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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.
Table of Contents
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.
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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.
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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 21-Day 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 250+ 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 tablespoon coconut oil, unrefined melted or softened
- 20 drop 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.
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.
Would your homemade deodorant help with sweating of the face? I usually start sweating on my head and it runs down my face. I take medication to help stop it, but no luck. It’s embarrassing when I am in public and start sweating if it’s too warm in the store, or if I help pack my groceries.. If I walk it’s a nightmare. Does anyone have any idea how I can get these head sweats under a little control even?
Hi Claudia! So sorry to hear your having this experience! While it’s helpful to know that sweating is one of the best ways your body gets rid of toxins, that does little to help when it’s dripping down your face in the store. We would be concerned about you using our formula on your head and having it drip into your eyes, as it contains essential oils. Those oils are best kept away from the eyes because it would cause them to burn. Using a plain, unscented face powder is best. Also be sure to avoid spicy foods and caffeine, since they can be triggers. Be sure to stay hydrated! And one of our friends was having the same trouble and just carries a personal fan around to aim at her face because #menopauseinflorida. Lastly, a drop of peppermint essential oil applied to the back of your neck when you start to feel warm can cool you right down.
could I use baking powder instead of baking soda? Thanks
Hi Ali! Actually, baking soda and baking powder are chemically two different things. So baking powder wouldn’t work in this case as it doesn’t absorb smell in the same way baking soda can.
Thanks Janine! Such interesting swaps, subs and testing of theories!! Def keep us posted on how it goes!
What do you recommend as a, natural organic, baking soda substitute?
Try food grade Diatomaceous earth for a skin sensitive baking soda replacement. It typically has a lower PH than baking soda and is highly anti microbial. Plus it’s loaded with silica! Best of luck.
If sensitive to baking soda, decrease the amount and opt for additional arrowroot powder instead.
Hi, this simple recipe looks tempting. I’m curious though. Do you have any problems with grease stains in your clothing?
Thanks, Jo
Love your question, Jo! So far, the feedback has been positive – no greasy stains on clothing. 🙂
I’m wondering the same thing!
How can I use this in a regular deodorant container how do I make this harder
You can totally use an empty deodorant container for this recipe! Make sure you’ve twisted the bottom ‘wheel’ so that the interior base is all the way back down at the bottom. Then use a clean popsicle stick or tiny rubber spatula to move your homemade deodorant into the container, pushing down as you go until you’ve completely filled in the empty space. To make it harder, you can either reduce the amount of coconut oil used, or add it to the fridge after filling the container. Depending on your climate, once the coconut oil has completely solidified the deodorant will stay more solid, even out on the counter. If you live in the south (like me!), you may need to keep it in a cooler cupboard or in the fridge regularly for that consistency.
I made this and put some in a jar and some in a deodorant tube. It works great so far! I have gone walking, perspired and have not an ounce of odor. I did refresh just in case, but feel I would have been fine. This is a much better and more affordable alternative to the aluminum-free deodorant sold in stores. That can be so expensive when you are not even sure they will work.
Thanks so much for the awesome feedback, Rachelle!
Gratitude for this. I’ll try it and feed back on it.
Looking forward to your thoughts Gill! 🙂
thank you for sharing your recipe. My youngest and I are creating some different deodorants for the family to try as a science activity and also a solution to a family need for natural products.
That’s so awesome Liz! It’s so great to get the kiddos drinking their greens when their young!
Aren’t you SUPPOED TO RECOMMEND—->>>> BAKING SODA WITH ALUMINUM???????????????????????????????????
–BECAUSE USING BAKING SODA WITH ALUMINUM , CAN BE POTENTAILLY DANGEROUS AS REGULAR DEODORANT??
We love to use ingredients that are as clean as possible, Shadeeka. So, yes if you have access to aluminum free baking soda – def go for it!
Baking soda doesnt have aluminum. Its baking powder that can have it
Please. Can I substitute coconut oil for maybe glycerin, proplyne glycol or shear butter. Seen that they don’t really affect skin and will make it never to solidify
Shea butter would be a great sub here, Joseph!
I didn’t add essential oils as they’re not safe in early pregnancy and it still works fine (and doesn’t have a strong smell which is great for a sensitive pregnant nose).
Also for those struggling with burning from the bicarb, I generally make it with 1 cup of arrowroot powder and 1/4teaspoon of bicarb and that is enough to be effective. It’s quite a strong base so still works well. You usually don’t use very much when baking a cake either!
This is such awesome feedback Emily!! Thank you! Yes, def don’t use essential oils in early pregnancy and always check with your doc to be sure what’s safe for you. Way to rawk a healthier option for you and your little one! 🙂
Can you substitute Bentonite Clay for the Baking soda?
While we’ve not tried that, it sure sounds like a GREAT swap! Bentonite clay is a great detoxifier and is soothing to the skin. If you try it, def comment back and let us know how it goes!
Can you use vanilla extract in place of essential oils?
Love this question Simran! Actually, since vanilla extract is made by percolating vanilla bean pods in alcohol, we would not recommend using it in this deodorant recipe. The alcohol will dry out and possibly irritate your skin, as well as affect the consistency of the deodorant. We’d say choose your fav smelling essential oils instead. High quality essential oils are made by either using water, steam or dry distillation, rather than alcohol.
Thank you so, so, so much for this recipe!! First and foremost, it works- there is absolutely zero unpleasant smell with this, even after long runs and full days of work, and as a water-only washer this is the only thing I use (besides a shampoo bar). Not only is it effective as a deodoriser, it doesn’t have that sticky feeling that a lot of store-bought natural deodorants have. It’s very comfortable and it SMELLS SO GOOD. I use lemon and teatree EOs (5 and 10 drops respectively) and the smell of the fresh citrus with the coconut is out of control good. I open the jar to smell it all the time just to enjoy how nice it smells. Thank you so, so much- saving so much money and avoiding so much waste NEVERRR smelled this great. Thanks and peace!
Thank you for your kind words and such awesome detail about how you use this deodorant!! Rawk on Emilia!
I made this & it turned out great !
My SO put some on the other night before we went out and as soon as he got in the car I could smell the lemongrass from the deodorant. Needless to say , he does not use any cologne anymore. This stuff takes on the job of 2( deodorant & cologne )
LOVE LOVE LOVE ♡♡♡
It did work for me, I had to put more coconut oil, BUT it burned my armpits for 4 days and still hurts so bad 🙁 I tried to put even more coconut oil but it still burns my armpits off lol. I wish it’d work :/
Yikes Elli! We’d try cutting waaaaay back on baking soda and focusing more on arrowroot powder and/or cornstarch instead. Some people have a sensitivity to baking soda and that could totally be what’s happening for you.
Simply brilliant. No pun intended!
So glad you’re opting for this natural, home-made option!
I just discovered this recipe. I wanted to ditch harmful store bought antiperspirants and “all natural” deodorants didn’t work at all for me or the hubby. I made a half batch of this recipe a few days ago and we both love it! I used tea tree, peppermint and eucalyptus EO. I sweat a lot at night while sleeping, even here where I live it gets really cold at night. Now I wake up smelling fresh. Husband loves it too and it works perfectly for us both. I will definitely make this again!
I tried this recipe, but it came out very crumbled — it looks like feta cheese, and I found it difficult to apply because it is so crumbly. Would this be because I melted the coconut oil before I mixed it with the baking soda and arrowroot flour? Is there something I should be doing differently so I can get a smoother texture?
So glad you gave it a try Kris! We’d def recommend leaving the coconut oil at room temp for this recipe. If it’s not the texture you’d like, you can totally add a touch more coconut oil and mix longer to get that smoothness.