Iβve written about stinky armpits before. No one wants armpit odor. At least no one I have met.
Since writing that post, Iβve been on a mission to learn as much as I can about armpits. Stop laughing. Itβs true. Iβve become quite interested in those little detox havens. Spurred forward by my own detox journey, I wanted to learn how I could best support these important detox pathways while not wafting an eyebrow raising odor in the general direction of anyone near me. Armpit odor is a no-thank you but detox is a yes-please!
Guess what I learned about how to get rid of armpit odor? Your pits just need some probiotic deodorant.
Probiotics do wonders to balance the bacteria in your gut. So why wouldnβt they do the same for your skin? Well, they do. And they do it well.
Our skin contains millions of beneficial bacteria, also known as micro flora. Micro flora play an essential role in preventing undesirable bacteria from developing. Itβs this bacteria that causes armpit odor.
If you were to use the chemical deodorants that are on the market, you actually would set up a vicious cycle in your pits. The chemicals kill the good bacteria. The bad bacteria flourishes. The bad bacteria stinks. You use more chemicals. The good gals loose and the bad guys win. See the problem?
You could switch to a natural brand or make your own deodorant but if you are not keeping the proper balance of bacteria in your pits, you might find that you still have a little funky stuff happening in there.
Not all probiotics work in armpits!
This is important stuff folks. In order to get the maximum benefit from your pit probiotics, you need to choose a brand that is shelf stable! If you select a product that is delicate, it wonβt hold up and thus will prove to be worthless. Make sure that your probiotics has a mix of lactobacillus and bifidobacteria at a minimum. Here are a few of the brands I use:
Also, while it might sound all βone with nature and stuffβ, steer clear of those soil based probiotics that are black in color. If you choose to use them, expect your pits to look like the inside of a babyβs diaper after a hard night with a batch of rancid prune puree.
Some people have had success with using their favorite natural or homemade deodorant and rubbing a little probiotic powder on after. Iβm glad this works for them but it never worked for me. In my experience, the probiotics needs to be mixed into the deodorant. Applying them after doesnβt give them direct and immediate access to the skin as there is a barrier in the way.
I also find that sometimes you just need a little armpit scrub to get the stinkies out! Good thing my armpit scrub recipe is a winner!
If you are looking for a pretty fabulous deodorant recipe, this is the one I have been making, using, and adoring.
A Deodorant Recipe That Knocks Out Armpit Odor
No one likes armpit odor! Learn why probiotics are the funk busting powerhouse you have overlooked and grab my amazing probiotic deodorant recipe.
Materials
- 1 Tablespoon cocoa butter
- 1 Tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 Tablespoon shea butter
- 1 Tablespoon beeswax
- 2.5 Tablespoons arrowroot powder
- 1 Tablespoon baking soda (or if sensitive to baking soda, substitute more arrowroot powder or corn starch)
- 1/4 teaspoon vitamin E oil
- 15 drops essential oil of your choice (optional)
- 2 probiotic capsules (be sure to check out the brands I linked to above)
Instructions
- Add the cocoa butter, shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax to a glass measuring cup.
- Place the measuring cup in a medium sized saucepan and fill the saucepan with water until it reaches the halfway mark on the measuring cup. Be careful not to get water in the measuring cup with the ingredients.
- Over low heat, melt the butters, oil, and beeswax.
- Remove from heat and add the arrowroot powder, baking soda, and vitamin E oil, stirring until it is cool enough to touch.
- Once it is cool, you can add the essential oils if you are using any and the probiotics. Make sure you open the capsules and pour in the contents.
- Store the finished product in an airtight, glass container away from light.
Notes
- If you feel like you need more probiotic power in this recipe, you can add up to 6 capsules.
- If you would like a smoother consistency to this deodorant, replace the beeswax with more coconut oil. This recipe creates a βsalveβ like consistency.
What essential oils do I use and love? Several brands actually.
