I’ve been a big fan of making my own beauty products since I’ve discovered all the terrible ingredients that go into making them. Did you know that on average woman uses over 500 chemicals a day? Mostly unregulated in the US, these chemicals are simply untested or lightly controlled by responsible government bodies. Pretty scary stuff right?
Well, if you are like me and really don’t like using all that chemical soup in your body, start making your own beauty products. This DIY Cocoa Butter & Peppermint Deodorant is incredibly efficient, smells super nice and costs a fraction of what you’d pay for a regular (chemical laden) deodorant at the supermarket.
Making Your Own
This DIY recipe is very simple and you can personalise it to your taste. Swap essential oils if you want a different smell or remove the baking soda if you have sensitive skin. In total, you’ll probably spend 10 minutes making it will last you for a long, long time. I actually never finished mine (3rd time making it) as I always end up giving it to a friend who wants to try it…oops!
On the first time I made my own deodorant, I used only 4 ingredients. On this last recipe, I added some cocoa butter in hopes that my deodorant will last the blasting summer of Queensland. If it doesn’t I’ll keep trying. Truth is, this deodorant recipe works both ways. In winter, you’ll get a harder consistency and may need the help of a small scoop. In summer, the heat will make sure to keep your deodorant in a more creamy-like consistency. Nonetheless, it will protect you (and anyone around you) from a smelly pit and still be safe to your body and skin. And I’ll keep you updated on the consistency of it through my Instagram.
Before we get started, I’ll break down on the ingredients I used and why I chose them.
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Arrowroot Powder (or Tapioca Starch)
Arrowroot powder is a great absorbent and very healing to the skin. As it is also gluten free, it’s safe to use even by those with severe allergy. Arrowroot can be used as a talcum and is used by ancient tribes in Africa to heal ulcers and wounds.
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Baking Soda
Baking soda is one of the greatest natural cleaning and deodorising products you’ll probably have at home. It’s an amazing way to clean surfaces and get rid of unwanted marks, stains and grime at home without all the chemical waste that would otherwise contaminate your home and the oceans (you know, everything goes down the drain…). Some people unfortunately have a reaction to baking soda, so for this recipe, you can skip it and add more arrowroot powder instead.
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Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is an amazing moisturiser and it’s great to keep your skin smooth and smelling like a tropical holiday. It is also a great antibacterial, being the perfect ingredient to keep your armpits healthy and bacteria-free.
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Cocoa Butter
I added cocoa butter to this recipe because I wanted to make a deodorant that will survive the heat. But cocoa butter has many other benefits. First of all, it’s a wonderful antioxidant, so it’s an amazing addition to an area which is usually bombed with chemicals and/or being shaved off (whichever is your preferred hair removal method). Plus, it smells a little like chocolate, and whatever smells like that, can stay.
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Peppermint Essential Oil
Well, lastly, but certainly not least: peppermint oil. Essential oils are amazing but peppermint oil is truly a winner! It was the first one I bought and the one I use the most. Being a fantastic oil for both respiratory and digestive system, this oil is also great for hair and skin. It provides a nourishing and cooling sensation and leaves your skin smelling refreshingly minty.
Not sure where to buy these ingredients? Any health shop stocks Essential Oils, Cocoa Butter & Coconut Oil, or you can buy it online here too.
You can buy baking soda and arrowroot powder at your local supermarket (usually on the baking section).
Cocoa Butter & Peppermint Deodorant
Now that I’m done with the talking, here’s the recipes for this amazingly simply homemade deodorant.
Pin it for later!
Have you done your deodorant before? Did it work for you? Or would you like to see other recipes? Let me know in the comments!
Peace & Love,
Larissa x
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9 Comments
Rachel
22/07/2018 at 2:16 pmDo you think if this was poured in an old deodorant container as a mold while it is still hot that it would apply like a normal stick deodorant?
Larissa Tedesco
26/07/2018 at 10:38 pmHi Rachel, yes it would but only if it you don’t have a hot summer…If it goes past 25ºC degrees it will start melting. What you could do instead is tweaking the recipe by adding a little more arrowroot powder to make it harder during hotter months, but at least here on the Gold Coast, Australia, it melts quite quickly :/
Good luck!
AS
22/07/2021 at 6:50 pmIf I put it in mould during summer time and actually put it in fridge is that ok??
Can I only use cocoa butter, powder and baking soda only ? And what’s the ratio??
I like the smell of the cocoa butter alone
Thanks
Linda Piani
19/06/2020 at 5:41 pmHi, i just made this but i used lavender, rose and whisper so hoping it works
Larissa Tedesco
22/06/2020 at 10:05 pmHi Linda, that sounds heavenly! I’m sure it will work out just fine 🙂
Sabrina J Hines
01/09/2020 at 9:43 amHi there! If I want to avoid baking soda (it gives me a rash! ) would I just omit? Or add extra arrowroot?
Larissa Tedesco
01/09/2020 at 9:54 amHi Sabrina! Yes, if the baking soda gives you a rash, I’d recommend omitting it and adding extra arrowroot. However, the formula might lose a bit of it’s odour efficacy since it’s the baking soda that kills the bacteria that leaves us smelling. It works for some and not for others so you’ll need to try it out 🙂
Ally
28/01/2021 at 1:26 amHave just given this a try. I omitted the oil because it already smells lovely and used cornstarch instead of arrowroot powder. And now I have an amazing and free deodorant.
Thank you so much 💕
Juniper Cammack
31/07/2023 at 5:00 amI have been using this recipe for almost 2 years now. It is the best I have tried. Everyone’s body chemistry is different, so you gotta find what works for you! Shea butter stains my clothes and is SO HARD to clean up. Cocoa butter is a much better option. Coconut oil can stain my clothes in a deoderant if it isn’t combined with the right ratios of baking soda and arrowroot powder. This recipe does not stain my clothes. I have to add more baking soda and arrowroot powder to keep me from stinking for a full day. The extra baking soda does irritate my skin a little bit if I have just shaved, but to me it’s worth having a diy natural deoderant that will last me over 24 hours (when I get the ratios right). Plus, 1 recipe lasted me over a year! I’ll have to experiment with different essential oils that can combat odor in order to use less of the skin-irritating baking soda. The first batch I used orange and juniper oils. Smelled amazing with the cocoa.