Not a Secret Homemade Deodorant

crunched by Crunchy Betty on April 20, 2011
filed under Household, Natural Beauty Recipes, Skin

You know exactly what's in this homemade deodorant. It's not a secret.

It’s been seven months since I switched to 100% homemade deodorant.

The switch, it seemed like this HUGE DEAL that could ruin my life. Like, this monumental thing that might alienate all my friends and family. Like, scary. I mean, scary.

Guess what? It’s not that big of a deal.

In fact, it’s the smallest big deal I’ve ever dealt with. (And this is coming from someone who’s neurotic about which sea salt to buy.) It took about a week to get used to, and now I don’t even think about it anymore. It works, it’s inexpensive, and it contains zero aluminum. No brainer; no big deal.

Frankly, I’m madly in love with this homemade deodorant. So much so, that it was like pulling teeth to try a new recipe.

But, several people had pretty annoying issues with the baking soda and/or the cornstarch in that recipe. It can be itchy at times, and there was a rash or two reported.

So this is an awesome alternative to the baking soda/cornstarch one, if you’ve had issues. Or, if you just have a hankering for some super smooth and delightful pits (hello shea butter), give it a whirl.

It’s not a secret.

It’s all right here. Every ingredient. And every ingredient comes straight from nature.

Not a Secret Homemade Deodorant

Before we start, I have to tell a quick story.

When I first started making this deodorant, I had the bright idea to reuse a toilet paper roll to hold the deodorant. It turned out not being all that bright. The deodorant kind of seeped through the outside of the roll, so whenever I grabbed it, it would make my hands slick. Then, I realized I had no bright idea on how to cover it.

This is why, occasionally, you’ll see a toilet paper roll in the pictures.

(Here’s what I’m talking about:)

It was slick, so I fastened a paper towel around it with a hair band. Still couldn't think of a way to cover it, though.

After trying to work out the kinks for a while, I realized that it would be far easier to just push all of the deodorant into an old cleaned out deodorant container.

I’m so thankful I planned ahead and kept it all these months.

So, if you can figure out a way to make the toilet paper roll idea work, kudos! Share! Otherwise, I recommend using an old, cleaned out deodorant container for this recipe.

Your ingredients for Not a Secret Deodorant.

Above, you’ll see everything you need for this recipe. It includes coconut oil, shea butter, clay (I used bentonite, but you can use any type of cosmetic clay), beeswax, and a couple of essential oils. You might also try substituting cornstarch for the clay, if you don’t think it’s irritating and you don’t want to buy clay.

First, grate 1-1/2 Tbsp of beeswax and melt it with 4 Tbsp coconut oil over low heat.

You want to wait to add the shea butter until after the beeswax has all melted, because shea shouldn’t be heated for long, or it becomes gritty and not quite as pleasant.

Melting the coconut oil and beeswax on VERY low heat.

After the coconut oil and beeswax has melted, you’ll add in 1 Tbsp of shea butter.

At this point, you can probably remove it from the heat and just continue to stir until the shea has all melted, as well. It doesn’t take long, so don’t go far.

Maybe to the cupboard to grab a piece of chocolate. But no farther than that. Mkay?

Once the shea butter is nice and liquidy, as well, sprinkle in 4 tsp of clay (or cornstarch … though I haven’t tried cornstarch in this recipe, so you’re pioneering here and taking your chances).

Break out your whisk at this point, which you could have used all along, but forgot and grabbed your green spatula-spoon instead. Whisk everything well until it’s nice and sort-of creamy.

Sort-of-creamy homemade deodorant. Soon, it will be solid.

Drop in 20-25 drops of your essential oil. I actually cheated a little. I used 7 drops of rosemary essential oil and 7 drops of tea tree essential oil, for odor protection. But then I also added 10 drops each of sweet orange and ylang-ylang, because everything I make smells like sweet orange and ylang-ylang these days.

After you’ve whisked in your essential oils, you might want to place the pan in a cool water bath, just to help it all set up faster.

Mine really needed to set up faster.

Impatience is a virtue. Right? RIGHT?

Homemade deodorant, just chilling in a cool water bath.

Leave it there until it sets up a little bit, but not until it becomes solid. You should still be able to dip your spoon in and have the deodorant drip off slowly.

It will look something like this:

Ignore the toilet paper roll, please. Pretend it's a different container. A fancy one.

Once it’s beginning to set up, you’ll want to fill your container with it. If you’re using an old deodorant container, make sure it’s completely washed out (I also recommend boiling it for good measure) and that it’s rolled down all the way.

This recipe pretty much exactly filled the container you saw in the first picture (also what you’ll see below). But the little roller had to be rolled down completely to make room for all of it.

So once you have all your slightly liquid deodorant in the container, pop it in the freezer for 15-20 (or more) minutes to help it set up all the way.

The beeswax keeps the other ingredients a bit more solid, so it shouldn’t soften much until it’s heated by your skin while you’re putting it on.

Here’s what the final deodorant looks like in a close up.

Looks pretty, huh? Smells even prettier.

Just so you know what everything does in this recipe:

Coconut Oil: Softens, but especially adds extra antibacterial protection. Bacteria is what leads to stinkiness. Coconut oil is your best weapon.
Shea Butter: Softens (a lot). It will also most likely help with the little bumps you get from shaving.
Clay: Adds extra dryness protection. It will help at whisking away sweat and drying it up before it reaches your clothes. However, don’t expect it to work quite as well as antiperspirant (which contains the aluminum you REALLY want to avoid). They work in two very different ways.
Beeswax: This may help, a little, with the perspiration problem, but the main point of this ingredient is to give the deodorant a more solid feel, so it’ll stay in your container the way you want it to.
Tea Tree and/or Rosemary Essential Oil: These two oils are exceptionally antibacterial and antifungal, so they’ll work really hard at keeping any stinkiness from happening. Again, you can use any essential oil you’d like for scent (lavender, bergamot and lemon essential oils would be great as a substitution for tea tree and rosemary in terms of odor-stopping).

