If you have beeswax, an oil (like coconut) and an essential oil then you have the 3 basic ingredients that form the basis for a number of beauty recipes. Solid perfume, lip balm, body balm, lotion bars and whipped body butter all come from the same ingredients! You can vary things up, of course, with different oils, butters and essential oils but invest in the basics and you can be done with Christmas gifts in one afternoon. We’ll share more on this soon!
Body butter has become a must-have basic for me (I’ve already gone through this de-stress lotion). These bars are just as moisturizing as your daily lotion with an added bonus – they work great as deodorant! Here’s how we made them:
Jasmine + Tea Tree Deodorant Lotion Bar
This DIY deodorant is still one of my favorite recipes, but I’ll admit slathering it onto my pits with my fingers can feel weird. I love that this bar works much like a deodorant stick – so much easier to apply!
Supplies needed
- 2 tablespoons beeswax
- 1/4 cup shea butter
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons baking soda
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 15 drops tea tree essential oil
- 15 drops jasmine essential oil (feel free to use a different essential oil if you have a favorite scent)
Instructions
Step 1
Combine beeswax, shea butter and coconut oil in a heat-safe bowl. Heat a couple of inches of water over low heat in a small saucepan. Place the bowl on top to melt the wax and oils.
Step 2
Remove from heat and stir in baking soda and cornstarch. Add in essential oils and combine.
Step 3
Pour into a mold and let the bar harden for several hours. If you don’t have soap/lotion bar molds you can use ice cube trays, loaf pans, silicone molds or other Tupperware.
You can omit the baking soda and cornstarch if you simply want to make moisturizing lotion bars. And because these bars don’t have water in the recipe they will keep for at least a year.
Hi,
Is it baking powder or baking soda? Thank you!
Was the question ever answered about baking soda versus baking powder? I have never made deodorant before so am not sure which is correct. I read all the comments and never saw any comments about it being corrected? Thanks.
Baking Soda, as Baking Powder contains aluminum. That’s what we’re trying to avoid after all!
I have really sensitive skin. Can I replace the baking powder and cornstarch with bentonite clay?
Baking powder, not baking soda?! Just checking!! :)
I did my first batch and I let it harden for 2 days but it is still soft.. What did i do wrong?
Was your Shea butter pure? Or a cream form? The Shea butter is a waxy and soft-solid at room temp. So, if you used a Shea can ram it won’t set properly.
Do you think the deodorant would work if poured into a deodorant container?
Maybe – I actually tried to put this one in an old container but I couldn’t get the twist mechanism to move the bar up. It’s certainly solid enough to work, so I’m not sure if it was my container – it might work better in a new container (you can buy them online).
I just ran out of the first batch I made. I loved it! I’m making more today and going to put it in an deodorant container. I hope it works! Thanks!
I tried it in a deodorant container and it works great! I love this stuff and so do friends I’ve made it for! So glad I found this recipe!
Wow, these bars look great. Do you have weights for the ingredients? They are too hard to fit into cup measures!!
This sounds pretty easy. Time to test out Ali express shipping for the Shea butter and beeswax. Wish me luck.