This page contains some affiliate links. Please review my disclosure policy.
Have you always wanted to try making your own natural deodorant but have been scared to try it out? This DIY recipe for Bergamot and Lime Deodorant is made from non-toxic ingredients, smells amazing and actually works! Learn how to make it here.
I was wrong.
I am that girl and over the past 2.5 years since I started making my own deodorant, I’ve yet to regret it.
Confession time: When we were deep in the middle of our move I ran out of deodorant. I thought for a second about going without it, but C quickly woke me out of my hippie daze. So I went to a local coop and bought a Bergamot and Lime scented deodorant. I loooooooved the smell and immediately became envious that my recipe doesn’t call for either of these essential oils. BUT the brand made me break out into a rash under my arms, which (not surprisingly) is never fun. It weirdly crystallized and felt like rubbing sandpaper under there…yeah no bueno.
So I gave it up and decided to tweak my old recipe to a bergamot and lime scented version. Now I’m back to my old stuff and my underarms are happy and I smell delicious. Well no one has told me I smell bad, so I’ll take it.
The recipe hasn’t changed much since my initial version but I wanted to highlight this new scent combo for anyone looking to try it out. It’s really just a swap out of essential oils (I love Aura Cacia’s!) but I know DIYs can be a bit intimating so I’ve laid it out for you. Watch the video above to see how you make both versions or follow the recipe below for your own homemade Bergamot and Lime Deodorant! Honestly, once you have the ingredients it’s wayyyy easier than you’d think!
PrintBergamot and Lime Deodorant
- Yield: 1 3 ounce jar (will last between 4-6 months) 1x
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 tbsp unrefined coconut oil
- 2 1/2 tbsp unrefined shea butter
- 1/4 cup arrowroot starch
- 2 tbsp baking soda
- 12 drops bergamot essential oil
- 8 drops lime essential oil
- 2 drops tea tree essential oil (optional)*
Instructions
- Place coconut oil and shea butter in a glass bowl or jar and place the bowl/jar inside a medium sauce pan.
- Add water to the saucepan (enough to surround bowl/jar but not to overflow it) and bring to a boil.
- As water is heating up, ensure to stir coconut oil and shea butter and continue to do so until it melts.
- Once melted, add in arrowroot starch, baking soda and essential oils.
- Place in a 3 ounce jar and allow to cool at room temp or in fridge (will harden faster in fridge) until it’s reached a solid state. If hardening in fridge, it will need to thaw for 10 or so minutes before use.
- Cover with lid and keep in a cool and dry place
Directions for use:
- Wet underarms slightly (this helps with even application)
- Spoon out a pea-sized amount with a wooden scoop or with fingers and rub between fingers before applying directly to underarms.
- For a regular day, one application in the morning should be fine. For hotter days, workouts or if you’re particularly sweaty, feel free to reapply as needed.
Recipe based off this one
*Certain people are sensitive to tea tree oil so be sure to test your skin with a drop before adding to mixture. It is not necessary to include but tea tree is antibacterial and it is the bacteria in your underarms that leads to smell so it is a nice addition if you are not sensitive.
IF USING A DEODORANT MOULD: This was the first time I tried making it in a deodorant mould based on feedback from you guys. It definitely works to pour your deodorant into the traditional mould, but I personally prefer it from the mason jar. I just find application is a lot more even with my hands. For the mould, it melts much faster due to the heat from your underarms so while it certainly works, you may need to store it in the fridge to keep it solid. This is especially true if you live in a hot climate.
Have you ever tried making your own deodorant? What’s your favorite scent combo?
LOVE THESE NATURAL BEAUTY TIPS? Join the THM Community!
Join 10,000+ members of the THM Community to get access to exclusive info about natural beauty, products I'm loving and how to transition to a more natural lifestyle.
Since this recipe has lime in it, which is a citrus, has anyone had any problems with photo sensitivity? I love lemongrass, maybe I will just try that scent. I was really looking for a scent my husband would love, something manly? Any suggestions?
Honestly, this isn’t a problem I’ve run into as I don’t generally lay out in the sun and especially not while exposing my underarms. I wouldn’t recommend tanning after applying this, but I just in general don’t encourage tanning anyway!
I’ve tried making my own deodorant, …it was a disaster. I don’t know where it went wrong but I tried making it with coconut milk and it didn’t went well. Thanks for this post, I now have a guide. Very thorough.
Homemade deodorant is the best! I actually just started making my own a few weeks ago and was SHOCKED by how good it works. I’ll never go back to regular!! This blend sounds amazing – will definitely be trying when my current batch runs out!
I try not to get carried away with making too many of my personal care products, but I am definitely going to make this. Pinned! I am actually an avid user of the above unmentioned lime and bergamot deodorant, but found it to be a tad hard/crumbly. This will be a great experiment to see how much I can improve on the original. Thanks!
Awesome! Hope you enjoy, Naomi!
I love this, my husband and I spent the last two months trying healthier natural deodorants and it’s been a stinky couple of months to say the least. None of them worked! We are excited to try this 🙂
hahahaha sorry to hear that, Erin! You and the hubs will like this one! Takes care of the smell and totally natural! xoxo
Out of curiosity, is it invisible? Or will it leave a white stain on your clothes when getting into them? Have never seen unrefined Shea butter? Where does one fine that?
Health food store or on amazon! In terms of visibility, it’s pretty much the same as regular deodorant. Just be careful putting on shirts etc…but if you are you won’t end up with stains!
Grapefruit + lavender is my jam. Also- I ALWAYS SPELL LAVENDER WITH AN AR. When am I ever gonna learn how to spell?
You wouldn’t be my Lee if you could spell!
OK, so I’m REALLY intrigued – but like, in terms of deodorant vs. antiperspirant, how does something like this work if you sweat a lot? ‘Cuz raise your hand if you are a heavy sweater…
Hey Heidi! I’m not a heavy sweater so I can’t speak to it from that sense but as a normal sweater (???) who works out, this totally works for me. It isn’t an antiperspirant (no natural deodorant will be) but it does take care of the smell!
Awesome, thanks! I know it’s not an antiperspirant but was curious how it worked with sweat, so that helps. Also, it felt really weird writing out sweater when I was first posting this!
Wow, didn’t know you could MAKE deodorant! This is awesome— Love the scent!
Thanks, lovely!
I LOVE making my own deodorant and one of my favourite scents is a combination of lemon grass-lime and grapefruit. Since I love bergamot I can’t wait to give this bergamot-lime combo a try.
Definitely try it out! I’m going to add some lemongrass next time. Love that idea!