Homemade Deodorant: Make your armpits happy!
2012
The first time I heard the phrase “homemade deodorant” I’m pretty sure I laughed. And rolled my eyes. And had all sorts of “she’s crazy!!!” thoughts going through my head. I mean, seriously? How weird can you get? Deodorant is one of life’s essential products that should only come from the most trusted chemist.
Funny how things change.
A troubled start…
The first time I made my own homemade deodorant I’m pretty sure I laughed then, too. But it was more of a “wow, I’m the crazy one now and it’s AWESOME” laugh.
But truthfully, my first experience with homemade deodorant was painful. Like, really painful. I have super sensitive skin and the stuff just burned. For hours.
I was told that some people have this problem and to give it time for my skin to adjust. So like a ninny (ha! who says “ninny”? Apparently I do.) I kept torturing my sad little arm pits with the homemade deodorant from… you know where. After a solid month I finally gave up and went back to my less-effective and more-expensive “all natural” store-bought deodorant.
Total failure.
That’s why I’m so excited to share this recipe with you… in case you also have sensitive skin and need a little TLC from your homemade deodorant. It’s still very similar to most of the online recipes you’ll find, and it’s still very effective, but hopefully it won’t make your pits burn. We want happy and non-smelly armpits, right? Right!
Why homemade deodorant?
Like so many other cosmetics, several of the ingredients used in most deodorants and antiperspirants are not so good for you. Like these:
- Aluminum – This is the primary ingredient in most stuff you’ll buy at the store. It’s a metal which has been linked to breast cancer in women and increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. No thanks.
- Parabens – This synthetic preservative is found in so many personal care products. The largest concern is that these chemicals will disrupt our delicate hormonal balance. Paraben exposure has also been linked to birth defects and organ toxicity.
- Propylene glycol – This is a petroleum based material. In large quantities, studies have shown that this stuff can cause damage to the central nervous system, liver, and heart.
- Phthalates – Another class of chemicals that have been linked to a variety of health issues including birth defects.
- Triclsoan – This chemical is actually classified as a pesticide by the FDA and a probable carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Do you really want to put this stuff on your body? I didn’t think so.
Homemade deodorant AND happy armpits!
This recipe is simple and all the ingredients are recognizable and safe. This is also a pretty frugal way to go about your arm-pit needs.
Keep in mind that this is NOT an antiperspirant. But that’s a good thing. You need to sweat. It’s one of the ways your body naturally detoxes. Besides, antiperspirant just clogs your pores to keep the sweat from coming out… but your body will keep trying to detox. That’s why antiperspirant leaves those “pit stain” on your favorite shirt. It’s like your armpit threw up the chemical junk. Gross.
In fact, I found that I sweat a lot less after I stopped wearing antiperspirant (which was long before I was a hippie and started making homemade deodorant). And I have no stains on my shirts. Awesome.
So are you ready? What do you have to lose? Most people who make the switch to homemade deodorant love it and will never go back. You could be one of them, too!
Homemade Deodorant for Sensitive Skin
You’ll need:
1/3 cup coconut oil (where to find coconut products)
2 Tbs baking soda (You can even use less if you have super sensitive skin…)
1/3 cup arrow root powder (you can get this at most health foods stores or here).
10 – 15 essential oils (optional)
a small mixing bowl and spoon
a small container for your finished product
Directions:
1. Mix the coconut oil, baking soda, and arrow root powder in the small mixing bowl. Use the back of the spoon to help “cream” the ingredients until you have a consistency similar to deodorant.
2. Mix in essential oils. This is an optional step, but I think it makes it more fun. You can choose whatever oils you want. Some love lavendar or patchouli. My favorite is 10 drops of sweet orange and 5 drops of cinnamon.
3. Put mixture in small container (I use my cute little spatula for this step). To use simply swipe two fingers gently into the mixture and rub on your underarms. Wait two minutes before dressing to avoid any smearing on your clothes.
Note: Coconut oil melts when temperatures get warmer. Some people like to keep their deodorant in the fridge during warm months. I don’t bother since I can still use it… even if it gets a bit melty during those hotter months.
Not into making your own deodorant? There are some awesome all natural owns you need to check out here.
Do you use homemade deodorant? Are you will to give it a try? What do you think?
