Vegan Hand Crafted Deodorants (and more!)
Are you new to natural deodorants? Struggling with finding something that works for you? When you make the transition from regular deodorants to the natural blends, you may encounter a few hurdles along the way that are discouraging to say the least.
Before we begin with a simple recipe, please remember these helpful tips:
- It is normal to sweat.
- Give your body time to adjust.
- Don't let anyone's negative attitude lead you to feeling bad or weird about your healthy choices.
It takes time for your body to adjust to the natural deodorants. Along this journey you will probably try dozens of brands, scents, blends and you will make several batches of your own creations before you find that right combination that just works.
It is perfectly normal and healthy to sweat, so if you have been using an antiperspirant, you will need to adjust to natural, normal sweating under the arms. Antiperspirants contain aluminum and block the pores of your sweat glands. Natural deodorants use plant based oils, essential oils and usually arrowroot and/or baking soda to fight odor causing bacteria.
Another great idea that has been working for me is adding baking soda to my laundry. This helps to deodorize my sweaty shirts and keeps things extra fresh. If I have that one shirt that kinda stinks under the arms, I will soak the armpits of the shirt with a little baking soda. Does the trick nicely.
Rash
During your trials and tribulations, you may find that the natural deodorants can sometimes cause a rash under the arm. This could be an allergic reaction to ingredients, ph balance issue, contact dermatitis, bacteria (keep fingers out of your deodorant jars and ingredients) or a reaction to baking soda.
Let the rash calm down and try dabbing some apple cider vinegar under the arms before starting on anything containing baking soda.
Sometimes, after your body has adjusted, you may find it is your laundry detergent or your bath soap causing the irritation. I had to stop using dryer sheets and switched to a natural laundry soap. Alternatives you can try are dryer balls and soap nuts.
You may need to do some testing to see if you can pin point what it is that causes your underarms to make a rash. If you shave, remember to leave some time for the underarm to dry and calm down before applying deodorant into the delicate skin.
Adjusting
When I started with natural deodorant, I went through a routine of cleaning under my arms at night before bed and applying a dab of apple cider vinegar (raw, unfiltered, organic). It naturally digests bacteria under the arm, perfectly naturally. For some, this is all that is required. For me, I need a little extra help. But this method definitely helped as my body adjusted. This took at least a week.
The Right Blend
For myself and many other people, we have found the blend in this deo butter recipe works really well. We can play around with the essential oils to make a fragrance we like. Lemongrass and Patchouli is a big hit and the freshness of tea tree with rosemary makes another great alternative. You can omit the essential oils and keep it natural.
The Recipe - use premium quality ingredients. Utensils must be clean and dry.
DEO BUTTER BASE
• 13 grams Cocoa Butter
• 10 grams Shea Butter
• 20 grams of Coconut Oil
• (5-10 grams beeswax if making tropical blend that can withstand hot weather in the jar)
• 1.5 tablespoons of Baking Soda (you can adjust a little less if needed)
• 2 tablespoons of Arrow Root Powder (adjust a little less if needed)
Optional- About 10-20 drops of Patchouli Oil and 3-5 drops of Lemongrass.
Melt the Cocoa butter, Shea butter & Coconut Oil in a bain marie (and beeswax if using). Stir it to keep in nicely mixed. Once completely melted, remove from heat and let cool about ten minutes.
Add the baking soda and arrowroot powder. Mix well with a fork or whisk. Add essential oils if you like. You can keep it natural.
Leave in the fridge or in a cool place until the consistency of soft butter, that’s about 15 minutes in the fridge. Mix well again as the powders may settle at the bottom. It will harden after about 12 hours.
Store in a cool dry place and use on clean, dry underarms & feet.
The baking soda may irritate skin under the arms so use just a little and leave shaved skin for about 20 minutes before applying.
Why not try these combinations of essential oils?
Lime & Bergamot - 10-20 drops each
Tea Tree & Spearmint: 5-10 drops of tea tree and 5 drops of spearmint or peppermint
Click here to see another deo recipe.
