless, and for the next several days things were totally out of whack as I recovered from the chemical strip. Never again!
This article is what inspired me to try it: http://blog.seanbonner.com/2010/02/01/ive-given-up-using-soap/
Here is a follow up from the original author:
http://boingboing.net/2011/01/04/i-havent-used-soap-i.html
Those articles have more links in them.
For the ladies, my wife does this too, and she seems happy with it. She has long hair, and just does a vinegar rinse once in awhile if things seem to be getting too oily. She is pretty dang low-maintenance in the personal care arena though, so your mileage may vary.
Another interesting side effect of the no-soap bathing is that it takes a heckuva lot less time and water to do it. Anything longer than a 5 minute shower feels decadent, and I find myself "done" bathing long before I'm ready to stop enjoying the hot water!
Thanks for the recipe you are currently using. I have been using homemade deodorant (coconut oil, baking soda, arrowroot powder) for many months now and love it. I will never buy deodorant again, but I may give your recipe a try.
Also, like the previous poster mentioned, I don't use commercially made shampoo or conditioner. I dissolve 1T baking soda in 1 cup of water, and 'wash' my hair with that no more than every other day. My 'conditioner' is 1T apple cider vinegar in 1 cup water, and I use it once for every three times using the soda. It has been almost 3 months, and my hair is shinier and has more body than it ever has. It doesn't ever appear greasy, either. I am still amazed at how well this has worked for me.
What’s the recipe for your deoderant??
Hi Karen,
Doesn’t you head end up smelling like vinegar? If so, how do you remedy this?
Thanks so much for this post we will be having bees wax next year and I am very interested in these types of sustainable recipes!
Sounds neat! I use a mix of lavender and tea tree oils, just dab some one a couple of times a day. It kills the bacteria that cause the smell… or something like that.;)
Our house is cold too. Scrape your fingernails away from your palm along the top of the coconut oil. That will give plenty to soften at room temp. Just don't scrape the other way and end up with it under your nails.
My recipe is a lot simpler as far as ingredients list, and I love the natural way – I need to revise it with the beeswax so that I don't have to store it in my fridge year round. It's an interesting premise on the probiotics, though..I've not run across topical issues.
I use straight baking soda. After I finish washing my face, I dip my still-wet fingers in a dish of baking soda and apply. It works for a few days at a time. Because baking soda kills bacteria, do you think it may kill all the probiotics you are putting in your deodorant? I would love to know the science behind your recipe!
Knowing how it worked could open up a whole new world of ideas for me!
Hi. Sounds like a very workable recipe. I did wonder about the fate of the probiotics too though, especially with the essential oils in there??
Sue
Wow! I am impressed. I bought some homemade deodorant on etsy but never even considered the probiotics. How cool!
You all bring up an interesting research topic! In my preliminary search I am coming up with nothing. All I know at this point is that with the addition of probiotics this has been the only homemade recipe to work for me:) I will be researching this further in the coming days!
What a wonderful post! I'm going to repost on my FB page. I use coconut oil and baking soda. Works perfectly, then again I'm not a big sweater.
I provide infant day care, and have had several babies over the years who present with yeast infections (diaper area, and thrush). I mix coconut oil, a little avocado oil and open about 5 capsules of acidophilus and put it on their rumps to help and then another container with the stuff I give them off a spoon for the oral thrush. Works like a charm in about 3-4 days.
Also, I use the menthol crystals from Mountain Rose Herbs and let them dissolve in a small baby food jar filled with olive oil or avocado oil. Then when it's dissolved, I add it to coconut oil in another baby food jar and put this in the fridge. It hardens and is my own homemade vicks. I also sometimes add a few drops of lavander oil, lemon oil and orange oil for baby vicks. It goes on the babies feet while wearing a footed sleeper and the vapors can then get to their nose without being overwhelming to them. For the older babies, it can be rubbed onto their backs to help with congestion and coughing, etc.
Home remedies are cheaper in the long run and work best.
I've been using coconut oil, aluminum free baking soda (Bob's Red Mill has it) and clary sage oil for years as deodorant.
I also use coconut oil mixed with a few drops of orange oil as tooth/gum cleaner. For my "toothpaste" I use dolomite mixed with baking soda and a few drops of cinnamon leaf oil.
I also use a mixture of oils called 4 Thieves to clean my house, spray on my hands as an antibacterial while shopping (those cart handles are gross) and keep a container of huggies wipes in the car which have been rinsed of their chemical junk and then I add a little filtered water mixed with vegetable glycerin and a couple of drops of essential oil of choice. Wipes in a neat little container but with my own mixture, not all those chemicals. Makes the car smell good, too.
wow you really gave some great additional adive! do you have your own blog too? i’d love to follow it as well. I’m very excited, I just found this blog!