Sources:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/06/29/cbsnews_investigates/main51…
http://www.ewg.org/chemindex/term/563
http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/best-natural-d…
http://www.health-report.co.uk/ethylene_glycol_propylene_glycol.htm
http://www.naturalingredient.org/syntheticfragrances.htm
http://www.naturalnews.com/033364_deodorants_chemical_ingredients.html#ixzz29gdJyO2T
This post is part of Make Your Own Monday, Motivation Monday, Sweet Sharing Monday, Natural Living Monday, Monday Mania, Fat Tuesday, Mommy Club Wednesday, Real Food Wednesday, Healthy 2Day Wednesday, at Make Grow Thursday, Creative Juice Thursday, Frugal Days Sustainable Ways, Simple Lives Thursday, Eat Make Grow Thursday, Farm Girl Friday, Freaky Friday, Fight Back Friday, The Mommy Club, Footprint Friday, and Sunday School.
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Any ideas for replacing the coconut oil? I’m very allergic to nut and coconut oils, but have really been wanting to try natural deodorant. Thanks!
Hi Jessica,
You can try using shea butter. I haven’t tried it myself, but it would probably do the trick.
Thanks!
Shea butter is derived from nuts as well, so depending on your allergies, that might not be a good idea!
Jojoba oil could be the solution… it’s actually a wax derived from the leaves.
I make a simple deodorant with just bakingsoda and water, It works great. Here a little video of how I make it. Hope you enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpCbdqXhm1c
Hi, can you use Olive oil with some shea butter? Or just shea butter.
almond oil is fairly light and probably a good sub for coconut oil
I have made a similar recipe using equal parts of all three ingredients (except the same amount of essential oil that is listed in this one) but used organic corn starch instead of arrow root and olive oil instead of coconut oil. It comes out a little pastier and not as solid, but still works the same–awesomely!!
I was just looking for a recipe with arrowroot as I bought it with the intention to do this about 6 months ago and then lost it. Thanks!! I am so glad I found you through Frugally Sustainable!!
Oh good! Arrow root is pretty awesome.
If the coconut oil gets on my clothes, is it easy to wash out? Though I don’t mind smelling like a coconut.
Thanks for linking up to Motivation Monday!
I honestly haven’t had a problem with it getting on my clothes. Because of the arrowroot and baking soda it’s not really oily…
As far as coconut oil washing out… hmmmm… I surely have a few shirts with oil stains, but they are more from cooking (and I’m totally a clutz). I’ve heard you can get oil stains out using a dish soap like dawn on the it before throwing it in the laundry, but we don’t have that stuff in my house so I’m not sure it works.
It is worth it to have a small bottle of dish soap…cheap brands work also…in the house for those grease stains from food. It works like a charm…thankyou for the deoderant recipe….I will be making it!
Coconut oil washes out completely in hot water, and usually in warm water too if your water isn’t too hard. It’s one of the few cloth diaper safe diaper rash cream ingredients!
This was exactly the problem I was wondering about.
Awesome recipe! I’ve been doing something like this with just coconut oil and baking soda, but I love the idea of adding the arrowroot and the essential oils!
Thanks, Lori. I love using essential oils. I just feel like an alchemist or something. So much fun.
Hey Robin! I love your recipe! I like using natural skincare but I hadn’t found a “healthy” version of deodorant. I’m looking forward to trying this!
Thanks, Gabriela! I hope it works out for you.
What a great recipe! To answer your questions, I do not use homemade deodorant. Actually, I don’t use ANY deodorant. As long as I maintain a raw-vegan diet, I do not need deodorant because my body is clean. Consuming dead (cooked) food causes body odor.
I will definitely try this recipe because I’d like to find a healthy, natural alternative for hubby.
Thanks for posting this. It’s simple enough, for sure. I use baking soda a LOT for cleaning, and even for shampoo. =)
Yes, we use a lot of baking soda, too.
Hope your husband likes it. Thanks for stopping by!
I disagree with your comment about consuming dead cooked food causing body odor.
I think it was a jab at those who eat real healthy meats, eggs, etc.
I believe body odor is caused by toxins. Not by eating delicious, healthy grassfed meats and pastured eggs and chickens and raw milk. I feel bad for those who are missing out on the deliciousness of wholesome foods.
