Homemade Natural Spray Deodorant Recipe

My homemade natural deodorant recipe is several years old and is one of the most popular on my site with almost 800 comments. I still use it and it is really effective, but some people don’t react well to the baking soda and are looking for another option.

It seems that baking soda gives some people an itchy, red rash when used on the underarms. It works incredibly well in deodorant recipes, but some people just can’t tolerate it and I definitely don’t recommend continuing to try a recipe that is causing a rash or pain.

One solution here is to just remove the baking soda from the original recipe, and use equal parts of shea butter, coconut oil and arrowroot powder with essential oils for scent, though some people find this isn’t as effective as the recipe with baking soda.

I found out recently when I packed the wrong glass jar for a trip that my magnesium body butter works really well as a deodorant. In fact, if you react to baking soda, I’d recommend trying the magnesium body butter as an alternative.

My accidental mix up made me wonder if there was another good natural deodorant solution besides the recipes with baking soda, and maybe one that was more convenient as well. One complaint with oil based recipes is that they can stain clothing if you don’t wait for it to dry before getting dressed.

I wanted a quick dry option that wasn’t oil based, didn’t have baking soda and that actually worked.

I also loved the idea of using something with magnesium like the magnesium body butter but didn’t want something that thick. Then, I found a perfect solution that I’ve sweat tested in a hot southern summer while running outside and it works.

I still love the original recipes, but I’ve been using this one too and even tested them both side by side and this recipe seems to be equally effective.

So what’s in it? Great question. The secret ingredient is….

Magnesium Oil!

It’s actually a misnomer, since magnesium oil just feels oily but doesn’t contain any actual oil, but it is incredibly effective at preventing underarm odor, plus you get a boost of magnesium. Add some essential oils and it is a great smell- good deodorant.

You can make magnesium oil yourself (this is the recipe I use) or buy the pre-made version here.

NOTE: Some people experience a tingling sensation when they first start using magnesium oil. This is considered a normal reaction, especially for those who are low on magnesium and it should fade in a couple of days.

TIP: To make this even more effective, mix 3/4 cup water with 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar and apply to underarms after showering and let dry before applying this. This helps remove any natural bacteria in the underarm and makes this spray deodorant last even longer.

Spray Deodorant Ingredients

4 ounces magnesium oil
10-15 drops of your favorite essential oils or a mixture
A 4 ounce or larger glass spray bottle (I use this one but replaced the top because my kids dropped the bottle and the original top broke)

Spray Deodorant Instructions

Make the magnesium oil if using homemade magnesium oil.
Pour in to glass spray bottle and add any essential oils if using.
To use: spray a small amount on underarms and rub in gently. Let dry for about 5 seconds.

Note: Stinging can sometimes occur if used right after shaving or if you are low on magnesium. This should subside after a few days.

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

This simple homemade spray deodorant recipe uses magnesium oil and essential oils for an effective and nourishing deodorant without harmful chemicals.

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

332 responses to “Spray Deodorant Recipe”

Jesse

August 14, 2015

Great article! I just got done reading food babe’s article about throwing away your deodorant. I’ve noticed that many of the anti-bacterial food based substances these blogs talk about can be used as deodorant. For instance a beeswax and coconut oil salve rubbed thinly on stinky pits will take subdue the bacteria that’s causing the stink. (used this in a pinch while not home)
Also have been rubbing my pits with the magnesium oil left on my hands after applying to my torso each morning. Tea tree oil works great too. Just a dab kills bacteria and smells clean and unisex. Finally, lymphatic massage especially lymphatic breast and armpit massage will help with odor and breast health.

Here’s a list of stuff that works:
Pure coconut oil very thin coating so you don’t get grease stains. Coconut oil is anti-bacterial.
A drop or two of tea tree oil on the finger tips for both pits. Again anti-bacterial.
Magnesium oil, but allow it to dry before putting on clothes. It isn’t oil but it can leave a greasy stain. If it stings don’t use it just after shaving or on open cuts. I’ve noticed that when you have enough magnesium
in your system the oil no longer stings.
ACV anti-bacterial
Grain alcohol mixed with water has anti-bacterial qualities (isopropyl-too harsh for me)
Salve with bees wax and/or a bit of honey in it will work in a pinch. Beeswax and honey are anti-bacterial.
Baking soda and clay. I don’t like them because they both seem to leave stuff on my clothes and baking soda is pretty irritating
Lymphatic breast and armpit massage helps move toxins around and out of your system.
Try this test: Does one armpit stink more than the other one? Mine did! My left armpit was always much more stinky. My naturapath said that your non dominant side (right handed here) will be more stinky since you don’t use that arm as much. I found that fascinating and began to massage my armpits especially the left side. Now things are not more stinky on that side.
Be careful which essential oils you use because they can build up and some are estrogenic such as lavender essential oil.

