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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.
When making the deodorant, does it have to be grapefruit essential oil or can it be another type?
Thanks!
Hi Jenny!
Thanks for reaching out! Feel free to use any essential oil that has antibacterial properties :). Lavender, lemongrass, and peppermint are some of my personal favorites!
-Rawkstar Tessa
Hi, Does anyone know if Peppermint Oil would work as well for a substitute or does the oil have to be Grapefruit in order for this to work? Thanks!
I have been using homemade deodorant like this for over a year. I don’t think it would be a problem using peppermint oil. It actually sounds like it would be refreshing and clean smelling. Since it can be strong, maybe use less and only you can be the judge on what’s right for you. I personally use whatever essential oils I feel like using as I like to change the scent up when I make a new batch.
Hi Toni,
Great question! We love reaching for grapefruit essential oil in our deodorant because of it’s properties as a disinfectant, antiseptic, and lymphatic substance. Ensuring that your armpits stay clean, fresh + dry! But don’t let that stop you! Give peppermint oil a try. Just reach back out + let us know how it works for you! We would love to hear!
Hi, I am allergic to baking soda. What do you suggest as a substitute for it in this recipe?
Hi Jacque,
Allergic to baking soda? Try leaving it out. We’ve heard from several members of our community that they still stay fresh and dry without including it in their homemade deodorant.
Cheers!
Regular anti-perspirants deodorants have always made me itchy and turned my armpits green. So 2 years ago, I started looking for natural deodorants with no aluminum. I couldn’t find ONE that worked. Most of them made me smell worse. I gave this a try. I subbed the grapefruit EO with Orange EO (similar bacteria-fighting qualities, I prefer the smell, and it was cheaper). I put all my ingredients in my blender with the coconut oil being in liquid form. I put the finished product in the fridge for a few hours afterward to make it harder. Worked great! I have been using it for about 10 days now. The first few days, I itched pretty bad (I am sensitive to baking soda). Now, I’m good. I think next time I’ll use less baking soda but this stuff works like a charm. It won’t get on your clothes as long as you let it “settle” on your skin first. I put mine on first thing in the morning when I wake up, about 30 minutes before I put on my work clothes. I would wait about 15 minutes before putting on your clothes, especially black clothes. Small price to pay for all the benefits.
Hi Anna,
Thank you so much for sharing your great review! Cheers to health, happiness, + smelling great!
Cheers 🙂
I made the deodorant with tapioca powder, a little bit less baking soda and a little bit more (around 30 drops) of grapefruit oil…it is absolutely wonderful! I have been using it for a week and I am very happy.
I did it in a blender and it was very liquid so I put it in the fridge for a couple of hours then took it out. It has a very nice hard (but not too much) consistensy, and it has stayed with the nice consistency sitting in my bathroom since.
Very thankful for this recipe!! It works great!!
Thanks!
Hi Veronica,
We love hearing that you’ve made your own Homemade Deodorant + that you’re smelling great! Just like you did, if you find your deodorant melting, the fridge is a great place for storage + will keep the coconut oil solid!
Cheers 🙂
Oh, I love the smell of grapefruit, it is soo fresh! After a while it seems to go away I believe…or my nose gets used to it, I don’t really know. I feel it becomes an “unscented” deodorant after a couple of hours.
By the way, I live in Florida and we are at 80 some degrees during the day right now, lots of heat, I sweat a lot and this deodorant recipe works perfectly. 🙂 Thumbs up!
Hi Veronica,
Even if you can’t smell it. The lymphatic + antiseptic properties of grapefruit oil are hard at work keeping your skin healthy + dry!
Love hearing how our recipe is working against the hot Florida sun!
Cheers 🙂
Some people have reactions to coconut oil, which may be causing rashes.
Hi Rene,
Everyone’s body is different, + some may be sensitive or allergic to coconut oil. We suggest anyone who experiences irritation while using our Homemade Deodorant with Coconut Oil to discontinue use + reach out to their dermatologist.
Cheers!
Hi! I have been using this recipe and love it. I had tried several different natural brands and i’d stink before I left the house. This is the best! One tip for those who find they are sensitive to baking sode and get a rash…just make a “lite” version by cutting the amount of baking soda in half. That small change did the trick for me and it still works great. Thanks!
Hi Karen,
We’re so happy to hear you’re loving our homemade deodorant + smelling great! We’ve all struggled looking for natural deodorant options, + been dissatisfied with their odor protection! Thank you so much for sharing your baking soda tip, I love that you call it a “lite” version!
this stuff is seriously incredible. i don’t quite understand this but it works SO much better than anything i have ever purchased in the store. thank you so so so so much.
Rawesome!
Silly question, but now you have dripping oil in your armpits?!? How does this not get on your clothes and leave oil marks? I’ve used coconut oil in my toes/feet to prevent fugus and have to pat off excess and wear socks to prevent oil from getting everywhere. How do you use this as deodorant??
Hi Heather,
Thanks for reaching out! Are you sure you’re using unrefined coconut oil? Refined coconut oil is processed and stripped of some of its natural contents and is mostly pure oil- and we definitely would not want that mess in our armpits! This recipe makes a great deodorant, let us know if you try it out! 🙂
These are the ingredients
Ingredients
Cassava (Tapioca) Starch, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut Oil), Magnesium Hydroxide, Butryospermum parkii (Shea) Butter, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Rosewater, Witch Hazel, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Sodium Bicarbonate, Activated Carbon (Charcoal), Proprietary Blend of 11 Essential Oils
Thanks for the list of ingredients, Paul!
I wonder if their is some ingredient we could add to help the deodorant not separate in warmer temperatures at least the oils anyway.. I’ve heard of some natural ones that don’t separate like Piper Wei which has activated charcoal in it.. Maybe that’s what helps it..?
Any ideas?
Hi Paul,
We try to keep our homemade deodorant as simple as possible, with ingredients available to everyone, while still staying highly effective! We’ll definitely look into activated charcoal + take your suggestion into consideration.
Thanks!
I heard activated charcoal added to this may double its effects cause of how much it absorbs!
Thanks for the tip, Paul! 🙂
How about trying adding activated charcoal heard it can absorb moisture, bacteria and toxins..
Might work even better..
Thanks for the tip, Paul! We’ll have to look into it! 🙂
Love it! I made a batch yesterday and tested it out in a martial arts class this afternoon. I left the class sweaty, but still smelling like coconut.
Hi Lisa,
That’s awesome to hear! Rawk on!
For your homemade deoderant, does the grapeseed have to be an essential oil or can I just use my bottle that I bought at the grocery store?
Hi Tina,
It’s actually grapefruit essential oil, not grape seed, which is drawn from the peel of the grapefruit. In addition to smelling great, has wonderful antiseptic qualities!
Hi! I really want to try this recipe but I couldn’t find the arrowroot. I don’t live in the States. What ingredient could I use to replace it? Thanks!
Hi Paloma,
Feel free to use cornstarch in place of arrowroot! 🙂