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I’ve used countless store-bought natural deodorants, and they always leave me stinky and sweaty. In 2011, I decided to make my own homemade deodorant recipe. After a few tweaks, I have created the best natural diy recipe that smells great, works wonders and I’ve used for 13 years now. I’ve shared this recipe with thousands of others— and I can’t wait for you to join my diy deodorant party.
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 ginger lemon honey 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 chemicals like parabens and aluminum, which I wanted to avoid. Why use those when you can create the best natural deodorants with safer, more effective active ingredients? Even newer products with labels like organic deodorant often include ambiguous ingredients like “fragrance.”
To me, that’s reason enough to ditch commercial deodorants and make my own. I’ve been using the same recipe for over 13 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 Recipe
No joke—you can put this deodorant on at 5AM, run a few miles, blend 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 this DIY deodorant 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 sweated all day and still came home smelling good!
It’s important to note that this is not an antiperspirant deodorant. We are meant to sweat, it’s natural. The harmful chemicals in conventional deodorants to stop the body’s natural need to sweat is not something I want to use (and you prob don’t either).
Ingredients You’ll Need
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: Absorbs moisture to keep you dry and helps neutralize odor (feel free to use less if you’ve got sensitive skin and notice irritation in your underarm area). Opt for aluminum-free baking soda, as it’s gentler and free from unnecessary additives.
- Non-GMO arrowroot powder: A better choice than traditional cornstarch, arrowroot powder helps absorb moisture to keep you dry. You can easily find it in health food stores or online.
- Organic unrefined coconut oil: Provides a moisturizing base and has natural antibacterial properties that help combat odor-causing bacteria. You can find this in most grocery or health food stores.
- Essential oils: Grapefruit oil, tea tree oil, spruce oil, and sweet orange oil are my favorites for their refreshing scents and antibacterial properties. They add fragrance while also helping to fight odor naturally.
How to Make Homemade Deodorant
This DIY deodorant recipe is super quick to whip up with just four ingredients. If you’ve ever wondered how to make deodorant at home, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered! Just follow these 4 simple steps:
- Mix the arrowroot powder and baking soda together. I use my Kitchenaid Stand Mixer.
- Add the coconut oil and your favorite essential oils, like grapefruit or tea tree, to the mixture. You can adjust the consistency by adding more coconut oil if needed.
- Pour into a small glass jar (I like pint-size mason jar) and store at room temperature. 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.
Application Tip
If you’d prefer to have it in a traditional “stick form,” melt 1 tbsp of beeswax and 1 tbsp of shea butter right into the recipe. Pour into a reusable deodorant containers and store in refrigerator until solid.
Tips for Switching to Natural Deodorant
- When you initially make the switch, you may experience an itchy rash, red bumps, or increased sweat and odor when transitioning to a homemade deodorant. Don’t let this stop you!
- 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 natural 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.
Common Questions
Making your own deodorant at home is easy with just a few simple ingredients like baking soda, arrowroot powder, coconut oil, and essential oils. It’s a natural, effective way to stay fresh without any harsh chemicals. Once you gather your ingredients, you’ll be able to whip up a batch quickly and enjoy the benefits of homemade, toxin-free deodorant.
To extend the effectiveness of homemade deodorant, apply a thin layer to clean, dry skin. Storing it in a cool, dry place will prevent melting or spoilage, while absorbent ingredients like arrowroot powder can help increase its longevity by controlling moisture and odor.
Yes, coconut oil is a key ingredient in my homemade deodorant recipe. Its natural antibacterial properties help fight odor while keeping your skin moisturized.
Leave a rating and review to let me know how this diy deodorant recipe works for you! As you can tell by the over 200+ reviews so far, this is a recipe you must try.
Best Homemade Deodorant
Ingredients
- ½ cup baking soda use 1/4 cup if have sensitive skin
- ½ cup arrowroot powder or cornstarch
- 5 tbsp coconut oil melted or softened
- 20 drops essential oil grapefruit, tea tree oil, etc
Instructions
- Mix baking soda and arrowroot together.
- Add the coconut oil and essential oils. Mix well.
- Pour into a clean, air-tight jar and store at room temperature.
- Use a popsicle stick to get the deodorant out of the container and transfer to your finger. Use a pea-sized amount to apply under your arms.
Equipment
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.
Love this! I made a batch yesterday using the ingredients you mentioned alongside tea tree, patchouli, frankincense, golden amber and tangerine and my goodness smells wonderful and works a treat! Thank you!
