As the days get longer and hotter, the need for a deodorant that can stand up against the impending heat is a must.

In my last article on homemade deodorant, I discussed the dangerous chemicals found in almost all conventional self-care products. It's really offensive, especially when you think about the negative implications these chemicals have on the body, especially your liver. I mean sure, not sweating is kinda nice, but would you trade sweat free pits for Alzheimer's or breast cancer? I know I wouldn't.

I'm now inspired to purge every unnatural synthetic product that I own as they run out or are given away and then formulate my own alternatives. I know that doing this will improve my health and well-being. Sound good? I thought so too.

Since I've started strength training, things have gotten a liiiiiittle bit funky, even after using my mineral salt deodorant spray. A thicker more steadfast deodorant is needed for those of us who work out often, are athletes, or just tend to sweat more, and the more you sweat, the more opportunity there is for bacteria to grow and create odor.

To help prevent this, I've set out to find something that works no matter how sweaty or smelly you might get. And let me just tell you... this stuff is AMAZING!! I haven't had a deodorant work this well since using commercial deodorant... and that's really saying something because I used to have to use the "clinical strength" deodorants.

Table of Contents

Homemade Four Thieves Coconut Oil Deodorant

This recipe consists of just 5 ingredients for the basic version, some of which you may already have in your home, and is a great alternative to conventional and even most natural deodorants you can buy at the store.

How to Make Basic Coconut Oil Deodorant - "Clinical Strength"

What You'll Need:

• ¼ cup baking soda (use less if you are sensitive to baking soda)
• ¼ cup arrowroot powder (not cornstarch which tends to be irritating)
• 4 TB melted coconut oil
• 12 drops antibacterial essential oil (lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus, clove bud, grapefruit, etc.)
• 12 drops anti-fungal essential oil (tea tree, all mints, eucalyptus, etc.)

Learn more about anti-bacterial and anti-fungal essential oils here.

For this recipe, you can certainly use just one essential oil to get the same results. If I had to choose just one, it would be lavender for its highly antibacterial properties.

Preparation

• Mix all ingredients in a bowl until a thick paste is formed
• Transfer your concoction to a nice shallow, wide mouth jar (I find this to be the easiest way to store it, plus it looks pretty)

This deodorant will solidify or liquefy depending on the temperature of your house. Keeping it in a jar is the easiest way to keep it from making a mess (I don't recommend putting this deodorant into anything fancy because it tends to melt, separate, or just get kinda mushy).

If your batch is liquidy and tends to separate, just give it a stir or a good shake to mix it up again. I find that the coconut oil likes to hang out on top of it between applications so I will usually just use clean fingers to mix it up again before I apply it.

How to Use

Apply this deodorant by melting or smushing a very small amount on your fingertips and then applying it evenly to clean dry skin - this is very important! Make sure not to miss any spots (especially where any hair grows) or you'll end up smelling!

Using too much can leave an oily or white residue on clothing, so just use a dab, a little really goes a loooong way.

I recommend applying this deodorant right after showering, but I have had pretty good results with putting it on even when odor is already present. This stuff is effective even after an intense workout or for those days when you're just too busy to take a shower.

No smell, no worries!

***Note:

If you find that the baking soda is irritating to your skin, try adding more coconut oil 1 teaspoon at a time to find a formula that works best for you.

My own basic concoction includes 10 drops lavender essential oil and 10 drops eucalyptus radiata essential oil, but any combo will do since all essential oils with kill odor-causing bacteria. Both of these oils are anti-bacterial, antiseptic, anti-fungal, and natural deodorizers.

However, I've really been into thieves oil lately, and this is the recipe I chose to use:

Four Thieves Coconut Oil Deodorant Recipe

• ¼ cup baking soda
• ¼ cup arrowroot powder
• 4 TB melted unrefined coconut oil (use refined if you don't like the smell of coconut)
• ⅛ teaspoon pure Vitamin E oil
• 8 drops clove bud essential oil
• 6 drops lemon essential oil
• 4 drops cinnamon bark essential oil
• 3 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 2 drops rosemary essential oil

I have also made a four thieves vinegar recipe that's super delicious over salads, soups, and on braised meats.

The four thieves oil blend is believed to have originated in the 15th century. It was used by grave robbers as a means of preventing the black plague. It is said that when these thieves were apprehended, they admitted to using this blend and disclosed their formula in exchange for a less severe punishment for their crimes. Sounds potent to me!

This blend is highly antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-infectious. It will kill odor-causing bacteria on the spot. It's a perfect blend to use for all manner of body care recipes.

Other Ingredients to Consider

There are many ways to personalize this recipe to suit your needs. The ingredients listed below are great additions that help keep odor-causing bacteria at bay, but I have to say, this stuff works wonderfully the way it is.

• Grapefruit seed extract (3-5 drops)- great for odor control
• 1-2 teaspoon white kaolin clay- keeps you a bit drier
• Infuse the coconut oil with dried lavender, chamomile flowers, or rose petals in a double boiler for extra antibacterial properties (be sure to strain the oil)- soothing for the skin and kills odor-causing bacteria
• vegetable glycerin (1 tsp) for its soothing qualities