Do-it-yourself natural deodorant… it actually works!

An easy DIY deodorant recipe that smells amazing and works too! Made with clean, all-natural ingredients and ready in under 10 minutes, this all-natural deodorant recipe will quickly become a staple of your body routine.

I’m officially THE girl.

I mean, we all knew the day was coming. The signs were all there. Natural beauty routine, apple cider vinegar everywhere, so it was time to embrace my inner hippie and delve into the world of natural deodorant.

If you had asked me two years ago if I would ever use natural deodorant, I would undoubtedly have laughed in your face. i am so judgmental But now I’m here not only admitting to using it, but encouraging you to do the same. Oh how times have changed.

I’ve pretty much summed up my thoughts on natural beauty in this post and also shared some of my favorite homemade products in this post, but in short I truly believe that what we put on our bodies should be just as important as what we put in . And that includes homemade deodorant.

Why use natural deodorant

Have you seen what’s in conventional deodorant? Chances are, at least once in your life, you’ve looked down at the floor and seen a list of ingredients that seems to be written in a different language. But did you know that many of these ingredients can be incredibly harmful to your body?

Let’s go through a few of them:

–aluminum: This is the ingredient that clogs your sweat glands and prevents sweating (more on this below). Exposure to aluminum has been linked to both Alzheimer’s and the buildup of estrogen in the body, which may also be correlated with an increased risk of breast and prostate cancer.

–Parabens: These ingredients are used as preservatives in deodorants, but they can also mimic estrogen in your body. This leads to hormonal imbalances and is also linked to breast and prostate cancer.

–phthalates: These chemicals are used to make other ingredients more flexible and are also used as fragrance ingredients. They primarily affect the endocrine system and exposure can lead to early onset puberty and breast cancer later in life.

-Triclosan: An antibacterial chemical that can also disrupt the endocrine system and has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. It was actually banned in hand soaps by the FDA, but for some reason they still allow it in deodorants?!

…the list goes on, but this is just a taste of what you’ll find in traditional deodorants.

What you need to make DIY deodorant:

• Unrefined coconut oill – Coconut oil contains fatty acids such as lauric acid, which are known for their antibacterial properties. It can help reduce odor-causing bacteria in your armpits, leaving you smelling refreshed and clean.
• Unrefined Shea Butter – Also super antibacterial and non-comedogenic so it won’t clog your drains. It also adds moisture to the formula.
• Arrowroot powder/flour – A highly absorbent powder that helps wick away extra sweat. Acts effectively as an antiperspirant. You can substitute tapioca starch if that’s all you can find.
• baking powder -super effective against body odor and also absorbs sweat. Note: Baking soda can be a potential skin irritant, so feel free to add less to the formula and work your way up.
• Lavender essential oil – This is primarily for the scent so you can substitute another essential oil if you prefer or leave out the unscented one.
• Grapefruit Essential Oil – like lavender, as you can substitute another essential oil if you prefer a different scent, or leave it out for fragrance-free.
• Tea Tree Essential Oil (optional)* – Tea tree is antibacterial and a super effective odor eliminator.

You will also need either a small jar with a lid or empty deodorant sticks or containers.

*Certain people are sensitive to tea tree oil, so test your skin with a drop before adding to the mixture. It’s not necessary, but tea tree is antibacterial and it’s the bacteria in your armpits that lead to odor, so it’s a nice addition if you’re not sensitive.

How to make a DIY deodorant

STEP 1: In a glass bowl or jar, combine coconut oil and shea butter and place the bowl/jar in a medium sauce pan to create a double boiler. Add water to the saucepan (enough to surround the bowl/glass but not overflow) and bring to a boil. While the water is heating, stir in the coconut oil and shea butter and continue until it melts.

STEP 2: Once melted, add arrowroot starch, baking soda, and essential oils.

STEP 3: Pour into a 3-ounce jar and cool at room temperature or in the refrigerator (hardens faster in the fridge) until set to a solid state. Cover with lid until use.

FAQs: Your questions answered

How long does this natural deodorant last?

When stored in a cool, dry place, this natural deodorant will last 6-12 months.

How much natural deodorant should I use?

Just a pea-sized amount. Small things have a big impact.

Do I have to apply again?

Depending on your body and activity level, you may need to do this. This natural deodorant is not an antiperspirant, so while it can reduce sweat slightly, it can’t prevent it completely, so you’ll need to reapply it from time to time.

Do I need an adjustment period for natural deodorant?

Your armpits may need an adjustment period while you make the switch. Start by using this DIY Natural Deodorant 1-2 days a week and slowly work your way up.

What if my skin reacts to natural deodorant?

Some people are sensitive to tea tree and baking soda. I recommend waiting at least 6 hours after shaving if you want to use this natural deodorant. That means I shave the night before and then apply it the next morning. This prevents any kind of skin reactivity. If you have particularly sensitive skin, you can omit the tea tree and decrease the amount of baking soda in the mix.

Help! My DIY deodorant won’t harden!

First things first, try putting it in the fridge. If it hardens in the fridge, chances are your home is on the warmer side and you need to refrigerate it to keep it firm. It works when not tight, but can separate a bit. Alternatively, check that you haven’t used fractionated coconut oil, which doesn’t harden. You will need to re-prepare your recipe using non-fractionated coconut oil.

How long does this natural deodorant last?

Mine usually lasts 3-6 months depending on the season and how often I reapply.

What about store-bought deodorant?

You can read about my favorite store-bought best natural deodorants (including non-baking soda options) HERE.

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