Love what you're talking about, it's right up my lifestyle, aaand thanks for the probiotic tips. I'm a new follower (found you over at something I whipped up link party).
Do stop by anytime!
http://slipstitchesandmore.blogspot.com
You are featured at Anti-Procrastination Tuesday tomorrow! Thanks for linking up!
Great recipe. I'll have to try it. Thank you for linking up to More the Merrier Mondays.
Jamie
http://diyhshp.blogspot.com
I have a simpler way of keeping the stink at bay. I exfoliate my arm pits. At first it was a couple times a week, now it's about weekly or less. There's no longer dead skin there to harbor the bacteria. I had struggled with that sour smell since I was 8 or 9 years old and now it's gone. My girlfriend tried it on her 7 year old daughter and it helped as well. There's so many natural home-made exfoliants. Just pick one and give it a try. Now days I also scrub across the chest and shoulders and use the exfoliant. The slipperiness of my scrub helps me when I do my monthly breast exams. It makes a great reminder to do them as well.
Just wondering what the purpose of the starch is and whether it could be left out? I"ve been using coconut oil and bakng soda as deoderant for a while–I love the idea of adding probiotics to the mix.
I've been looking for a deodorant recipe! This looks great! Found you through Nifty Thrifty things and am now a follower!
Thank you thank you thank you for this!! Can't wait to try this when I get home. What a beautiful site
Do you want to be featured in the skincare section of my site? http://antioxidantbuzz.com/antioxidantskincare.html
Found you at the linky- this d.e.o. is awesome and I LOVE your WHOLE SITE!! Now following,andrea@townandprairie
I've always been one that absolutely had to wear deodorant because I smelled terribly offensive. Someone suggested taking some vodka and putting it in a spray bottle with some essential oils. (I've mixed in lavender and tea tree.) She said to stick with it b/c it'll take time for your body to adjust, and she was right. But after a month or so, things seem to have calmed down and I'm happy to say I've been using it exclusively for 6+ mos. and my husband says it's great.
This sounds so great, odor is not my problem, sweating is. The only thing in 38 years I found that works sorry to say, since this is such a health conscience conversation is botox, so I need an alternative. Any ideas for something that helps more for sweating.
Hi there,
First time to your blog. I am very interested in making this. Is there a site online that sells all or most of the ingredients?
Thanks,
Wendy
@Wendy … the author listed links sources & information above. The source for the ingredients is Mountain Rose Herbs at http://www.mountainroseherbs.com . Amazon.com and a well-appointed local health food store were listed as well.
does this deodorant stain/ruin clothes?
Does this deodorant ruin/stain clothes?
Is there anyway to make this without beeswax?
@Annymous You can make it without the beeswax…however it may be a bit more crumbly and fall apart but still as effective:)
I Love your blog. Just found it on pinterest!
What kind of probiotics do you recommend…been looking for a good one anyway before I saw this recipe. Thanks for sharing going to try this soon!!
Lindsey
Does this protect against sweating? I'm a heavy sweater (not the wooly kind
) and don't like the sweat spots on my clothing!
Good to find your blog from a comment you made at keeper of the home. I use vodka. Easy – no mixing required. Most deodorants don't work for me but this one does.
I just made this deodorant as a Christmas gift for my sister (and a bit for myself too!) It was very easy to make and has worked very well! I need to work on my essential oil combinations, but overall this was a great recipe! Thanks!
I was just wondering if anyone has tried this without the shea butter. I have a sun who is allergic to tree nuts so I try not to bring it into our home. Would doubling the cocoa butter work?
Thanks for sharing this. I have found that the more I maintain an alkaline ph balance in the body there is less need for deodorant. The optimum is about 7.3 and when I can stay close to that there is little to no need for deodorant and when the body becomes more acidic the need arises.
Hi Roberta
Just a little correction: 7.3 is not the ideal pH of the skin – that is 5.5, which is acidic. The mild acidity of the skin is part of the body’s defence mechanism.
You personally clearly benefit from an alkali skin pH, but most people will likely not. The important thing is for each of us to find what works for us personally; experimentation is the order of the day!
blessings
Elinor
I have question about the essential oils. Some of them like lavender and tea tree are known to be anti fungal, and I assume anti bacterial as well. Will that have any effect on the life of the probiotic? Thanks!
You make an excellent point there Kristine. I need to further research that! My favorite combo for this deodorant is geranium and lime:)
This looks really great. I love the idea of adding probiotics to homemade toiletries! Thanks!
It was like a revelation for me! But the research is there and adding probiotics is very beneficial! And it’s worked great as an addition to deodorant:)
I love probiotics. However, I’m not sure that lactobacillus will survive in an alkaline (baking soda medium). And coconut oil is antimibrobial, antifungal, antibacterial, antiparasitic and antiviral, so it alone should suffice without adding expensive probiotic capsules.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC294626/pdf/jbacter00571-0231.pdf
http://ukpmc.ac.uk/articles/PMC1932741
Additionally, a glucose source must exist for the lactobacillus to reproduce effectively..
