by Jennifer Sartell of Iron Oak Farm
Beeswax works as a great addition to homemade beauty products. Not only is it natural, and slightly microbial, it acts as a consistency stabilizer in moisturizing products like lotion bars, lip balm and in this case, homemade deodorant.
Why make your own deodorant?
Chemical free deodorant is especially important for women. The lymph nodes in your arm pits help eliminate toxins in the breast tissue. Many ingredients in store bought deodorants contain chemicals that mimic hormones and might be linked to breast cancer. Because of this, I try to let my arm pits carry out their elimination function as naturally as possible, without lathering on store bought antiperspirants everyday. In fact, if I’m being honest here, I only use deodorant if I’m going out in public. I’ve found that with time, I’ve weaned myself from having to use deodorant everyday, and I promise I don’t smell!
Dark armpits
Another benefits of using homemade deodorant is that I no longer get discoloration under my armpits. I also get less ingrown hairs.
There are a ton of homemade deodorant recipes on the internet, all containing similar ingredients. The most common items are:
Beeswax: to help harden the deodorant and a skin protectant
Coconut oil: which acts as a moisturizer and stabilizes the product, but melts against the skin
A moisturizing oil like avocado oil or Shea butter
Cornstarch or arrowroot for antiperspirant property
Baking soda for deodorizing
And essential oils for both function and scent
Melt the solid ingredients in a pot on low or in a double boiler and stir in the rest of the ingredients off heat. Pour into an old, empty deodorant tube, or use in a dish and apply with your fingers like a balm.
I’ve found that equal portions of Beeswax, Coconut oil and cornstarch make for a good base. The addition of moisturizing oils is experimental. If the oil is solid at room temperature, try using a half portion. If the oil is liquid, try using a sixteenth.
I’ve tried several recipes online and always end up tweaking the formula. Most tend to be a little too lotion-y for my taste so I add more beeswax.
My skin also loves Avocado oil so I experimented and found a way to incorporate that into the mix. I’ve found that the addition of tea tree oil helps with odor causing bacteria and seems to stop ingrown hairs from being a problem.
It’s important to have a good understanding as to what natural products work well with your skin, the rest is the fun of mixing and trying different things.
For specific recipes try:
Deodorant Bar Recipe by Wellness Mamma
Homemade Deodorant by Homestead Revival
Natural Homemade Deodorant by The Humbled Homemaker
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Hurry, entry ends 31 January 2015.
6 Comments
I have found in my work with essential oils and beeswax, since 1995, that rosemary is excellent for killing the bacteria that makes odor. You can even use aloe vera juice, tee tree and rosemary for a “spray on” under the arms, with no concerns for the clothing you’re wearing. One of the best benefits I’ve found also, is you can use it after the odor is apparent. You can’t do that with mainstream deodorant.
I would love the recipe for this spray on deodorant
Do use alcohol and water?
Thanks
Do you have a suggested substitution for the coconut oil? I am allergic to coconut which is why I’m interested in making my own body products. TY
Try Shea butter or mango butter instead of coconut oil. You might have to adjust the beeswax for consistency.
i love the look of your products .i live in scotland and would like to purchase some of your items s this possible
Hi- I did this recipe now twice, both times with the same result- once cold, it gets rock hard, like cold beeswax, and I know this is not the consistency looking for- any tips how to avoid that? thanx 🙂