Nix Harmful Heavy Metals and Parabens with Christian Toscano’s Go-To Recipe for DIY Deodorant
An easy way to create a clean beauty routine is to swap out your antiperspirant for a homemade deodorant. Commercially made antiperspirants, along with many deodorants which label themselves as natural, contain parabens as well as toxic metals like aluminum, which block your pores and can stay in the body forever.
There are many ways to stay fresh while addressing the bacteria that causes you to smell less than your best self. The easiest is to use a few drops of your favorite essential oil for a quick on-the-go refresher. Many oils have naturally occurring antibacterial properties to help to keep odors to a minimum, one of my personal favorites is Lavender.
If you’re looking for a long lasting scent, I love this all natural deodorant recipe. Full disclosure, it is not an antiperspirant. Your body is meant to sweat and clogging that pathway prevents toxins from leaving your body.
3/4 oz beeswax.
2 oz coconut oil.
3/4 oz shea butter.
2 Tbsp baking soda.
2 Tbsp cornstarch.
1/4 cup arrowroot powder.
10-20 drops tea tree oil (or other essential oil)
Measure out by weight 3/4 oz beeswax, 2 oz coconut oil, and 3/4 oz shea butter into a glass 2 cup measuring cup. In a double boiler, simmer on low until your oils are totally melted. Then remove it from the water and add in 2 Tbsp baking soda, 2 Tbsp cornstarch and 1/4 cup arrowroot powder. Stir until totally mixed together and smooth. Add in the Tea Tree oil and stir. Then pour into your deodorant containers. Pour slowly to get a rounded top! Makes exactly 2 containers worth.
Looking for something a bit more complex? Try out these other wonderful essential oil combinations:
Rose + Vanilla
Bergamot + Lime
Lavender + Sage
Cedarwood + Juniper
Ylang-Ylang + Calendula