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 am very excited to try this, I am just wondering should I melt the coconut oil and add it in liquid form or leave it solid and mash it in?
Hey Kayla,
If your coconut oil is sold I would suggest melting it because that way it will be mixed perfectly and you won’t get any chunks.
Cannot wait for you to try it!
I stirred in some aloe vera to keep the coconut oil creamy and easy to spread.
Hey Ellen,
I love that idea. Thank you for sharing that with us! 🙂
I LOVE this. It works so well! But, is there something I could add to make it more creamy? Shea butter?
Hey Geneene,
You could add more of the coconut oil to the recipe. Keep adding it until it is at the consistency that you need!
I have VERY sensitive skin. Will it work as well no baking soda? No oils?
Hey Rocio,
Since both of those are essential ingredients to this recipe I would suggest not leaving them out. I would use less of each and test it on a small area of skin and see how that is for you.
Hope that helps!
I really haven’t done much with essential oil but surprised to read 20 drops in this recipe. Sure it’s not too much ?
Barb, 20 drops essential oil isn’t too much in this quantity of product. 20 drops is equal to 1ml. 1ml to 100ml (grams in this case) makes a 1% strength product. It is safe to make up to a 3% product – that is 3ml:100ml/gm. This recipe fills more than two 50gm jars which tells me that the recipe is less than a 1% strength.
What Heather said!! Thank you for sharing that information with your fellow rawkstar, Heather 🙂
Thank you so much! You have saved my pits and my wallet. I have used so many different natural deodorants simply because at 12 I became allergic to the aluminium in most commercial deodorants. I gradually found more and more effective ones and over the past year or so I have been using Schmidt’s which is by far the best I have found commercially. However, At 10-12 dollars per stick my wallet was crying. This recipe is just as effective if not better and it cost only a fraction of the price ( I calculated roughly $2.00).
I use this every day and it works great. Better than store bought deodorant.
FYI: Generally aluminum only shows up in ANTIPERSPIRANT, not store bought deodorant.
Hey Brynalise,
I am so happy that you found our recipe for all natural deodorant so that you and your wallet are now happy!!!
Works great! Better than any of the commercial ones I’ve tried. And it’s so simple too!
Hey Gretta!
I am so glad that you love this recipe! It really is so simple and convenient to make 🙂
I have tried 3 types of natura deodorants. The first one stained all my shirts and the other two left me in a stink after the first our. So I decided to make this and it was great. The only thing is the clumping, it leaves the residue that is noticeable. I added some almond oil and it’s much better. I love this recipe and thank you for saving me from the horrible products out there!!!
How much Almond oil did you add? I am going to make this recipe, but based on the proportions I was imagining clumping would be an issue. I’d love to pre-empt if you found a solution that prevents that!
Hey Diana,
Yes, if it is too clumpy you can always add in some extra oil. That is awesome you went ahead and did that so it would work for you!! 🙂
I have used this recipe a few times now and like it better than those with more oil and less of the powdery ingredients- this one doesn’t stain my clothes. This winter, however, is my first winter using homemade deodorant and the fact that coconut oil “freezes” under cooler temperatures became a real problem. I never remembered to bring the jar into the shower to soften (I don’t know if it would have softened enough…we keep our house at an energy-saving 62 degrees in the winter), so I was left with a clumpy mess that would drop out of my armpits onto the floor even after trying to soften it into my hands! But then it occurred to me that mixing in a different oil, one that is liquid at cooler temperatures, might do the trick. So I humbly submit my cold-weather alteration- instead of 5T coconut oil, use 3T coconut oil and 2T sweet almond oil. Stays spreadable when it’s cold!
Stephanie, you could get empty deodorant sticks and fill them. It goes on just like store bought!
Hey Stephanie,
Thank you for sharing your substitutions!! SO happy you were able to make it work for you.
Also, what Shirl said too is a great way to use it as a regular deodorant stick!
I make this deodorant as well. I use the arrowroot instead of cornstarch. Cornstarch irritated me. I usually use a citrus essential oil.but I do have a problem with getting a light green stain on my bra. Was curious what others thought. Is it the citrus essential oil or something else? At this point I just deal with it because I do like the results of the deodorant.
Hey Laura,
I think you are getting a green stain from the essential oil you are using. We had someone comment in that they were getting an orange stain from using the orange essential oil. Once they switched the staining went away. If your oils have any color to them at all there is a chance they will stain.
Hope that helps!
Is this antiperspirant also?
Hi Marie,
The arrow root in this recipe helps with antiperspirant but I would not say this is an antiperspirant deodorant like what you use in the store. This recipe is to mainly help with keeping you order free!
Hope you give it a try!
I used tea tree oil. This deodorant really works!! Thank you.
Hey Pam,
I am so glad that you love this recipe! Tea tree oil smells amazing! I will have to try that scent next time I make some 🙂
I always use tea tree oil, as it is such a great way to kill the bacteria that causes the odor. I add other essential oils to it to create the scent that I ultimately like.
Hey Kimberly,
Oh yes, tea tree is the favorite around here! SO happy that you have found the perfect blend that you love 🙂
Hey is 1/2 c mean half a cup? Thanks 🙂
Hey Lara,
Yes, 1/2 c means half a cup! 🙂
I am hooked on my natural deodorant now! I’m a runner too, and sweat a lot. In the summer my deodorant was too soft, so I have added a tablespoon of beeswax pastilles to the recipe. I always put in tea tree oil for antibacterial properties (and I like the smell), but have experimented with other oils for scent. I added frankincense today. One thing I noticed though — orange oil smelled awesome, but stained the armpits of a white shirt, so now I am careful with the oils that have stronger colors. As for rash, if you shave your armpits, you might try not putting deodorant on for a few hours after you shave them. I epilady my armpits (it’s not so bad after the first time, and they look and feel GREAT — I only do them every week or 10 days now), and I do it at night, and then soothe them with witch hazel, and don’t use deodorant until the next morning.
Hey Sophie,
SO happy that a fellow running loves this deodorant too!!! Thank you for sharing with us and how it works best for you 🙂
This recipe is the best ever I have spend a fortune on store deodorant because I sweat a lot so I have to get the most expensive ones.In my country we have the organic coconut oil and baking soda and corn starch is not expensive,iam never going back to buy those chemicals deodorants again.The baking soda does give me rash but it will go away after awhile.Iam totally ordour free.Thank you so much for your recipe.
Hey Agen,
I am so glad you found our recipe so you could ditch the store bought deodorant and not only save money but give your body some chemical free products!
So I love the idea of this and I made some and I get no b.o. smell, but I find it gets damp under my arms (pit stains and all) without my store-bought deodorant. It makes me feel gross. Is there an ingredient I need to increase or add to keep my underarms feeling dry too? I really don’t want to go back to that 100 ingredients I can’t even pronounce store-bought stuff!! Please HELP!!
Hey Jenelle,
I am so glad that you are enjoying how fresh and clean our deodorant makes you smell! You can try adding some extra arrow root in your deodorant because that ingredient is suppose to absorb moisture.
Hope that helps! 🙂
Thanks! I’ll definitely try this!