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Have you ever tried making your own DIY natural deodorant? Because if you haven’t, it’s easier than you may think! Made with natural ingredients, you can actually pronounce, it smells and works great!

DIY natural deodorant, 3 stick with lavender springs.
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We are all aware that we are exposed to a number of toxins every day, but would you believe that modern estimates show that number likely in the tens of thousands?

Products like soaps, lotions, make-up, and deodorants are loaded with toxic ingredients, some of which include known carcinogens. In addition, chemicals like parabens and aluminum compounds can mimic estrogen, causing a number of health concerns.

After buying natural deodorant for many years, I began researching how to make my own deodorant to save money and customize it to fit my needs.

So, whether you’re just starting to switch to natural products by making your own, it is much easier than you think, as many of these DIYs share common ingredients. For example, once you make this DIY natural deodorant, you’ll have many of the ingredients to go on and make natural body butter, lotion, sunscreen and chapstick.

Why use natural deodorant 

DIY natural deodorant stick with a homemade label on decorative wooden prop.

Natural deodorant drastically reduces the number of chemicals we are exposed to every day. In addition, using a natural deodorant minimizes the risk of skin irritations because it absorbs moisture rather than blocks it.

In a single container of antiperspirant deodorant, you may find aluminum compounds, parabens, stearates, triclosan, propylene glycol, triethanolamine (TEA), diethanolamine (DEA), fragrances, dye, and artificial colors. 

What the heck are those things

Aluminum actually clogs the pores and temporarily stops you from sweating, which sounds good, right? Isn’t that what we want?

NO! Sweating is one of the ways your body detoxifies itself and is a natural healthy process. Plus, aluminum can interfere with estrogen levels causing a hormone imbalance.

Parabens are a group of compounds used as a preservative in most cosmetic and personal products. But unfortunately, they too, mimic estrogen and cause hormone imbalances. 

Stearates are a waxy compound found in many of our personal products. This chemical is linked to cancer, hormonal imbalance, and other skin and organ abnormalities.

Triclosan is an antibacterial agent and preservative in personal care and home-cleaning products. It is a hormone disruptor; and can irritate the skin, lungs, and eyes.

Propylene glycol is an organic alcohol often used as a skin-conditioning agent. However, it is known to cause allergic contact dermatitis and itchiness.

TEA and DEA can cause damage to the kidney and liver. These chemicals have been banned in other countries because of the harm they can cause to the body, as well as having been linked to cancer. 

Artificial colors, dyes, and fragrances can cause allergic reactions, contain hormone disturbers, carcinogens, and have been linked to damaged sperm. Some dyes like red 40 are banned in other countries.

What if I don’t want to make my own

Thankfully you can find many pre-made natural options, many of which I’ve tried personally. And though they work well, they tend to be rather pricy! Which is why I prefer to make my own. ๐Ÿ™‚

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DIY natural deodorant recipe

Homemade deodorant on wooden show board and fragrance flowers.

Be sure to visit my online resource library for your free printable deodorant labels. 

I have been making my own different variations of deodorant for years now. This recipe below is one of my favorites because it works, it is simple, and it is cheap. 

Ingredients

How to make deodorant

Melt shea butter and coconut oil in a double boiler. If you don’t have a double boiler, place a glass bowl over a pot of water and bring it to a boil.

Homemade deodorant stick being made by melting down shea butter in a glass bowl.

Once the oil and butter are melted, remove the bowl from the heat before stirring in the baking soda and arrowroot powder.

Stirring in arrowroot powder and baking soda into a homemade deodorant recipe.

Now add in essential oils for the scent. (see blends below)

Adding lavender essential oil to the melted diy natural deodorant.

Finally, while the ingredients are still melted, pour them into an empty deodorant container. I like to reuse old deodorant sticks, but if you prefer, pour it into a shallow, wide-mouth glass mason jar.

If the deodorant mixture has begun to solidify, as seen in the picture below, use a spoon to transfer it to the container.

Spooning melted deodorant mixture into the empty deodorant stick from the glass double boiler.

NOTE: Coconut oil melts at temps over 76ยฐF. If you choose to store your homemade deodorant stick in a deodorant container, make sure the temperatures stay at or below 76ยฐ or store it in the refrigerator. 

If you are planning on traveling with it, you can store it in a mason jar with an airtight lid.

Alterations

Not all ingredients are for everyone, and while I try to make recipes to fit almost everyone’s needs, I understand that certain ingredients may not work for everyone.

Though it’s not considered harmful, baking soda, in rare instances, can cause skin irritations. If that is the case, stop using and try this homemade baking soda-free deodorant or DIY deodorant spray.

how to get rid of underarm odor naturally, how to use deodorant

Its no secret natural deodorant is not as powerful as its conventional counterpart. Natural deodorants do not use any harsh, synthetic chemicals to mask underarm odor.

Thankfully there are a number of ways to reduce underarm odor naturally. For example, baking soda is used as an odor neutralizer and is used in many industries, including personal hygiene, for just that reason.

Another way to help combat lingering body odor is by using a body scrub. Gently exfoliating under the arms with a homemade body scrub will help rid the skin of the pungent smell of the odor-causing bacteria.

Deodorant scent combinations

Homemade natural deodorant in a reusable deodorant stick.

Women deodorant blends: 

  • 4 drops lavender, 3 drops clary sage, and 2 drops melaleuca
  • 5 drops lime, 3 drops bergamot, and 2 drops lemon
  • 4 drops geranium, 3 drops lavender, and 2 drops grapefruit 

Men deodorant blends:

  • 4 drops cypress, 3 drops bergamot, and 2 drops rosemary 
  • 4 drops lemongrass, 3 drops melaleuca, and 2 drops sandalwood 
  • 6 drops wild orange, 3 drops helichrysum, and 2 drops rosemary

Get the oils for your favorite combination here.