If you get your metabolic type tested, you can confirm what food products are best for you. For me? I am a solid animal protein type. If I don’t have animal protein in the morning of some sort (even raw milk or raw milk kefir will do), then I feel SO SICK every day. So to tell me that I have body odor because I eat those products really kinda tickles me the wrong way.
You probably mean no harm… but your type of diet is not for everyone. If it works for you, then great, I am happy. But I would be sick if I tried doing what you are doing. Every person is DIFFERENT so please don’t categorize.
I don’t have B.O. I have used natural deodorant for a long time, and I do not use anti-perspirant AT ALL. I work out, I sweat, I use my far infrared sauna… and thankfully I am as healthy as I can be right now.
I agree, Rebecca. In fact, some months ago my husband wanted to get away from all commercial products but he hated the all natural deodorant I was using (he know likes the recipe we use). So he just decided not to wear deodorant. We have been eating a real food diet (including animal protein) and he never smelled.
I made some homemade deo about a month ago – baking soda, cornstarch, coconut oil, essential oils. I’m pretty sure I put too much baking soda in it, though, ‘cuz it just ate my pits! There started to be, like, brown skin build-up under there. It was terrible. I should have known – I use baking soda to wash my hair, and it works flawlessly, but if I leave it on my scalp or skin too long it starts to burn and itch. I’m about to make another batch, but until then, I’m rubbing a drop of almond oil under each pit and then applying salt-rock. I’ve gotta make another batch of the homemade stuff – it may have burned, but it worked so well!
NOTE: If you use any kind of oil as a deodorant base, it might show up in the armpits of your clothes. I didn’t really have a problem with this, as long as I didn’t pile it on…and when there was a stain, I just treated it with dish soap, let it sit, and washed it like normal. Pow! Grease is gone. (This also works with regular grease stains, too…)
Yes, baking soda can be harsh on the skin. That’s why I use much less than the first recipe I tried. I also found that arrowroot is better for sensitive skin than cornstarch.
Love the tips on the getting out oil stains. Thank you!
I was getting red patches under my arms using a recipe similar to this one. I cut out ingredients one at a time, but the patches didn’t go away until I got all the way down to just coconut oil! I was able to add in some Trilight Lympha Rub eventually. The Lympha Rub smells wonderful and the herbs in it actually support lymph health! So not only am I not *hurting* the delicate lymph glands in the area with storebought deodorant, I’m actually *helping*! I love that!
I’m so glad you found something that worked for you. It can be so tricky, but definitely worth it in the end.
Hi,
I am having the same problem. I tried the recipe using baking soda, olive oil, cornstarch, lavender oil, and tea tree oil. It burnt my arm pits. At this stage I don’t know what is not going with me. I will try using arrowroot powder instead of cornstarch to see what happens.
Its a great recipe though, No B.O.
Yes, try switching to arrowroot and cut back on the baking soda a bit, too.
Oh my Gosh!!!! I had no idea all that JUNK was in store-bought deodorant!!!! I am going to be making this this weekend to save my skin. I’m thankful I found you on the blog hop and can’t wait to read more….
Hoping you stop by to say hey sometime.
http://www.beatnikbubblegum.blogspot.com/
Glad you found me, too.
Your blog is so colorful and fun. Love it.
I know exactly what you mean with the “wow, I’m the crazy one now and it’s AWESOME” laugh.
I used to make a homemade deodorant similar to this but at some point it started giving me a rash. (Which was really sad, because I loved it!) I didn’t think to reduce the baking soda. Somehow I stumbled on using milk of magnesia as deodorant and that’s been working amazingly well for me ever since. It sounds really weird…but it totally works!
I love it when I stumble upon random things that make a difference. So cool. Thanks, Meghan.
Say just how do you put the MOM in the recipe? I have used the MOM but it is runny and the recipe on this site sounds better, but not sure how to use it or how much. I would apreciate any help you can give.
Georgia
How do you put milk of magnesia on? Any cool tricks or just rub it on?
I might give it a try but I might try aloe vera or shea butter.
GO for it! I am definitely a proponent for playing around until you find what works perfect for YOUR body.
What a great recipe. I have been wanting to make my own deodorant for a while and now I am totally inspired!
