By now most of us know how toxic deodorant is. Or can be. With synthetic fragrances, aluminum and anti perspirants. It’s good to sweat and as you clean up your life, inside and out, you sweat less and it doesn’t stink. At least this has been my experience.
I began making my own bath and body products 12 years ago when I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Before my diagnosis I found myself reacting to everything with rashes and swelling. I was buying a lot of health store shampoos, soaps, conditioners, cleaning products, deodorants and so on… nothing was working and it all exacerbated my issues. Thats when I started learning about DIY… everything ha ha!
I’ve played around with ingredients based on what I buy in bulk and consider staple pantry items. I choose items that are multi purpose and over the years this has simplified how I shop and saves us money.
I experimented making deodorant without baking soda because I found it irritated my skin, however, it just didn’t work the same regarding odor control. I discovered kaolin clay and found that I could lower the baking soda, increase the kaolin and the product was soothing and still controlled odor. I experimented with a lot of different clays and found the best to be white kaolin clay as it absorbs beautifully and doesn’t stain clothing.
I typically don’t use a lot of coconut oil on my skin as it dries it out, but I find coconut oil in this helps with the consistency, dries well amd is anti bacterial. I wanted to use beef tallow because I love animal based skincare. It’s full of fat soluble vitamins that nourish our bodies inside and out and it absorbs beautiful.
This deodorant is a paste in warmer weather and hardens into more of a tradition bar of deodorant in winter.
I prefer to store it in a glass jar and dip a little out to rub on. I just don’t like to use plastic if I can help it. I have re-used plastic deodorant containers but they’re tedious to properly clean.
The benefit of a glass jar is you can reuse it easily, and it’s easy to disinfect. I spray isopropyl alcohol in my glass jars and wipe clean. Allow them to sit and fully evaporate/dry while I put the recipe together. This is importat as I don’t use preservatives for this recipe, rather I use shelf stable ingredients and do not let them come into contact with water/liquid. I’ve had my deodorant last well for a year. That’s just about the time frame in which I use mine up.
I used to sell this and I added hormone balancing essential oils. This also makes a lovely handmade gift for any crunchy friends or family. This was one of my best sellers too when I used to do markets.
Feel free to give as gifts, use for yourself or even sell this lovely non toxic deodorant if you sell handmade skincare and you’re looking for new products to add to your line.
This is not an anti perspirant deodorant. It’s actually not healthy to use anti perspirants as our bodies need to sweat. I do find I sweat less the better I eat. However, this does absorb beautifully and provides excellent odor control.
That’s a few of the ingredients and why I use them. Here’s the recipe and how I put it together:
Probiotic Deodorant
1/2 Cup Coconut Oil
1/4 Cup Beef Tallow
(I render my tallow from a local butcher or buy Grassfed tallow from Gemstone Beef here in Alberta. They ship throughout Alberta amd Canada)
1/2 TBSP Bees wax
(I buy my bees wax in a block from a farm in Ontario. It’s rather tedious to cut and clean my knife but I love the honey scent of raw beeswax so it’s worth it to me. Bees wax can be purchased in pellet form for a more convenient way to measure)
1/2 Cup Arrowroot Powder
1/2 Cup White Kaolin Clay
1/4 Cup Baking Soda
*optional: 1 probiotic capsule. I use a multi strain probiotic that I purchase at Costco from the brand Jamieson. I do think this helps with preservation and odor.
Essential oils:
Sometimes I don’t add essential oils because I prefer scent-free products. When I made and sold this my customers wanted a healthy non synthetic scent. I chose essential oils that help with bacteria and odor control. I also chose hormone balancing oils based on Valeria Ann Worwood’s Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy.
5 Drops Chamomile
5 Drops Frankincense
10 Drops Geranium
10 Drops Tea Tree
5 Drops Lavender
*use the essential oils you prefer or keep it scent free.
Begin by melting the oils in a double boiler.
While the oils are melting, mix the dry ingredients together in another bowl.
Once the oils are melted carefully pour and whisk the oils into the dry ingredients until there are no lumps.
Before adding any essential oils I allow my batter to cool and set. I typically begin cleaning up my work space and going back and forth to whisk the deodorant until it’s thickened and cooled off.
Once cooled, add the probiotic.
Now add your chosen essential oils.
I hope you enjoy making and using this recipe!
Warmest Blessings,
Ashley