1. My hands down favorite brand is Rocky Mountain Oils (also known as Native American Nutritionals). These are seriously the BEST brand I have ever used. They are strong. And I mean strong. I have seen some amazing things happen when using this brand.
2. GEO carries a great line of essentials oils and I have always had success with their oils. They are adding new blends frequently and are definitely worth a look!
3. I am really enjoying Plant Therapy essential oils as well. They are easy on the budget as well as being a high quality oil.
Tiffany says
Hi, Jennifer thanks for the share and I can’t wait to try your at home deodorant remedy. Can I buy the raw materials you listed at a store by the oz instead of buying all of the products individually?
Jennifer says
If you have a well stocked health food store, they might have all of these ingredients available by the ounce.
Tiffany says
Is there a way we can converse via email? I have some questions in regards to your remedy and the success rate it has brought about for your customers. I would also like to share my story about this embarrasing topic with you.
Greg says
Your recipe would work. I think you should try a very little spreading of lactose free yogurt. It’s the best.
jodiesattva says
I am SO EXCITED to have found your post. I’ve been considering putting probiotics in my pits since everything else I’ve tried has failed, including this last thing, which was home sugaring (yep… wow). I have a stockpile of Schmidts that I need to use up right now, so I’m going to try melting one of those down and adding the capsules and see how that turns out. I’m comforted to know that this really works and other people out there think like I do!
Jennifer says
Yay!!!! Probiotics for the win!
Megan says
Why do you not use tea tree oil also in your deodorant recipe? I have seen that in most diy natural deodorants and just curious to whether there is a specific reason you don’t use it.
Also, I used these same ingredients in my last batch (only different was without probiotics and with tea tree oil), except bentonite clay was also used.
Will tea tree oil and bentonite clay play well with the probiotics? Or is there any reason that they wouldn’t play well together?
Thanks for all your research on this! I have been procrastinating on making my next batch, and not sure if I should use the probiotics or not, just not sure if they would actually make a difference, but after reading this it all makes sense. I will use probiotics.
Jennifer says
Hi Megan! I am very conservative in my use of essential oils. I prefer to only use tea tree oil on things like acne, bug bites, etc… I have trouble detoxing and overuse of EOs clogs my detox pathways. I personally think EOs that can aid with infection should be saved for those instances. However, there is no reason you could not add a couple of drops.
I often times put clay in my deodorant recipe. Usually I add it during summer when it is 120 here and I am dumping buckets of sweat! It actually helps with heat rash too. So feel free to add it in as well.
Ashley says
Does the deodorant need to be refrigerated to keep the probiotics alive?
Jennifer says
I keep mine in the fridge because my house is warm. If you are using a shelf stable probiotic then no, it is not necessary. If your probiotic typically resides in the fridge then yes, keep the deodorant in there.
travis says
Jennifer,
This paste works so well for me! I thought I was fighting a losing battle against embarrassingly stinky pits; it was bleak! The combo of the pit scrub and this paste has changed everything! My pits are a joy to be around (though I generally don’t invite others to enjoy them like they should), even after strenuous exercise!
Thank you. Slainte!
-travis
Jennifer says
Well this made me smile! So glad this worked well for you! π You have a great sense of humor. Ha!
Alicia Harper says
OMG I would never have have thought of this in a million years! I just need to pick up some Beeswax then I am going to try this. My body reacts really badly to chemical deodorants which makes it hard to smell great when I am in public which is super embarrassing. Thanks for sharing this Jennifer I am happy I found this. Go Probiotics !!! π
Jennifer says
Yay!!!! “Makes it hard to smell great when I am in public” made me laugh. Been there! π
mariah daley says
Thank you for such a great recipe. Will try to make it at home following your instructions
Jan says
Great recipe! I would rather use a deodorant stick, so what adjustment to the bees wax amount would you recommend?
Jennifer says
Hi Jan! As is, the recipe create a firmer, more salve like product. This actually would probably work just fine in a deodorant stick. If you want to make it just a tad firmer, I would add an additional teaspoon of beeswax.