Recipes: Four of the Best Natural Deodorants

Natural deodorant works to counteract the growth of bacteria, eliminate harsh body odor, and balance your sensitive underarm area without clogging your pores. Many traditional deodorants and antiperspirants contain aluminum, as well as other harsh and unnatural ingredients that may potentially do more harm than good. Making your own deodorant allows you to customize it with essential oils to create your very own signature blend.

Common ingredients in natural deodorants

Alcohol: Antibacterial liquid and carrier for essential oils and extracts in liquid deodorant recipes.

Aloe vera gel: Soothing liquid base for liquid deodorant recipes.

Arrowroot powder: Helps to absorb moisture and wetness. It comes from the plant Maranta arundinacea. Used in solid and powdered deodorant formulas.

Baking soda: Helps to absorb perspiration and neutralize unpleasant odor molecules.

Cocoa butter: Thickens solid deodorant recipes and moisturizes the skin.

Coconut oil: Thickens solid deodorant recipes and moisturizes the skin.

Cornstarch: Helps absorb moisture and wetness. Used in solid and powdered deodorant formulas.

Essential oils: Add a pleasant smell to the underarms, as well as provide antibacterial protection against odor-causing bacteria. The underarms are very sensitive areas and essential oils should be added in 1.5% dilution ratio or less to deodorant blends.

Kaolin clay: Helps absorb moisture from the skin. Used in solid and powdered deodorant formulas. Shea butter: Thickens solid deodorant recipes and moisturizes the skin.

Vegetable glycerin: Soothing liquid base for binding other ingredients and moisturizing the skin.

Vitamin E oil: Skin conditioner and antioxidant to help preserve the other oils in your deodorant recipes.

Witch hazel extract: Antibacterial liquid and carrier for essential oils and extracts in liquid deodorant recipes.

 

Recipes: Four of the Best Natural Deodorants

Unscented Natural Cream Deodorant

Makes approx. 3 ounces

 

Best for all skin types

This recipe may be added to an empty, twist-up deodorant tube before it cools for easy application.

1 tablespoon shea butter

1 tablespoon coconut oil

1 tablespoon cocoa butter

1 tablespoon, plus

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon arrowroot powder

1/2 teaspoon kaolin clay

1/2 teaspoon vitamin E oil

1. Add the shea butter, coconut oil, and cocoa butter to a small glass measuring cup and place this in a saucepan containing a few inches of simmering water until melted.
2. Remove from the heat and stir in the baking soda, arrowroot powder, kaolin clay, and vitamin E oil until smooth.
3. Pour into an empty, twist-up deodorant tube or small jar. To use: Apply a small amount into each underarm. May be reapplied after heavy sweating or exercise.

 

Rose & Sandalwood Powder Deodorant

Makes approx. 2 ounces

Best for all skin types

A simple dusting under your arms will help you smell sweet the entire day. Helps absorb moisture too.

 

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 tablespoon arrowroot powder

1 teaspoon kaolin clay

1 teaspoon baking soda

10 drops of sandalwood essential oil

5 drops of rose essential oil or rose absolute oil

 

1. Sift the cornstarch, arrowroot powder, kaolin clay, and baking soda through a sifter into a small bowl.
2. Drizzle in the essential oils, while stirring with a whisk.
3. Sift the ingredients once more to break up any lumps that may have formed while adding the essential oils.
4. For the best results, store the powder in a small sugar or salt shaker.

To use: Shake a small amount of powder on each underarm. The deodorant may be applied after you have used a body moisturizer to help keep it in place.

 

 

Cooling Peppermint Summer Deodorant Spray

Makes approx 2 1/4 ounces

Best for all skin types

This is the perfect deodorant for hot weather!

 

1 tablespoon witch hazel extract

1 tablespoon Aloe vera gel

2 tablespoons peppermint floral water

1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin

5 drops peppermint essential oil

 

Mix all the ingredients in a small spray bottle.

To use: Shake well, and spray on your underarms as needed throughout the day.

 

 

Lemon & Sage Deodorant Spray

Makes approx. 2 ounces

Mist on your underarms as needed throughout the

day.

 

3 tablespoons witch hazel extract

2 teaspoons sage tincture (extract)

1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin

10 drops of tea tree essential oil

15 drops of lemon essential oil

 

Mix all of the ingredients in a small spray bottle.

To use: Shake well, and spray on your underarms as needed throughout the day.