Homemade Natural Deodorant that Actually Works

How to make a natural deodorant that works with a handful of simple and good for you ingredients. It is not super complicated.

Once you start making this recipe, you’ll never go back to store bought!

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This post has been updated from its original publish date of November 18, 2017. It has been updated to provide better photos, additional helpful information and step by step instructions.

Homemade Natural Deodorant

One of my favorite diy natural products I’ve been using for many years is this non-toxic deodorant that actually works! I’m serious, it’s legit.

Plus, its aluminum free and I feel safe using all of these ingredients. Oh, and this is a great natural deodorant for sensitive skin!

I’ve been on the quest for a more natural lifestyle for several years now. It all started with my first pregnancy and when I became aware of how harmful some of the products I was using truly were.

I love knowing exactly what is in the products I’m wearing. I also love diy projects and the satisfaction of creating something out of a few all natural ingredients.

But I also want to avoid products that have unsavory ingredients in them. Most commercial deodorants have added chemicals that I prefer to avoid.

And this deodorant is made without aluminum!

Why Avoid Aluminum in Deodorant?

Aluminum was removed from deodorant because of concerns about its potential health risks.

While the research is ongoing, avoiding ingredients like aluminum has been a concern for people worried about potential links to health issues, such as breast cancer or Alzheimer’s disease. Using natural deodorants helps you minimize this risk.

Aluminum has been linked to health issues, including breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, although research on this is still inconclusive. Many people prefer to use aluminum-free deodorant as a precautionary measure.

Benefits of Using a Natural Deodorant

Using natural and non-toxic deodorant has several benefits for your health, skin, and overall well-being. Here are some of the top advantages:

Avoid toxic and harmful chemicals

Many conventional store-bought deodorants contain aluminum, parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances, which may disrupt hormones or contribute to skin irritation. Natural deodorants avoid these potentially harmful ingredients.

Skin friendly ingredients

Natural deodorants often include soothing and nourishing ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and essential oils, which can help keep your underarm skin hydrated and healthy.

Allow Natural Detoxification

Unlike antiperspirants, which block sweat glands, natural deodorants allow your body to sweat as intended. Sweating is a natural detoxification process that helps regulate body temperature and release toxins.

Reduced riks of irritation

Many natural deodorants are free from synthetic fragrances and harsh chemicals, making them a better choice for sensitive skin. They often use essential oils or plant-based extracts for scent, which are gentler on the skin.

Support for healthy microbiome

The armpit has its own microbiome, and many natural deodorants work to support the balance of good bacteria. This can help reduce odor over time without overly disrupting your skin’s natural environment.

Environmental benefits

Natural deodorants are often made with eco-friendly ingredients and come in recyclable or biodegradable packaging, making them better for the planet.

Tips for Transitioning to a Natural Deodorant

Switching to natural deodorant can be part of a broader move toward clean living and reducing your exposure to potentially harmful substances in everyday products.

Here are a few tips that will help with the transition phase:

Be prepared for a detox phase

When switching from antiperspirant, your body might go through a detox phase where it releases built-up toxins from your sweat glands.

Everyone is different and will react to the changes differently. You may notice increased sweating or odor initially, but this typically lasts 1-4 weeks.

Exfoliate your underarms

Regularly exfoliate your underarm area with a gentle scrub or a washcloth to remove dead skin cells and allow your pores to breathe. This can also reduce odor and help your skin adjust.

Wash your underarms daily with a mild natural soap to remove odor-causing bacteria and sweat. During the detox phase, this step is especially important to minimize odor.

apply natural deodorant to dry skin

Wash your underarms daily with a mild soap to remove bacteria and sweat. During the detox phase, this step is especially important to minimize odor.

use a detox mask

Applying a bentonite clay mask mixed with apple cider vinegar or water to your underarms once a week can help draw out impurities and speed up the detox process.

stay hydrated and eat clean

Drinking plenty of water and eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables can reduce body odor. Minimize spicy or processed foods, which can contribute to stronger odors.

Not all formulas work for all people

Not all natural deodorants work the same for everyone. You might need to try a few to find the one that suits your skin type, activity level, and scent preference.

be patient & consistent

It takes time for your body to adjust to the new routine. Don’t get discouraged if you experience some odor or sweating during the first few weeks. Consistency is key! Give your body time to regulate itself without the interference of antiperspirants.

How to make your own deodorant (that actually works!)

This homemade deodorant recipe is super simple to make and doesn’t take much time to put together.

I’ve played around with a few ingredients until I found a consistency that works well and glides on perfectly.

You also don’t need any complicated equipment to make. All you’ll need is a double boiler and you can easily make one yourself. To make a double boiler, simply fill a saucepan with a small amount of water, then place a heatproof bool on top of the pan. I usually just use a heat safe glass bowl.

Ensure that the bowl does not touch the water; the steam from the simmering water will gently heat the contents of the bowl, creating a double boiler effect.

And you’ll also need something to store your finished deodorant in. I like to use these empty deodorant containers.

How to make this diy deodorant

The first step is to set up a double boiler or create one by adding a pot filled about half way with water and place a glass or heat safe bowl on top.

Next, add all of the ingredients except for the essential oils to the glass bowl. And over medium low heat, bring the water to a slow boiling.

Mix the ingredients well while they are warming up.

Once they are completely incorporated, very carefully remove from heat. Stir in essential oils if using them.

Using potholders, pour the liquid mixture into plastic deodorant tube, storage tins or a small glass mason jar.

Allow to cool completely and place a lid on for storage.

Thats really all there is to this super simple recipe. Making all natural products isn’t super scary or complicated!