How to Make Natural Deodorant

Katie Wells Avatar

Reading Time: 7 minutes

This post contains affiliate links.

Read my affiliate policy.

how-to-make-your-own-natural-deodorant
Wellness Mama » Blog » Beauty » How to Make Natural Deodorant

Today, I tackle a subject that no one really wants to talk about: body odor. Of course, I want to use a natural deodorant, but I also want something that works!

Chances are, you’ve probably experienced body odor at some point. I’m posting this because it was a touchy subject for me for a long time, and I’m hoping my (embarrassing) plight might be able to help you!

Why Natural Deodorant?

Eating a good diet and drinking enough water can really cut down the underarm odor, but sometimes you need something else. Sure, the conventional deodorant antiperspirants work great, if you don’t mind infusing your armpits with aluminum, parabens, and other additives! Aluminum has also been linked with potentially contributing to breast cancer.

For those of us who have sought a more natural option, you may have noticed that the pickings are rather slim when it comes to the best natural deodorants. There are a lot of natural deodorants out there, it’s just that, well… most of them don’t work well. I say this from experience, as a woman who’s been pregnant multiple times in the last few years (pregnancy increases sweat) and worked out through the pregnancies.

So What to Do?

Sweat like a horse or slather on the aluminum? Is there no other option?

Fortunately, there is!

Unfortunately, it takes more time than going to the store. But it lasts a lot longer and is a whole lot healthier! In my pursuit of healthy armpits, I finally stumbled upon a natural homemade deodorant recipe that works and is still natural. This is after trying every natural variation I could find (which didn’t work or caused a rash) and after several very failed attempts at making it.

I did find in the process that pure baking soda or plain coconut oil works pretty well, so if you aren’t into making your own, maybe try that. Some people get a rash from baking soda, so test this on a small area of skin first. I’ve also recently been using pre-made natural deodorant, which is very similar to these DIY recipes, smells amazing, and works well!

How to Make Natural Homemade Deodorant

Both of the recipes below work really well. I prefer the softness of the first recipe, but if you don’t have shea butter lying around, the second recipe works just as well and has fewer ingredients. You can customize your deodorant to your scent preferences with essential oils or omit them for an unscented version. Those with more sensitive skin may prefer to skip the essential oils or even do a baking soda-free version.

If you’d like a slightly stronger deodorant recipe with a manly scent, see my DIY Men’s Deodorant recipe.

Essential Oils for Natural Deodorant

Some essential oils smell amazing but can be harsh on the skin, like cinnamon and clove. When I’m making beauty products and homemade skincare recipes, I want natural ingredients that work but are also safe for the skin. Certain essential oils help fight odor-causing bacteria and make it smell nice. Here are some options::

Bergamot and Sandalwood are also popular scents, but they come with some caveats. Sandalwood is considered at risk or already endangered due to overharvesting. While not all sandalwood species are on the at-risk list, more overall demand means the less used varieties are now getting more attention and use.

Australian sandalwood doesn’t seem to be vulnerable right now, or Amyris essential oil has a similar scent and can be used instead.

Bergamot has a refreshing scent, but it does make skin more likely to burn in the sun. I’m not too worried about my armpits getting lots of sun, but to be on the safe side there are a few options.

How Do You Make 3 Ingredient Deodorant?

If you take a peek at some drugstore brands they have way more than 3 ingredients. While a longer ingredients list isn’t necessarily bad, simple is usually easier. My coconut deodorant recipe has just coconut oil, baking soda, and arrowroot powder (essential oils optional).

More Natural Deodorant ingredients

I have several different natural deodorant recipes you can find here. Some popular active ingredient additions include activated charcoal, kaolin clay, and probiotics. Vitamin E oil is an antioxidant that helps extend the shelf life of the carrier oils, but it’s entirely optional.

Not Into DIY?

If you’re looking for a pre-made aluminum-free deodorant option that smells incredible, I’d recommend this one from Wellnesse. It took me a while to come up with long-lasting odor protection in a pre-made natural deodorant, but the wait was worth it! It’s free of all the yucky stuff and of course cruelty-free.

Why Use Natural Deodorant?

I started this pursuit to avoid nasty additives in regular deodorant, but I’m a lifelong convert because it works!

