Do You Know How Your Favorite Soaps & Deodorants Are Made with Essential Oils?

We all use soap and deodorant every day. They keep us fresh, clean, and confident. But have you ever stopped to wonder what makes them smell so good? Or how they help fight odor and bacteria?

The secret often lies in essential oils. These natural plant-based oils do more than just make products smell nice. They offer benefits for the skin, mood, and even health. Today, we’ll explore how essential oils are used in soaps and deodorants, what oils are commonly used, and how they are added to these products.

What Are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are highly concentrated natural oils extracted from plants. These include flowers, leaves, bark, roots, seeds, and even peels. Common methods to extract essential oils include steam distillation, cold pressing, and solvent extraction.

These oils are full of active compounds that give them their smell and benefits. Some essential oils calm the mind, while others fight germs or reduce inflammation. Because of these powerful properties, essential oils are often added to beauty and wellness products—including soaps and deodorants.

How Soaps Are Made With Essential Oils

The Basic Soap-Making Process

Soap is made through a chemical reaction called saponification. This process happens when fats or oils are mixed with lye (sodium hydroxide). The result is a solid bar of soap.

Once the soap has formed and cooled, essential oils are added. This is usually done during the last stages, when the mixture is still soft but no longer reacting. This helps preserve the delicate compounds in the essential oils.

Why Essential Oils Are Used in Soaps

1. Fragrance: They give soap its natural scent.

2. Skin Benefits: Oils like lavender, chamomile, and tea tree soothe, cleanse, or treat skin issues.

3. Natural Alternative: Many people prefer essential oils over artificial fragrances, which can irritate sensitive skin.

How Deodorants Use Essential Oils

What Is a Deodorant?

Deodorant helps reduce body odor. Some also absorb sweat. Most body odor comes from bacteria breaking down sweat, especially in the underarm area.

Essential oils help by:

• Killing bacteria

• Providing a fresh scent

• Soothing the skin

Types of Deodorants

1. Roll-ons and sprays – Liquids applied under the arms.

2. Sticks and creams – Solid or semi-solid products rubbed onto the skin.

3. DIY Natural Deodorants – Many people now make their own using baking soda, coconut oil, and essential oils.

Most Common Essential Oils Used in Soaps & Deodorants

1. Lavender Oil

• Scent: Floral, relaxing

• Benefits: Calms the skin, reduces irritation, helps you relax

• Popular in: Soaps, bath bars, deodorants for sensitive skin

2. Tea Tree Oil

• Scent: Medicinal, earthy

• Benefits: Antibacterial, antifungal, helps prevent acne and odor

• Popular in: Acne-fighting soaps, natural deodorants

3. Lemongrass Oil

• Scent: Citrus-like, clean

• Benefits: Kills bacteria, reduces body odor, acts as a natural astringent

• Popular in: Refreshing soaps and men's deodorants

4. Peppermint Oil

• Scent: Minty, cooling

• Benefits: Cools the skin, gives a fresh scent, uplifts mood

• Popular in: Energizing soaps, unisex or sports deodorants

5. Eucalyptus Oil

• Scent: Sharp, refreshing

• Benefits: Clears the sinuses, kills germs, invigorates the body

• Popular in: Shower soaps, body bars for mornings

6. Rosemary Oil

• Scent: Herbal, slightly woody

• Benefits: Reduces inflammation, stimulates blood flow, strengthens skin

• Popular in: Herbal soaps and DIY deodorants

7. Cedarwood Oil

• Scent: Warm, woodsy

• Benefits: Natural deodorizer, calming to the skin

• Popular in: Men’s grooming soaps and body care

8. Sweet Orange Oil

• Scent: Fruity, sweet

• Benefits: Uplifts mood, has light antibacterial properties

• Popular in: Children’s soaps, citrus-scented deodorants

What Happens When Essential Oils Are Added?

Essential oils are very potent, so they must be used in small amounts. In most products:

• Just a few drops per bar of soap are enough.

• In deodorants, 5–10 drops per 30g of product is common.

• They are usually mixed into a carrier base like coconut oil, shea butter, or beeswax.

Adding too much can cause skin irritation, especially in sensitive areas like the underarms.

Natural vs. Synthetic Fragrances

Synthetic fragrances are cheaper and often longer-lasting. But they can contain harsh chemicals, some of which are allergens or hormone disruptors.

Essential oils, on the other hand:

• Come from plants

• Are biodegradable

• Offer additional skin and health benefits

This is why natural soap and deodorant brands proudly advertise their use of essential oils instead of “fragrance.”

Can You Make Your Own?

Yes! Many people now make their own DIY deodorants and soaps at home. It's fun and lets you pick the oils that suit you best.

Simple DIY Deodorant Recipe

• 3 tbsp coconut oil

• 2 tbsp baking soda

• 2 tbsp arrowroot powder or cornstarch

• 10–15 drops of essential oil (e.g., tea tree + lavender)

Mix and store in a jar. Apply a small amount with fingers.

Simple DIY Soap (Melt-and-Pour)

• Buy a melt-and-pour soap base

• Melt it over low heat

• Add 10–20 drops of essential oil per 500g

• Pour into molds and let it harden

How to Choose the Right Essential Oils

When buying products or oils:

• Read labels – Look for “100% pure essential oil.”

• Avoid products that just say “fragrance oil.”

• Check for skin sensitivity – Some oils like cinnamon and clove can irritate.

• Look for cold-pressed or steam-distilled oils – These are more natural.

Benefits Beyond Scent

Essential oils not only make soaps and deodorants smell good, they:

• Support mental wellness (Lavender calms, peppermint energizes)

• Cleanse the skin (Tea tree and eucalyptus kill germs)

• Offer aromatherapy while you shower or get ready

For many, these daily items become mini moments of self-care.

Final Thoughts

You probably use soaps and deodorants every single day. Next time you do, take a second to notice the scent. That clean, fresh smell might be doing more than you think—it could be an essential oil working in the background to clean, heal, or uplift you.

From lavender to tea tree, these plant-based oils offer more than fragrance. They carry centuries of tradition, nature’s own antibacterial power, and benefits for skin, mood, and well-being.

So, the next time you choose a soap or deodorant, consider what’s inside. A small drop of essential oil might be making a big difference in your day.