Same antimicrobial benefits from lavender essential oil.
Homemade whole food probiotics in the gut will shift skin microbial balance, as does avoiding “anti-microbial” soaps and other hand-sterilizer products such as Triclosan.
Pat Robinson
Excellent information Pat! I am just in the beginning stages of research on this topic (and your articles are just what I need to contiune on), but I will say this…for whatever reason when I started adding probiotics to this deodorant recipe I stopped smelling:)
Andrea, this recipe looks gorgeous! I am making bath bombs with some friends on Thursday, so may have a go at this, too
blessings
Elinor
The only homemade deodorant recipes I ever found had cornstarch & I cannot use corn products. I was SO excited to see this on Pinterest! I can’t wait to try this!
So… If I don’t want to sweat… I would just add aluminum? When would I add the aluminum? Should I just put some Reynold’s Wrap into the recipe? Of so, when would I add the aluminum foil? One last thing, to ensure I don’t sweat should I use the “heavy duty foil?”
I simply use arrowroot, baking soda, and coconut oil and it works great!
That’s awesome! I know a lot of people have success with that formula.
Arrowroot flour?
Arrowroot powder is a starch and is often a replacement for cornstarch.
I have used Milk of Magnesia for a couple of years with excellent results. No odor and diminished perspiration. I recently learned Parabens are used as a preservative, so I’m looking for an alternative. The commercially available natural deodorants simply aren’t effective or irritate my skin. Is there a way to purchase Milk of Magnesia without chemical preservatives? It really worked well!
First off I want to thank you for such a wonderful blog.
This deoderant recipe is FANTASTIC! I’ve tried other natural deoderants and been very disappointed. I made a double batch for my husband and I, and we both think its great! I used soy wax in place of bee’s wax. Thanks a million for sharing all you do.
Thank you for commenting Danielle and I’m so happy you like the recipe! It’s definitely the only one that’s ever worked for me:)
I was wanting to make this but can you substitute the probiotics with water Kefir or Kombucha? I grow my own and that would be cool if I could just add that….
I’m not sure if that would work…it may make it to watery. You could always try though:)
Andrea, thank you so much for this recipe, just made it and it’s cooling in the fridge now…can’t wait to use it!!! I’m also making your laundry soap recipe; just waiting for your vegan bars to come in the mail
Thank you so much for all of your recipes, they’re awesome!
Thank you Erin! Let me know how it goes:)
Well, I’ve been using it for almost a month now and I love it! I really don’t think any other deodorant has worked this well. I’ve also been using the laundry soap and it’s great!
Next on my list is the medicinal salve!
Thanks Andrea
Wondering how you measure the bees wax, do you just cut off a chunck or do you melt it first and then measure it.
It’s best to shred a piece of beeswax and use it that way. Trying to melt it and measure will get you nothing but a mess:)
Hi Andrea!
I love this post and thought my readers would really enjoy it and be pleased to discover your amazing blog, so I placed it on my very first linky: Seasonal Celebration Sunday which started today!
I do hope you’ll come by and meet me on my new linky and add it to the list of linkys you post on, it would make my day:-) Rebecca x
Thank you for sharing Rebecca!
I am SO excited to find this recipe!! This is one that we have been putting off trying ourselves but I’m going to give it shot know.
I recently made a different version of homemade deodorant, but it makes me really itchy. So I think next time I will use your recipe and maybe sub the baking soda out per your suggestion for sensitive skin. Can’t wait to run out; it’s not so bad that I can’t finish what I have; too frugal to throw that out too! Thanks!
Oooh, I’m totally trying this next batch. Though I’ll leave out the tea tree and lavender that I normally use since those would most likely kill the probiotics, no?
You got it!
Just a quick comment that Arm & Hammer contains aluminum. Unless it specifically states that it does not contain aluminum, you should anticipate that there is at least some in all brands.
Not true, baking soda does not have aluminum, baking powder can. Check out this post http://www.crunchybetty.com/the-great-baking-soda-anti-hoax
Is there anyway to make this without using coconut oil. We recently found out our son has several allergies. Coconut, almond, peanut, and wheat being the biggest. So i try not to bring any of these into the home. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Sometimes I save stuff until I get a chance to read it, so I finally got around to reading this. I LOVE the idea of using aluminum free deo and it’s great for most occasions, but sometimes you really NEED to have an anti-perspirant. Does anyone have suggestions for a ‘healthy,’ aluminum-free anti-perspirant?
Thanks,
Elyse
My mother, myself and my daughter are allergic to vitamin E on our skin- Is this a highly necessary ingredient or can we sub something or remove it altogether?