No, really! I was the girl who rejoiced when Secret Clinical Strength came out before prom one year. I’ve had to use regular deodorant a few times since I started the natural, and it doesn’t work as well. Although not an antiperspirant, it does seem to absorb a lot of wetness.

After a few weeks of using natural deodorant, I noticed an unexpected side effect… I wasn’t sweating as much, to begin with. Months later, I notice this even more!

I urge you to try making your own deodorant. Even if you aren’t daunted by the ingredients in your own deo, wouldn’t you feel better knowing you weren’t putting anything on your skin that you couldn’t eat (not that you would want to eat shea butter!)? If you do try it, let me know the outcome!

how-to-make-your-own-natural-deodorant
Print
4.11 from 229 votes

Homemade Deodorant with Shea Butter Recipe

Deodorant can contain a lot of harmful chemicals. Save time and money by making this natural homemade deodorant with coconut oil, baking soda & oils.
Prep Time20 minutes
Yield: 0
Author: Katie Wells

Materials

Instructions

  • Place the shea butter and coconut oil in a quart size mason jar.
  • Place the mason jar in a small saucepan of water and heat over low heat until the shea butter and coconut oil have just melted.
  • Remove from heat and add the baking soda and arrowroot if using.
  • Mix well.
  • Add the essential oils if using, and pour into a glass container for storage. It does not need to be stored in the fridge.
  • If you prefer, you can let it cool and pour it into an old deodorant stick for easier use, though it may melt in the summer!

Notes

It may take several hours to completely harden. This process can be sped up by putting it in the fridge for a few minutes.

Coconut Oil Homemade Deodorant Recipe

If you don’t have all those ingredients around, or don’t want to wash a double boiler, this recipe is faster and easier.

Natural Homemade Deodorant Recipe Ingredients

Coconut Oil Deodorant Ingredients

Coconut Oil Deodorant Instructions

  1. In a medium size bowl, mix together the baking soda and arrowroot.
  2. Use a fork to mash in the coconut oil until well mixed.
  3. Add oils if desired.
  4. Store in small glass jar or old deodorant container for easy use.

Troubleshooting and FAQs

After years of using this recipe and hundreds of comments from readers who have tried these recipes I’ve created some FAQs. If you have any trouble with making these natural homemade deodorant recipes, this may help.

Q. How long does homemade deodorant last?

A. Because there’s no water in the recipe I’ve found it lasts for 6-12 months. I always use it up before that long though.

Q. This homemade deodorant is giving me a rash… Did I do something wrong?

A. Some people react negatively to the baking soda and develop a rash or underarm discoloring. If this happens to you, I’d suggest stopping using the natural deodorant until you are able to resolve the issue. Many people cut the baking soda amount in half and notice that the irritation goes away.

A simple clay-based armpit detox can help pull out some of the chemicals from past deodorant use that may store in the underarm and lead to a rash.

Q. How do you make natural deodorant without baking soda?

A. You can replace some or all of the baking soda with arrowroot or tapioca starch. Also, make sure that you aren’t reacting to any essential oils you use in your homemade deodorant.

Q. What can I use naturally instead of deodorant?

  • Acid-Based Deodorant: Other readers have noticed that if they react to a baking soda-based deodorant, an acid-based deodorant works better. Suggestions that seemed to have worked include using diluted lemon juice or apple cider vinegar alone or with essential oils.
  • Spray Deodorant: A magnesium-based spray deodorant can also be helpful, especially for those who react to coconut oil or shea butter. This is also a lighter option that dried more quickly. If you prefer to spray on your deodorant, here’s a recipe to try.

Q. I’m allergic to coconut oil… can I make this recipe without it?

A. Absolutely!

You can use half as much of a liquid oil like almond, jojoba, or avocado oil in place of the coconut oil, especially in the shea butter recipe. This will create a thinner recipe. If you want a formula closer to an actual deodorant bar but without the coconut oil, use this recipe but use ¼ cup almond (or other liquid oil) in place of the coconut oil.

Q. Can I put this in a regular deodorant container?

A. Yes, though it will work better with the first recipe that contains shea butter. To make an even firmer bar, increase the shea butter to ¼ cup. These inexpensive deodorant containers work well to store this recipe. I also recommend letting either recipe firm up in the fridge before attempting to use it if you are putting it in deodorant containers.

