I’ve used countless store-bought natural deodorants, and they always leave me stinky and sweaty. In 2011, I made this homemade deodorant recipe and still use it daily. I love it, along with thousands of others who swear by it.
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Why I Use Natural Deodorant
Making your own deodorant saves money, is healthier for your body, and actually stops sweating and body odor. Seriously, jump on this bandwagon ASAP!
In 2011, I went on a journey and started making homemade granola bars, natural cold and flu remedies like honey lemon ginger tea, elderberry syrup, homemade lip scrubs, and even went 10 days without shampoo (I don’t recommend that last one).
It was during this time that I began questioning all the things I was putting in and on my body.
Most store-bought deodorants contain parabens, aluminum, dye and a bunch of chemicals I can’t even spell (or type correctly). Why put these things on your body if there are safe, natural alternatives that work even better? Since I started this journey, new “safer” products have been launched, but even they contain ambiguous ingredients like fragrance. What does that even mean?
To me, that’s reason enough to ditch commercial deodorants and make my own. I’ve been using the same recipe for over 11 years now and I absolutely love it and use it every day. The only thing I change up is the essential oils I use, depending on what scent I feel like that season.
The Best Natural Deodorant
No joke— you can put this deodorant on at 5AM, run a few miles, blend a the world’s Best Green Smoothie, throw on some work clothes, work an 8-hour shift and come home smelling good.
At first, my husband and I were baffled by how well it worked. We would smell each other’s armpits just to brag. Then we decided to push the boundaries and slathered it on before a long day of helping friends move. We sweat all day and came home smelling good!
Ingredients to Make Homemade Deodorant
You only need four ingredients to make your own all-natural deodorant. Chances are you probably have at least half of them already. You can buy arrowroot powder in the baking section of most natural food stores or online.
- baking soda (feel free to use less if you’ve got sensitive skin)
- non-gmo arrowroot powder (a better choice than traditional cornstarch)
- organic unrefined coconut oil
- essential oils: grapefruit, tea tree, spruce and sweet orange are my favorites
How to Use Homemade Deodorant
Using natural deodorant can seem a little intimidating at first. Since it’s stored in a jar, you have to scoop it out with your finger, a popsicle stick or a tongue depressor. If you’d prefer to have it in “stick form,” you can add a little bit of beeswax and shea butter to the recipe to thicken it. I found that didn’t work as well for me and went back to the jar recipe.
Tips for Starting Natural Deodorant
Some people encounter issues with an itchy rash, red bumps or more sweat and odor than usual as they transition to homemade deodorant. Don’t let this prevent you from making the switch!
Drinking plenty of water and dry brushing are two awesome ways to assist your body as it adjusts away from the chemical-laden deodorants you used to use. My #1 recommendation (drumroll, please!) is to detox your armpits. Sounds weird, I know! But it’ll help speed up your body’s adjustment period to this homemade deodorant.
In addition to detoxing your armpits, you may also want to consider detoxing your whole body. All the processed foods we eat contain chemicals that end up affecting the way we smell when we sweat. Try out a seasonal cleanse to get started on a whole-body detox.
These cleanses are super easy to follow and use only whole, plant-based foods (no expensive supplements!) to gently clear your body of unwanted toxins.
Best Natural Deodorant to Buy
While making my own deodorant works for me, I’m also a realist and know that not everyone wants to go this crunchy. That’s where Pretty Frank (formerly known as Primal Pit Paste) comes in.
They have natural deodorant lines that have a variety of strengths and scents that work and are better for your body.
I’ve used them while on vacation or if I run out of my own homemade blend and haven’t had time to make another batch.
More Home Remedies
If you’re ready to try a few new recipes (that really work!) and transform your home with safer products, then give my go-to remedies a try. They can help you sleep better, fight illness faster, clear congestion, hydrate and more:
- Fire cider: While this tonic is not for the faint of heart, it does wonders to shorten the length of an oncoming cold and I keep a batch on standby year-round.
- Lip scrub: A hydrating and fun recipe to make for gifts or just for yourself.
- Elderberry syrup: A great supplement to take during cold and flu season to keep your body healthy.
- Hot-flash remedy: Menopause, pregnancy, post-COVID- anything that brings on the unwanted hot flash can be soothed through this cooling beverage.
- Sleep tea: A tea that will help you drift off to sleep more naturally.
- Vapor rub: My kids and I use this at night to clear away congestion.
- Popsicles for sore throats: Whether it’s allergies or a cold that’s causing that sore throat, these tasty and soothing popsicles can help!
Leave a rating and review to let me know how this recipe worked out for you! As you can tell by the over 200+ reviews so far, this is a recipe you must try.
Simple Homemade Deodorant
Equipment
- mixing bowl
- air tight container
Ingredients
- ½ cup baking soda you can use less when starting out if it irritates you
- ½ cup arrowroot powder you can also use cornstarch, but I prefer arrowroot powder
- 5 tbsp coconut oil
- 20 drops grapefruit essential oil or another essential oil with antibacterial properties
Instructions
- Mix baking soda and arrowroot together. (I used my Kitchenaid Stand Mixer.)
- Add the coconut oil and essential oils. Mix well.
- Pour into clean air-tight jar (Homemade deodorant will last up to two years in an airtight container.)
- Use a popsicle stick to get the deodorant out of the container and transfer to your finger. Make sure you use enough under your arms to keep you “sure” all day long. A pea-size amount is usually good.
Notes
- Consistency: This deodorant changes consistency depending on the temperature. In cold climates, it can be pretty hard to get out. If that’s the case for you, I recommend storing it by the shower and allowing the steam to warm it before applying. If you live in a warm climate and the deodorant is too liquidy, store it in a cool cupboard to thicken it up.
- Technique: For the past couple of years, I stopped using the popsicle stick and actually just use my fingers and dip them in the jar.
I admit I didn’t read through every single comment, but I’m curious to see if anyone has tried this recipe with others essential oil scents then just grapefruit and orange?
You can definitely use other essential oils 🙂
How do you mix the ingredients since the coconut oil is a solid?
Any stand mixer will do 🙂 Or hand mixer, really.
just put your jar of coconut oil in a pot of really hot water and it will turn into a liquid. I always do this when I need it in the liquid form. 🙂
Thank you so much for posting this information! It’s nice to have an alternative to the traditional. I’m really excited because I am an avid user of Young Living therapeutic grade essential oils.
Hello!
Thank you so much for sharing this info!! I cannot wait to try the deodorant recipe. Where can I find arrowroot and essential oils?
Cynthia
I buy my coconut oil, arrowroot powder and essential oils all from Mountain Rose Herbs. They have high standards and great products. I haven’t been disappointed by any of it.
Hi Jen! Though you briefly mentioned this in another post, I was curious to hear more about everyday wear and the effects on garmets, particulartly higher quality fabrics. Have you had any residual issues concerning your nicer garmets?
Great question Lissa. I honestly have not had an issue with any of my clothes staining. I almost always wear cotton clothes (and don’t really wear any high-quality fabrics). Yet I might be a little cautious when wearing silk or something like that (just us a little bit so it doesn’t absorb into your clothes).
Were can I find the Unrefined Coconut oil. I am interested in making this.
Thanks
There are a few options that we found to be good.
1. Mountian Rose Herbs has incredible products (including their coconut oil— I buy it by the gallon). => click here
2. Amazon.com: Free shipping is always nice => click here
3. Trader Joe’s and Costco both have organic unrefined.
Love this!!! Made some right now that I’m off of work for spring break, just so i could try it and absolutely love it!!! Smells amazing!!! Followed the recipe to a tee and fingers crossed but i haven’t had any reaction to the oil. Definitely recommend. Application does take a little getting use to but i’ve found that warming it up in your hand before applying helps a lot!!! Thanks for this!!!!
Yeah! Glad you enjoy it! We still use it and I cannot imagine going back to my old deodorant ever. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Hey Jen. I’ve been using the deodorant for about 2weeks now, but I have a bad rash. If I cut back on the amt of baking soda, do you think this will eliminate that problem? I used orange oil instead of grapefruit.
You may just be reacting to the orange oil. I’ve tried a ton of natural deodorants (store bought & homemade) and have yet to find an essential oil that doesn’t give me a rash. Orange and lavender were both really bad for me. Not all armpits are cut our for essential oil 🙁
Just saw this comment, sorry Lala! Cattaca is right— essential oils might not be your friend. Yet the recipe will still work without them— the powerhouse ingredients are the baking soda and coconut oil. Thanks Cattaca for sharing your experience— I appreciate it.
Hi Jen! I was wondering… how are we supposed to apply this? I guess it stain clothes no?
Hi Sabrina. Take a pea size amount and rub under your arms. I use my fingers (it felt sooooo strange to apply deodorant like this for about a week. Now I don’t even think about it). I rub it until it’s smooth and never has an issue with staining. There was one time my husband put on a lot (before he worked out) and he came home with oily marks on his shirt around the armpits. It washed out though, so no stain.
Hi!
I would like to try this recipe but this wold be my first try at doing something like this…smile! I was wondering where would I get all of the ingredients listed above? Thanks, I need to try something for my son, he is having a very hard time with his arms, looking for a more natural approach to this issue! Thanks!
Hi Rose. I wish my mom would have made this for me when I was younger! I buy all of the ingredients from Mountain Rose Herbs because the quality is incredible. They have everything on there and it’s held to high standards. You can also go to Whole Foods and find these ingredients to make it quicker. Just make sure you are buying cold pressed unrefined coconut oil— that’s the good stuff. 🙂 Let me know how it goes!
Do you use solid or liquid coccnut oil? Most stores seem to only carry the solid form.
Thanks
Hi Penny— great question. Depending on the temperature of the store, it could be solid. Coconut oil is very sensitive to temp (it melts at room temperature). Mine is almost always solid (until I warm it in my hands for lotion or melt it in the microwave when baking with it). So don’t hesitate to buy a solid version of it. Just make sure you are getting cold pressed unrefined coconut oil— it’s the good raw stuff.
Awesome recipe! I have been using coconut oil over the course of the summer and loved it! I will definitely try this recipe and definitely experiment. Question: is the baking soda aluminum free?
Definitely want to try this, but was wondering how long does a jar typically last for before needing to make a new batch?
Hi Chelsea. I have been using the same batch for 3-4 months now. It lasts a long time.
Hi! I so love the idea of making your own deodorant also I recently saw the actual empty deodorant containers 10 for like $11! So now I’ll have a reason too use it. Also I wanted too know do you have too use grapefruit oil or can you use different essential oils?
Hi Dayjia! You can use other essential oils, but grapefruit is a great one because it is antibacterial (which is good for under hot arms). I also made a batch with cedar, spruce and lavender which is really nice— I wanted one that smelled like winter rather than summer. Hope that helps! Also, about the empty deodorant containers— this recipe makes a paste, not a hard gel. So it won’t work for the containers. Yet I bought beeswax to try to add to it because I have heard that is a nice way to make it a solid form for the tubes. Let me know what you decide to do and how it turns out!
My I suggest shea butter in place of beeswax. Not as hard as beeswax but will definitely give you some hold and much nutrients. If you keep it in the fridge, it will extend the shelf life and the coconut oil and shea butter will remain solid.
I love the idea of keeping it in the fridge to harden. If you do that, then you really don’t need to add beeswax or shea butter (coconut oil hardens nicely when it’s cold). Thanks Nai for the idea. And the baking soda is aluminium free. If you are concerned about that— here is a great article from Crunchy Betty that talks about it. I found it rather interesting.
Arrowroot is usually more neutral than cornstarch. There could be many reasons for the rash (reaction to the essential oil you used, baking soda, cornstarch, etc).
I do love the idea of just lemon/lime juice— super simple. Thanks Lydia for sharing!
I tried another version that had everything except the arrowroot. It had cornstarch. The rash I got was horrible! So now I simply use lemon and/or lime juice. Works wonderfully!