And here’s the printable recipe:

Not a Secret Homemade Deodorant

1-1/2 Tbsp grated beeswax or beeswax beads
4 Tbsp coconut oil
1 Tbsp shea butter
4 tsp clay (bentonite or other)
20-25 drops essential oil (tea tree, rosemary, lavender, lemon, bergamot, or a mixture of any listed)
Empty, clean, sterilized deodorant container

Melt the beeswax and coconut oil on very low heat, whisking often. Once melted, add in the shea butter and whisk a few times, then remove from the heat and continue melting. After that’s melted and you have a liquid, sprinkle in the clay and continue to whisk well until everything is combined. Drop in the essential oil, whisking still. Place the pan into a cool water bath, and leave for 5 minutes or until it just begins to set up. Spoon the mixture into your deodorant container and place it in the freezer for 20-30 minutes (or until completely hard). If, for some reason, it starts to get too soft on a hot day, just put it back in the freezer for a while.

What’s Your Deodorant?

What kind of deodorant do you guys use these days? Are you still sticking by the more traditional store-bought kind (you know, the kind they keep a “secret”)?

Have you switched over to a more natural brand?

Or are you one of the crunchy ones who’s used a homemade version for a while?

(If so, have you had any problems with it?)

In no-secrets-around-these-parts crunch!

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Not to mention, they have the best prices on essential oils I've seen on the internet. Click here to register and check it out.

http://themommybowl.com Deanna

I’ve been using a natural, but still store-bought deodorant. But I JUST bought some shea butter, because I’d seen other recipes for deodorant that used it. Sadly, I have no clay. I’m thinking of trying it with arrowroot starch. Thoughts?

Crunchy Betty

I’d give it a try. Actually, the next time I make my “regular” deodorant (which is still my favorite), I’m going to try arrowroot instead of cornstarch.

Let me know how it works for you, yeah?

Lianne

I used arrowroot when I made your previous deodorant recipe and it works awesome. I’ve been meaning to let you know how it turned out…ummm it rocks!!!! I love it so much, better than any other store bought shite Seriously though no icthing at all, luv the coconut oil, can you say smooth as a babies bottom! I can’t wait to try the vodka tip from today…I’m one of those hypo-extrasweaty people, though thankfully not etra smelly!!
Thanks so much for sharing!

Dawn

Swanson’s online has French Green Clay in capsules. It’s good for detoxing what’s inside too

ani

Oh this is so timely! I’ve been doing the coconut oil, baking soda deodorant stuffed into an old deodorant container which worked beautifully in the winter. But April in South Carolina has already yielded some 90 degree days and you know how coconut oil is with its 76 degree nonsense. I had a mess on my hands. Well, really on my pits. I was just using my fingers to apply so it wouldn’t be so messy but that makes the baking soda feel a bit more abrasive and well, you get the picture. Still works wonderfully – just messy. I’m going to try this one soon!

Crunchy Betty

90 degrees in APRIL? Holy moly. Did they move the equator over there and not tell us?

I actually like the way it feels to put BS/CS/CO deodorant on with my fingers. I always feel like my hands are just a little softer after that.

If the temperatures are that excessive around those parts, you might want to up the beeswax content to 2 Tbsp instead. Mine’s nice and solid, but I can see 90 degrees making it melt a bit.

Good luck!

Sister

Sister –

Will you make me some deodorant and bring it to my house? Maybe for Brett too? That would be a very nice sisterly thing to do. And in return, I will let you take care of my children. I’m very nice. (And I accidentally typed me children instead of my children the first time…I love it when I’m accidentally a pirate.)

Love,
Sister

Crunchy Betty

I told my mom this comment at lunch, and she laughed really, really hard. Harder than when I said funny things.

I think you’re her favorite.

(And, yes, I will bring some. Thank you for paying with your children.)

http://laffytaffydaphne.blogspot.com/ Rebekah

2 parts virgin coconut oil, 2 parts arrowroot, 1 part baking soda. Also lots of lovely lavender and rosemary EO. I love it. My husband even noticed a difference, which is to say that he didn’t notice anything… as opposed to the occasional nose-wrinkling I’d get when I was using store-bought stuff. haha. This is a keeper.

NOW. That said… sometimes I get little red bumps, but they aren’t a big deal to me. Also, VCO is supposed to be noncomedogenic, but that wasn’t my experience! When I first switched to this, I got rather painful swollen spots under both arms. Hard cysts just under the skin. Thanks to my crunchy knowledge, I used OCM to help clear up the inflammation, because it helps to cleanse pores. After about two days I was fine. Glad I stuck it out.

Crunchy Betty

I love the tip about the OCM to help with the swellings. That rocks.

It seems like there’s a lot of controversy over whether or not coconut oil is noncomedogenic, but frankly, I think it probably is. That being said, I’ve never had issues with it blocking pores under my arms at all. I probably wouldn’t use it on my face, though (except under the eyes to remove eye makeup).

Isn’t it awesome how well the mixture works, though? The VCO/BS/arrowroot (or cornstarch)? I only shower every other day, ’cause my skin doesn’t dry out when I do it less frequently. Even doing that, I never smell icky with that mixture. (Now, more than 48 hours without a shower … then things might get funny.)

Lindsey

I use “Crystal” deodorant, which is basically just an antibacterial mineral. You can get it in roll-on or solid, and the solid looks/feels kinda like a giant chunk of salt. It’s unscented, but most days I top it off with a tiny dab of perfume oil to smell extra nice.

