How to Create Natural Deodorants

Sometimes we really want a deodorant that smells like us!  

So if you have your favourite perfume or essential oil blend and want to be able to wear it every day, or maybe only for special occasions, here's some recipes to get you started.  All of these I have worn at some point over the last 30 years.

Rollon Deodorant

This is the very first deodorant I made, after having a Blackmores one back in my 20's.  I loved it, however I was a QS cadet working 2 jobs and paying a mortgage (because the interest rates shot up to over 20%), and could barely afford to eat when that happened so there was no way I could afford my luxurious deodorant.  Luckily, it was a glass bottle with a screw top so I could refill it.  Back then, I used Sweet Almond oil, because it was 1990 and that's about all we had available unless I wanted to use soya bean oil... yeah nah, we'll pass on that.  However these days I would recommend Jojoba or Meadowfoam seed oil as they are least likely to go rancid on you before you've used it up.  

To a 50ml bottle (which is the typical deodorant size container) add 5 drops of your favourite blend to your preferred vegetable oil/s.  You may be tempted to add more, however please remember your essential oil safety and that this is right on top of your lymph nodes so you don't want to be overstimulating them.

What's really nice about this option is that I used to be a constant heavy bleeder with my period so I actually used it on my groin pits instead of my arm pits and that made me feel more confident all day.... because there's nothing worse than the stale odour of period blood! 

Spray Deodorant

Spray deodorants are popular for many although some worry about the wetness.  The way to resolve that is to have some form of alcohol base as it evaporates quickly.  My recommendations are to use witch hazel, perfume base, or vodka for your base.

To make 50ml you will need:

• 50ml dark glass bottle (amber, blue, green)
• 24mm spray pump to fit
• 45ml base
• 5ml vegetable glycerine
• 15 drops of essential oils of your choice.

1. Mix your base and vegetable glycerine together in your bottle.
2. Add your essential oils and shake well to mix them together.
3. Store in a position out of direct sunlight, and it should last up to 6 months.

Stick Deodorant

I love stick deodorants, especially Men's ones as I prefer spicy scents.  Essentially they are a balm that you've perfumed and you wipe it under your arm (in case you've never used one).

The secret is to not have them too greasy or you just feel gluggy in your pits on a hot day, and you don't want the oils ruining your clothing!

• 50gm stick deodorant container
• 40gm cocoa, cacao or kokum butter
• 10gm beeswax
• 7gm bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
• 30 drops of essential oils of your choice.

1. Melt the butter and beeswax together over a low heat.
2. Add the bicarbonate of soda and blend well, preferably with an electric hand mixer. 
3. Add your essential oils, blend well and pour into your container.
4. Store in a position out of direct sunlight, and it should last up to 12 months.

Post your concoctions on my FaceBook page