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 use a mixture of lemon juice, water, salt and tea tree oil in a little spray bottle. Doesn’t sound quite as efficient as this does, but I’m guessing adding any of the ingredients I use to this mixture would work wonders. (Also sage- I use tea tree, sage and grapefruit combined for scent, but only the tea tree when I’m feeling lazy and doing the basics.)
Hi Jason,
I love hearing how others are staying fresh – thanks for sharing!
This is a great recipe. Just want to let you know it will actually make enough for two 125 mL containers, not one like it says. Is this the type of recipe that can be halved without any other changes to the amount of ingredients? Thanks!
Hi Jessica,
Thank you so much for your review! And yes, you can definitely halve this recipe!
I’m wondering if I’m doing something wrong? I switched to deodorant only over a year ago, and within the last 2 weeks I’ve recently started making my own based on the recipe above. Because I know I have skin sensitivity issues to baking soda, I halved the baking soda ratio in the recipe, and offset it with the same amount of arrowroot powder. But the problem is is that whenever I put the deodorant on, and rub it into my armpits, the product tends to “ball up”, or to not completely absorbs/disintegrate, regardless of how little I put on. Did I do something wrong? I’ve even gone so far as seeing it kind of flake off (while I’m working out) and falling on our dark floors. Help! 🙂
Hi Sophie,
Is the deodorant is flaking, you may need to add additional coconut oil so it absorbs into your skin. I’d melt some coconut oil and mix it in and see if that helps!
Hi, excuse my ignorance but what is the ‘c.’ in the deodorant recipe? Ex. 1/2 c. arrowroot powder…
Hi Jackie,
No ignorance! It represents a cup. So you’ll use 1/2 cup of arrowroot powder and 1/2 cup of baking soda.
Can you use this without baking soda? It doesn’t irritate my skin unless I just shaved and don’t have time to wait before applying. If so, do you use extra arrowroot powder?
Yes, you can use extra arrowroot powder or you can substitute the baking soda with betonite clay.
Betonite clay or the powder form? Thanks!
This sounds really neat..however, since it is an oil, does this leave stains on your clothes or soak through your clothes?
Thank you,
Jennifer
Just use a little bit and it absorbs right into your skin. If you use too much, which I’ve been known to do when I’m trying to cover up my BO and have no time for a shower (true fact) there’s def more of a chance of oil getting on my clothes if it’s a hot sweaty day. But it’s been years since I’ve had to worry about that– you learn by trial and error what’s the right amount for you. But the truth is, this stuff works!
Hi. I just read this and Shi haven’t tried it yet. Decades back I made something with sage and arrowroot, no coconut oil – this sounds much better. I want to make a comment tho sime of the readers, using cornstarch can lead to fungal growth, peppermint can be irritating to the skin. If you don’t like the grapefruit essential oil, try lavender, or even a pulverized herb.
I am excited to try this.
Thanks for sharing, Mary!
This deodorant is amazing and I won’t ever go back to store bought ones now.
Years ago I used to apply bicarb to my armpits because it got rid of the b.o. smell (and I was doing a lot of sport – so I stank some days!). I think I stopped doing it because it was bit too harsh on the sensitive skin (especially after shaving!).
I had no doubts about how well this recipe would work, and I have even given small samples away to family and friends for them to try.
One trick I have certainly found is warming up the deodorant. If the weather is cold you can do 1 of 2 things to get the deodorant to a workable paste:
1) sit your jar in some warm/hot water for a minute or two to melt the coconut oil, then scoop out what you need and rub it in.
2) use something small and pointy (like the end of tweezers) to break up the deodorant into smaller clumps (or powdery-ness), then get what you need onto your fingertips and stick them under your armpits for about 10 seconds or so – this warms up the coconut oil. Spread it out for even coverage.
I only have to apply this deodorant once a day, which is one of the things I love about how well the natural ingredients work. Even after a gym workout I don’t stink!
Thanks for sharing the awesome recipe SGS!!
