Finally! A homemade deodorant recipe that works (at least for me). This rosemary lemongrass deodorant recipe was inspired by one of my favorite, non-toxic deodorants from Bubble and Bee. I gave up commercial deodorants a long time ago, since I knew they were filled with all sorts of toxic ingredients. I have tried pretty much every non-toxic deodorant out there, plus several DIY recipes and have never really found anything quite right.
Then, I discovered the lemongrass rosemary deodorant from Bubble and Bee. You can read the review I did of their deodorants here. I’ve been using that specific deodorant for the last year or so and love it! Well, eventually, my stick ran out. 
I am trying to maintain a budget, so spending $13.00 on a stick of deodorant (even if it will last me for a year) was just not going to cut it. I knew I had to make my own. Nothing against Bubble and Bee. I love their products and I appreciate their non-toxic mission. If you’re not a DIY-type person, then I strongly encourage you to check out their stuff! Sadly, I just noticed that they no longer sell their lemongrass and rosemary variety, so I guess I was destined to make my own regardless!
When I read the ingredients on my now empty tube of deodorant, I realized there was nothing complicated about their recipe. AND, even better, I had everything I needed on hand already, so I didn’t have to spend any money! Cha-ching! After some trial and error with proportions, I finally got the recipe just right and have been happily using my knock off deodorant ever since!
The bentonite clay helps with moisture and odor control, as does the baking soda. If you are sensitive to baking soda, I believe arrowroot or corn starch would work just fine, though I have not tried that.
I personally love the lemongrass and rosemary combination, but if you’re not a fan of those scents, you can substitute your favorite essential oils. Eucalyptus and tea tree are great for deodorants, as is lavender. But, really, you can use whatever you’d like. I purchase my essential oils from Vitacost.com, because I have found that their prices are typically $2.00+ cheaper than locally. Plus, I usually have a big enough order to get free shipping, so I save even more. If you are interested, you can sign up through this link to get a $10 off coupon to use on your next Vitacost purchase (I get one too, so thanks!).
This makes enough to fill one stick perfectly — if you need more the recipe is easily doubled, tripled, quadrupled, or more!
Homemade Deodorant Recipe with Rosemary, Lemongrass, and Coconut Oil
2 tbsp. beeswax granules (mine come from Frontier Co-op)
1¼ tbsp. shea butter, cocoa butter, mango butter, etc. (I used shea)
1¼ tbsp. coconut oil
½ tbsp. bentonite clay
½ tbsp. baking soda
10 drops lemongrass essential oil
6 drops rosemary essential oil
1. In a double boiler, or a small saucepan over very low heat, combine the beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter until melted completely and mixed well.
2. Whisk in the baking soda and bentonite clay until well combined.
3. Remove from heat and let cool for a few minutes and then stir in your essential oils.
4. Take an old (clean) deodorant stick and make sure the plunger thing is twisted all the way down. Carefully pour your warm mixture into the container.
5. Let sit with the cap off until it has cooled completely. Then, use as normal.
This post is part of Simple Lives Thursday | The HomeAcre Hop | Fat Tuesday |
I love Bubble and Bee deodorant as well, but I have been using their geranium and lime. I will have to try this! Thanks for sharing!
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I love rosemary and lemongrass! I will definitely give this a try. I am sensitive to baking soda in deodorant but this one seems like a small ratio of baking soda to the other ingredients so it might just work.
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Hi Mindy – Thanks for stopping by! You could also leave the baking soda out and sub cornstarch or arrowroot. I have not personally tried that, but I know that many people have and it seems to work. I hope you like it!
I’m trying to get the chemicals out of my personal care products so this looks great! I would love to have you share this on The HomeAcre Hop!
http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/01/the-homeacre-hop-3.html
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Thanks Lisa! I’ll come check it out!
Just ordered stuff to make this from Vitacost. (You should get a credit
)
Can’t wait to try it out!
Awesome Beth! Thank you SO much!!!
Could I use other essential oils? I have lemon, orange, lavender, cinnamon, eucalytus…
Absolutely! I think you could use pretty much any essential oil you’d like! Eucalyptus and lavender are both common for deodorants, but I bet an orange cinnamon combo would be nice too! If you experiment, let me know how it goes and what your favorite scent combo is!
Careful with orange, I used it in a deodorant before and it stained my clothes
Just placed my order via your link so you’ll get a $10 off coupon! Thanks for the link and the recipe!!!
Hi Mary! Thank you so much! I really appreciate that!
I just have a question, I normally use gels as they don’t leave residue on my clothes. What kind of white junk does this leave behind?
Cora – I have had no residue on my clothes after using this. I got paranoid, since it is coconut oil based, but for me, this left no residue. Everyone is different though, so I can’t guarantee that it will work the same for everyone. I also am careful only to do a couple of quick swipes, rather than using tons of it at once. That may be what is helping avoid residue. Hope that helps!
