Make Your Own Deodorant
Why Make Your Own Deodorant?
A little over 10 years ago I started learning more about the toxins in the products that we use in our homes, on our bodies, and in our food and it was alarming. If you’re at all curious, download the “Think Dirty” app and scan some of the products around your home to see how your favourite products rank.
It was then that I realized my deodorant, among other products in my home, was ranked very poorly so I started switching to healthier options in all areas. Unfortunately some of the alternatives proved to be quite a bit more expensive than their conventional versions and so I started to look for ways to make my own. Though this was largely related to the content of the products I was replacing, it had a useful side benefit of being low waste as I could purchase large quantities of the base ingredients and reuse my old deodorant container for the finished product, thus reducing plastic waste.
I’ve tried several deodorant options and this is the one that works for me! I found the recipe several years ago on an essential oils forum, purchased the base ingredients from a local supplier, and cleaned and refilled my old deodorant containers.
Recipe and Instructions
Ingredients:
1/3 cup coconut oil
3 TBSP beeswax (grated or pellets)
2 TBSP shea butter
1/3 cup arrowroot powder (thickener)
2 TBSP baking soda (reduce to 1 TBSP if this is too harsh on your skin)
10-15 drops essential oil (optional)
This recipe makes enough to fill two deodorant containers
Instructions:
1. Clean old containers: I soaked mine in boiling water and then gave all the pieces (including the little ones inside) a scrub with dish soap, let them air dry and then reassemble.
2. Melt coconut oil, beeswax, and shea butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir continuously until melted.
3. Once completely melted remove from heat and whisk in arrowroot powder and baking soda. Then add essential oils and mix quickly as mixture thinkens when it cools.
4. Pour into two empty deodorant containers and let homemade deodorant sit until completely set (likely a couple of hours).
Other Considerations
It’s easy to apply – just like conventional deodorant. Most of the ingredients have shelf lives of approximately two years. As such I would imagine that this deodorant should be usable for the same time period but I generally make small batches so haven’t experimented with longevity.
My cost for one container of this deodorant $2.72, though it may differ depending on the prices of the ingredients that you’re able to source in you’re area.
If you try it, please let us know how it goes. Use something else that works? Please share!
Containers cleaned and ready to be re-used 
Pouring the melted mixture into containers 
Filled and ready to go!
8 Comments
Kyra | LoveKyra.co.uk
This is so cool! I never thought to actually make my own deodorant and it must be better than those aerosols with all those chemicals!
-Kyra xx
A Sustainably Simple Life
I love being able to pronounce and identify every ingredient in the deodorant! Feels a lot healthier 🙂
Thanks for commenting!
aimsysantics
I have been thinking about making my own deodrant for a while, but just haven’t got around to experimenting with it. I will have to try your recipe! I like that there are natural ingredients in this, banishing those harsh chemicals!
Thanks for sharing!
Aimsy xoxo
Aimsy’s Antics
A Sustainably Simple Life
Let us know how it goes if you do try it! It’s been a great swap for us and it’s really easy to make once you have the ingredients.
Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
glowsteady
I’ve heard so much about how bad regular deodorants can be, I really need to look into more natural options that still do the job properly. Unfortunately I can’t use coconut so I’ll have to skip on this one x
Sophie
A Sustainably Simple Life
It is amazing once you start looking at ingredients what is hidden in our products.
We haven’t found a substitute for coconut oil in this recipe, but we will update the post if we do!
Thanks for commenting! 🙂
unapologeticallykelly
This is a great idea! I’m all for looking at alternatives, especially ones that are more sustainable and healthier. Definitely going to have to have a try of this recipe. Great post!
A Sustainably Simple Life
Let us know how it goes when you try it! We love that this is better for our bodies and also saves plastic from the landfill 🙂
Thanks for commenting!