Crunchy Betty

So, I love that you mentioned this, because when we were moving and life was crazy, I had run out of my normal homemade stuff, and I knew I wanted to do a new recipe. But time was short and I found myself at the store and just grabbed some Crystal Essence out of emergency. (Not sure if it’s the same brand you’re talking about.) I liked it for the two or three days I tried it, but I did feel like I needed to reapply twice a day. I got the Pomegranate smelling kind, which smelled great going on. Just didn’t feel like it lasted, y’know?

But I’m willing to bet $100 that it’s just like homemade deodorant; it takes your body a week or so to “adjust” to it.

http://themotherklucker.wordpress.com/ Jenny

Oh, Leslie! Your post couldn’t be more timely! I’ve been wanting to switch to something like this for a while, so thank you for this recipe! I’m embarrassed to admit I still use Secret, mainly because I like how smooth it makes my pits feel. This sounds like it would do the same thing without all the icky stuff, so I’m totally going to make this soon!!

Crunchy Betty

Here’s the kicker, for me. I had no idea how much Secret was actually drying OUT my underarms before I switched. Often, they felt kinda leathery or just coated with something dry. But I’d been using it for so long, I thought that’s just how my underarms felt.

The original recipe I use (which is still my absolute favorite) did something completely unexpected: It stopped razor burn and the little red bumps I’ve had after shaving since I was a teenager. I thought I would ALWAYS have those “shaving bumps” … and then they were just gone. Incredible.

laurab

i am super excited you posted this! like ani i live in the land of heat and my homemade deodorant has turned soupy of late. my fiance and i have been scooping in out of the deodorant container…which is fine, but it’s getting messy and annoying. i can’t wait to try this recipe out so we can have a clean medicine cabinet and good smelling pits!

Crunchy Betty

Haha! Good for you, getting your fiance to use the scoop method! Skip flat-out refused to use his fingers to apply his deodorant. I made him some of the original kind (with the baking soda and cornstarch) and put it in an old deodorant container, but it was too warm in the apartment and it kinda turned to soup, so he ignored it.

He’s going to use this new one, though. Here’s to boys with crunchy pits!

http://www.makeitbakeitbuyitfakeit.blogspot.com Stephanie

This looks awesome (and I love anything with beeswax). Any plans for a crunchy “roll-on” type deodorant?

Crunchy Betty

How weird. You’re the second person who’s asked recently. I don’t know how we’d work that, with the ball and all that stuff. A spray-on would be easy as pie. But I just had a BRIGHT IDEA (and you know how those go, right?). What if we could figure out a way to do a roll-on deodorant using an avocado pit as the roller?

You get on that. Figure THAT one out. Ha!

shalom

A roll-on for something like the original recipe would be great in hot weather. In cooler weather a baby bottle warmer or coffee cup warmer might work to soften it for use. I looked at the roll-on deodorant bottles in the store, but they aren’t designed for easy opening to refill them. I found refillable roll-on bottles at http://www.bestbottles.com/all_bottles/Perfume_vials_glass_bottles/roll_on_roller_bottles_frosted_black_silver_gold_white_caps.php

there may be other sources also.

shalom

This one says it is for deodorant. http://www.newdirectionsaromatics.com/deodorant-rollon-bottle-white-p-1549.html
This first link has glass bottles. I’m not sure if this one is plastic or glass, but it says it is for medium to heavy viscous liquids & to keep it tighly capped to prevent spills. The other one may be designed for thin liquids like perfumes.

http://www.mondaymorningva.com Dawn Martinello

love it! but I think I still like the original recipe. I never had any problems with the baking soda. And I love, love, love that it helps to get rid of the evil black bumps when you shave. smooth like a baby’s bum.

Hey, do you think it’s okay to re-melt my original deodorant? it’s in a wide mouth jar, but I want to cram it into a regular stick.

Crunchy Betty

Well, seriously, I don’t see any reason why you should even bother melting it. Just scoop it out with a spoon and press it into a deodorant container. It’s even easier that way, I’m sure.

The only thing about the original recipe (which is my fave, too) is that it tends to be a lot softer and melt easier. When I first made it, Skip made me put some in an old deodorant container for him. It turned to soup on a hot day, and he completely ignored it after then.

BUT, if you don’t have temperatures to worry about, go for it!

http://thesimplepoppy.typepad.com TheSimplePoppy

I’ve been using a homemade deodorant made with shea butter, coconut oil, cornstarch, BS, and glycerin for a year now. I have sensitive skin, but I’ve never had a rash or anything from mine. I particularly like the cornstarch in it because I feel like it makes my pits feel normal rather than slick, which would make me crazy. Converted my husband by force also, since I do the shopping, ha ha, no more horrendous Old Spice for him.

Crunchy Betty

UGH. Old Spice. I like the idea of doing kind of a mash-up with this recipe and the original one (which is just about exactly like what you’re saying), AND vegetable glycerin. I bet that adds a good bit of softness, too. I’ll have to try your method out next time. I have to admit, I’m missing the BS in this one.

Okay, so if you converted your husband away from Old Spice, can you come and lay the smack down on Skip and tell him there ARE other options to Axe body spray? It’s the one thing I can’t break him of doing (but only when he heads off to work). He only does it outside the door, but it totally wafts into the apartment, and I cry.

kimelah

And here I thought Old Spice was something Good. When my son began needing pit-stick, that’s what I bought for him, simply because it was the only “male” deodorant smell I could handle. And also because of the neat saying, “If your grandfather hadn’t worn this, you wouldn’t be here.” He knows I make my own, but he’s said he prefers Old Spice.