Arrowroot Powder helps with moisture, although you will still sweat as pours are not blocked like antiperspirants and Baking Soda combats odor and bacteria.
I also find I can reapply during the day should I need it. This makes them perfect for travel, camping & festivals. Once at a festival where I did not have access to a shower, I just kept using the deodorant for a couple days. It was amazing, no sweaty smells!
Keep in mind these butters and oils will melt in tropical or high heat like summer. If you intend to travel with your deo butters or you find it melts in the summertime , you might want to add some beeswax to create a more stable base. They also will go hard during cold climate so you may need to use a small cosmetic spatula or spoon.
Lip Balms & Body Balms
Below are recipes for lip balms, body balms and butters using beeswax or candelilla wax which is suitable for vegans. You can get candelilla wax from online suppliers if unavailable from your local shops. A little goes a long way!
These lip balms are easy to blend together and make great gifts. A batch will fill several containers. You can purchase empty lip balms tubes or tins from online suppliers. I usually get mine from New Directions.
Vegan Lip Balm
1 tablespoon (about 7 grams) Candelilla wax
1 tablespoon (about 10 grams) of Cocoa Butter
1/2 tablespoon (about 8 grams) of Shea Butter
3/4 tablespoon of Coconut Oil ( you can play around with the coconut oil for consistency, about 5-10 grams)
Melt the wax in a bain marie. I find the heat has to be quite high to nicely melt the candelilla wax. Stir with a bamboo skewer. Once the wax has melted, lower the heat and add the butters and oils and melt all together.
Remove from heat and add your flavor if you like. Gently pour into lip balm tubes, tubs or tins.
Oils such as lime, orange and grapefruit are quite nice. Try a few drops of peppermint oil or cinnamon leaf. The two mixed together remind me of Christmas. You can purchase vegan lip balm flavors online as well if you intend to continue making batches of lippy.
Beeswax Lip Balms
1 tablespoon organic beeswax
1 tablespoon organic cocoa butter
1 tablespoon coconut oil (raw, cold pressed)
3-5 drops of flavour (optional)
Melt the wax, cocoa butter and coconut oil in a bain marie or pyrex jug. I use bamboo skewers to mix as the wax hardens and clean is much easier.
Once melted, carefully add your flavour. You can keep in plain which is also nice or try getting some lip balm flavors online like cherry, vanilla, or butterscotch.
Make more than one flavour, just separate your melted base and add your flavors to the different batches.
Gently pour into lip balm tubes, tins or little containers.
You can also use another type of oil (try almond or olive). I like to use edible ingredients that I generally find in health food or bulk stores.
BODY BALMS
Here is an example of a basic balm to use for massaging into temples or pulse points for relaxation. It is a little dense, not creamy. It still moisturizes the skin and I find it helps troubled dry elbows, hands and feet. I have used my favorite oils in this blend. You can choose essential oils that you like and that are suited for your balms purpose.
For muscles try warming oils like cinnamon, clove and ginger. The cooling oils like peppermint are uplifting as well as citrus blends like grapefruit, tangerine and orange. Try mixing earthy oils like Patchouli with flower oils like Neroli, Lavender or Geranium. I also use the balms on my dreadlocks to keep the frizzy bits a little more tame and it makes them smell kinda neat.
In a bain marie, over medium heat, melt the ingredients. I sometimes use a pyrex jug for this as it makes it easier to pour. Take away from heat and let cool slightly so as not to burn your essential oils.
For a relaxing balm I use 20 drops Lavender oil and 20 drops Wild Chamomile Oil. You can use any combination of oils you like. Mix your essential oils into the melted base and stir well. If it hardens, just gently heat again. Pour into your favorite containers like little jars or small tins. Even a small tupperware box will do, but we like to keep things in dark coloured glass if possible.
Have fun learning and experimenting!
These lip balms are easy to blend together and make great gifts. A batch will fill several containers. You can purchase empty lip balms tubes or tins from online suppliers. I usually get mine from New Directions.
