My New Homemade Deodorant with Lavender & Cocoa Butter

Have you made your own deodorant yet?  I am still loving mine…except…occasionally, my under arms became mildly irritated & (unattractively) red, especially when heavy perspiration hits.

I researched & discovered baking soda is a common irritant for many people.  Ashley said she initially experienced irritation, but eventually it went away.  After a full batch, I still get it from time to time — strange it only happens sometimes.  For my second batch, I could have reduced the amount of baking soda, but I decided to leave it out all together.  I did not adjust any of the other ratios but simply left it out — no more rashes!  I put it to the test in Bikram & climbing over the weekend & pushing high intensity intervals this week: no irritation at all, no odor.  It might even smell better this time around…

I like the coconut scent & how the oil feels on my skin.  When I’m cooking with it (plain coconut oil, not the deodorant), I don’t even bother rinsing or wiping it (completely) off if it gets on my hands; I just rub it in & let it soften my skin.

I added another skin-nourishing ingredient to this mix of deodorant: remember the cacao butter (also known as cocoa butter) I ordered for making raw chocolate?  I added a little for its healing effects on the skin.  It adds a nice cocoa scent & feels nourishing.

Also, filling an old deodorant crank container doesn’t work; I think the homemade deodorant is too soft with the coconut oil.  If it worked for you, please share; but ours wouldn’t rise & lower after the first time.  I filled an old body butter jar with the deodorant & apply it by hand.  This works much better.

Milky with an espresso-like finish from the cacao, this looks & smells so good.

Coconut Oil Deodorant with Lavender & Cocoa Butter

perfectly fills a 6.7 oz container

• 3/4 cup coconut oil, melted
• 4 vitamin E capsules
• ~20 drops lavender oil
• ~5 drops tea tree oil
• 1/2 cup arrowroot powder
• 1 oz cacao/cocoa butter, shaved & melted

Shave & melt cacao butter using a double broiler, or in the oven on a low setting, stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile, combine & stir coconut oil, vitamin E (squeezed from capsules) & essential oils together.  Add arrowroot powder & stir until evenly combined & smooth.  Add the melted cacao butter & stir again.  Pour into a 6.7 oz jar or container with a wide mouth.  Refrigerate to harden.

Due to the heat of summer, we keep ours in the fridge & remove it for a few minutes to soften before applying.

~

Have you made your own deodorant yet?  How did it turn out?