A while back, I learned that many commercial deodorants contain harmful compounds and chemicals like aluminum, triclosan, parabans, and phthalates. Astounded by this new found information I was inspired to make my own deodorant.
The effects of the aforementioned chemicals may not present themselves immediately, but the accumulation of them inside ones body over time will disrupt natural functions of the thyroid, lymphatic and endocrine systems of the body. These very crucial systems help balance fluids, flush toxins, maintain a healthy immune system and manage the production and regulation of hormones. The disruption of these systems can increase the risk of breast cancer in women, trigger early puberty in girls and boys as well as decrease sperm counts in men. So, what do you say I guide you through the steps to make your own natural deodorant? Awesome.
Below is my original recipe which I’ve refined over the years. It'll create a highly effective, gentle and moisturizing deodorant. When used everyday a 2oz jar is a 1 – 3 month supply for one person.
Gentle and Effective Homemade Deodorant
Yield: 12 oz
Prep Time: 15 min.
Make & Clean-up Time: 1 ½ – 2 hrs.
Equipment Needed
6 – 2oz glass jars OR 1 – 12 oz glass jar
1 - double boiler OR 4 cup measuring cup (w/open ended handle) & a 3 qt. pot
rubber spatula
immersion blender
stovetop or hot plate
blank labels
kitchen towel
hot pad or oven mitt
kitchen scale
glass bowls
spoon or scoop
glass rubber topped droppers
Ingredients
4 ¼ oz unrefined shea butter
3 ¼ oz unrefined coconut oil
3 1/8 oz baking soda
2 ¼ oz arrowroot powder
¼ oz vitamin E oil (optional)
Potential Essential Oil Blends (optional)*
30 drops lavender & 60 drops bergamot
40 drops himalayan cedar wood, 25 drop juniper berry & 15 drops whole juniper
*Get creative and create custom scents with your favorite essential oils.
Weigh out the shea butter and coconut oil into the top portion of the double boiler OR open handled measuring cup, set aside. Next, weigh out the baking soda and arrowroot powder into glass bowls, set aside. Add ½ inch – 1 inch of water to the bottom portion of the double boiler, place it onto the burner and turn the heat on to medium - high. Set the top portion of the double boiler upon or into the water filled bottom portion of the double boiler. Once the water begins to gently simmer, turn the heat to medium - low. Slowly melt the oils, stir occasionally breaking up any large chunks.
When the oils are fully melted, remove the oil filled vessel from the heat, place onto a towel and wipe any water from the sides of the vessel. Slowly add baking soda and arrowroot powder to the melted oils, stir well to incorporate.
Submerge the immersion blender into the mixture and blend on high until smooth. To achieve a whipped body butter texture, allow the mixture to cool until it becomes the consistency of thin buttercream frosting. Do so by placing the filled vessel into the freezer in 15 minutes increments over the course of 45 minutes - 1 hour. Each time you pull the mixture from the freezer, blend it on high for 1 – 2 minutes. Additional blending will discourage separation of the oils and powders while incorporating air into the deodorant to create a smooth, creamy final product. If a whipped texture is not your goal, allow the mixture to cool at room temp 30 - 45 minutes, blending a few times as it cools. If you choose to not whip the deodorant it may separate a bit during the final cooling phase.
Once cooled and blended well, add the essential oils and vitamin E oil (if using), stir well with a spatula, pour the deodorant into the jar/s and allow the mixture to cool, uncovered about 1 hour. When the jars are cool to the touch, screw on the lids and label your deodorant with the contents and date. Store in a cool, dark place where your deodorant will keep 6 month – 1 year, or longer. To use: apply a fingertip worth of deodorant to each underarm daily or as needed. Enjoy!
Sources
https://www.britannica.com/science/lymphatic-system
https://time.com/4394051/deodorant-antiperspirant-toxic/