Easy DIY Coconut Oil Deodorant with Essential Oils

This recipe makes an easy to apply paste, and it’s great because it’s made with ingredients you likely have in your kitchen. Most things I read about homemade deodorants say that arrowroot is preferable, but I used cornstarch when I made it since that’s what I had on hand. This is a small recipe, since I wanted to make a couple different ones with essential oil blends, though it is easily doubled.

This recipe is perfect for the cooler weather we’re having. In the summer it will likely be necessary to add a couple melted tablespoons to the coconut oil before mixing to make it firmer since coconut turns into a liquid at 76 degrees.

Ingredients:

•    3 tbs. coconut oil
•    2 tbs. baking soda
•    2 tbs. arrowroot powder or organic (non-GMO) cornstarch
•    10 drops of essential oils (you can adjust the amount more or less depending on how strong of a scent you prefer)  

My favorite oils to use in this are a mixture of patchouli and cedarwood since I love their scent, but you can use whichever oils you prefer. If you have issues with body odor, adding a few drops of tea tree oil to the mixture can be beneficial. I would avoid cinnamon and citrus oils however, since they may be irritating.

Also, some people find that baking soda bothers their skin. If you find that to be the case, reduce the amount of baking soda in the recipe to see if that takes care of the issue. Additionally, if you apply this deodorant right after shaving under your arms, it may sting. It’s best to wait 30 minutes after shaving under arms before applying if you have sensitive skin.

Directions:

1. Combine baking soda and arrowroot/cornstarch in a medium bowl and mix thoroughly.

2. Add in coconut oil and mix with a fork until well mixed, breaking up any lumps in the coconut oil.

3. Mix in essential oils

4. Store in small jar or container with a lid and apply as needed!

Homemade Natural Deodorant with Essential Oils

This is a simple homemade deodorant recipe that uses basic ingredients (most of which you may even have in your pantry).  It's easy to make and works really well for controlling odor.

•    1/4 cup corn starch or arrowroot powder (we have non GMO cornstarch at the store)
•    1/4 cup baking soda
•    3 Tbs. coconut oil
•    ½ a 1 oz bar of beeswax
•    9 drops tea tree oil
•    9 drops of other essential oils*

This recipe uses tea tree oil, which is naturally antibacterial.  Feel free to use whichever oil you prefer for the second essential oil- lavender, sandalwood, bergamot, patchouli, or whichever oils you prefer.  I used patchouli (since I love it).  This is a lightly scented deodorant, so if you would like it to be stronger, increase the amounts of essential oils.  

The first thing to do is to prepare your materials (we sell empty deodorant containers at the health food store).  

Many deodorant recipes recommend grating beeswax before melting, but I feel like this is an unnecessary step, that just makes more of a mess to clean up.  Cut your bar in half and melt in a double boiler (or a bowl resting over a small pan of water).  I’m saving the other half of my beeswax bar to make another batch of lip balm.

Once melted, add the coconut oil and stir until it has melted and combined with the melted beeswax.

Combine the remaining ingredients except the essential oils and mix well.  Once the mixture has cooled somewhat, add the oils and stir to combine.

Spoon the melted mixture in your deodorant container and let cool.  I needed to spoon in a bit at a time, and then tap the deodorant container on the counter to make the mixture go all the way to the bottom so I was able to fill my container up all the way.

If you’re using one of the empty deodorant containers we sell at Pass Health Foods, be sure to put the seal in the bottom before you start filling the container.

Let your deodorant sit overnight before using so it has enough time to solidify and harden.

NOTE: This deodorant is thicker than conventional deodorant.  I found the best way to use it was to roll a bit on and then rub the excess in.  Since it is a little thicker than conventional deodorant it should also help with controlling wetness somewhat, due to the cornstarch.