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.
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 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 haven’t made it yet, but I’m looking forward to trying it. I have fibromyalgia and am constantly sweating. I have tried every store bought deodorant for women and men and I still have no. Can’t wait to make ur deodorant and use it. Thx for sharing
Hey Bonny,
I have a feeling you will love the DIY deodorant and I hope that it gives you what you are looking for 🙂
I was skeptical that this would actually work.. It DOES work 🙂 and it smells so good! Will never go back to store bought deodorant again! Thanks for the great recipe. I will spread the word xx
Yay Kim!!!
It really is THAT good and so happy that you want to share it with others.
Happy dance time!!!
Magical! Got rashes under the armpit from other recipes.
this one is simple and works wonders. I am a man get rather smelly if not using deodorant.
Strongly recommend.
I’m off to try a batch with scent free coconut oil, so the ESOs can get some stage time too.
Hey Emil,
SO happy to hear that our recipe did not give you any rashes. It is really the best homemade deodorant I have ever tried and I am glad it is working great for you as well. 🙂
So my armpits feel
Slightly raw or irritated by this but I can’t figure out why. I have never used natural deodorant before could this be impacting the affect?
Hey Xan,
I am so sorry to hear that. My only guess would be if you have an allergic reaction to the baking soda in the ingredients? That would be the only thing that could cause some sort of reaction. I would try applying just coconut oil to it and see if that helps with the irritation.
Hope that helps!
I rarely write reviews, but I feel called to for this recipe. This stuff is awesome! I will never go back to plastic containers of deodorant. I just used store-brand baking soda and cornstarch and still turned out great. I did cut the baking soda just a bit (just eye-balled it) and ended up adding a bit more coconut oil to get the desired consistency. I used my food processor.
I used eucalyptus oil, and the deodorant smells so good. I don’t smell the eucalyptus later in the day, but I also don’t smell body odor – just neutral! Thanks for sharing this recipe!!!
Thanks Becca,
So happy you enjoyed this recipe and made a rawkin deodorant for yourself!
Enjoy smelling fresh and clean 🙂
Hi someone asked this bit I can’t find a reply sorry…. can you use only arrowroot with coconut oil or is the baking soda really important…. I find it slightly irritating. Thanks!
Hey Jasmine,
You can totally leave out the baking soda if you need to.
Hope you enjoy this!
I started making my own deodorant at home and it works so much better. I’m using refillable roll-on bottles like these https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0752WGWH3/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=kayluisa-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B0752WGWH3&linkId=fd8050a46b0b664ac605466518fda2c5. I also waste less plastic doing this way.
Hey Luisa,
Yay!!! That is so fantastic that you are now making your own deodorant and using refillable bottles. Thank you so much for sharing those with us.
Works for me. So fantastic. Thanks for sharing.
Hey Georgia,
I am so happy that you love our homemade deodorant!
Also…I saw in the comments that people had been using plastic deodorant dispensers for this, but I had read that sometimes essential oils can cause the plastic to degrade and emit toxins so I use paper cupcake cases and store in a small metal soap tin.
I don’t know if this is true but worth giving thought to.
Thank you! I tried this recipe and it is very effective for my pre-teen daughter. I used cornstarch powder. When I ran out of my first batch, I used baking soda, cornstarch and Sunflower oil no essential oil. It still worked for her. Now the third batch is baking soda, cornstarch, sunflower oil and few drops of lavender essential oil. I will see how it goes. My problem is the discoloration. Any idea how can I fix it? Maybe she is sensitive to baking soda but so far it is the only formulation that works her body odor. I have tried many commercial all natural products but did not work for her.
This is great. I started doing it a few years ago and you can add your own blend of essential oils to make your own fragrance.
I stopped wearing deodorant about 6 years ago as I thought it was a con and unnecessary but over the summer I sometimes felt a bit stinky so I tried this and it does the trick.
I also melt some coconut oil on its own and add essential oils, put it in paper cupcake cases and keep in the fridge. I use these as moisturizers and they smell amazing.
Lush sell a similar massage bar and it’s pricey. Buying essential oils is initially dearer but you can pop a few drops in the bath as well so you get a lot more out of them. I also put a drop or two into my shampoo/conditioner as I apply it for more natural smelling hair.
Can I make this without arrow root?
Hey Victoria,
Yes you can use cornstarch instead of arrowroot if you prefer.
Excited for you to give it a try!
Is it possible to make this using all arrowroot powder? I’ve read where baking soda can cause irritation and/or stains on clothing.
Thanks for the recipe!
Never mind! I saw the answer in an earlier post!
Thanks!!
Hey Allyson,
Glad you found your answer! Super excited for you to make this 🙂
I have loved using this deodorant, but I’d like to make it into a stick for the men in my life. Is adding bees wax a good way to do that? How much should I add?
Hey April,
We have not tried making this a stick deodorant yet so I would not have any solid suggestions.
If you give it a try let us know how it goes. Good luck!!
I just tried to make it but it’s not the concistency of a paste yet, still is a powder. Does that mean I need more coconut oil?
Hey Stefanie,
Hmm it does sound like you need some more coconut oil. Make sure the oil is either soft or melted when you add it. That might make it easier to mix. Can’t wait for you to experience how fresh and clean it makes you feel! 🙂
Added more coconut oil and it worked. Makes sense to makes sure it’s more soft, I did not do that, will have to do that next time! I’ve used it for two days and I absolutely LOVE it!!! So happy I came across your page. Thanks for sharing!
Yay Stefanie!!
So happy that you made it work and that you are enjoying it.
Cheers!
I made this recipe and have used the deodorant for the last 8 weeks. I have never smelt so good! I found arrowroot powder on Amazon as well as bulk empty deodorant containers. I used lemon essential oil and was worried that I would smell like a household cleaner, but the scent is nothing like that once everything is mixed together.
I can’t say enough good things about this recipe! I even went camping for 3 days and smelt good the whole time. The only downside is that the baking soda does cause a little bit of irritation if you use too much. Otherwise, this stuff is amazing!! I will never use a store bought brand again.
Love hearing that!! Thank you so much for sharing your experience, Smanti! And cheers to health, wellness + smelling great!
I couldn’t find arrowroot at my local wholefood place and was worried my shop bought corn power would have chemicals so used organic oat flour in place of arrowroot and the result is kind of gritty. Is that normal/okay? Thanks!!!
Hi Alissa,
While I love oat flour, especially in waffles, they’re so good if you haven’t tried it. It’s not the best choice when it comes to this recipe. While arrowroot can sometimes be hard to find in store, it can be easy to find online – here’s a link to it on Amazon!