<3
Great tips! Thanks for sharing, Belle!
Your picture looks creamy! With just 5 tbsp coconut oil mine ended up still basically a powder — albeit a powder I could mash together. Did you melt it before adding it in order to get the creamy consistency? Is it okay to add more of the oil? Bit by bit so as not to overdo it? I’m using mine, but making a mess in the sink with each application! But it’s keeping me from sweating and smelling, so I’m grateful! Thanks for the recipe and the tips!
Hi Faith,
Thank you so much for reaching out! As you know, coconut oil can vary greatly based on the environment. Jen is in sunny Florida so her coconut oil is often creamy + more liquidly, than if you were using coconut in colder temperatures. You can definitely try melting the coconut oil prior to mixing your ingredients or adding additional coconut oil until you reach the consistency that’s best for you!
Hope this helps!
Cheers 🙂
I can’t wait to try this! Do you warm up the coconut oil to liquid form before mixing it with the other ingredients?
Hi Cheryl,
You can definitely warm your continue oil to make blending easier, than allow to cool in the container of your choice!
Cheers 🙂
Hi. That deodorant sounds great. I want to try it but i dont undestand the measures. Could you “translate” them
Thanks
Hi Belen,
Outside of the US? We’ve got you covered! Check out our Rawkstar Conversion Guide here…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/app
Yes, I’m out. Thank you!!!
Hi there
I’m also confused about the measures. Is the “1/2 c.” Half a cup? And should it be measured as “spice” when I search through the converter? Thanks a lot and looking forward to try!
Hi Nikola,
Yes, use our spice conversions when converting arrowroot powder and baking soda to weight measurements.
Cheers 🙂
You know you can just use baking soda? Just use about a teaspoon of the powder for both armpits, rub it into armpit in morning. Do it again if necessary in afternoon. Easy.
Hi Ingrid!
Thanks for reaching out + for sharing :). This deodorant recipe happens to work best for me, but if baking soda if your personal go-to, that’s awesome, too!
Cheers!
I have tried this recipe for my deodorant but I ended up with raw red spots under my pits so I discontinued use. So would the trick be to not use the baking soda? I use coconut oil on my body every day so I don’t think that’s the problem. It has to be the baking soda or arrowroot powder. Also, what’s in it that keeps your armpits dry? I hate when I feel wet underneath. Right now, I am using a natural deodorant but it doesn’t work great when I get too hot and start to sweat, my pits are the first thing that gets wet.
Hey Shantoya! I am thinking it’s the baking soda that’s giving you a hard time. But you def want this in there since it’s what really helps with the BO smell. Maybe decrease the amount that’s in it and see if that helps.
I suggest NOT putting it on right after you shave your armpits (since that can cause irritation until your body adjusts to it). I know this has caused irritation when I first started using it, but I’m 4 years in now and I never get irritated and it STILL works for me. I truly love this stuff!
I store it in a clean used deodorant container. works great and keeps solid.
Hi Dixie!
Thanks for the tip! I’ll have to give that a try :).
I store in a clean used deodorant bottle. Works great, keeps it solid
I’ve been using a similar deodorant for about 2 years and love it, an added bonus is no more yellowed pits on my white t-shirts! My recipe is more like 1 part cornstarch to 1 part coconut oil (slightly melted) with a little baking soda and a mix of essential oils (lavender, peppermint, grapefruit, lemon, and bergamot which is a great deodorant). It smells soooo good! I like to be able to scoop it out easily so if it ends up too solid I add more coconut oil. I initially tried 1/2 baking soda, 1/2 cornstarch but it was very irritating after shaving, and my 2 daughters both reacted to the baking soda which included painful raw red spots for a few weeks. It works just as well for us without or with very little baking soda. Everyone’s different so don’t give up if your first recipe isn’t perfect for you, adjust it and stick with it, you and your health will be glad you did!
Hi Jennifer,
Thank you so much for taking the time to reach out + share your experience using homemade deodorant. We love hearing what works for our community!
Cheers!