Your skin is your largest organ. Sure, everyone knows that, but did you know that a lot of what goes on our skin actually gets absorbed into the bloodstream?
Deodorants, lotions, creams, cosmetics, nail varnishes…all of these have a long hang time on our skin and therefore a greater chance of getting into our bodies. As for me, I prefer to keep this sort of toxic exposure to a minimum by making my own skincare.
So what’s being served up today? Probiotic Deodorant Cream! It sounds funky, but you won’t be! No really, this stuff works reeeaaally well and was fun to make. I’ve been testing it out for a few days and I have to say, it’s really stood up to some pretty intense workouts and some hot humid days.
Why Make Your Own Deodorant?
1. Avoid Toxins
If you haven’t heard already, conventional deodorants contain some pretty nasty chemicals, the worst of which (and unfortunately so) is the main ingredient that keeps you from sweating; aluminum. This ingredient alone has been linked to Alzheimer’s, breast cancer, birth defects, various allergies, and hormonal imbalances. Be sure to watch out as a lot of companies like to try and hide this ingredient under different aliases so if you see a word that even resembles the word aluminum, avoid it!
2. Frugality
Another reason to make your own is that it’s CHEAP! I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but deodorants are expensive and they don’t last all that long. Making your own takes a little investment at first, but you end up with enough homemade product to stock the whole family for years. PLUS, how much would it cost you to treat something like breast cancer?? A whole heck of a lot more than just a few simple ingredients every so often. Now I'm not saying that this deodorant is the sole savior for all your ills, but it's a start. The probiotic deodorant cream recipe I’m going to share with you today will last me well over 6 months and it cost less than 2 bucks to make. Just sayin’.
3. Let the Body do What it Does Best
Our bodies are the masters of constant detox. Every single day our bodies are eliminating through a network of different pathways whether it be through the bowel, the skin (in the form of sweat or even acne), the nose, the mouth, you name it, our body uses it. Our underarms too? You bet!
In fact, we have quite a few lymph nodes that are in close proximity to the underarm area. We also have more sweat glands in our pits to help us eliminate toxins more effectively. When we use antiperspirants, it inhibits the whole detox process and allows them to recirculate back into the body. Doing this day in and day out can wear out our livers which may already have a tough time sifting through all the other toxins we might be slathering on.
Our bodies are meant to sweat and it’s best not to negatively affect our natural rhythms that were placed there for a reason. So do your body a favor and stop using conventional deodorant!
Do Homemade Deodorants Work?
Yes. After transition!
Sounds like some crazy full moon stuff but it's not all that bad…unless you’re especially toxic.
So what is transition? It’s basically just the time frame after you switch to an all natural or homemade deodorant where you won’t necessarily stink per se…but you will have some funk happening. This is the detox phase of switching. And wait for it…..here’s NO way around this. You will just have to bear with it until you reach the point where your body has released all the toxins under your arms and you smell normal again. But believe me, it’s worth it in the end knowing that you’re doing something really healthy for yourself. I mean, it's worth lowering your risk for breast cancer, isn't it? I'd say so!
So do homemade deodorants work? Yep, as long as you have a few key ingredients, especially essential oils, but this probiotic deodorant cream is extra special in an of itself.
Homemade Probiotic Deodorant Cream
Alright, so let’s get to the recipe already!
Here’s What You’ll Need:
• 2oz shea butter
• 2oz coconut oil
• 1oz Zinc oxide powder
• 5TB arrowroot powder
• .5oz beeswax
• ½ teaspoon vitamin E oil
• 1TB baking soda
• 20 drops Citrus Fresh essential oil (you can get it HERE)
• 10 drops Peppermint essential oil (you can get it HERE)
• 2 capsules shelf stable probiotic
• A kitchen scale
• A double boiler
Loving Preparation - Homemade Probiotic Deodorant Cream
• Using your kitchen scale, measure out the vitamin E oil, shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax. Measure the zinc oxide in a different bowl and set aside.
