3gLeucidalor other preservative at recommended dosage
1gessential oils optional, for fragrance
Instructions
Weigh out the almond oil, zinc ricinoleate, and BTMS in a double boiler insert or similar type container for melting over a double boiler.
Melt the BTMS and zinc ricinoleate, and stir together with the oil until all ingredients are fully combined.
Separately, weigh out the water, glycerin, and zinc PCA. (If you find you need a more effective deodorant, you can add more than 1g of zinc PCA, but it may make the deodorant more irritating for some people. I use around 1.5g for myself and 1g for my husband.)
Heat the water ingredients over a double boiler until they are fully dissolved. Ideally you will get both the water and oil ingredients around 70º-75ºC/160º-170ºF before combining them.
Add the hot oil mixture to the hot water mixture and stir together gently.
As the mixture cools, keep stirring occasionally. If the mixture doesn't appear to be emulsifying well, you can use the help of an immersion blender. I actually have a milk frother that I often use for mixing up smaller batches. The only inconvenience of using a milk frother is that it does tend to make some foam, but with this sort of light lotions of sorts, it should settle down relatively quickly once you've stopped mixing.
Once the emulsion has mostly cooled, you can add in essential oils for fragrance. I like using a mixture of lavender and citrus oils or herbal oils like rosemary for deodorants.
Add in your preservative. Depending on the preservative you are using, you may have to test for pH and then adjust the pH by adding lactic acid to get your deodorant mixture into the right range for your particular preservative. Add the amount recommended for your preservative. (This recipe adds up to around 100g, so add a gram for each percent amount needed. So, for example, if your preservative calls for usage at 1%, add 1g.)
You may add in a few drops of other active ingredients that you like. A few drops of vitamin E or D-Panthenol are great optional additions to this deodorant.
Mix together all ingredients, and pour the mixture into a roll on dispenser. If you can't find a decent sized roll on deodorant dispenser, you can repurpose an old one. Make sure to take it apart and fully clean all parts of it. I also like to give all parts a final rinse in denatured or rubbing alcohol.