Vegan Lip Balm
1 tablespoon (about 7 grams) Candelilla wax
1 tablespoon (about 10 grams) of Cocoa Butter
1/2 tablespoon (about 8 grams) of Shea Butter
3/4 tablespoon of Coconut Oil ( you can play around with the coconut oil for consistency, about 5-10 grams)
Melt the wax in a bain marie. I find the heat has to be quite high to nicely melt the candelilla wax. Stir with a bamboo skewer. Once the wax has melted, lower the heat and add the butters and oils and melt all together.
Remove from heat and add your flavor if you like. Gently pour into lip balm tubes, tubs or tins.
Oils such as lime, orange and grapefruit are quite nice. Try a few drops of peppermint oil or cinnamon leaf. The two mixed together remind me of Christmas. You can purchase vegan lip balm flavors online as well if you intend to continue making batches of lippy.
Beeswax Lip Balms
1 tablespoon organic beeswax
1 tablespoon organic cocoa butter
1 tablespoon coconut oil (raw, cold pressed)
3-5 drops of flavour (optional)
Melt the wax, cocoa butter and coconut oil in a bain marie or pyrex jug. I use bamboo skewers to mix as the wax hardens and clean is much easier.
Once melted, carefully add your flavour. You can keep in plain which is also nice or try getting some lip balm flavors online like cherry, vanilla, or butterscotch.
Make more than one flavour, just separate your melted base and add your flavors to the different batches.
Gently pour into lip balm tubes, tins or little containers.
You can also use another type of oil (try almond or olive). I like to use edible ingredients that I generally find in health food or bulk stores.
BODY BALMS
Here is an example of a basic balm to use for massaging into temples or pulse points for relaxation. It is a little dense, not creamy. It still moisturizes the skin and I find it helps troubled dry elbows, hands and feet. I have used my favorite oils in this blend. You can choose essential oils that you like and that are suited for your balms purpose.
For muscles try warming oils like cinnamon, clove and ginger. The cooling oils like peppermint are uplifting as well as citrus blends like grapefruit, tangerine and orange. Try mixing earthy oils like Patchouli with flower oils like Neroli, Lavender or Geranium. I also use the balms on my dreadlocks to keep the frizzy bits a little more tame and it makes them smell kinda neat.
- 40ml Sweet Almond Oil ( you can use sunflower, sesame or a combination or oils)
- 16 grams Bees Wax (for vegan, halve with candelilla wax - 8 grams)
- 10 grams of Shea Butter
In a bain marie, over medium heat, melt the ingredients. I sometimes use a pyrex jug for this as it makes it easier to pour. Take away from heat and let cool slightly so as not to burn your essential oils.
For a relaxing balm I use 20 drops Lavender oil and 20 drops Wild Chamomile Oil. You can use any combination of oils you like. Mix your essential oils into the melted base and stir well. If it hardens, just gently heat again. Pour into your favorite containers like little jars or small tins. Even a small tupperware box will do, but we like to keep things in dark coloured glass if possible.
Have fun learning and experimenting!
Yogi Butter
You can click here to see my blog entries and see below for my Yogi Butter recipe.
Luscious butters and oils blended to smooth your skin & senses. Try using on thick dry hair as a leave in conditioner. I have used Yogi Butters on my dreadlocks during very cold & dry winters to tame the frizzies.
You can also mix types of butters, for example use part shea butter & mango butter.
YOGI BUTTER
• 30 grams Shea butter (I like to use raw and you can also use mango butter or split part shea & mango)
• 15 grams Coconut Oil (raw, unrefined)
• 7 grams of Cocoa Butter (raw)
• Essential Oils (optional)
In a bain marie, gently heat the butters and oils until melted. Stir occasionally to keep them nicely mixed. Place in the fridge for about 15-20 minutes or let sit until only just starting to set - you want the consistency of batter, kind of like a gel.
Add your essential oils (see below) then using an electric blender, whip it up! It should go nice and fluffy, a bit like whipped cream after about 5 minutes or less. You may need to keep scraping down the sides of bowl to keep it evenly mixed.
Spoon the mix into your favorite jar. Sometimes I get the mixture to an almost pouring thickness, sometimes I just have to use a spatula to spoon it into jars. It will set hard.