Reply
Desirae

August 11, 2015

In this recipe it says to store in a glass spray bottle, is this to avoid the BPA normally found in plastics? Your recipe for the magnesium oil says you can use a plastic bottle. Wondering if there was a difference in why one can be stored in plastic and one can not. I have plastic on hand but I can get glass if it is better for me.

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1. Wellness Mama
  
  August 12, 2015
  
  Partly… Also essential oil can corrode plastic and leach the chemicals into the deo faster than you would believe.
  
  Reply
Elizabeth S

July 17, 2015

I was wondering can you use 70% Isopropyl? I don’t have any Magnesium oil.

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Joanna

July 14, 2015

I have made my own magnesium oil out of Epsom salts but it has re-crystalied, any suggestions as to why? Have made this before with no such problem 🙁

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1. stellie
  
  July 30, 2015
  
  it s a wild guess, but did you use hot water when you made it?
  the water must be hot, at least warm so it gets mixed well. it shouldnt re crystralise if the water s warm.
  at least that doesnt happen when I make my own sea salt hairspray and I use epsom salt in hot water.
  does this help?
  
  Reply
  1. Joanna Thomas
    
    July 30, 2015
    
    Yes used hot water and even tried boiling water 🙁 will try again
    
    Reply
Barb

July 8, 2015

So I made the homemade version of magnesium oil to give to my husband to help him sleep- well he forgot the bottle so when my homemade deodorant (your version minus baking soda plus beeswax for summer) wasn’t working I researched and found this. I have been using for 2 weeks now and it is amazing!!! We had a very hot week last week and I was worried about smelling but no smell. I did have the issue with burning the first time like for 3+hours so I tried my other recipe on top and it helped greatly but after 2 days I am just using the oil. Thank you so much for this discovery. It has been a life saver for me.

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Belle

July 7, 2015

I wish this worked for me. After using it for a week, I developed a painful rash under my arms. I am so sad. Is there any other way to use this? Maybe add aloe or something else? Suggestions?

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melanie

July 2, 2015

i’ve tried the Mg as deodorant. It burns like fire!
any suggestions?

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1. stellie
  
  July 30, 2015
  
  Hi, if that helps, I started to use coconut oil on my armpits or/and macadamia oil and it works great.
  it s very nice for the tender skin there. I have both used them, together, and separately during summer and it would seem that they both work. so you only have to pick your favourite oil.
  what s nice about them is that they are great for so many other things, so it s not too much a bother to purchase them. (I also use them on my hair, on my body to have a soft, supple skin)
  hope this helps 🙂
  
  Reply
  1. Melanie
    
    July 30, 2015
    
    Thank you.
    
    Do you mean to mix the Mg oil with coconut oil?
    Or to use only the coconut oil?
    
    Thanks ?
    
    Reply
Laura

July 1, 2015

So I recently made your magnesium lotion. Out of pure laziness, what do you think about just using that?

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1. Wellness Mama
  
  July 6, 2015
  
  That is how I discovered this recipe, so I say go for it! The worst that can happen is that it won’t work…
  
  Reply
Debby

June 25, 2015

Do you think this could be turned into a mosquito repellent as well? I have always used magnesium oil (that I made) and then separately used a bug spray (from your site as well). But I am thinking that maybe adding the essential oils that specifically keep bugs away to the magnesium oil could make a double duty magnesium oil/bug repellent and I could also put on as deodorant. And I could just make one thing to work for all activities. Is there any reason that these ingredients would not work together that you know of?

And I just wanted to add that I am also a big fan of using ACV to help with stinky armpits. I noticed that the more stressed I am, the worse I smell. 🙁 So the ACV is a must and then I use the magnesium oil too.

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Stellie

May 28, 2015

Hi there,

I am very interested in Magnesium oil, had never heard of it. I use baking soda everyday and it works fabulously but I do have sore skin, red patch from time to time. At first I’m fine but after using it for a while, my skn gets sensitive and it’s rather painful and unpleasant. I use coconut oil, or macadamia oil, just few drops and I massage the sore skin and that really makes things better. It is soothing but now that Ive read this great article, I’ll be sure to look for magnesium flakes to make my own oil. I dont think I’ll work it with essential oils (I love them and use them for many things) or any natural fragrance, I will probably use it on its own if it does work well without any other ingredients needed.
thank you for the greaaaat tip

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Nick

May 6, 2015

How long does this last/work for? I tried a very similar recipe, using Sweet Almond Oil instead of Magnesium Oil, with Tea Tree, Lavender, and Thyme oils, and the problem was it did not last long at all.