That sounds like a great combo, Molly! Thanks for sharing!
Hi, I am going to make this because my niece suffers from awful BO. GP is actually looking to prescribe botox. She is only 16. Anyway, my question is can I replace baking soda with arrowroot or should I use both.
Sarah, I truly hope you can help your niece find a more natural option that’s going to work for her. The option her GP suggested seems rather extreme, especially for a young woman. You will want to use both baking soda and arrowroot powder unless she has very sensitive skin and/or a reaction to the baking soda. Then, you might want to scale back on the amount of baking soda but not leave it out altogether. I also suggest that she detox her armpits. I know it sounds weird but it could really help. Here’s a great article that explains all about it: How to Detox Your Armpits. I detox my armpits using bentonite clay and ACV and I use Jen’s homemade deodorant recipe exclusively. I’ve been using it for over five years and I love it. I really hope this helps. You’re an awesome aunt for helping your niece, good luck!
First; I’ve been detoxing from store bought deodorant and I stink! The second I put this on it completely neutralized the smell, like magic! Second; in your photo the mixture looks creamy, mine came out powdery… should I be weighing the powders in grams and sifting them before I mix in the oils? I feel like maybe I got a really dense 1/2 cup or something. I added extra oil and it’s still powdery. Any tips? It works though!
Hey Sonya! It does work, I love it! I make it using measuring cups and not sifting. You could use slightly less than 1/2 cup but make sure your coconut oil is completely melted and in liquid form. I melt mine in the microwave, add the EO and then mix it in with the dry ingredients. Mix it very, very thoroughly. I end up with it the consistency of (weird analogy, sorry) frosting. When the temperature changes, it may separate a little and maybe get a little powdery but you can help that by using your finger or a popsicle stick (or something similar) to mix it back up again. Let me know if this helps! 🙂
Hi!
What could I use in place of arrowroot powder? I have normal high grade flour, would that work?
Thanks!
Hi Rita! You could use cornstarch in place of arrowroot powder. Some people find cornstarch to be irritating to their skin so I just want to make sure you’re aware of that. But you can try it and see if it works for you. If you don’t want to use either of those, you could also try potato starch.
What what what! I made this and have to admit, I had some doubts.
No need to doubt anymore! I biked today 10km and did a 45min hard workout, sweat like a pig, and this deodorant did not disappoint me. I am soo impressed! Will not go back to old options! Wow wow wow!
YAY Mari!! What a testimonial! Thank you for weighing in and letting us know your experience with it! 🙂
Hey! I am one of the many who love this deodorant and won’t go back to buying deo from the store…. The only thing I can’t figure out is how to completely wash the deo off my armpits. I scrub and scrub in the shower and it’s still building up (and smelling reeeeally bad). Any suggestions? Thanks!
This really works as there’s no BO whatsoever BUT!! Wayyyy to strong for me!… it burnt me & it really hurts!…so I’ll need to adapt it slightly with less Bicarbonate of Soda maybe???
Hey Carol! Yes, I suggest making it with less baking soda if you have sensitive skin. Try that and see if it works. 🙂
Julie, I love this deodorant, too! I’m not sure what to tell you about your build-up problem. How long have you been using homemade deodorant and do you think the buildup could be from the store bought deodorant you used to use? Because this recipe calls for all-natural ingredients, it seems strange that you’d have trouble washing it off your armpits. I suggest detoxing your armpits using products that contain detoxifying properties (such as bentonite clay, charcoal or ACV) to help clear your pores of dead skin and/or product buildup. I like to make a mask using bentonite clay, ACV, and a little water. I use it on my face and armpits at the same time for a mini “spa” session in the bathroom before I hop in the shower and rinse it all off. Give this a try and let us know if it helps!
Hi. I’m looking forward to trying your recipe. I live in a tropical country and was wondering if it would be useful to add some natural beeswax to the recipe to ensure it doesn’t become too thin in hot weather? Thanks.
Hi Nina! It does get quite melt-y in warm weather. You could def try adding some natural beeswax to keep it from getting too thin. Let us know how that works for you! 🙂
I can’t wait to try this recipe for myself but my daughter has recently developed an allergic reaction to coconut products. Would you happen to have a recipe that does not include coconut oil or can you recommend a substitution item?
Thank you kindly ❤
Wendy
Hi Wendy! You could try using 1.5 Tbsp of a liquid oil like almond, jojoba or avocado oil in place of the coconut oil and add it to 2 Tbsp of shea butter. You may need to tweak those amounts to get the consistency you’re looking for. (And the end result will probably be a little bit thinner, just fyi.) 🙂
Love deoderant mix havent tried in summer but seems to work better than my original shop bought chemical loaded one. Tend to use a lot less bicarb/baking soda as it does irritate if I use 1/2 cup. Love sweet orange and some drops of grapefruit really nice smell 15 and 5. Thank you
I have used this recipe for a year now and I love it! It works really well for me. My sister also loves it. I made a video on my YouTube channel of me making this recipe and I have credit to your website in the description. I hope this is okay I have attached a link to the video.
Hey Sarah! So glad you love this homemade deodorant recipe! As long as you credit SGS, you’re welcome to use the recipe and thank you for sharing it! 🙂
Hello I haven’t tried the recipe but I am excited too! I’m a High school freshman, I sweat a lot and I usually have to use extra strength deodorant but that gets pricey. It may sound ridiculous but I was wondering if my teenage extra-sweaty pits would be a problem? I really want this to work.
-Emmy
Hey Emmy! Not ridiculous at all, that’s a great question! I really do think this could work for you because a lot of folks who use it are very active and sweat a lot and it works great for them (me, included!). I have a few suggestions for you that I think will help you have success.
First, be patient. I know that’s a tough one! What I mean is that it will take your body + body chemistry a little time to adjust to a more natural method. But I think you will find that over time, as you’re using the DIY deodorant instead of the store-bought stuff, you will sweat less and even smell less. Seriously! That’s what has happened for me but… it doesn’t happen overnight or even after the first week of using homemade deodorant. It takes a few months. That’s where the patience comes in. 😉
But that also leads me to my second suggestion- there is something you can do to help your body speed up that nice, natural process. Detox your armpits! Sounds funny but it’s a real thing (and an effective one, too). You use bentonite clay which is a natural clay with a fine, soft texture that is great for helping the body get rid of toxins. I like Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay and I get it from Amazon. You will want to follow the directions on the container and apply the clay mask to your armpits (it’s a great facial mask, too!). Here’s an article that goes a little more into detail if you’re interested- How to Detox Your Armpits
I think it’s great you’re looking for a more natural and budget-friendly method and wish I had started using homemade deodorant when I was younger! Even if you get the clay + ACV for the mask, all the items you need are inexpensive, have long shelf lives, and will make many, many masks + jars of deodorant. So you’ll be doing your body + your wallet a favor! Good luck and keep us posted!
I have a huge jar of organic refined coconut oil I wad hoping to use for this. Have you ever used refined? How do you think that will affect the deodorant?
Sorry for the typo!
No worries! 🙂
Candace, refined coconut oil is often processed using chemicals which makes it less of a “natural” ingredient. For that reason, I would hesitate to use it in a deodorant that will be applied directly to your skin because it’s kind of defeating the whole purpose of an all-natural DIY deodorant. I’d use your refined coconut oil for something else and get unrefined, cold-pressed coconut oil for this.
Absolutely love this recipe! I have been using it for over a year & it never fails me. I don’t put the essential oils in because I prefer no smell. And this recipe delivers. The coconut smell is super light, that my husband can use it as well. I am sensitive to chemicals & this recipe is free of that 😉 Thank you for sharing this recipe! 🙂
So glad it works for both you *and* your husband! 🙂
This works great. I used an empty deodorant container by lowering bottom back down and refilled close to top, put the cap on and froze overnight. Twenty minutes was not nearly enough when reusing container. If only filling one bottle, you may want to cut this recipe in half.
A great tip, thanks Lora!
I tend to have sensitive skin and this has been an issue for me with some all natural deodorants, even more so after I shave. How much less baking soda would you recommend ?
Rebecca, it really depends on how sensitive your skin is. If your skin is super sensitive, you may want to use very little or leave it out altogether. If it’s kinda sensitive, maybe use half the amount the recipe calls for. It’s totally okay to tweak the recipe so you can find what’s going to be best for *your* skin.
Hi
Don’t know if I have too much dry material in mine but it was a job to mix it all together even with my oil in liquid state.
No way could I pour into jar I had to spoon it in.
Is this normal?
Thanks
Linda
Hey Linda, that is pretty normal but maybe scale back the dry ingredients just a tiny bit. Other than that, how do you like it?