Q. This seems to be staining my clothes… How do I fix this?

A. I’ve personally never had trouble with this, but it seems that this can be a result of using too much of the mixture at one time or not letting it absorb into skin before putting on clothing. I use a tiny amount (not much is needed) and wait 3-5 minutes before putting on a shirt to avoid any staining issues.

Q. This stings if I apply it right after shaving… how do I prevent this?

A. The baking soda or magnesium will sting after shaving. Usually, waiting a few minutes will solve the problem.

Q. How do I prevent ingrown hairs in my armpit?

A. Shaving can sometimes cause uncomfortable bumps where the skin grows over the hair follicle, trapping the hair underneath. Some people believe applying deodorant to the area can help prevent ingrown hairs, but there isn’t evidence for this. Dermatologists recommend lightly exfoliating the area a few times weekly to help.

This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Ann Shippy, who is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and a certified Functional Medicine physician with a thriving practice in Austin, Texas. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.

Ever made your own deodorant? How did it go? Share below!

Sources
  1. Darbre, P.D. Underarm antiperspirants/deodorants and breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res 11, S5 (2009).
  2. Tunell, A. (2015). #BeautySchool: Does Deodorant Prevent Ingrown Hairs? Harpers Bazaar.

Become a VIP member!

Get access to my VIP newsletter with health tips, special deals, my free ebook on Seven Small Easy Habits and so much more!

Easy Habits ebook on ipad

Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

1,558 responses to “How to Make Natural Deodorant”

  1. Vickie Dollhausen Avatar
    Vickie Dollhausen

    I think when I first read the recipe it suggested using Teatree oil to help kill any bacteria. I have used that in my mixture ever since and it’s very effective

  2. Vickie Dollhausen Avatar
    Vickie Dollhausen

    For the person who complained of the deodorant staining their clothing…, I believe it is related to the oil’s in the deodorant. I noticed it when I was wearing white shirts every day. They tended to turn gray or dingy. All I did was put a tablespoon of dish washing detergent like Dawn in my wash and all of the oils came out. I love the first recipe very much

  3. Chloe Swopshire Avatar
    Chloe Swopshire

    THANK YOU!!! What an efficient solution and time saver. This works quite well and gives me a sense of natural beauty empowerment. I appreciate your guidance!

  4. Fran Avatar

    Yes, I have made my own DIY deodorant before, but they usually konk out on me at the most inappropriate times. For a number of years I was using a toothpaste (yes, toothpaste), not the regular commercial kind though. This one had essential oils like cinnamon, clove, lemon, etc. It has worked really well for me in that time, but some time I would, but honestly it was creamy and I always had to wash my hands afterwards (not exactly absorbent… it wasn’t meant to be since it is for teeth).

    But I’ve been really happy with the recipe in your special ebook on Magnasium. I first got it about a year ago and tried the Magnesium butter, but I didn’t have emulsifying was and used bees was. It came out ok but was REALLY sticky. I think I needed to use less bees wax than the emulsifying was. I used it for a short while and then forgot about it because of the stickiness.

    I recently “revived” that butter by softening it up and adding more coconut oil. It probably isn’t as effective but it got me looking at the other recipes and I ended up making everything but the scrub. The Magnesium with Essential oils as a deodorant took me by surprise. I had intended on using it in conjunction with my regular “deodorant” but being in a hurry I neglected to use my regular one and was able to go the whole day without any problems. I work nights and have about a 4-hour commute every day. I made from home and back with barely an order. You would’ve had to stick your nose in my armpit in order to know that it was time for a shower and a refresh. I like that I have it in a spray bottle and if any gets on my hands, I can just rub it in. It smells great to. I used Lavender, Lemon and Geranium. Thank you so much for sharing your recipes!