Hi Jessica,
I came across this delightful recipe on the homeacre hop! I am so excited to make this! I, too, have been avoiding commercial deodorant and all of its scary ingredients. The prospect of being able to create an acceptable alternative that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg is AWESOME! Thank you for sharing!
Heidi on the wildbluebus.com
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Hi Heidi — Thank you for stopping by! I hope you enjoy! I was so happy with how it turned out — it’s almost identical to the brand that I loved!
Hi there!
This sounds great. My question is – when it gets warm in the summer (typically my bathroom and upstairs to up to about 80 in the afternoon) will this still stay pretty solid due to the bentonite clay? If so, i am thinking I could maybe finagle this as a new deo for my husband as well…without needing to tell him I made it.
Thanks for the cool recipe
Hi Kerstin – Thanks for stopping by! The beeswax should keep it from melting during the summer months. Mine does get a tad softer, but it is never to soft to use. Hope that helps!
Yes it does…thanks, I will be trying this, and thanks for the quick response.
I looked up bentonite clay on Mountainroseherbs and one of its minerals is Aluminum. Isn’t aluminum one of the major reasons people make their own deodorant? I ask not to be rude or mean, but because I’m confused. Is it a different kind of aluminum?
Thanks
Beginner To DIY beauty products
Hi Gina – I didn’t want you to think I was ignoring you! I’m just running way behind on things. It is my understanding that the aluminum in the clay does not have the same effect that the aluminum in antiperspirants does. Bentonite clay is used for detoxing purposes. That said, I have some inquiries in with some great resources and will make sure to come back and share what I find out. You have prompted me to see if my knowledge from years passed is indeed correct!
The aluminum in bentonite clay is safe. Here’s an article that might help: http://www.naturalnews.com/033381_bentonite_clay_detox.html
Hi Raquel – Thanks for sharing! I also contacted the folks at Mountain Rose Herbs and they said it’s safe as well. I need to go back and edit the post to include that info.
Could you give us the beeswax measurement in weight? I just have a large block and am not sure grating it will really produce the same volume as your granules. Everything else looks like it can be easily measured by volume. Thanks!
Hi Erika – So sorry for the delay in responding! The weight for 2 tbsp of the beeswax that I use is 0.6 ounces.
Now if they only had BPA free dispensers..
You could put this in any container that you want. Some people just put it in a small glass jar or a metal tin and just use their fingers. Whatever you have on hand and works for you!
Anyone have any ideas for what essential oils to use if the deodorant is for a man? I made it for myself using rosemary and lemongrass like suggested in the recipe and LOVED IT. Now I would like to make a stick for my husband to try.
Hi Amanda – Cedarwood, Ylang Ylang, Patchouli, Cypress, Spruce, Sandalwood are all nice “manly” scents. I personally love sandalwood and patchouli! I found this article, which might be of interest too: http://www.motherearthliving.com/natural-beauty/the-scent-of-a-man.aspx Hope that helps!
I’ve been looking into alternatives such as good one (can’t wait to try and see how this one works out) but I’ve been hearing more and more about the importance of pH balanced products on your skin or hair. Would that be an issue with this deodorant that you know of?
Hi Shaylee – I have not done much research into that, so I can’t answer for sure. Good luck in your research!
Hi everyone! I am making this right now and decided to try using my essential oil warmer and put the ingredients in a jar. I use the warmer to melt the wax I use to wax my eyebrows, and thought it would work for this too. It works! And I don’t even need to wash the jar afterwords, I’ll just put it away and use the same jar again next time I make it. Cool!
Hi Anna – Thanks for sharing your tip!
I made this deodorant the other day and it’s awesome! It was even working after I rode my bike on a warm, humid day and was sweating. I messed up the recipe, though…I ordered some form of liquid bentonite by mistake (the consistency of yogurt) instead of the powdered clay. Then, I used 1 1/2 tbl. of it by mistake instead of just 1/2 of a tbl. The consistency is really crumbly, but it still works great even with my screw up. I’m ordering the correct bentonite clay and will make it again.
Hi Kim – Thanks for the feedback! I have tried many home recipes and this one works the best for me. I think it’s the combination of the clay and essential oils. I had no idea that there was a liquid version of bentonite. Interesting! I’m glad it’s working for you
I am so excited to see this recipe!!! My son reacted to a crystal deodorant and I’ve been wondering what to do for him instead. Thank you!
I have a question too. I have a lot of french green clay that I used in a recipe for facial powder. Can I use that instead of the bentonite clay?
Hi Monica – I hope this one works for you guys! The French clay should work just fine, though I have never used it in this recipe. Let me know how it turns out!