• Once measured, toss the ingredients into the double boiler over low heat. If you don’t have a double boiler you can melt the ingredients in a small pot on very low heat.
• Once melted, remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool for about 1 minute.
• Add the arrowroot powder, baking soda, and zinc oxide powder.
• Whisk together until smooth.
• Empty 2 capsules of shelf stable probiotic into the mix and whisk again.
• Add in the essential oils (you can get them HERE) and mix well.
• Pour the mixture into a small jar
.
• Label and store in a cool place.
Watch my video tutorial below 🙂
[yumprint-recipe id='32']Check out the video below to watch me make it 🙂
Why These Ingredients Work
Coconut Oil
For thousands of years coconut oil
has been used for healing and treating all sorts of health conditions. It’s emollient, stays fresh, and boasts a number of health promoting properties. For example, coconut oil is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory making it suitable for most skin types. You can even use it as an effective remedy for staph and fungus.
Since coconut oil is anti-bacterial is it perfect to use as a base for homemade deodorant recipes.
Zinc Oxide Powder
You may recognize this ingredient in many natural sunscreen recipes for its ability to soothe and protect the skin from too much sun.
Zinc oxide powder is also anti-bacterial and anti-fungal so it’s perfect to use for this recipe. I also find that I sweat a little less.
*** PLEASE make sure NOT to use nano-particle zinc oxide. The one I use is safe for human health. You can get it HERE.
Beeswax
The bees never fail to give us healthful gifts!
Beeswax is wonderful for killing germs and creating a protective barrier against dryness, free radicals, and other environmental assaults. It also happens to be a great source of Vitamin A which helps facilitate cell turnover and prevent clogged pores.
Beeswax is also well tolerated by most people because of its hypoallergenic properties.
Probiotics
Probiotic have the ability to balance and sustain their environment which is why taking them internally is a godsend for many who suffer from digestive ailments.
Well wouldn’t ya know that they are also good for the outside of outside bodies as well? Yep! Their good bacteria will help battle it out with the bad under your arms and win every time!
Just be sure to use strong shelf stable probiotics with a good mix of lactobacillus and bifidobacteria. I like this one.
Essential Oils
Therapeutic grade essential oils like THESE are potent enough to keep your underarms smelling fresh for hours.
Have you ever thought to make a probiotic deodorant cream?
For more homemade deodorant recipes, don't miss these articles:
Homemade Deodorant with Tangerine and Geranium
Homemade Deodorant Spray
Salt SprayDeodorant
Four Thieves Deodorant Recipe
Homemade Grapefruit Deodorant
Travel Size Roll-On Deodorant Recipe
Going Bugnuts says
There's one thing that I don't understand - every other ingredient listed in this recipe is antibacterial. Probiotics ARE bacteria. How can they be effective in a suspension of antibacterial ingredients? Wouldn't all the other ingredients just kill them all? I've been dealing with a persistent skin issue that I have recently learned, is caused by a spirochete similar to Lyme disease, called Morgellons. The CDC, with their omniscient knowledge of all microorganisms, labeled it as a psychosomatic illness since they couldn't identify a common vector. I have had the weird filaments for more than a decade, but they remained seemingly benign until chronic pain began putting more and more stress on my system. Then, wow, they struck with a vengeance, making my skin look worse than anything I had ever experienced before. I had tried every remedy I could find, like baking soda, colloidal silver, and many other things, but nothing worked until the news that it was a bacterial infection led me to bust open a few of my probiotics caps and apply them to my skin. Now, I am trying to find a good moisturizing delivery agent, but it seems like everything people use for skincare these days is antibacterial. I have been using a non-probiotic deodorant recipe for a while now, and it works ok, but with the need to seriously fight bacteria in my skin with other bacteria, I am concerned about too many antibacterial ingredients killing off my little heroes. My armpits are one area currently in the neutral zone, and I would like to keep it that way. Surface antibacterial agents are completely ineffective against the Morgellons bacteria, but the probiotics caps are amazing! Now I'm constantly debating whether or not to even use my current deodorant batch, for fear of the evil little organisms moving in and claiming asylum in a really bad area. A probiotic deodorant seems like a good solution, but only if the probiotics survive the new environment. I'm open to suggestions, but really need the good bacteria to thrive.
