Natural Homemade Deodorant

August 7th, 2009 - filed under: The Fashion » Beauty and Cosmetics

I recently reported on dangerous chemicals in cosmetics, and the information I uncovered in writing that article really affected me. If my friends thought I was a little eco-freak before, they need to prepare for a whole new level of glorious, fabulous ever-so-exciting neo-hippieness.

I was appalled, absolutely astounded by the questionable additives found in almost all commercial self-care products. I resolved, then, to purge each product as it ran out (no waste), and to derive my own amazing alternative.

A few days later, my deodorant was running low, and I came up with this solution.

OH MY GOD you guys, this stuff works SO GOOD. I can’t believe it! But I finished my recipe right at the start of a massive heat wave, and both my husband and I wore it through the entire week of 100º+, with nary a stinky or unsightly pit stain. How could something so simple work so well? I LOVE BAKING SODA! *swoon*

Sayward’s Homemade Deodorant Recipe

1/3 cup Corn Starch

1/3 cup Baking Soda

10 drops of Antibacterial Essential Oil (tea tree, lavender, or eucalyptus)

10 drops of Antifungal Essential Oil (tea tree, peppermint, sandalwood, or eucalyptus)

2 tablespoons Vitamin E Oil

3 tablespoons Coconut Oil

Mix everything up in a bowl until it forms a thick paste. Transfer to your storage container and then allow 24 hours to ‘set up’. I used an old deodorant container ’cause it looks so cute and I thought it was neat, but I don’t recommend it. In the future I’ll be using a shallow, wide-mouthed jar, applying the deo with my fingertips.

In my own concoction, I used 10 drops of Lavender oil, which is an antibacterial, antiviral, antiseptic, natural deodorant, and soother of skin-irritation (like razor burn!). I also used 10 drops of Eucalyptus oil, which is an antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiseptic, and increases circulation. In Damian’s version I just used the Eucalyptus oil, all 20 drops.

I can’t wait to hear how this works out for you guys!

sign-off

kat

pleased to report the castor oil worked. this recipe works great! i love the slight minty-ness. worked better than baking soda alone.
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com Sayward

@ kat – Great news, thanks for sharing your experiments! =)
Cree

@Meghan – If I may, you want to try and get raw because it’s the least messed with. It’s also the most likely to stay solid. Unrefined is the next best choice, it’s cold pressed (usually) and has a softer feel to it. It may also be liquid depending on where you live. I live in the NW and just putting the refined in warm water made it completely liquid after about 10 minutes. That’s just tap water warm. The refined is going to be really liquid and is the most processed.
Meghan

Yeah, once I run out of coconut oil I will definitely try raw or unrefined. I tried taking mine out of the fridge the other day and it was melted by morning. For now I’m fine with keeping it in the fridge though, I suppose there is no rule saying where my deodorant is supposed to be stored. :-) It is the perfect texture, just… cold!
Kaye

I’m interested in trying this, but there’s one thing I wonder…Is there something you could recommend using in place of the coconut oil?
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com Sayward

@ Kaye – Shea butter or cocoa butter should do the trick!
Amanda

As soon as I stumbled upon this recipe I went out and bought the essential oils to make it. I had everything else, which was awesome because it was so CHEAP to make. After wearing it for a few days, and through roller derby practice, I can say that it definitely passes the stink-test. My armpits smell like nothing! It’s wonderful :)
Pamela

I am sooo excited about trying this. My son is insulin dept. diabetic and has has a problem with oders due to the insuin when he sweats.I’ll let you know how it works for him and the rest of us.
http://www.savortheprocess.wordpress.com Leah

Awesome! I’ve just been making a little baking soda paste with water and smearing it on (works like a charm, btw), but my boyfriend HATES this and whines about it every day. He might actually like this recipe.

I ended up throwing in the towel on conventional antiperspirant years ago (gives me a rash), and gave up on “natural” deodorant several months ago (doesn’t really work). I sweat a lot too, but I just decided that I don’t care anymore. No poison for me.

I love this blog!
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com Sayward

@ Amanda – Yay, I’m so glad it’s working for you!

@ Pamela and Leah – Good luck with the recipe, and please do let me know how it works out for you guys!
Samid David

Hello

I live in Beirut – Lebanon and the guys that sell oils and essence and can make you a bottle of any perfume in any concentration you want for something between 5 and 10 US. Well they do not call them as essential oils …….. I guess will have to give it a try and either my arm pit drops of or the thing will work.

I am finding it harder to find Vitamin E Oil.

Any Ideas
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com Sayward

@ Samid David – That sounds like the same thing, it’s probably just a different name. =) Maybe just start with a few drops and see how strong it smells.

