Hello again!

I recently shared a deodorant recipe with some tips to make it stronger if needed (especially during the summer months). While this recipe can be very effective for some, it may not help everyone.

I’ll admit a stinky truth: working on the farm in the Florida heat can be hell on my pits. I’m not ashamed. I stink if I’m not using something with a little extra oomph when I’m out working.

So, I work with this extra EXTRA strength recipe. I’m a little limited on scents/essential oils because the only ones I invest in are the ones with properties that help with actually killing what causes that odor. I like to use my original recipe during the one month we have cold weather here (I know I’m exaggerating–sometimes it’s 3 months), but when it’s not winter, I simply focus on not stinking.

The big trick–other than essential oil choices–here is the lacking coconut oil. When I sweat and I have coconut oil in my recipe it just spells disaster for me. My deodorant is quickly rendered useless on a scorching day if coconut oil is used in almost any amount.

This recipe has a shorter list of ingredients: shea butter, arrowroot powder, baking soda, essential oil blends.

I have seen some recipes out there that also call for cocoa butter. As much as I LOVE cocoa butter, I don’t like it in this recipe. I typically have a deep appreciation for cocoa butter’s fragrance, but not for deodorant. That’s my personal preference. If you find another recipe out there with cocoa butter in it and it works for you, great.

I use my Kitchen Aid mixer for this whole process. It’s sad, but I use my Kitchen Aid more for natural remedies and cosmetics than I do for actual baking. The first thing I do is add 5 tablespoons of shea butter, 3 tablespoons of arrowroot powder, and 2 tablespoons of baking soda to the bowl.

I insert my paddle and…

mix on the lowest setting until I get this consistency. If you don’t have a standing mixer and handheld one with a deep bowl works just as well. Once I have the correct consistency I add 20 drops of Cypress essential oil.

I also add 10 drops of lemongrass essential oil. I mix it in evenly so I can smell the essential oils every time I apply this deodorant.

Now, you can play with this a bit, but you are limited. 30 drops total is the safest amount. If you add more, do so at your own risk. If you have sensitive skin lemongrass and many other essential oils can become irritating. If you want to do only one essential oil, I recommend the cypress as its odor killing abilities are pretty phenomenal.

Instead of lemongrass, you can do another citrus. Most citrus essential oils also kill odor. Remember, if the goal is extra EXTRA strength deodorant, you want to use only essential oils that kill the bacteria that creates the odor.

I store this in dark tinted glass containers because of the essential oils. This keeps forever. I have tripled this batch and never had anything go bad. Don’t store it anywhere it could melt though.

Ingredients

• 5 tablespoons shea butter
• 3 tablespoons arrowroot powder
• 2 tablespoons baking powder
• 10 drops lemongrass essential oil
• 20 drops cypress essential oil

Directions

1. Mix first three ingredients in a standing mixer or in a deep bowl using a hand mixer until you have a smooth, well mixed consistency (it will be gooey).
2. Add essential oils and mix evenly.
3. Store in dark tinted glass containers at room temperature, out of direct sunlight.

If you want to use my favorite supplies and ingredients, check out the links below.

Shea Butter
Arrowroot Powder
Cypress Essential Oil
Lemongrass Essential Oil
KitchenAid Mixer

Let us know if you try this and how you like it.

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