I was wondering if you have to use th cocoa and shea? I have had issues with these items when used in body wash and was unsure about adding them to a deodorant. Could you use this recipe without them?
Hi All–
Where can you find the empty deodorant containers/tubes? Just bought all the indredients today & I am so excited!!
I bought a small jar of probiotics but found out after I got home that it’s in liquid form. Would this be okay to use?
I am looking up the ingredients of this recipe on line to purchace and before I have even added in the essential oil or the probiotic I am already at 27.00. Mind you we are talking Cocoa Butter, Organic 4 oz
$5.80 , Coconut Oil, Organic 4 oz, in Glass Jar $4.95 , Shea Butter, Unrefined, 2 oz which is far more than I will need to make one batch so in the long run will work out to be worth it I am sure if it works (I too am an AZ girl) My question is how long will these ingredients keep so I can use it again and again to make more? I am finding my ingredients at Living earth hebs…. maybe I am not looking at the right places to purchase and could save some money some where else….I really want to try making my own. I am actually using this very deoderant right now that I bought from you at the Stock Shop here in Glendale and I do like it so far. We will see how the summer goes. As for weather or now you will perspire when you wear this I can honestly say that I have not found anything that prevents that including the incredibly expensive “clinical formulas”. I am a hospice nurse and am in and out of my hot truck all day long in the summer so If I can just keep the odor away I will be happy!
Some of you have been asking where to get tubes, and here is a great website (no minimums to buy) with all sorts of bottes, containers and jars for all your homemade needs.
http://www.specialtybottle.com/stickflattube5ozwcap.aspx
Using probiotics on skin is a fascinating thought. I suppose one could add it to lotions and creams? Have you ever tried this?
I make a homemade deodorant that kicks my nasty body odor far better than any commercial one ever did. Equal parts baking soda, arrowroot powder, clay, coconut oil & shea butter plus a few drops of tea tree, lavender and frankincense oils.
I also have a secret weapon: I wash my underarms with raw honey. I think The enzymes balance all the flora.
What kind of clay do you use? Would french green clay work or do you think that would stain clothing?
That’s very interesting about the honey. I’m sure the enzymes are very helpful. Do you just apply and rinse off?
I have to say that using commercial deodorant was one of my biggest concerns. I have been using organic, all-natural deodorants for quite a while now but am so excited to try making my own. I think I prefer something I can apply with my fingers vs. trying to find a formula that will work in a tube.
Hi there! Thanks for this recipe. What is the purpose of the Vitamin E. I am allergic to soy, which most Vit E is made from. Can I leave it out? Thx!
I’ve heard the Vitamin E oil’s purpose is to help the deodorant roll on smoother.
Is that a styrofoam cup?
The deodorant tube? No styrofoam…it’s a repurposed commerical deodorant container
I can’t wait to try this recipe. I will be on the lookout for these items. There is a booth at at the farmers market that I have always wanted to stop at to get essential oils, and now I have an excuse to do so. Thanks for sharing.
Don’t laugh, but…I think I want to be like you when I grow up!
I just love all that you are doing. Thanks for sending out so much inspiring information. I’m blessed to have discovered your site!
OMG, I just made this, but I used a few mint leaves in the oil/butters while they melted to infuse some scent! The mint smell mixed with the cocoa butter smell is so heavenly, I just wanna lick the deodorant stick!
I have been using baking soda and cornstarch mixture for about 8 months now=no smell! Unless I am really active I apply only once.
This recipe is absolutely awesome. I used candelilla wax instead of beeswax and only had shea butter so doubled it up for the cocoa butter. I was about to give up on homemade deodorants because none have been able to keep me odor free in muggy, hot and humid South Florida weather but this one is holding up beautifully! Thank you so much!!
This is very close to the body butter I make. Also, I use the coconut oil, cornstarch and baking soda as deodorant now but can easily add the dry ingredients to my body butter. I would leave the beeswax out. I don’t need it to be that solid.
For those who are having issues with the coconut oil getting too hard, I whip my body butter with an immersion blender. You can add a some olive oil to loosen it up a bit. I whip it in three stages — as soon as I get the ingredients mixed, let it sit in the fridge for 5 minutes, whip again, another 5 minutes in the fridge and whip again. Then I let it solidify.
I have my deodorant in small mason jar and just dip my fingers in.
Just came across your blog via Pinterest and homemade sunscreen (yay)! I have to admit that I am rather nervous to try a deodorant vs. anti-perspirant. I perspire A LOT. I’m worried that I won’t be fresh if I don’t use the heavy-duty, chemical-laden, clinical strength and poisonous anti-perspirants. I’m trying so hard to switch out all of my body care, hair, household, etc. products for safe, organic if possible, natural ingredients. I guess it can’t hurt to try this, right? Thanks for posting!! Off to read more of this fantastic blog!