I hope you try this homemade deodorant recipe! Its good to know you can still smell great while using natural ingredients.

And if you love it, let me know what you think in the comment section below. If you are looking for more great beauty care recipes, check out some of these favorites below.

4.46 from 11 votes

Homemade Deodorant Stick

Prep: 3 minutes
Active: 15 minutes
Total: 18 minutes
Yield: 1 Stick
Stop the odor once and for all with a natural deodorant stick that really works!

Equipment

  • 1 deodorant stick
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Ingredients 

  • 3 tbsp coconut oil
  • 2 tbsp shea butter
  • 3 tbsp baking soda
  • 2 tbsp arrowroot powder
  • 4 drops of geranium essential oil
  • 3 drops of lavender essential oil
  • 2 drops of grapefruit essential oil

Instructions 

  • Meltdown coconut oil and shea butter in a double boiler. (if you don't have a double boiler, place a heat-resistant glass bowl over a pot of water and bring to a boil.)
  • Remove the bowl from the heat and stir in baking soda and arrowroot powder.
  • Stir in essential oils
  • Pour or scoop into the deodorant container.
  • Allow it to completely harden before securing the cap and storing it in a cool, dry place.

Video

Notes

Iโ€™ve includedย step-by-step imagesย in the post above for visual guidance. If you would rather watch, Iโ€™ve included the complete step-by-step video tutorial here in the recipe card!
Some people may experience skin sensitivity to baking soda. I recommend testing this product on the back of your hand before using it on your armpits.
Tried this recipe?Mention @our_oily_house or tag #ouroilyhouse!
This recipe is for your own viewing pleasure and is not meant for healing purposes. Readers must perform their own research and tests before making any recipe.

About Laura

Welcome to Our Oily House, Iโ€™m so glad youโ€™re here! Explore DIY cleaners, homemade soaps, skincare and hair care recipes, fragrance-free solutions, and sustainable laundry tips for a naturally inspired home.

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4.46 from 11 votes (11 ratings without comment)

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44 Comments

  1. Sarah says:

    Hi Laura,
    Thank you for all you do as well as sharing your recipes with us! I do have a question on the deodorant, because it does have coconut oil in it. How do you remove the oil from the clothes? Do you have a specific way of doing it? Especially for colored clothes?? I have noticed that if I don’t wash my clothes right away then I get brown spots under my arms. Lol…..just wanted to see what you do and how to treat it. Thank you!

    1. Laura says:

      You’re welcome! I have not noticed any stains from it yet and haven’t done anything in specific.

  2. Theresa says:

    I made some deodorant last night and left it out to cool at room temp, instead of refrigerating, in an air-tight container. This morning the mixture has separated into solids on the bottom and oils on top. All of my ingredients are new. Have your seen this happen? Do you have any suggestions for a fix?

    1. Laura says:

      Hmmm I am not sure. I actually made a batch today and I let it cool at room temp and it did not do that. Maybe pour the ingredients back out and remelt and try again!

      1. Theresa says:

        I figured out that refrigerating it immediately instead of cooling at room temp works to prevent separating. Will see if this is necessary every time though! Thank you.

        1. Laura says:

          Great, thanks for sharing!

  3. Abbey says:

    Does this make 1 deodorant container?

    1. Laura says:

      It makes several.

  4. Julia says:

    Hi! I can’t wait to try your recipes. I like how simple and straight forward they are. I make a similar stick deodorant using bentonite clay instead of baking soda, as I found out the hard way that I am sensitive to it. It works fabulously, however, it isn’t a very pretty color. I also add tea tree oil with to kill odor causing bacteria and bees wax for a silky smooth application.

    1. Laura says:

      Oh, I love that idea! I have bentonite clay and I am going to try that next time!

    2. Angela says:

      Amazing idea….I will definitely try that because I too, realize, I’m sensitive to baking soda. ๐Ÿ˜‰

      1. Laura says:

        Thank you! Hope it helps!

  5. Anna says:

    Hi so I currently use a store bought roll on. Can this be used in a roll on? and can you make one that is creamy? Thank You..Anna

    1. Laura says:

      This recipe can not be used in a roll on. It turns to solid so it won’t come out very well.

  6. Alyssa says:

    Try using corn starch instead of baking soda if you have sensitive skin! Iโ€™ve used so many natural deodorants and they all make my have a horrible skin rash then I made my own without the baking soda and it was wonderful! Also I added a little bees wax.

    1. Susan says:

      I made this with lavender, maleleuca, and bergamot. Turns out that my skin is sensitive to baking soda and I itched like crazy after using it. Left it in my drawer, thinking I’d make a new batch with cornstarch but still haven’t gotten around to it. I rubbed up against some poison ivy the other day and was itching like mad. Needed something to dry it up. Guess what? This deodorant did the trick! Used twice a day and after 3 days it was drying out and I no longer had the urge to scratch it. It was very soothing. I was so excited, I couldn’t wait until someone got the dreaded first chigger bite of the year. Five days later, my husband was the lucky one. He rubbed a little of the deodorant on it a couple times and voila, no more itching. I love when things can be repurposed!

      1. Laura says:

        WOW, thanks for sharing! I have a baking soda free deodorant recipe you may want to try!

    2. Debra Kobs says:

      I made this recipe and it left red marks where I put it on. I am going to try arrowroot and no EO. I seem
      to be having problems with EO’s.

  7. Yasmin says:

    Hi did you run out of label?
    Thanks

    1. laura ascher says:

      You can find all my labels on my online resource library.