I feel like I’ve lead him down the wrong path, and now he won’t listen to me when I tell him I was wrong.
Oh well, it’s a slow death, and always time to turn around and do something different.

http://thesimplepoppy.typepad.com TheSimplePoppy

I found that the easiest, and perhaps meanest way of getting a guy to stop using something, is to suggest, vaguely, that you read somewhere you can’t remember now, that some of the ingredients might cause his [fill in the blank] to fall off, stop working, or shrivel up. I know my man is too lazy to actually verify it, but it strikes a chord of terror in his heart that allows me to replace said product with homemade. Also, men can get breast cancer, and that’s not a vague lie, and they think their might be links to regular deos and breast cancer.

kimelah

HAHA! Yeah, I thought about that. And then I just told him that I’d read that Old Spice was a really bad deodorant, and you know what he said??? “So make me some!”
Easy as pie.
It was anticlimactic.

Lissa

I sweat enough that I use prescription deodorant. Even that prescription-strength stuff next to the regular ones at the store didn’t cut it. I tried the recipe with baking soda during my spring break, hoping that after a week-long detox period it would work for me, but gave it up when I was still dripping after about nine days. I’m nervous enough when I perform without pit stains! There was, however, no stink (not something that the regular strength deodorant always did) and my pits were lovely and soft.

I plan on trying again during the summer. Hopefully it just needs more time–I love the idea of making my own deodorant.

Crunchy Betty

I have a friend who has issues with excessive sweating/hyperhidrosis. I wish SO much there was some real natural option for you guys. If I ever, ever run across anything, I’ll be sure to pass it on. I know she’s bummed about it often; she even used prescription-strength for a while, and it didn’t work. But she’s looking for a natural option, anyway.

You might TRY the idea in the post I just put up, but I don’t know if it will really help. I doubt it’s anything even resembling a cure-all, though.

The good news: Sweating’s good for you. You’re getting rid of lots of icky toxins. So yay for that. Right?

Lissa

Yes, sweating is good for me; this is what my mother says every time I fill the prescription. If there was a way to sweat less without being dessert-dry I would take it. However, I don’t think that the toxins are an issue since I don’t sweat excessively anywhere else even when I’m using the prescription.

Sometimes I just wish there was someway for my body to tell me what’s up. In English. Although I suspect most of it would be in the way of “C’mon, stupid brain! Why haven’t you realized this already!”

http://lucilleinthesky.com Lucy

Oh I am soooo glad you posted about homemade deodorant. Too many people are still ignorant to the fact that many deodorants contain carcinogens. Scary! Especially because you’re spreading it onto sensitive breast tissue. I don’t wear deodorant often, and when I do, I use Tom’s. I’d rather make my own though. Perhaps I will one of these days, using your recipe of course.

Crunchy Betty

A-men, lady! That’s the part that scares me the most, especially knowing how the aluminum is actually DESIGNED to go into your pores and change things around (and ultimately send bad things back into your body). Thinking of how close that is to the breasts, and how HUGE the rise in breast cancer has been … I dunno. Just seems like a no-brainer, there.

SarahQ

Just had to say – I made the BS/CS/CO deodorant about….a week and a half ago? 2 weeks maybe? and have been using it ever since. I LOVE IT. I am never going back. I’ve also had the pleasant experience of softer armpits with NO MORE razor burn, including one bump that’s been under my armpit since I began shaving half a lifetime ago. Literally. I’m 31. I thought it was permanent. Also pleased to report that the occasional shooting pains that stemmed from my pits into my chest and down my upper arms appear to have disappeared. Freakin’ miracle. Perhaps it’s too soon to tell about the shooting pains, because they were fairly rare to begin with, but definitely there. I’m not in the least bit worried and I’m pretty sure I’ve found the culprit. I do regular self-breast exams and will continue to do so. Scary! You may have saved my life or at least my cleavage! Thanks!

SarahQ

Oh I also wanted to add that I did modify the original recipe a little, so it was 6 Tbsp coconut oil, 3 tbsp each of the baking soda and corn starch. I also did reheat and add lemon essential oils to it a day later, because I didn’t have it when I originally made the deodorant. I reheated it by putting the glass container it’s in in a bowl of hot tap water (not on the stove) and waiting until it started to melt. Once I could move it around, I stirred it and that melted the center up well enough to add the essential oil. It re-solidified perfectly. I also painted the lid to say “Mmmmm…… You smell pretty” I love affirmations I also love this blog!

Adrienne

Any comments from anyone about whether this stuff stains clothes?

I actually just go without deodorant, and 90% of the time I have no problems with that. I’m looking for something that I can use once in a while, and all I keep thinking with these is that the coconut oil MUST stain clothes.

Any advice on this would be appreciated!

Crunchy Betty

You know, it has never stained a single thing I’ve worn. I think your body absorbs it well enough that it’s a non-issue. It wouldn’t be much different than putting lotion on your arms and then putting a shirt on. I have gotten coconut oil stains on a shirt after making something with it (but those were big globs), and they’re not fun to get out. But this … this has never stained at all. And, in fact, I’d never even considered the possibility that it might until now!

So the post I just put up (about the freshener) might work for you, if you don’t wear deodorant very often. That’s pretty awesome, by the way. I want to be that brave. (Although, where I live, I’d say 50% of the population doesn’t wear deodorant, so even if I was stinky, I’d fit right in … haha).

Adrienne

Thanks for that! I’ll give this a try for sure now.

As far as no deodorant: I used to sweat A LOT. Honestly, after a few months of no deodorant at all, I started to sweat much less and smell only rarely. I just pop into a bathroom and rinse off if I think I’m getting stinky. It DID take a month or two to get re-adjusted. (Just like with no ‘poo!)

It’s not as scary as it sounds. In fact, the reason I stopped using deodorant is because my boyfriend doesn’t use deodorant, and I had absolutely no clue until he told me. It was inspiring.

Thanks for all the info and humor, as usual! You make crunchy cool. I’m off to check out the freshener post.

http://www.TheLivingGreenSolution.com Lane’

I have a list of 101 things in 1001 days and making my own deodorant is on that list. Unfortunately, I just bought some of my other deodorant prior to making the list so I’m going to use it up first. I’m always curious what others have tried, what works, what doesn’t, so I’ll definitely give yours a try!

As for store bought brands, I LOVE Avalon Organics Rosemary Peppermint (it scores a 1 via the safe cosmetics database). It works amazingly well (for me at least) and I can’t imagine going to anything else (store bought). Another friend of mine has tried it and it didn’t work so well, so I’m sure each product works differently for each person – maybe I don’t sweat or perspire as much.

Thanks for the recipe!

Crunchy Betty

Well, I gotta say, if you’re going to try a homemade deodorant for the first time, I’d recommend the first recipe (not this one), only because it’s just outlandishly effective. This one works, but I don’t feel as “safe” with it as I did with the other one. I may just be FAR too emotionally attached to it, though. Ha.

Avalon’s deodorant is one I haven’t tried. Next time I need an “emergency deodorant” from the store, I’ll give it a whirl. LOVE rosemary and peppermint together. Yum!

http://www.TheLivingGreenSolution.com Lane’

I’ll definitely give your other one a try first.

In looking at Avalon Organics, it’s actually just alcohol and a blend of essential oils. That’s it. I’ve often thought of trying to reproduce it somehow, and I still may. Just be careful if you’ve just shaved as it can burn a little bit.

Crunchy Betty

That’s too funny. Check the post I just put up a minute ago. Synchronicity, at its best.

Rebecca

I was using the old version with baking soda and corn starch and ended up with horrible raw patches under my arms. Ouch! I tried modifying the recipe several different ways with the same painful result. However, my SO loves it and is still using the original recipe. I will definitely give this a try as soon as I can pick up some clay.

Crunchy Betty

Ouch, indeed. I always feel SO sad when I hear these stories, because it’s worked so, so well for me. I want everyone to be able to love it like that, too. Sigh.

But, I suppose everyone reacts to things in their own ways. This recipe is definitely, definitely not as potent (especially without the baking soda), and it hasn’t lasted quite as long for me as the first one. I can go a day without noticing anything, but with the baking soda one, I can do my typical every-other-day shower without stinking at all.

BUT it is effective, and my underarms are VERY soft. I would have occasional itching (not anything to complain about) with the first one, but this one … nothing at all. Just smooth and soft.

Pat

I tried the coconut oil/baking soda/cornstarch mixture as well and my pits kept breaking out. So lately I’ve just been rubbing a little plain VCO on them and they are smooth and I really haven’t had a problem with odor. If that doesn’t cut in the hot and humid Houston summer, though, I think I’ll try this recipe. Thanks for posting it.

Crunchy Betty

Nice! Definitely stick with what works, especially if you’re not having any issues with it. The simpler, the better … always.

http://vanessasmith.webs.com/ Vanessa

I made my first batch of homemade deo last week. I put it in one of those adjustable measuring cups (you know, the one that comes in two parts and holds everything in using the power of suction?). It was just sitting there, looking perfect, so I used it.

For scent I used peppermint EO (which leaves a really nice cool and tingly sensation), and Lavender EO, but I’m quickly learning that I didn’t use nearly enough, lol. I’m stinking up a storm as the weather gets warmer and warmer, and the deo isn’t really covering it.

Also, I had to shave and put the deo on without waiting this morning, and I was terrified, yet prepared for the inevitable burn once I put it on… it didn’t. It stung just a little at first, and then the peppermint kicked in and cooled it down nice and quick. However I might change the recipe with the next batch, I’m DEFINITELY keeping the peppermint in there. It’s been a life saver. Or, a pit saver. LOL.

As for the “absorbing part,” do you think talcum powder might work? Or does that have something to avoid in it? I just found a health and herb store in my area, but I get the feeling that they’re kind of only “following the line drawn for them” if you get what I mean. They’re not very knowledgeable. Like, when I went in, and I asked if they had soap nuts, and the guy looked at me like a I was crazy and said “Soap what? I ain’t never heard o’ one o’ them.”

Oddly, it was his grammar that bothered me more at the time, but I digress.

My point is, I need something just a bit more absorbing of the sweat than the cornstarch, and I can’t find clay anywhere near me. I suppose I could order it off the internet… but if I can get away cheaper (with something like Talcum powder), that would be more ideal for my current income. :/

Thank you for everything you do for us, Leslie! *huggles*

~Ness

Crunchy Betty

I actually stay away from talcum powder. There’s a good bit of controversy surrounding it, and it’s just one of those ingredients I find it easier to avoid than bother with. (Here’s a site that’s talking about why it might be harmful: http://www.preventcancer.com/consumers/cosmetics/talc.htm)

You’re not alone in the soap nuts weirdness. I went into a natural store here last week and asked the same thing. Got the EXACT same results, only with good grammar. Haha.

We’re just ahead of our time, girlfriend. That’s all it is.

I’m neither advocating nor discouraging the use of this, but I think you might find the premise of it interesting (and the video’s pretty fun, too). Just, you know, since we’re talking about affordable clay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-x6hCI9X0g

http://vanessasmith.webs.com/ Vanessa

ROFLMAO. OMG. THAT VIDEO.

You know, I actually DID think of that at one point. I think my issue was more that it has those rocks in it than the fact that it’s kitty litter, but I suppose you could ground it into powder (it IS just clay chunks, right?), or let it soak and then strain the water off.