Thank you for linking up at Natural Living Monday! Hope to see you there again soon!
Thanks, Angela!
Thank you for your submission on Nourishing Treasures’ Make Your Own! Monday link-up.
Check back tomorrow when the new link-up is running to see if you were one of the top 3 featured posts!
Great recipe! I am super sensitive to baking soda so it never worked for me in deodorant. I just use coconut oil and it works great as long as I have been eating like I should
If I have been eating bad food I get a bit ripe, otherwise coconut oil works great!
Thanks so much for sharing on Natural Living Monday!
I also have days where I just use coconut oil. That stuff is amazing.
What a great idea, I am in there like a dirty shirt, lol. Having super, super, sensitive skin I am hoping that this will be a answer to some of the problems I am encountering.
Jen
Ha ha! Hope you like it, Jen.
I haven’t used a commercial deodorant in over 20 years. I have used a crystal for years. Just dab it in water and rub on. It’s got to be healthier than the junk you buy. Any comments on the crystal?
cool. where do u buy yours ?
I use the recipe above & love it. but seems the crystal seems less messy .?
I actually used to use a crystal, too… way back when I was in high school. For me it didn’t work very well, but I was also eating a standard American diet… so I’d be curious to see if it would do the job now.
From what I can tell they are all natural, but I haven’t done a lot of “research” on it. Definitely a better choice than store bought. 
also had ‘the rash’ problem using this recipe. Stated just using lavender Essential Oil after washing or using a lavender infused olive oil. Both keep me pretty good (even thru dance class) for at least a day. Don’t want to toss the already made so I think maybe I’ll just cut it with more coconut oil and see if that works. Didn’t realize the baking soda could be that much of a problem or that I’m that sensitive! Thanks
Yeah, I would try adding more coconut oil to decrease the baking soda ratio. It can really burn. Good luck!
Hi,
Thank you for the recipe. I have a question though… I know most baking sodas and the one you have in your picture has aluminum in it. I am wondering if I use the aluminum free baking soda from the health store…if it would work. I am wondering if your recipe works since it might have aluminum in it?
Hi Allison,
People get this confused a lot. Baking soda has no aluminum in it. Baking powder is usually the stuff with aluminum in it (although there are aluminum-free versions at health food stores).
Hope that helps!
lol…you respond quick. My internet went down for a moment and I typed all that over again to see that you already answered me! You are quite awesome.
Ha ha… just must be on at the right time. No worries. It’s actually a common misconception so I’m glad you brought it to attention.
Never-mind….. I learned that baking soda DOES NOT contain aluminum, it is baking POWDER that does. I would have taken my misinformed post down, but found I couldn’t. Sorry about all that. I will try your recipe!! I am so excited!!
Allison
I am so sorry! I just found out that I was wrong on the baking soda having aluminum in it…it is baking POWDER that has aluminum. I would have deleted my previous post, but couldn’t. Now I am really excited to try this out!! YAY! Thank you for the recipe.
I’ve tried lots of commercially made all natural deodorants and none have worked well enough so I don’t have to reapply by the end of day. I am so great full to have found this because it actually works! My husband has stayed on regular deodorant, waiting for me to find a good alternative and now he can toss the bad stuff out. And I can’t believe how easy it is to make since it is all stuff I already have around the house.
Yay! This makes me so happy. So glad it’s worked for you.
I read in a web that you can just mix some ethyl alcohol with a few drops of essencial oils (only if you want, just to cover the smell of alcohol, that doesn’t even last that much apparently) and just pour it on your armpits. I don’t know if it works and if it could affect my skin.
Have you or anyone here tried it?
I paid attention to this alternative since I don’t know where to get coconut oil. I should do some research!
Great post!
Sofie.
I haven’t heard of it. Sounds interesting.
You can find coconut oil at most health food stores or check out my resource page (tab at the top) for other ideas on where to get coconut products. Good luck!
Thanks! Also, I’m from Argentina and I’ve been looking for the meaning of arrowroot powder in spanish for hours! Is it like starch? Is it the one we use for cooking?
Sofie, you can use cornstarch in place of the arrowroot powder.