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Nick

May 6, 2015

How would you compare this to your other DIY home-made deodorant recipe? Would you say one works better than the other?

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Charla

April 8, 2015

I tried using your homemade Magnesium Oil recipe with this homemade deodorant spray. It burned for hours. I got red marks on my underarms. I tried to apply for a few days hoping that the burning would go away like you said it would. Then I saw the comment about using Milk of Magnesium as a deodorant. It doesn’t burn at all. Is there something wrong with the homemade Magnesium Oil recipe or should the homemade deodorant spray recipe be diluted when using the homemade Magnesium Oil recipe? I was trying to find a natural non painful way to help my daughter who has Cerebral Palsy. She has a reaction to the store bought deodorant and it doesn’t work. So far, I think I am going to try the pre-deodorant spray and Milk of Magnesium.

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Lorie

April 6, 2015

There were so many posts and this question might have been answered but would you mind telling me if you’ve ever considered mixing magnesium spray with one of your other natural deoderamts? Also, how would I go about that I’m wondering…

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Cortnee Ingram

April 5, 2015

Hi there. I started using this and I absolutely LOVE it – I am having an issue it seems I believe. I am extremely tired all the time and very emotional. I thought it was my hashimoto’s acting up but I did more research and people say to take it at night because it can make them sleepy. I just want to make sure it’s the oil and I am not going crazy all over again 🙂 Any insight would be appreciated – I was SO excited I finally found something that I can use and now I am afraid it’s too much for me or maybe I should try it at night?

Thank you!!

Reply
1. Katie – Wellness Mama
  
  April 7, 2015
  
  I haven’t heard of that happening, but I would definitely try skipping it and see if anything changes or try applying at night for the next day?
  
  Reply
Fernando

March 26, 2015

Hi Katie, I use Milk of Magnesia deodorant (a comercial presentation called NATUREL FRESH, here in Colombia) many years ago and it works perfect to me and many people. I want to know if Magnesia Oil could protect like the one that I use. If both are magnesia, the other components in their formula (milk of magnesia is MgOH2 and magnesia oil is MgCl2) could affect their action as deodorant?

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1. Wellness Mama
  
  March 26, 2015
  
  I have not tried that product, so it is hard for me to compare them. I would think that maybe they would work the same. It’s a pretty inexpensive experiment, though.
  
  Reply
Clare

March 15, 2015

Sadly the deodorant with baking soda irritates me and this deodorant doesn’t seem to work at all. Have you got any other ones I can try?

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1. Joanne
  
  March 17, 2015
  
  Hi Clare,
  I’m the same with baking soda and after doing a bit of research came up with one that actually works for me. I squeeze half a lemon (about 2 tablespoons of juice), add 1 tablespoon of Vodka, fill the rest of the spritzer bottle with Magnesium Oil and add my favourite essential oils (equal amounts of lavender, bergamot, patchouli and ylang ylang – 20 drops each). Works better than shop bought deodorants and doesn’t stain my clothes. I hope you find something that works for you 🙂
  
  Reply
  1. Ana
    
    March 30, 2015
    
    Hi Joanne,
    
    I’m very intrigued and tempted to try your recipe! I’m just wondering because of the lemon juice ,do you have any problems with stinging after applying it when you have shaved?
    
    Reply
  2. Tracey
    
    February 10, 2019
    
    Hi Joanne! Thanks for this tip! Do you refrigerate this because of the free lemon juice, or not worry about it because of the vodka and magnesium?
    
    Reply
suzi

March 13, 2015

hi. I am wondering if you have any recipes for an effective homemade antiperspirant (as opposed to deodorant).

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Maria Tyrrell

March 11, 2015

Might want to read about the bleach component in MOM: http://chemicaloftheday.squarespace.com/most-controversial/2014/6/14/milk-of-magnesia.html Yikes~

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1. Monica
  
  April 4, 2018
  
  There is milk of magnesia that only has water and magnesium Hydroxide. Need to read for active and inactive ingredients
  
  Reply
Louiise

March 7, 2015

Hi, Has any one tried a mix of coconut oil and magnesium flakes? I’m wondering if that would work.

Reply