I’d do a bit more searching and looking around before I make a decision, but I’ll let you know what I come up with and how it works!

~Ness

http://lisepunch.blogspot.com/ LisaLIse

A request:
would it be possible to do a crunchy dictionary of abbreviations for newbies and the other less abbreviation-savvy? In the comments to this posting alone I’ve run into the following
BS
CS
CO
VCO
OCM
EO (this one I figured out: essential oil)
as for the rest— heeeelp!

Haley

BS-baking soda
CS-corn starch
CO-coconut oil
VCO-virgin coconut oil (I think)
OCM-I’m still trying to figure this one out myself. Sorry I don’t have an answer for you/

laurab

OCM- Oil Cleansing Method
Check out Crunchy Betty’s post on the joys of OCM http://crunchybetty.com/nitty-gritty-on-the-oil-cleansing-method
shalom

I’ve also seen CO used for Castor Oil, see the OCM posts. It uses Castor oil. So the meaning of CO depends on the topic/recipe ingredients.

Beth

Yea!!! I had stopped using the icky store bought deoderants/antipers. a while ago, even before first recipe. Never quite found anything I liked/worked well. Tried first recipe from this site and it worked wonderfully for odor, even seemed to have helped for the days I forgot (carry over?). But… sadly, did produce some irritation to the pits despite efforts to tweak it. Sad. So, I have returned to store bought, natural versions of deoderant. They are ok at best so I am SOOOO EXCITED to see this recipe. Too bad local gas station doesn’t carry beeswax and shea butter or hubby would have made a run last night (although he didn’t know this is what he wouldv’e done)!! I am going to try this recipe hopefully RIGHT AWAY!!! Super excited. Did I already mention that?
Ronna

I have been using coconut oil/baking soda/corn starch for a couple of months now. I love it and I think it is working!!! One thing I do that is a little different is – before I apply it I wipe my arm pits with a cottonball soaked with witch hazel (the regular retail kind which has alcohol in it) I have no idea if that really helps but I believe it does so I guess that means it does! What I like about the witch hazel is that if you want to re-apply the deodorant later in the day without showering again you feel really clean like you are getting rid of any bacteria that may be hanging out in your arm pit. I do have sensitive skin but have had no rash or irritation problems…
jill

I did the regular type recipe, using arrowroot, baking soda, coconut oil etc. Now it worked for me, but really at my age, I can actually go without anything. I meant under my arms. My girls said it didn’t work, although I think maybe they didn’t give it an honest try. One day while I was putting some on my pits, I noticed my elbows were rough and dirty from working around the yard and leaning on them. So, why not, I rubbed the deo into my elbows, added a touch of water and rubbed away. Wow, I couldn’t stop looking at my own elbows.
As for the young girls who seem to stink worse than any jock, next time your at the drs., make sure your thyroid levels are getting checked. It also could be your diet. There are all kinds of reasons, kind of like allergies, can be very hard to track down. Process of elimination. My daughter who has hyperthyroid issues gets the worst BO and she uses prescription deo. I’m going to keep trying to work with them all to find the right recipe for each girl.
Also, on that hilarious video, I’ll continue to use my storebought bentonite clay, I don’t think there is quality control in the litter that cats are meant to poop in.
jeanette

I live in Arizona. It gets pretty hot and sweaty here. For the last few years I’ve been using coconut oil (just straight on the pits) and then I go over it with a dusting of powder from Lush (the fragrance I use is Karma). Seriously, I can go ALL DAY and not even stink. It’s amazing.
http://admin@accessfireprotection.com Shannongail

I talked to a nutritionist who told me if you stink, you need zinc. Also chorella is a natural internal cleanser. You don’t have to take them every day but for young ones who are growing and have major pit issues, try the zinc. It’s amazing.

Kat

Liquid chlorophyll is supposed to be a good internal deodorant…I think chlorella is just a common green algae and it has plenty of chlorophyll, so that might be why it is used for this purpose.

http://www.onepartsunshine.com/all-blogs Cindy @ OnePartSunshine

Thanks so much for the new recipe. I can’t wait to try it (although I do love the old recipe). Any other ideas for containers? I didn’t save an old deodorant container.
http://www.greenmomintheburbs.wordpress.com Jenn the Greenmom

I actually came across this INSANELY easy deodorant formula (http://duggansisters.com/lifestinks/lifestinks.php –but who wants to pay $27 for something I have in my pantry?) and honestly have never looked back. I put equal parts cornstarch and baking powder (both organic) into a little container and then put a few drops tea tree, lavender, and whatever else I feel like essential oil in (orange or rose geranium are nice)…then close it, shake it up, and pat a little in les pits every morning.

I never would have thought this would be enough, or do the trick, but–it’s amazing. And SO easy to whip up a little more when I run out. Makes a good dry shampoo too, and in a pinch I have sprinkled some into stinky shoes and it clears ‘em right out.

Superpowder, I should call this stuff.

Just a note, if anyone reads this who is thinking of shifting to the commercial to the natural stuff–when I made the transition (in summer, BAD idea) I had to wade my way through about two weeks of the stinkiest skunkpits imaginable, it was just disgusting. I was going into bathrooms washing under my arms every hour, and it still wasn’t enough. But once I got through that period, the skunkiness just went away, and now I have just normal stinkypits to worry about, and this powder totally does the trick.