Oh great! Thank you so much
I have been using Alcohol in a mini spray mister from the trial size area of my local department store. I just spray my pits right after a shower and go all day with no smell. It took about a week for me to be able to go all day on just a one time spray. I think my body needed that long to purge the junk left from my deoderant. I have also noticed since using just alcohol spray I don’t sweat nearly as much as I used to. On very hot days I spray a couple times a day just to be safe. I am very happy with this and have been using this for almost a year now.
I have been making homemade deodorant for a few months now, and my recipe is pretty similar to yours. For essential oil, I use grapefruit, since the vitamins in it help preserve it naturally. And I like the smell. If you find it gets hard in the winter, try whipping it! It is so easy to scoop out and melts easier into my skin.
Grapefruit is seriously my favorite essential oil for the smell! Love the whipped idea! Thank you!
I noticed in the picture of ingredients you are using Arm & Hammer baking soda. I was wondering if you realized that it also contains aluminum? You stated that you were trying to avoid this. Many people (including me) don’t stop to think about aluminum (and other toxins) being added to food products. I now use an Aluminum free version. I also learned to read EVERY lable, and to take nothing for granted in todays market.
Sorry… I should have clarified… Baking Soda that does NOT say “aluminum free” could have trace aluminum depending on the source and how it is processed, not to mention what chemicals were used in the process. In the FDA’s eyes this “insignificant” amount does need to be included in the labeling.
I’d rather pay a little extra for Aluminum free.
We always pay extra for aluminum free baking POWDER.
Hi Paula,
As you mentioned it is so important to read labels. And a lot of people mix these two up: Baking Soda actually doesn’t contain aluminum… ever. It’s a simple natural compound of sodium bicarbonate. It’s baking POWDER that you need to watch out for. Most common commercial brands DO contain aluminum and it is important to purchase aluminum-free brands. If you are buying a baking soda that “claims” to be aluminum-free than you are probably just paying more for a label that has been created to work off of the confusion. Hope that helps!
I’m about to try this out. When you say 1/3 cup of coconut oil do you mean at its solid state or melted state? I’m so excited!
Sorry that was a dumb question. I figured it out.
Ha ha! Not a dumb question at all. Glad you figured it out since I was out of commission this weekend. For anyone else: you can use it either way.
I have used A & D zinc oxide cream for years with delightful success.
Awesome! I love hearing all these alternatives to deodorant.
Ginger, Sage and Rosemary, common herbs, yes. These three combined with Dulse, are top skin support herbs…
So, based upon that fact and the ease of getting the herbs, would it not make a superb scent, with a healing twist?
Ginger is a stimulant, that heats up the skin, might wish to leave that one out or very little…
Rosemary and Sage are bitters and Rosemary has disinfectant properties too. *grin*
Love your recipies!
Awesome tips!
Can you be kind and let me know where you read about ‘probable carcinogen’ and triclosan, please?
The last EPA report I read published in 2008 very definitely stated that triclosan “was not likely to be carcinogenic to humans.”
There is an – overdue – ruling by FDA on triclosan out this year but I wonder if you had found something else?
Hi Joanna, I found the info here: http://www.naturalnews.com/033364_deodorants_chemical_ingredients.html#ixzz29gdJyO2T which was written in 2011… but not sure where they got their info from. Curious to hear what the FDA rules this year.
Johnson & Johnson is going to phase triclosan out by 2015 and Canada has trying to declare it toxic and ban it since 2009. Thanks for your recipe!
I love that we are SLOWLY getting some headway on these things. Wish Johnson and Johnson would stop putting known carcinogens in their baby shampoo!
I am wondering if it matters what kind of coconut oil… I have both virgin coconut oil and expeller pressed… do you think it makes a difference? Does expeller pressed have the same health properties as virgin coconut oil? Thanks so much! I am in the process of switching to natural products and am so excited to try this!
It probably doesn’t matter too much. I usually use cold pressed virgin, as it’s a little less refined. But the expellar pressed should work just as well.
I just made this recipe for the first time today! I ran out of my usual Dove deodorant for sensitive skin, and I thought hmmm…I don’t think I want those chemicals and metals on me anymore. I used your recipe with 10 drops of vanilla EO (steam distilled not absolute) and it smells like vanilla cream! I’m excited to try it…I’ll let you know if I get any objections from hubby
Oh that sounds great!
What kind of coconut oil did you use in this recipe?
I used virgin coconut oil.
