This is a DIY detoxing deodorant that my husband and I have been using for years. Dry ingredients can be adjusted depending on sensitivities and/or detox needs. For example, if you are extra sensitive to baking soda, eliminate the 1 TBSP baking soda and replace it with 1 TBSP Arrowroot Powder.
Ingredients
- 1 tsp organic beeswax pellets
- 2 TBSP organic coconut oil
- 2 tsp shea butter
- 4 TBSP arrowroot powder
- 1 TBSP baking soda
- 1 TBSP organic food grade bentonite clay
- 8-10 drops good quality essential oils (we love lavender—works well for guys & gals)
Instructions
- Combine beeswax, coconut oil and shea butter in glass bowl and heat over boiling water (i.e., double boiler) and stir until oils are melted.
- Combine arrowroot powder, clay, and baking soda in a separate bowl.
- Pour the heated oil into the powder mixture and stir until smooth.
- Let cool slightly, and then add essential oil of your choice, stirring some more.
- Store in small containers.
Notes
- The bentonite clay used in this recipe matters! We have tried using other brands and colors of clay. After much experimentation (and cost), we always come back to this one. The others do not help manage odor as well. Here is our tried and true: organic food grade bentonite clay
- I use 2 small glass jars to store the deodorant because the consistency is slightly damper than regular “commercial” deodorant, and it might go on too thick if using a stick (versus a pea size amount with your finger). Here’s another change some struggle with—you have to get used to touching your arm pits when you use this deodorant. The benefit of touching your pits is that your lymph nodes get a little massage at the same time. Don’t worry, your pits love you and want the attention.
- Important note—this deodorant keeps you from getting stinky but doesn’t necessarily stop you from sweating (which is what our body is supposed to do). Sweating helps remove toxins from our body naturally. If you are going to be sweating a lot and haven’t been detoxing, keep this in mind.
- Some people’s arm pits detox when first using a natural deodorant such as this. If you notice a not-so-great odor when you first start using this deodorant, it’s just your body detoxing un-needed chemicals. This doesn’t usually last long and is worth bypassing all the nasty ingredients (especially aluminum) in some commercial deodorants.
- You may find that over time your body doesn’t need deodorant every day (if at all) once your arm pits are properly detoxed.
Our recipe was adapted from the Detoxing Homemade Clay Deodorant recipe found at https://simplelifemom.com. If you haven’t checked out Simple Life Mom yet, this is your sign. You can learn so much from Kelly—she is pioneering the way to help you successfully create your own products and natural remedies.
If you don’t want to create your own, you can purchase from her online at: https://www.etsy.com/shop/simplelifemom.
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash