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.
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! 🙂