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A simple DIY Deodorant recipe that smells amazing and works too! Made with clean, all-natural ingredients and ready in under 10 minutes, this natural deodorant recipe will quickly become a staple in your body routine.
I am officially THAT girl.
I mean we all knew the day would come. The signs were all there. Natural beauty routine, apple cider vinegar EVERYWHERE, so it was due time I embrace my inner hippie and jump into the world of Natural Deodorant.
Two years ago if you asked me if I would ever use natural deodorant I would have without a doubt laughed in your face. I’m judgmental like that. But now here I am, not only admitting to using it but also encouraging you to do the same. Oh how times have changed.
I pretty much summed up my thoughts on natural beauty in this post and also shared some of my favourite homemade products in this post but in a nutshell I truly believe that what we put on our body should be equally as important as what we put in it. And this includes homemade deodorant.
Why Use Natural Deodorant
Have you seen what is in conventional deodorant? Likely you’ve glanced at the bottom at least once in your life and seen a list of ingredients that appear to be written in a different language. But did you know that many of these ingredients can be incredibly harmful for your body?
Let’s go through a couple of them:
–aluminum: this is the ingredient that clogs your sweat glands and prevents sweating (more on this below). Aluminum exposure has been linked to Alzheimers as well as to build-up of estrogen in the body which can also be correlated with increased chances of breast and prostate cancer.
–parabens: these ingredients are used as a preservative in deodorants but can also mimic estrogen in your body. This leads to hormonal disruptions and is also linked to breast and prostate cancers.
–phthalates: these chemicals are used to make other ingredients more flexible and are also used as fragrance ingredients for artificial fragrance. They primarily affect the endocrine system and exposure can lead to early onset puberty as well as breast cancer later in life.
-Triclosan: An antibacterial chemical that can also disrupt the hormone system and is associated with increased chance of breast cancer. It was actually banned by the FDA in hand soaps but for some reason they still allow it in deodorants?!
…this list could go on but this is just a taste of what you find in conventional deodorants.
What You Need to Make DIY Deodorant:
- Unrefined coconut oil – Coconut oil contains fatty acids, like lauric acid, which are known for their antibacterial benefits. It can help reduce the odor-causing bacteria in your arm pits, leaving you refreshed and smelling clean.
- Unrefined shea butter – Also super antibacterial and non-comedogenic so it won’t clog your pours. It also adds moisture to the formula.
- Arrowroot powder/flour – A highly absorbent powder to help wick up extra sweat. Effectively acts as an antiperspirant. You can replace with tapioca starch if that’s all you can find.
- Baking soda -super effective at fighting body odor and also soaks up sweat. Note: baking soda can be a potential skin irritant so feel free to add less to the formula and work your way up.
- Lavender essential oil – this is primarily for scent so you can replace with a different essential oil if you prefer or omit for unscented.
- Grapefruit essential oil – same as lavender in that you can replace with a different essential oil if you prefer a different scent or omit for fragrance free.
- Tea tree essential oil (optional)* – tea tree is antibacterial and a super effective odor-buster.
You will also need either a small glass jar with a lid or empty deodorant sticks or containers.
*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.
How to Make DIY Deodorant
STEP 1: Place coconut oil and shea butter in a glass bowl or jar and place the bowl/jar inside a medium sauce pan to create a double boiler. 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, stir coconut oil and shea butter and continue to do so until it melts.
STEP 2: Once melted, add in arrowroot starch, baking soda and essential oils.
STEP 3: 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 consistency. Cover with lid until use.
How to Use DIY Deodorant:
- 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.
FAQs: Your Questions Answered
How long does this natural deodorant last?
If kept in a cool, dry place this natural deodorant will last 6-12 months.
How much natural deodorant should I use?
Just a pea-sized amount. A little goes a long way.
Will I need to reapply?
Depending on your body and level of activity you may have to. This natural deodorant is not an anti-perspirant so while it can reduce sweat slightly it will not prevent sweating entirely so you will need to reapply from time to time. This is the case with all aluminum-free deodorant as the aluminum is what blocks your sweat ducts. However, the coconut oil, baking soda and essential oils all offer odor protection so you should be good for several hours/all day if you aren’t getting super sweaty.
Do I need an adjustment period to natural deodorant?
Your armpits may require an adjustment period while making the switch. Start by using this DIY Natural Deodorant 1-2 days a week and slowly increase.
What if my skin reacts to natural deodorant?
Some people develop skin irritation to tea tree and baking soda. I recommend waiting at least 6 hours after you shave if you plan to use this natural deodorant. This means I’ll shave the night before and then apply the next morning. This prevents any kind of skin reactivity. If you have extra sensitive skin you can leave out the tea tree and decrease the amount of baking soda in the blend.
Help! My DIY Deodorant won’t harden!
First things first, try putting it in the fridge. If it hardens in the fridge then it’s likely your home is on the warmer side and you’ll need to store it in the fridge to keep it solid. It works if it isn’t solid but may separate a bit. Alternatively, check to make sure you didn’t use fractionated coconut oil which will not harden. You’ll need to remake your recipe with non-fractionated coconut oil.
How long will this natural deodorant last?
Mine typically lasts 3-6 months depending on the season and how frequently I’m reapplying.
Can I use different essential oils?
Yes, you can use whatever essential oils you prefer. Some suggestions include eucalyptus, chamomile or bergamot.
What about store-bought deodorants?
You can read about my favorite store-bought best natural deodorants (including baking soda-free options) HERE.
More Homemade Body Care Recipes:
DIY Deodorant
A simple DIY Deodorant recipe that smells amazing and works too! Made with clean, all-natural ingredients and ready in under 10 minutes, this natural deodorant recipe will quickly become a staple in your body routine.
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 small glass jar 1x
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 tbsp unrefined coconut oil
- 2 1/2 tbsp unrefined shea butter
- 1/4 cup arrowroot starch/flour
- 1 1/2 tbsp baking soda
- 6 drops lavender essential oil
- 6 drops grapefruit essential oil
- 1 drop 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 small glass jar (or pour into empty deodorant stick(s)) and allow to cool at room temp or in fridge (will harden faster in fridge) until it’s reached a solid state.
- Cover with lid until use.
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.
*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.
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what are some scents that are more masculine that can be used?
Where do you get your cute little wooden scoops?!
I picked them up from the dollar store!
I’ve made two batches of this, one with less baking soda. The first I mixed by hand, the second with a hand mixer. With both batches, I’ve had a problem with the soda mixing in uniformly. So I will hit a patch of deodorant with more soda, and because it’s abrasive, I get red marks where my shirt had rubbed against the deodorant. Any suggestions for fixing this on the next batch?
Oh no! I’m sorry to hear this! Are your oils totally melted before you mix in the baking soda? I’ve never had mine become too abrasive. You may also be sensitive to baking soda, which is quite common. Try omitting it, which will of course make it slightly less effective but we don’t want you getting inflamed skin!
Yes, the oils have been totally melted. It’s odd that I can use it for a while and be fine, then other times I can feel that the deodorant is rougher when I apply it, like it’s just not mixed evenly. The next batch I will cut back even more on the baking soda then. Thanks.
This happens to me when I use deo that has too much Soda. Day 1 is fine as well as 2 and 3. But day 4 usually is fiery red pits. You could try to cut back on the bicarbonate or you could try mixing with water and then putting it in the recipe. The water will eventually evaporate. Especially if you melt the oils in double boiler and add the wet soda and stir while it evaporates.
Are there other flours you can use besides arrowroot?
I tried this last night and left it out to cool at room temperature. This morning when I woke up the oils had separated. Anyone ever come across this and can it be fixed?
I’ve never had that happen! I do find that when I make it in the summer I need to let it cool in the fridge to harden. Try mixing it and placing it back in the fridge to set!
Hi Tania, I’ve just made it and had the same problem with the melted oils not resetting, and sitting on top of the other ingredients in the jar (even though very well mixed before pouring in). They didn’t set overnight. So I’m just trying to set it in the fridge to see if that helps. Did you ever figure out what went wrong with your batch? 🙂
Just wanted to thank you for sharing this. Have been gradually transitioning to natural over the last year. Love PPP, but was not enjoying ordering a new jar every 6 weeks! This works just perfect for me. I’m so grateful. It even worked odor wise for my husband, but his pits reacted to the baking soda and turned fiery red 🙁 I’ve tried three other recipes for him, and they just didn’t cut it. I even tried using them when my first batch of this ran out, but I returned to my stinky old self. Still haven’t worked out a recipe for him, but, anyway–I love this recipe…has boosted my confidence and saved my wardrobe 🙂 Thanks again!
Hello! I just made some with a different recipe that called for beeswax and I’m having a bit of trouble applying it. But it works!
I’m going to try your recipe, thanks! The older I get the more natural I’m going 🙂
Sue
Me too haha! Hope this one is more successful for you!!
Hello,
I had already made homemade deodorant and I have been using it since the summer, I love it!! I made it with corn starch so when I saw your recipe I thought I might try out this one that included shea butter in it! I did it yesterday and it works perfectly, the only question I had is do you by any chance know why mine has a brownish color instead of a white one? The one I used to do was white and then when I switched to bio cornstarch it was yellow (as the cornstarch had that color) but with that one I thought it would be white (I mean shea butter and arrowroot are not totally white but I dont get the brown color).
Not that it changes anything to the benefits, but I would like to make it for some friends, and the colour might discourage them…
Thank you! 🙂
Hi Tere, Glad you like it! I’m not certain why it would have a brownish color? Perhaps your shea butter is more on the brownish side? Mine always turns out white or slightly off-white but never brown. I wish I could be more helpful!
Thank you for your answer 🙂 Yeah I am not certain either but it works so that is what matters I guess 😀
If using cornstarch at any time, I make sure it’s “Organic” and “Non-GMO”. I’ve purchased it from a Health Food Store. I do the same with the food I eat.
I’m learning more about GMO ingredients and foods (GMO = Genetically Modified Organisms) and they are affecting the health of people, animals, birds, the air and water, other plants and this beautiful planet.
People have choices, and I choose to do whatever I feel is best for the best health of myself and my animals.
My Dad was a farmer. He always said “Respect the Earth and the Earth will respect you?
I agree totally about make choices that include the welfare of other living things. Pleased to meet you.
I’ve always wanted to make my own natural deodorant! Do you think I could swap out shea butter for cocoa butter since where I’m at does not have shea butter?
I haven’t tried it myself but I would imagine it would be just fine!
I’ve made and used this deoderant off and on for a couple of years. I like it, but I have to wear black tee shirts for work all summer and by the end of the summer they have noticeable stains under the arms. Any ideas on getting rid of the stains?
Unfortunately no 🙁 I’ve noticed this with both natural and conventional deodorants and have just written it off as a part of life. If you find a solution I’d love to hear it!
I’d try dish detergent to remove t staining or go the outta the box an maybe dip the whole shirt into oil an wash normally. That is if the shirt doesn’t have a logo that would get wrecked by doing this.
Hey, I just made some to a different recipe and it used bentonite clay (fullers earth) instead of arrowroot which makes the deo like a browny colour so obvs not good for white tops but better for dark ones. I’m going to make some to this recipe for my white top days!
Bx