Tash says
Hi Going Bugnuts!
If you really want to make sure that the bacteria thrive, I would omit the essential oils and coconut oil. I would also add the probiotics when the mixture is closer to body temperature, though it would be harder to mix in. Currently I use a deodorant that is made using only vodka and essential oils with a bit of water. Best one I've tried yet! You can read more about it here: Homemade Deodorant with Tangerine and Geranium
maral says
HI TNX FOR YOUR RECEPIES
IM REALLY APRICIET . I HAVE ONE QUESTION FOREXAMPLE PORBIOTIC JUST GOOR FOR DEGESTIVE OR GOOD FOR DIACTIVE BACTERIAUAL ANEROBIC
batzi says
a few questions, if possible: 1. Since coconut oil is anti... why add probiotic? 2. What was the final quantity produced from this recipe? 3. How long does it last on average? 4. On hot summer days and outdoors [walking to errands etc], does it last all day or do you need a touch-up later on? Many thanks.
Tash says
Hello Batzi!
I added probiotics because I wanted to see if it improved the anti-odor factor of the deodorant. It seemed to work but isn't necessary if you don't have them. The final quantity that this recipe yields is 8oz. I typically pour the recipe into a shallow 8oz jar and it works perfectly. If you are using an empty deodorant tube (2.5oz) then you can fill three all the way full. If you use a pea size amount (this is how much my body needs per armpit) then this deodorant should last you about 8 months. You may need more or less than me though so keep that in mind. On a hot day, I use more and it lasts about 8 hours. If you're exercising you may need to reapply afterwards but I find that I smell good still during a working.
Batzi says
Brilliant, tnx so much.
Lucy Moore says
Tried it out and loved it. 🙂 This is an amazing, healthy and useful cream that I still use regularly.
Tash says
So happy you liked it Lucy!
Jennifer says
Hey Tash, we featured your deodorant article here: http://www.naturalandhealthyliving.com/top-10-homemade-diy-natural-deodorants/ and sent you an email too!
Tash says
How cool! Thank you guys 🙂 SHARED!
Stacy says
have you had problems with staining on your clothes? I make sunscreen with zinc oxide and it would sometimes leave residue.
And, how much do you use at a time? How long does a batch last? Is it best to rub it all tr way in?
Thanks for the recipe! Excited to try it.
Tash says
Hi Stacy,
I haven't had any issues at all with staining. I think it has something to do with how well I blend it into my skin/making sure the deodorant feels dry before dressing. I use about the size of a large pea, sometimes more on really hot days. It will really depend on your personal needs. I have used similar recipes for MONTHS at a time. My last one lasted almost a year and it still worked great =) I always store them in a cool dark place. I hope you enjoy! Also, you can use whatever essential oil combination you like =)
Sarah says
I was hopeful your recipe was going to not have the baking soda. I love natural deodorant, but any with baking soda really irritate my pits. I have a natural one I bought at a health food store, but I'm constantly having to reapply throughout the day because I start smelling. I was using Primal Pit Paste before that and never had that problem but, like I said, it left my pits red and irritated and sore. Do you have any other options?
Tash says
Hi Sarah!
You could omit the baking soda if you like =) My underarms are also very sensitive so I generally don't add very much baking soda. The zinc, essential oils, and coconut oil are enough to kill odor causing bacteria by themselves. Let me know how it goes!
Rhonda says
I have been making my own deodorant since I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer last November. This would be a change from the one I'm using now. Thanks for the recipe!
Cailin Banks says
Hi there, just a question about the ingredients. Is the beeswax a necessity in this recipe? Will I get the same effect without using it?
Thanks
Tash says
Hi Cailin!
The beeswax is used to keep the consistency thick and creamy. You could do without, but you might have to mix it up from time to time depending on how warm your house is. If you omit the beeswax, let me know how it turns out! =)