Looking for a DIY deodorant that works? Check out this easy homemade deodorant made with magnesium hydroxide. It’s 100% natural and contains no baking soda. It keeps you smelling fresh all day and it’s very nourishing to the skin as well!
Easy DIY Deodorant That Works
The transition from using store-bought deodorant to using natural deodorant has not been easy.
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I ditched my store-bought deodorant once I learned about the toxic ingredients it contained. But finding a natural deodorant that actually worked was a totally different story.
Don’t get me wrong, natural deodorants have come a long way!
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When I first made the switch to natural deodorant there were very few options available. And most of the options basically sucked. They just didn’t get the job done.
Now there are tons of natural deodorants on the market and some actually work pretty well. But you have to go through a lot of testing and trying to find them and natural deodorants aren’t very cheap.
So the process of finding a natural deodorant that works for you can be a bit frustrating.
My go-to store-bought natural deodorant is Schmidt’s charcoal and magnesium deodorant. It is one of the best toxin-free deodorants that I have tried. But to be honest, it’s not as effective as I would like it to be.
On days when you’re not doing any strenuous physical activity or excessive sweating, it works fine. But I found that days where I was doing a lot of work outside or working out, it just wasn’t cutting it.
So I decided to make my own DIY deodorant that works. And I am so happy about how it turned out.
It’s the best natural deodorant I have ever used. Even after a long day of being in the sun or physical activity (or both), there is not even a hint of body odor.
It’s amazing!
Dangers of Store-Bought Deodorant
Now if you don’t already know why store-bought deodorants are bad – let me tell you.
Most store-bought deodorants contain aluminum which some recent studies have theorized may cause breast cancer. Aluminum has also been linked to non-reproductive organ system toxicity.
Also, store-bought deodorants usually contain artificial fragrances that can cause immunotoxicity, allergies, endocrine disruption, and more.
You can click here to learn more about the possible dangers of store-bought deodorant.
After being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease in 2018, I have been on a mission to reduce my toxic burden and live a more natural lifestyle.
When it comes to using bath and body or household products that contain questionable ingredients, I like to err on the side of caution.
If there is a potential risk to using a product and there is a natural alternative that works just as well, I usually go with the safer option.
Or I just make my own!
Not only do I avoid nasty ingredients by making my own DIY toxin-free products but I also save money.
Now I make my own all-purpose cleaner, lip balm, glass cleaner, eye cream, body butter, and so much more!
Magnesium Hydroxide in Deodorant
As I mentioned earlier, one of my favorite all-natural deodorants is Schmidt’s charcoal and magnesium deodorant. And it is definitely what inspired me to make this DIY deodorant.
The active ingredient in Schmidt’s charcoal and magnesium deodorant is magnesium hydroxide.
Magnesium hydroxide is a mineral supplement. It can be used to support digestion, promote bowel movements, support heart health, and so much more.
Magnesium hydroxide is also a great addition to DIY deodorant that works because it kills bacteria without blocking pores.
Many natural deodorants use baking soda as their main active ingredient. But baking soda is very alkaline and can strip the skin of its natural moisture which can lead to dry, irritated skin.
Magnesium hydroxide is much more gentle on the skin.
How do you Make Magnesium Deodorant?
Before making this homemade magnesium deodorant you’ll need to gather your ingredients and supplies. Below is a list of all the ingredients you’ll need as well as why I chose to include them in this recipe.
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Shea Butter
Shea butter is what makes up part of the base for this deodorant. It contains vitamins A & E and is 100% all-natural. It helps to moisturize the skin and leave your underarms softer than a baby’s bum.
Beeswax Pellets
Beeswax is also what makes up the base for this deodorant. Beeswax helps to soften and soothe the skin while also helping the deodorant keep a firm consistency.
Vitamin E
I decided to add a tiny bit of vitamin E to this DIY magnesium deodorant to increase the skin-nourishing properties. It isn’t 100% necessary but your underarms will love it!
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil helps to give this deodorant a creamy texture and it also contains antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.
Essential Oils
The main purpose of adding essential oils to the deodorant is for the scent. But if you would like your deodorant unscented you can leave the essential oils out.
I like to use lavender and tea tree. Lavender for the smell and skin-loving properties. And tea tree for its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties.
If you would prefer a more masculine scent, I would recommend using frankincense, patchouli, or cedarwood essential oils.
You can use a variety of essential oil combinations. Really anything you choose. But I would steer clear of phototoxic essential oils like lemon, grapefruit, and orange.
Need Essential Oils?
I used to use Young Living oils exclusively. I’m no longer loyal to just one brand. There are so many amazing essential oil companies out there.
High-quality essential oils don’t have to cost a lot. I now use brands like Far & Wild, Plant Therapy, and Simply Earth essential oils. They are all amazing and very affordable.
If you decide to buy from Simply Earth you can use the code HAPPYHEARTFREE to receive a $45 Simply Earth gift card with the purchase of your first recipe box.
If you are not familiar with Simply Earth or their recipe box you can check out previous boxes here.