Hello. I am doing a school project and could possibly be making this deodorant. Do you know how much this makes (like in cups)?
I haven’t measured it exactly, but I would guess about 1 cup… probably just under.
Okay! Thank-you. Where did you get your arrowroot powder from?
I get mine at my health food store. But you can also find it online at amazon.
I purchased the same coconut oil that you have in your photo. Mine is hard, not soft at all. I don’t know how you can mix it with the other ingredients without melting it or something. Please advise. Thanks so much!!
Coconut oil is solid when temperatures are above 75 degrees. You can put all the ingredients in a small saucepan and stir while on low heat until it comes together. In summer months you won’t have that problem.
Do you think it would work to pour the melted coconut oil mix into an empty deodorant container and than refrigerate?
I’d mix in the other ingredients first, and then pour it in and refrigerate it.
I’ve made this for myself and my daughter, and it works great. The only problem is that it has made her armpits red. They don’t itch or sting, and she said her pits are soft. I used spearmint and eucalyptus oils for the scent. Could that be causing it. Any ideas?
Could be the oils or the baking soda. Try reducing the baking soda a bit as that’s usually the biggest culprit to red pits.
Thanks so much for your quick reply – I’ll try that. I’m just glad that she finally got weird like her momma, and I don’t want her to want to go back to store bought!
I stopped using deodorant a few months ago, likely easiest to do so during winter months then summer. I don’t really “stink”, just an occasional natural body odor that is unoffensive, somewhat pleasant– to me. However, whenever that scent increased, or smelled not so great, I applied a quick spritz of Aura Cacia aromatherapy mist, or a dab of their massage oil (essential oil/carrier oil mix)with short term success. I figure by summer I would want to have something homemade that is more reliable figured out. I’d still go that route (just EO w/ carrier oil), but I have been wanting to make this particular recipe for awhile now. The only ingredient that I seemed to need was Arrowroot powder (eventually found it in local grocery store tucked away with gluten-free items, rather than with similar product line in organics section), and once I found that I was good to go. I made this exact recipe yesterday. I must say, it is good stuff. Using an electric mixer, I thoroughly blended everything together then scooped into a squat glass jar (re-purposed small washed minced garlic container). The temperature just became warm here, so my coconut oil was semi soft, rather than hard, to start. The resulting mixture reminded me of very soft store bought deodorant. Easy to apply in this state. I know that it will liquify in higher temps, but can be applied just the same– stick a finger in the mixture and apply. Now sure yet how it will be in colder temps. I could stick it in the fridge to see what changes. Arrowroot powder gives it a silky feel. As for effectiveness, starting with clean, shaved, dry armpits, I made and applied it yesterday early afternoon, then late afternoon went for a 6 mile sweaty walk, and proceeded to smell my arm pits through the evening and all during most of the next day (lol)- still no discernible odor until the 24+ mark, with barely an odor–I can only tell now because for the purpose of writing a review, I keep sticking my nose in my pits for close examination! No marks on my shirt, but that might be due to not putting shirt on until my armpits felt dry. So far, no sensitivity to the baking soda, but since I know how it can react over time, I will look out for redness and itching, and plan to adjust recipe as needed. I also only plan to apply as needed. I added Lavender essential oil, which is very pleasant. Excited about the numerous scent options, I may make a batch with Vanilla, Sandalwood, or Jasmine in future applications. Or something else that may be more beneficial, especially as provided by other comments.
Love your review. I’m picturing you sniffing your pits… just like I did for the first week I tried this.
How solid is this recipe? Could it be put in a mold, or old deodorant container?
During the winter months it could easily be put in a deodorant container. If the temperatures get too hot, however, it might get too “melty” due to the coconut oil.
Can you substitute another starch for arrowroot powder. I recently was diagnosed with a SEVERE propylene glycol, nickel and methylisothiazolinone allergy. I don’t have arrowroot on hand, but I do have tapioca starch.
I haven’t tried tapioca starch, but it might work. Cornstarch is another option, although it can be more irritating to the skin.
I’m trying this today too…I added bergamot essential oil cause it’s one of my favorites. And I can’t stop smelling my armpits haha. Combined with the cinnamon bronzer on my face, I smell so yummy…it’s making me hungry
Ha ha! Love it.