As for Vitamin E, it’s hard for me to know what’s available in different parts of the world. Here in the states you can find Vitamin E oil in bottles or in gel capsules (like little pills). These are usually available at health food stores or natural food/body stores. Also, there’s always ordering on the internet. Good luck!
Erin

Just wanted to let you know that I made my third batch of this today… My first batch was Lavender and Tea Tree, like yours, but then I did some reading and found out about Thieves Oil, and have used 20 drops of that since then. It’s a great scent – both the husband and I use it with great happiness! Not a salesman at all, but thought you might be interested… http://www.secretofthieves.com/
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com Sayward

@ Erin – Okay, I really need to check out this Thieves Oil stuff. Everyone keeps raving about it! Thanks for the heads up, and I’m glad the deodorant is working for you!
Neko

Hi Sayward :) I have been following your blog for many months now, and I wanted to let you know that I finally got around to making my first batch of deodorant two days ago… THANK YOU! It’s amazing stuff! I’ve been using so-called “natural” deodorants since finding out I was pregnant about a year and a half ago, but I’ve since realized that just because it’s aluminum free doesn’t mean it’s all natural. I also sweat a fair bit and am pretty paranoid about smelling funky. I was skeptical that I’d find success with the homemade route (even though I do that with so many other products in my life, but I’ve been struggling trying to find a good deodorant for YEARS), but I am sold! Thanks again for posting this recipe, I already have it memorized and I’m never going back to store-bought!
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com Sayward

@ Neko – Yay, SO glad it worked so well for you. I couldn’t believe it either, but it really is the best I’ve ever used. I’m delighted to share the love. =D
Annie

I made this (which was actually so much fun to do, and made my kitchen and wooden spoon smell lovely), and have been using it for 3 days. Its bloody fantastic :D Thankyou Sayward
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com Sayward

@ Annie – You’re welcome! I’m so glad it works so well for everyone!
FairMaiden

This looks like fun – I’ve got some ideas to add to my baking soda/coconut oil deodorant I’ve been using for years (and been very happy with!) I’ve been surprised that no one’s mentioned the fact that raw/unrefined coconut oil by itself is anti-viral/anti-bacterial/anti-fungal. I LOVE the way just rubbing some coconut oil into my feet kills the smell from wearing/sweating in sandals. :)

Whether known or not, the CO really is more than a binder for this recipe. :) The essential oils probably make up the difference when other oils are used.
http://simplysunshine.net April in Autumn

I just made up a small batch of this last night with lavender and tea tree oils and wore it today.

Thank you so much! This works better than any of the natural deodorants I’ve tried before and I smell like a girl, not like a smelly hippie.

I’m having so much fun following your blog (found you from natural_living on lj)! You are such an inspiration.
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com Sayward

@ FairMaiden – Great point! I forgot that about the CO. Such amazing stuff. =)

@ April in Autumn – Aw thanks lady. So glad you like the site, and SO glad the deodorant is working for you. It really is amazing stuff!
Rob

Awesome stuff. First I was a bit skeptic but right from the first time of using the new Deo we all (my wife and our friends) love it. We’ll never buy Deo again. Thanks for all your time and efforts.
Minna

Ok, this is *totally* random, but this photo is so weird :D I’ve been staring at it for 5 minutes trying to figure out how you’re holding that container, if that’s a mirror and if it is, where’s the reflection of the container? Haha! Sorry, I just can’t let go with photos illogical like that, I need to know!
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com Sayward

@ Minna – haha, yeah there’a mirror involved. I’m sitting on the counter and Damian is taking the picture . . . but I don’t remember how exactly, and looking at it I’m also having trouble figuring it out. ha!
Ophelia D

I just came across your blog, and I share your enthusiasm for this recipe! I’m using one very similar at the moment, and have been for around 18 months, and NO STINK in all that time. So amazing.

It doesn’t work for my daughter though, she is 20, and finds her armpits still stink…not sure why.

I spread the good work about this deodorant recipe wherever people will listen, and am even starting to enjoy the you’re-so-weird looks.
I HIGHLY recommend all the Thieves products by the way, and no, I do not sell them.
http://www.medicalassistantcoach.com/ medical assistant

Great site. A lot of useful information here. I’m sending it to some friends!
http://heyavocado.blogspot.com heather

hello!! just wanted to let you know i am a huge fan of your blog and this recipe. i just wrote about it in my blog with a link to your recipe
http://heyavocado.blogspot.com/2010/08/all-naturalaluminum-free-deoderant.html

Thanks for all the great info and recipes!
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com Sayward

@ heather – Thanks!
http://ilovecoco.com coco mckenzie

wow
this wirks so much better for me than shop deoderents ;)
Rose

Kristie,
Baking soda gives me a horrible rash with lumps as well. However, I’ve only used straight baking soda in the past, so maybe a variant of this recipe will do the trick.
Ophelia

I’ve recently started getting a rash from the baking soda, so am going to do one or both of 2 things:
1. Add more tapioca starch to the baking soda
2. Smear a dab of coconut oil under my arms before applying the baking soda mix.

Have been doing no. 2 for a week now and the rash has nearly gone away.
http://www.sytropinhgh.weebly.com/ Nadia

it might be easier to just get a natural deodorant from a store like trader joes
Pingback: Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil - Alternative Housewife
Meghan

@Nadia
It might be, but this works way better than any natural deodorant from a store like trader joes! And I tried a lot of ‘em! Plus, it isn’t very difficult. :-)

I just made my… third batch I think? Now that I don’t live in my coconut-oil melting apartment I had some troubles mixing it, so I zapped it in the microwave for a few seconds (the horror! I really need to get rid of that thing to remove the temptation!) but next time I’ll just be sure to soften it on the stove first. In addition to my usual mix of thieves/lavender, I added a few drops of lemon oil this time. Woo, party!
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com Sayward

@ Meghan – Another really easy way to melt coco oil (and less risk of burning) is to ‘float’ a bowl of it in another, bigger bowl full of super hot water. =)
Christine

hello: can you use rice flour in this instead of corn starch? Is the point to thicken the mixture, or is there another purpose to the corn starch. Thank you!
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com Sayward

@ Christine – I’m willing to bet that rice flour would work just fine.
http://365duplications.blogspot.com Georgia

I use a crystal rock deodorant – the Thai Crystal one. I’ve tried the Crystal Rock one (comes in a purplish container), but it didn’t work for me. You have to try them out sometimes to see – depends on your body chemistry. I love the idea of not using chemicals…and I’m intrigued by the idea of some baking soda, rice flour, SOMETHING to keep things a little dryer. I live in Mississippi and I sweat a lot anyway…there’s really no stopping it I don’t think. =(
Heather G

this deodorant works GREAT for hubby and I. I’ve gone through about 4 batches now. We keep ours in a little tupperware that has a well sealed lid and we just bring it into the shower. By the time you’re done showering, it has softened enough to use easily without melting the whole thing again.

thanks for the recipe!!!
http://jumping-jellybean.blogspot.com/ Jillyn

Thank you for sharing this! I’m out of deoderent and haven’t bought more since it has so many nasty things in it. I’ve been ok since it’s been winter, but now that spring is approaching, AND i’m not shaving my pits i’m starting to get a bit stinky….

So off to get some Vit E oil to make some of this <3 I want to make some for the hubby too!

and i'm also going to try your toothpaste and hair gel <3 and i'm no pooing too and LOVE it!
Christy

just getting ready to make my second batch. i LOVE this deoderant! but, like some others have mentioned, for me it melts. actually as soon as the temp gets over 70 (which is most of the year) it separates to the extent that i have to stir it before each use. i think i’ll try to look for raw coconut oil, but if anyone has any other ideas i’d really appreciate it. i’ll be traveling in a very hot place this summer…Thanks!
http://kandycoated.wordpress.com Beth Sowell

OMG! I had no idea you could make your own deodorant. I’m doing this this weekend. I have a friend who has a theory that there is a connection between the chemicals in our deodorant causing breast cancer. I’d rather be safe than sorry, so I’m using your recipe to make my own. Thanks so much for sharing.

When my son was smaller we did the DIY baby wipes,fabric softener and laundry detergent, so I’m adding this one to my list of “make it myself”.

Thanks again!
http://fiberfidelity.etsy.com Theresa

I just made my second batch and we love this stuff! My husband is always skeptical of my DIY projects but ran out of his stuff and started using mine. After a couple weeks he says “yeah I’ve been using your deodorant, that works better than the regular stuff.” Now he’s a convert so we go through it twice as fast.

A question I had was if your Vitamin E oil is liquid. This is the only way I’ve found the stuff and like other, as soon as It’s over about 70 it melts, requiring a stir before each use. With my latest batch I’m trying some shea butter instead of the Vitamin E oil since that stuff is solid at room temp. Even at 95 the Shea butter just softens, not melt like the coconut oil.
LisaMaddox

I’ve been using this recipe for almost two years and have no plans to switch to anything else ^_^

I had lots of melty/separation problems in the beginning. I’m using ‘pure’ coconut oil with a melting point of 76 degrees, which is not very good for Arizona in the summer.

One day, I found the secret ingredient: water! Just add one tablespoon of water to the recipe. It immediately firms up to a consistency near to that of commercial deodorant, doesn’t melt as easily, and never separates. Good luck everyone!
http://www.lovingfit.com Tatianna

I love your blog, you are so creative :)
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com Sayward

@ Theresa – Yeah, I use a liquid Vitamin E oil and that’s the only way I’ve found it. You could just omit the vit E, or some people even keep their deodorant in the fridge!
http://ladies-trends.com/ Aaria

WOW nice idea…. home made deodorant…. i like it..thanks for sharing! :)
Melody

Is there any way to make this without baking soda, but still have the same smell control? It gives me an awful rash no matter what I do!
Emily

I just made this and I am waiting for it to set.

I am a little nervous though because the consistency is very thin, I’m hoping it will still solidify! I did follow the recipe. :)
Britt!

Eeeeeeeeeee, I’m so excited…!!! I’m FINALLY able to get coconut oil today…!!! New life, here I come!!! = )
Okay, so here’s my question: What do you think of using rose and peppermint together?? Do you think that would that be antibacterial/antifungal enough?? Or should I stick to lavender and peppermint (my mother-in-law thinks lavender and eucalyptus stink — poor thing. Maybe she won’t mind if lavender is mixed with peppermint…? That’s why I was thinking rose and peppermint.)?

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