Have you tried making your own natural DIY deodorant before? I’ve tried different recipes in the past with little success in odour coverage, but this one has been incredibly effective for me. It’s made with natural ingredients (that you can actually pronounce), smells amazing, and works great!

I finally made a deodorant recipe that I LOVE and which works amazingly well for odour coverage.

Body care products like deodorant are loaded with toxic ingredients, some of which include chemicals like parabens and aluminium compounds, which can mimic oestrogen in the body, causing a number of health problems.

I was buying natural deodorant for years before I finally found a recipe that worked in covering body odour all day long. Many previous attempts at making natural deodorant had resulted in a deodorant that wouldn’t last more than a couple of hours.

Baking soda is one of the odour-neutralising ingredients in this recipe, however, for some people it can cause irritation when used on sensitive areas like the underarms. While this recipe does call for this ingredient, it can be omitted if you have sensitive skin.

Recipe Tutorial Video

Why Use Natural Deodorant?

Natural deodorant provides a form of body odour coverage without the vast number of toxic chemicals found in most conventional deodorant products. Plus, it doesn’t block sweat pores, unlike antiperspirant varieties. This poses a huge problem, as this blockage can prevent the body from naturally releasing toxins via this natural detoxification process.

Some common ingredients found in antiperspirant deodorants include aluminium compounds, parabens, stearates, triclosan, propylene glycol, triethanolamine (TEA), diethanolamine (DEA), fragrances, dyes, and artificial colourants. 

Before we get started in learning how to make this homemade natural deodorant, if you like what you’re seeing, subscribe to my email newsletter at the bottom of the page to keep up to date on the latest recipes, DIYs, gardening and health tips I share!

DIY Natural Deodorant Recipe

Now, it’s no secret natural deodorant is not as powerful as conventional varieties, but they are free from any harsh, synthetic chemicals that usually mask underarm odour. I find what works best for me when using a natural deodorant is to apply it in the morning, and if I’ve been sweating it out at the gym, or it’s a particularly hot, humid, sweaty summer’s day, I’ll reapply it again midday to help keep up odour coverage.

When selecting essential oils to use as the fragrance in this natural deodorant recipe, please be mindful of photosensitive essential oils.

This recipe is for a 30ml deodorant container and has a 3% dilution of essential oils.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp (1 oz) unrefined coconut oil
• 3 tsp (0.5 oz) beeswax (or 1.5 tsp (0.3 oz) candelilla wax)
• 2 tbsp (1 oz) shea butter
• 2 tbsp (1 oz) baking soda (optional // omit if you have sensitive skin)
• 1 tbsp (0.5 oz) arrowroot powder (or tapioca starch)
• 20 drops lavender essential oil
• 10 drops lemon essential oil
• Deodorant container 

To Make:

1. To make this natural deodorant stick recipe, start by creating a double boiler by placing a heat-resistant glass bowl over a pot of water and bring the water to a boil. Add the coconut oil, beeswax, and shea butter to the glass bowl and heat until the ingredients are completely melted, stirring the mixture throughout this time. 
2. Once melted, remove the bowl from the heat and quickly add in the baking soda and arrowroot powder, and whisk together to combine. If you have sensitive skin, you can omit the baking soda, as it can cause irritation. 
3. Next, quickly add in the essential oils and stir the mixture well to combine. 
4. Pour or scoop the deodorant mixture into your designated deodorant container and allow it to set and solidify for 2 hours before using. If you live in a warm, humid climate, you may need to place the deodorant container in the fridge to set. 
5. Once it has completely hardened, secure the cap and store the deodorant in a cool, dry place (ideally keep this natural deodorant stored at a temperature below 24°C or 75°F). 
6. Please note, some people may experience a skin sensitivity to baking soda. I recommend testing this product on the back of your hand before using it on your armpits to ensure there is no adverse reaction. 

This blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. The use of information on this blog or materials linked from this blog is at the user’s own risk. The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard, or delay in obtaining, medical advice for any medical condition they may have, and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.

Have you made your own natural deodorant before? How did it go? Share in the comments below.

Lots of love,

Vanessa