FWIW!!
http://www.hildablue.com Hilda

Fantastic! I’m so making this one as soon as I have the time. Out of shea butter right now, I think I’ll use cocoa butter instead.
I made the passionate homemaking deodorant a while back (http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2010/02/homemade-all-natural-deodorant.html), but it’s given me really bad rashes. Even a week after I stopped using it (now I just use plain coconut oil or some diluted ACV) I still have really dry and dark red skin, looks really awful. I guess it’s the baking soda, but kind of weird since I remember making the same thing maybe a year back without any trouble.
Molly

I’ve just recently discovered the wonders of homemade laundry detergent, toothpaste, and deoderant…although my deoderant needed some tweeking–just used coconut oil, baking soda, and tea tree oil and my husband said that I smelled like a musty basement! Guess that’s better than smelling like BO He also loves that I come running out to the kitchen after a shower, to get my deoderant out of the fridge to put it on! I mix it up, smash it into an old store-bought deoderant container, and then store it in the fridge, so it won’t melt everywhere in the bathroom.
This is now my favorite deoderant: coconut oil, baking soda, tea tree oil, and lavender oil…couldn’t give you amounts, I just mix them as I go! I don’t sweat any more than I did using a “clinical” strenght store-bought deoderant, and I smell better and it’s better for me (and my pits!).
Here’s to cruchy pits (and teeth, and clothes, and …)!!!

Ciarabella

LOL! Molly I had to laugh at your comment that your husband likes it when you come running out of the bathroom, into the kitchen, for your homemade deodorant.

Ali

about a year ago i tried using aluminum-free deodorants (tom’s of maine and alba botanicals) and they just didn’t do it for me. i stuck it out for the whole tube with each, but i just got sweaty and stinky (enough that my s.o. pointed it out to me). since then i’ve been using almay fragrance free, which for some reason i thought was better but a quick check of the environmental working group’s cosmetics database (http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/) puts it at the same level as secret’s and dove’s fragrance free deodorants (3/10, where 0 is best).

anyway, i’m excited to try this homemade deodorant!
Elisa

I just switched to the homemade deodorant (the baking soda one, not this one, but for some reason it wouldn’t let me comment there). Anyways, I LOVE it. I sweat a LOT, but I sweat less with this deodorant. I added 5 drops of peppermint and 5 drops of lemongrass oil, and it smells so pretty!
Maria

I use Now Foods Long Lasting Deoderant Cream. Its white, you have to apply with fingers. I put it on at night so it absorbs and lessens the white staining on clothes. It works well, no odor, minimal sweating, and its natural! Love it! Here are the igredients:

Zinc oxide, talc, rice starch, calendula extract, arnica extract, vitamin E d-alpha, ascorbyl palmitate, citric acid. grapefruit extract in a base of safflower oil, beeswax, lanolin, and natural fragrance.
Angela

I read something about alcohol to help with extra sweaty people? Not me, but my husband is. I haven’t been able to find anything about alcohol. Can you help me?
Amber

I went and made this.
It was AWESOME
But before I did this, I used arm and hammers all natural deoderant
It actually worked pretty well.
Like, and 8.5 out of 10.

But this is better.
WAY BETTER
Melissa

I currently use the BS/CO/cornstarch one (love it), but wanted to make this one for the warmer weather. I’m out of beeswax, and didn’t really need to order anything else to warrant an online purchase. I see that AC Moore sells the pellets. Has anyone ever used those? Are they OK for personal use?

Melissa

Margie

I went to a farmers market and bought a pair of homemade beeswax candles, used a fine cheese grater and yanked out the wick when it was loose enough. Works fine. If you can get to a farmers market, there are always people selling honey and bee pollen, and they usually have a chunk of wax behind their table or some candles made up that you can use in a pinch.
Talk to the seller and make sure they haven’t done anything funky to the wax and you’re good to go.

andrea

Hmm…just made some of this finally and used bentonite clay. My deodorant is a very dark grey and just looks weird. I’m going to use it though and hopefully it will be OK. Are there different kinds of bentonite?
Melissa

lol. Andrea, I used rhassoul, which is even darker! I used it today (first time) and even though I tried to rub it into my skin, I’d be afraid dark gray would get all over my clothes if it gets too hot. Talk about pit stains!! I’ll save this for when I’m working around the house or something in old sweats………
Nicksterluv

Where does one buy such ingredients? I have no idea where to go to purchase the beeswax, coconut oil, shea butter, or cosmetic clay (so pretty much everything). But I really want to try this recipe, since I only have a few days left of my Old Spice!

Crunchy Betty

Well, you can get pretty much any of those things in places like Whole Foods or other natural foods stores. But my favorite place to shop for my ingredients is Mountain Rose Herbs. Also, my favorite, favorite coconut oil is Tropical Traditions, but you can’t find it in stores. Most stores (even regular grocery stores) now carry coconut oil, but you want to look for cold or expeller pressed. Nothing high heat. Good luck!

Nicksterluv

After buying the ingredients (which was super easy–I was anticipating having to run around town to get them), I made my first batch a few hours ago! I applied for the first time just now, and the consistency was much different than store-bought deodorant; is it supposed to be like that? It’s less Old Spice and more brownie batter. Is that normal? I smell hella good though, so I’m going to keep using it unless it gets all over my clothes or something. Just wondering if I maybe need to add more clay next time or something? Thanks!
Nicksterluv

After reading over what each ingredient does, I added a wee bit more beeswax to my second batch today and it turned out great! Huzzah!

Thelma

I have been using one of the homemade deodorants for a few days now and the problem I’m having is with the container. I can’t get it to roll up and down because the deodorant itself seems to be to hard. I put it in a bowl tonight with a lid. Going to apply it with my fingers from now on.
KarinSDCA

Finally a homemade deodorant withOUT baking soda or alcohol!!! I have super sensitive skin and both alcohol and baking soda BURN. I am very excited!!!!