  5. Chiara Avatar

    Hi Katie my name is Chiara and I found your recipe amazing, I alredy bought the shea butter because I want to try it! ^-^
    I read also your recipe for a man deodprant and I noticed you explain which essencial oil you normally use and the quantity.
    Can you please do the same for the first recipe of the “woman” recipe?
    How many drop you put? And which fragrance? Thanks a lot
    Chiara

  6. Marc Avatar

    I had moved away from using the ‘crystal’ as it acted as a antiperspirant-and was blocking the skin pores from breathing, and preventing toxins from being removed from my underarms naturally.
    After having to wash at least 3 times per day to keep odour manageable I found your recipe (Home Made Deodorant with Shea Butter). It worked like a charm, and absolutely no bad odour throughout the entire day and evening. I also keep it in fridge which is a bit inconvenient, but WELL WORTH IT. A few drops of Lemongrass essential oil was my choice for giving it a pleasant smell. Thanks!

  7. Melinda Fox Avatar
    Melinda Fox

    I just made this yesterday and put it on this morning, about 2 hours later I went to look and see if it was white, was clear at first, and yes it was still clear on the skin, but I noticed that my skin had VERY dark brown large spots. Could this be from the baking soda?

  8. Lou Avatar

    Hi, I was wondering if you can specify how much product is in your description. When you mention T, do you mean tablespoon or teaspoon? Thank you.

  9. Stacy Avatar

    Thank you for these recipes! I have two questions for you: 1/ on a minimally active day, do you need to reapply the Shea butter deodorant? How long doesn’t it last on? And 2/ you said you apply a tiny amount of this to avoid staining clothes…how much roughly is the tiny amount?
    Thanks very much!

  10. Deneka Avatar

    Hi there. I have developed an allergic reaction to deodorant. So I want to DIM. Is ‘T’ tablespoon or teaspoon?

  11. Catherine Avatar
    Catherine

    How many drops of essential oil do you use for this recipe?

  12. Cindy Avatar

    I’ve heard that you should not use the same essential oils for more than 2 weeks, is that true? If not how long can the same DIY with the same essential oils be used. If it is true what would you suggest?
    I did make the deodorant and it works GREAT! Even in 117 degree weather. Thank you!

  13. Petra Avatar

    Hi

    I have made several deodorants with baking soda, but find the formulations feel sandy and gritty on my skin. Perhaps there is a less gritty version of baking soda on the market?

  14. Mel Avatar

    This recipe has not been working for me. I just melted it down and added some arrowroot. Hoping that will do the job. I’m not a particularly sweaty or funky person, just found it doesn’t deoderize me.

  15. Gina Avatar

    Since I live in South FL, from about late April through mid-November it gets hot enough that you need to shower again just from walking out the front door and most of my homemade products that contain extra virgin coconut oil tend to get rather melty. Since I like stick deodorant better, I’d prefer to not keep it in the refrigerator and I love the simplicity of this recipe (I made some last winter with rose geranium & lavender oils and it was fantastic), I was wondering if I could replace a tbsp or two of the coconut oil with shea or cocoa butter. I’d prefer to use shea butter but cocoa butter is a lot firmer. Regardless of the answer, I’ll definitely be making some more of this diy deodorant. I’m thinking this time I’ll use a combo of jasmine, neroli, vanilla and tangerine for me (the oils smell lovely together in the diffuser if the right ratio is used) and the hubby will have sandalwood, bergamot, cedarwood atlas & frankincense in his. Thanks for posting this recipe because it’s so simple yet wonderfully effective (as long as you don’t have to worry about it melting into goop in the deodorant stick container). This isn’t the only recipe of yours that I’ve made and I’ve loved them all.

    1. Dee D. Avatar

      How many drops of the essential oil do you use for your version & your husband’s?

  16. Cindy Avatar

    HI,
    Thank you for sharing all your DIY Recepies, I’m new to the DIY community.

    They say you shouldn’t use the same EO receipe for a long period of time. With the deodorant that a batch can last a long time what do you do? How long do you use it for? Do you switch ingredients and if so how often?

    Thank you,
    Cindy

  17. Sherri Avatar
    Sherri

    I love this recipe, as I do ALL of your other all-natural recipes! I just wish you understood the countless benefits of essential oils (and the positive effects they have on all of these DIY recipes, in general) so that you didn’t always list them as “optional.”
    It’s as if they are just listed for fragrance/scent purposes. With how resourceful your website is, and how many people I refer to your website on the daily, I just wish you appreciated them more to not downplay them. People are much more aware of how to use essential oils, safely, these days, so that should not be your concern!

4.11 from 229 votes (216 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating