Natural deodorants are a good option for anyone who wishes to avoid synthetic ingredients typically found in commercial deodorants. Natural deodorants can be just as effective, but are much more eco-friendly.

First of all, it is important to understand the difference between deodorants and antiperspirants. People use both products in order to avoid unpleasant underarm odor, but they work in very different ways. 

 

Antiperspirants vs deodorants: what’s the difference?

Antiperspirants

Antiperspirants contain aluminum salts that prevent sweating. If there is no sweat, no malodor can arise. But sweating is a natural physiological process of the body, and many people believe it might not be beneficial to block it. 

To prevent body odor without blocking sweat or using aluminum, deodorants can be used.

Deodorants

Deodorants are cosmetic products that prevent unpleasant body odor. They do this by masking natural body scents or by breaking down sweat components and preventing the odor-forming bacteria from reproducing. Deodorants do not affect our natural sweat physiology and are thus considered to be less invasive than antiperspirants.

 

Natural deodorants – an eco-friendly alternative 

In natural deodorants, several different ingredient types can be used to create an effective product. 

Typically, natural deodorants will contain:

  • An ingredient to absorb moisture (eg cornstarch, various clays or diatomaceous earth).
  • Alkaline ingredients to create unfriendly environments for odor-causing bacteria (eg baking soda, magnesium hydroxide).
  • Antimicrobial ingredients to prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria (eg capryl glycerate, alcohol)

Often, natural deodorants will contain a combination of two or more of these active ingredients, to increase their effectiveness. 

What’s the best natural deodorant solution for men?

That depends somewhat on your goals and values.

When comparing antiperspirants and deodorants, antiperspirants are usually more effective in preventing body odor. However, they contain many synthetic ingredients, so they are not accepted by well-known certification bodies and have a certain degree of controversy regarding their safety. 

If you are looking for something that is safe, natural and free from undesirable ingredients, that is also regarded as safer and kinder to your skin, then a natural deodorant is what you’ll want to use.

 

How to make a Refreshing Kaolin, Shea and Lime Natural Deodorant

Here we share with you a formulation for a natural, effective deodorant. It contains sodium bicarbonate as the deodorizing active ingredient, along with moisture-absorbing kaolin clay. Shea and cocoa butter have been chosen to nourish the skin.

The beeswax will make sure the deodorant has a firm consistency, but it can be substituted for a vegan alternative, like candelilla wax. 

We have scented this deodorant with a blend of lime, pine and tea tree essential oils. These refreshing and purifying oils also have some antimicrobial effects. 

What equipment do I need to make a natural deodorant at home?

  • A precision scale.
  • A water bath.
  • A container to mix the ingredients in.
  • A deodorant stick container.

 

Refreshing Kaolin, Shea and Lime Natural Deodorant Formula

Phase

INCI 

Ingredient 

Function

w/w%

A

Butyrospermum Parkii Nut Butter

Shea butter

Emollient

35.9

A

Cera Alba

Beeswax

Oil hardening

18.0

A

Theobroma Cacao Nut Butter

Cocoa butter

Emollient

15.0

B

Sodium Bicarbonate

Baking soda

Deodorant

18.0

B

Kaolin

Kaolin clay

Absorbing moisture, soothing

12.0

C

Citrus Aurantifolia Fruit Oil

Lime essential oil

Fragrance, deodorizing

0.5

 

C

Pinus Sylvestris Oil

Pine essential oil

Fragrance, deodorizing

0.3

C

Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil

Tea tree essential oil

Fragrance, antimicrobial

0.2

C

Tocopherol

Vitamin E (95% mixed tocopherols)

Antioxidant

0.1

Refreshing Kaolin, Shea and Lime Natural Deodorant Recipe for 100g/4oz batch 

Ingredient

Amount for 100g batch (in grams)

Amount for 4oz batch (in ounces)

Butyrospermum parkii nut butter

35.9

1.440

Cera alba

18.0

0.720

Theobroma cacao nut butter

15.0

0.600

Sodium bicarbonate

18.0

0.720

Kaolin

12.0

0.480

Tocopherol

0.1

0.004

Citrus aurantifolia fruit oil

0.5

0.020

Pinus sylvestris oil

0.3

0.010

Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil

0.2

0.010

 

Simple natural deodorant recipe instructions

  1. Weigh phase A ingredients in a container and melt them in a water bath.
  2. While phase A is melting, combine phase B and sift it through a fine sieve. The purpose of this step is to make sure there are no lumps of powdered ingredient present, as they can feel uncomfortable and gritty when applied to the skin. 
  3. When phase A is completely melted, remove it from the water bath and let it cool to about 60°C (140°F) while stirring occasionally.
  4. Add phase B to phase A and stir thoroughly. 
  5. While stirring the mixture, cool it down until it begins to thicken.
  6. Add phase C ingredients, mix well.
  7. Pour into a deodorant stick container.

 

How can I make more natural skincare products?

At the School of Natural Skincare, we’re passionate about natural and organic cosmetics and our courses are focused on empowering students all over the world to make their own products using luxurious natural and organic ingredients, either for themselves or to sell.

Our Free Natural Beauty Recipe Book is a great way to get started making your own natural skincare products using our safe, effective, tried and tested recipes! So why not click here to grab your copy and get started today.

The fast track to creating your own complete range of unique skincare products is to enroll at the School by joining one of our accredited online courses or programs. You can find more information about them here and by reaching out to our customer service team using the live chat function or by emailing hello@schoolofnaturalskincare.com.

 

FREE GUIDE:

The Beginner's Guide to Formulating Natural Skincare Products (From scratch, like a professional!)

Start creating your own natural skincare products
from scratch - rather than simply following recipes!

Exclusive for our newsletter subscribers. Sign up now.

Free Men’s Natural Deodorant Recipe: Refreshing Kaolin, Shea and Lime Natural Deodorant Natural Bodycare recipes

Download this fabulous guide and you'll learn:

  • What formulating is and why you need to be doing it!
  • The difference between following recipes and formulating your own products.
  • How to formulate like a pro! Seven top tips for becoming a confident skincare formulator.
  • Our step-by-step process to designing products people love.
  • Four easy ways to personalize your skincare products.
  • Choosing the right carrier oils for your beauty products.

PLUS: Receive two free worksheets!

Loved this article about natural deadorants? Make sure to remember it by pinning it!

Free Men’s Natural Deodorant Recipe: Refreshing Kaolin, Shea and Lime Natural Deodorant Natural Bodycare recipes

Pin It on Pinterest

Shares