If you order now with the code above you will receive the recipe box, a big bonus box plus a $45 Simply Earth gift card, all for only $29.99! (new customers only)
Magnesium Hydroxide
Magnesium hydroxide is the main active ingredient in this homemade magnesium deodorant. It is what prevents odor and makes this deodorant so effective.
Magnesium hydroxide does not absorb into the skin but rather remains on the surface of the skin and counteracts odor-causing bacteria.
Now let’s get to the recipe.
How to Make Homemade Deodorant
To make this DIY deodorant that works you’ll need a container to store your deodorant in. I just reuse an old deodorant container.
You can purchase empty deodorant containers on Amazon if you don’t have an old one on hand.
Then you’ll need the following ingredients below.
- 4 tablespoons of shea butter
- 4 tablespoons of beeswax pellets
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
- 10 drops of vitamin e oil
- 20-40 drops of essential oil
- 2 tablespoons of magnesium hydroxide
This makes around 4 ounces of deodorant. It fits into the container in the photo above perfectly.
Magnesium Hydroxide Deodorant Recipe
Melt the shea butter, beeswax pellets, and coconut oil in a double boiler. If you don’t have a double boiler you can carefully place a glass jar into a pot of water on the stove.
But I highly recommend using a double boiler. Making homemade products is so much easier to do when you have a double boiler. A double boiler typically costs less than $20 and it is 100% worth the investment.
If you decide to use a glass jar instead of a double boiler, light the stove and keep it on the low setting. Add the shea butter, beeswax pellets, and coconut oil to the glass jar and allow it to melt completely.
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You can also place the shea butter, beeswax pellets, and coconut oil into a microwave-safe bowl and microwave using 30-second intervals until everything has completely melted.
Stir gently in between intervals.
When everything has melted completely, add the vitamin E and essential oils and stir well. Then add the magnesium hydroxide and stir until everything is completely blended.
Gently pour it into your container and wait for it to get completely firm. This can take a couple of hours. You can place it in the fridge to speed up the process.
Once the deodorant is firm to the touch it is ready to use.
Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Magnesium Deodorant
Is Magnesium Hydroxide Safe to Use in Deodorant?
Magnesium hydroxide is a naturally occurring compound and it is generally considered very safe.
It’s a much better and much safer alternative to aluminum which is typically used in store-bought deodorant.
It’s also better than baking soda.
As I mentioned before, baking soda is very alkaline and can strip the skin of its natural moisture which can lead to dry, irritated skin.
Magnesium hydroxide on the other hand is much more gentle on the skin.
Is Magnesium Good for Your Armpits?
Magnesium is actually really good for your armpits. It helps to reduce body odor without any negative side effects.
And as I mentioned earlier, Magnesium hydroxide does not absorb into the skin but rather remains on the surface of the skin and counteracts odor-causing bacteria.
How to Store Homemade Deodorant?
It’s best to store this homemade deodorant in a cool place. It can melt if it is exposed to extremely high temperatures.
Also, always make sure the lid is attached securely when not in use. If it is constantly exposed to air it can dry out quickly.
Never allow water to get into the deodorant container. This will prevent the homemade deodorant from being contaminated with harmful bacteria.
How Long Does Homemade Magnesium Deodorant Last?
As long as the deodorant is stored properly and does not come into contact with water it should stay good for at least 6 months or longer.
Keep in mind, this is assuming all the ingredients used are fresh. If they are not fresh then this homemade magnesium deodorant will expire whenever the ingredients you used are set to expire.
For example, if you used shea butter that you’ve had for a while and it is set to expire in 30 days then your homemade deodorant will expire in 30 days.
I hope that makes sense. It’s best to use fresh ingredients whenever possible when making homemade bath and body products. That way you can ensure a long shelf life.
A Few More Tips
If the scent of the deodorant isn’t strong enough for you feel free to add a bit more essential oils the next time you make it. If it’s too strong use a little less.
This deodorant is the best deodorant I have ever used and I hope it is the best deodorant you have ever used.
But with that being said everybody is different and what works for my body might not work for yours.
Also, if you have never used natural deodorant before you may experience a detoxification process and it may take a little while to adjust.
This happened to me. When I first switched to natural deodorant, I developed a red rash on both of my underarms. I continued with the natural deodorant and after a few weeks it went away and I never experienced it again.
And my underarms have never been more smooth and soft and healthy-looking. Prior to switching to natural deodorant, my underarms were always very dry and slightly discolored.
If you have never used a natural, toxin-free deodorant before I would recommend trying an armpit detox mask.
An armpit detox mask can help you detox from the build-up of toxins that can accumulate from using store-bought, toxin-filled deodorant.
They typically contain ingredients like charcoal and bentonite clay. You can click here for an armpit detox mask you can make at home.
Or you can buy one. Amazon has a few good ones.
Well, I hope you love this DIY deodorant that works as much as I do. Let me know if you have any questions or comments below.
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- DIY Body Spray With Essential Oils
- All Natural DIY Chicken Coop Spray & Deodorizer
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Recipe