Massage into skin after a hot bath or shower or massage into thick, dry hair as a leave in conditioner. Take some and place it under hot running water in the bath as a bath melt. Place in the fridge during the hot summer and use as an after sun.
Whipped Yogi Butter
30 grams Shea Butter (a refined butter is nice)
15 grams Coconut Oil (cold pressed, raw)
10 grams Cocoa Butter (raw)
Melt the cocoa butter only in a bain marie or pyrex jug. Let cool slightly. With an electric mixed, whip the shea butter and coconut oil until soft and smooth. Pour in the melted cocoa butter and keep whipping until light and fluffy like whipped cream.
This should stay soft and fluffy. Perfect for winter skin. Try adding some vanilla essential oil to make it super yummy. Or a few drops of lemon oil to make it refreshing and zingy.
Essential Oils:
Vanilla - warm and comforting, add about half a teaspoon of the 1% Vanilla Oil part Jojoba oil. I normally use the Now Vanilla Oil. I also like to add a pinch of dried & ground vanilla. If you can find a good quality, natural Vanilla flavour or extract, you can use that too and make it really yummy!
Lemongrass & Patchouli - zingy, earthy and uplifting, add 1/8 teaspoon of Lemongrass essential oil and 1/2 teaspoon of Patchouli oil. You can add more or less depending on your personal preference.
Explore essential oils - try adding just a few drops of lavender oil for a relaxing butter or maybe try a little cinnamon leaf with peppermint for a seasonal sensation.
Luscious butters and oils blended to smooth your skin & senses. Try using on thick dry hair as a leave in conditioner. I have used Yogi Butters on my dreadlocks during very cold & dry winters to tame the frizzies.
You can also mix types of butters, for example use part shea butter & mango butter.
YOGI BUTTER
• 30 grams Shea butter (I like to use raw and you can also use mango butter or split part shea & mango)
• 15 grams Coconut Oil (raw, unrefined)
• 7 grams of Cocoa Butter (raw)
• Essential Oils (optional)
In a bain marie, gently heat the butters and oils until melted. Stir occasionally to keep them nicely mixed. Place in the fridge for about 15-20 minutes or let sit until only just starting to set - you want the consistency of batter, kind of like a gel.
Add your essential oils (see below) then using an electric blender, whip it up! It should go nice and fluffy, a bit like whipped cream after about 5 minutes or less. You may need to keep scraping down the sides of bowl to keep it evenly mixed.
Spoon the mix into your favorite jar. Sometimes I get the mixture to an almost pouring thickness, sometimes I just have to use a spatula to spoon it into jars. It will set hard.
Massage into skin after a hot bath or shower or massage into thick, dry hair as a leave in conditioner. Take some and place it under hot running water in the bath as a bath melt. Place in the fridge during the hot summer and use as an after sun.
Whipped Yogi Butter
30 grams Shea Butter (a refined butter is nice)
15 grams Coconut Oil (cold pressed, raw)
10 grams Cocoa Butter (raw)
Melt the cocoa butter only in a bain marie or pyrex jug. Let cool slightly. With an electric mixed, whip the shea butter and coconut oil until soft and smooth. Pour in the melted cocoa butter and keep whipping until light and fluffy like whipped cream.
This should stay soft and fluffy. Perfect for winter skin. Try adding some vanilla essential oil to make it super yummy. Or a few drops of lemon oil to make it refreshing and zingy.
Essential Oils:
Vanilla - warm and comforting, add about half a teaspoon of the 1% Vanilla Oil part Jojoba oil. I normally use the Now Vanilla Oil. I also like to add a pinch of dried & ground vanilla. If you can find a good quality, natural Vanilla flavour or extract, you can use that too and make it really yummy!
Lemongrass & Patchouli - zingy, earthy and uplifting, add 1/8 teaspoon of Lemongrass essential oil and 1/2 teaspoon of Patchouli oil. You can add more or less depending on your personal preference.
Explore essential oils - try adding just a few drops of lavender oil for a relaxing butter or maybe try a little cinnamon leaf with peppermint for a seasonal sensation.