DIY Non Toxic Deodorant

Truth be told, deodorant in particular kind of freaks me out. The way we pack it full of toxins and chemicals that have been linked to cancer and Alzheimer’s is insane to me. But when healthy options are messy or just ineffective, it’s hard to feel like you have any options to begin with.

Since my sister passed away from breast cancer, I am so much more aware of the cancer-causing toxins we put in out body everyday. This article on Cancer.gov explains exactly how antiperspirants link to cancers and is a pretty eye-opening read.

But, when I began using natural deodorants in the store, I was frustrated by how expensive and ineffective they were.

So, I did a little research…

I tweaked and played with so many ingredients and am proud to say that this non toxic deodorant recipe is the easiest, most effective homemade deodorant stick I’ve found so far. At the time of this writing, I’ve been using this deodorant recipe for well over a year with great results. Now I get to share it with you!

The thing I love most about this non toxic deodorant recipe is that every ingredient is there on purpose. There are no fillers, crazy stuff, or useless additives. Even the essential oils we’ll use as fragrance have antibacterial properties to combat odor-causing bacteria. Here’s a breakdown of each ingredient and why it’s important:

Why Each Ingredient Matters

Coconut Oil:

Did you know that coconut oil is antibacterial? We’ve loved it’s moisturizing and cleansing abilities for years but had no idea is actually protects against odor-causing bacteria!

Beeswax:

If you’ve ever had razor burn on your armpits, beeswax is your secret best friend. It’s anti-inflammatory properties help wounds heal faster. It also contains Vitamin A, (which is great for skin) creates a healing barrier for your skin without clogging pores, and gives your deodorant stick more stability so it forms a more uniform stick.

Baking Soda:

Chances are, if you looked in your grandma’s fridge as a kid, you would find an open box of baking soda. It was there simply because it helped keep odors away. Baking Soda really is a great antibacterial that is also a mild exfoliant for your skin. It can also shrink pores to reduce sweat naturally without clogging pores.

Corn Starch:

After all the shaving and damaging deodorants of the past, our underarms sure could use a little extra love. That’s why corn starch is included in this recipe. Corn Starch is an excellent natural remedy for skin irritations. It calms and soothes irritated, sensitive skin while simultaneously giving your deodorant stick a more solid texture.

Bentonite Clay:

While every ingredient in this deodorant recipe is valuable, Bentonite clay just may be the biggest player. Bentonite Clay absorbs odors (similar to Baking Soda) but also absorbs toxins from your skin by creating a leaching effect around your underarm lymph nodes. This is where so many toxins are stored. It also effectively eliminates chaffing by soothing your skin. All of these qualities make Bentonite Clay a must for this natural deodorant recipe but the most impressive of them all is this: It actually extracts existing aluminum from the skin.

Yup. Adding Bentonite Clay to your deodorant actually reverses the damage left behind from past deodorants. Magic right?

Lavender Essential Oil:

Last but not least, we’re going to make the entire thing smell incredible with some Lavender essential oil. Lavender calms the mind and reduces stress, but also plays a powerful role in your underarm health. Lavender Essential Oil also kills odor-causing bacteria, reduces inflammation, and unclogs pores. These qualities make it the perfect ingredient to make a well rounded, impactful natural deodorant recipe. I get my best essential oils here.

Non Toxic Deodorant Ingredients:

*Makes 4 full-size deodorant sticks

• 1 cup Organic Coconut Oil
• 1/2 cup Beeswax Pellets
• 6 tsp Baking Soda
• 6 tsp Corn Starch
• 2 tbsp Bentonite Clay
• 30 drops Lavender Essential Oil

You will also need several empty deodorant cases. I save and recycle mine but if you don’t have any on hand, I recommend these Empty Cardboard Deodorant Containers from Amazon.

How To Make A Homemade Deodorant Stick In 5 Steps

1. Mix all the ingredients into a ceramic/glass bowl
2. Microwave for 10 seconds at a time, stirring with a wooden spoon until all the ingredients are melted together
3. Let cool for roughly ten minutes, or until the mixture is still pourable yet thicker in consistency.
4. Pour into an empty deodorant mold.
5. Let cool and harden completely before using.

I really, really have loved creating and using this simple deodorant recipe and hope you love it too. By using quality ingredients and making my beauty products, we can all elevate our beauty experiences and bring more creativity to our self-care routines.