I have some of the ingredients on hand, but need beeswax and dry/powdered clay before I can make it. I take hydrated bentonite clay internally, but it is expensive and I’ve been meaning to buy the powdered version anyway. Now I have two reasons to buy it!
Jack

Wonderful recipe! Except you will have to be careful with bentonite since its major component is aluminum…. and that is what you want to avoid, right? Bentonite and kaolin are frequently used in cosmetics but they are aluminum based so I would not let them stay on skin… it’s fine with a facial mask but with a stay on product I would give it a second thought… From person to person you have the option to reduce the quantity of baking soda to 10% or 5% of the recipe or replace it with aluminum free compunds like calcium carbonate or zinc oxide.
Keep up the good work!

Tamara

I love this recipe as im sensitive to baking soda as well, but i agree, i think i will leave the bentonite clay out.

http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/learn/bentonite.php

Bentonite Clay Profile

Origin- Wyoming/USA
Extraction- 100% naturally occurring and naturally quarry mined
Shelf life- Indefinite (4-5 years recommended)
Other Common Names- Sodium Bentonite, Sodium Montmorillonite, Wyoming Bentonite
Notes- The line of Bentonite clay offered by Mountain Rose Herbs is quarry mined from naturally occurring deposits and is untreated.
The variety being offered by Mountain Rose Herbs is a “Sodium Bentonite”, and is NSF certified and manufactured to ANSI/NSF 60 standards.

Specifications
Color- Light gray to off-white
Odor- Flat
Mesh Size- US #200 Mesh

Mineral Content
Silica- 61.4%
Aluminum- 18.1%
Iron- 3.5%
Sodium- 2.3%
Magnesium- 1.7%
Calcium- 0.04%
Titanium- 0.02%
Potassium- 0.01%
Moisture- 7.8%
pH – 8.3 – 9.1

Sara

I am seeing different ingredients for absorbing sweat – clay, arrowroot, baking soda, cornstarch. Which ones are the most effective? What are the pros and cons?
Trisarahtops7

After reading in this article, and others, the harmful effects of commercial deodorant, I decided that I was ready in my crunchy adventure to start making my own. What I do to prevent odor/moisture is:
1) dab some tea tree oil and lavender onto clean armpits with a cotton ball.
2) Wait till oil is dry, and then dust on a light layer of baking soda mixed with cornstarch.

So far, no odor! I smell better than I did with my store-bought deo!
Esther L.

with your toilet paper tube idea, it might help if you can wrap it in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. may be warp the insides and out with colorful duct tape? might be nice decoration.
Nicksterluv

This deodorant seems to be staining my clothes…has anybody else noticed that? I am wondering if it’s the coconut oil or perhaps the beeswax–I want to switch to another deodorant, but if it’s the coconut oil that’s staining my clothes, there is no point switching to the other Crunchy Betty deodorant. Thoughts?
Celeste

About the tp roll this might work. Roll waxed paper until the edges overlap slide into the paper roll making sure the edges stay over lapped about 2 inches on the inside. Also make sure you have enough length so that waxed paper sticks out of both ends of the paper roll. Then just fold over the outside and either rubber band to paper roll or tape. Now you should be able to fill the inside without it leaking out. I havent tried your recipe yet so not sure if this works exactly but it sounds like it may. =)
Tanya

It has been a lot of trial and error to find something the is natural, cheap and effective. I’ve tried Toms of Maine, Jason’s two different brands of salt crystal deodorant and the deodorants from LUSH. Last week I bought my first jar of coconut oil and I am looking forward to making everything possible with it, deodorant included.
Anna

First of all I love your site, it is awesome!

A bit about my deodorant experience:
I’ve been using the traditional kind for a long time. I’ve tried a homemade version using coconut oil, arrowroot powder and a mixture of lavender/tea tree essential oil, which smelled great and was not too much of a hassle to put on…but gave me skin rash and did not mask my BO (I come from a stinky gene pool).
Read your site and decided to give this recipe a try. Went to Mountain Rose Herbs and ordered ingredients, sadly, they were out of shea butter, so I bought kokum, mango, and cocoa butters.
Here is my question:
In your opinion, will any of those butters be a suitable substitute for the shea butter in your recipe?

Thanks in advance!
Ann Guarino

I’m going to have to try this recipe. I have been using the baking soda/arrowroot powder recipe and I have broken out in a rash. BLAH! I need to figure out if I can get the beeswax, shea butter, and clay delivered here. I live in the Caribbean, so not many places deliver here.
Margie

Ok people. I have been visiting Crunchy Betty for a few months now, absorbing and experimenting with all sorts of stuff. I haven’t touched shampoo in ages and my hair is loving me for it. I am going to try round 2 of making my own apple cider vinegar. The first round ended badly… with mould.

The one thing, THE ONE THING that weirded me out and that I am very hesitant to try is homemade deodorant. I usually don’t get stinky at all, it’s the wet underarm feeling that I can’t stand. I even finally found an anti-perspirant that my husband doesn’t get sneezy from smelling. Usually I have to get the unscented stuff. So switching from my beloved anti-perspirant to a homemade deodorant is a huge leap of faith for me.

But once my anti-perspirant has run out, I am cleaning out its container and making some homemade deodorant. ahhh!

It’s a mighty big leap, but I’m leaping!
Dani

Where do you buy your Shea Butter, clay and beeswax? Thanks!

Crunchy Betty

You can buy it all at Mountain Rose Herbs (there’s a button over there on the side bar to get there), but I also get my stuff from a local natural foods store.

Autumn

I’ve been using a similar recipe for a while. I use corn starch, a little baking soda (too much will break me out), shea butter, coconut oil, tea tree and yummy scented EO’s, and I add cocoa butter. It smells great and helps make it firmer. I haven’t tried adding beeswax yet. I keep mine in the fridge, then just take it out before I get in the shower. I’m afraid the beeswax will make it hard to wash off, which is one of the things I hated about “regular” deodorant. Has anyone had this problem?