DIY All-Natural Detoxifying Deodorant (i.e. “The Anti-Antiperspirant”)
Body DIY Natural DIY
Looking for a safe, natural deodorant that works? This DIY All-Natural Detoxifying Deodorant is a tried-and-true favorite among Body Unburdened readers. Not only does it stop odor naturally, but it contains an ingredient that actually helps to draw impurities from the skin. Plus, it’s so easy to make with just a few simple ingredients!
I’m a multitasker…
A check-my-email-while-brushing-my-teeth, cook-dinner-while-catching-up-on-Downton-Abbey type of gal.
Which is why when I finally bit the bullet and made a homemade deodorant, I decided to take it beyond all-natural and add a powerful detoxifying ingredient that actually pulls toxins from the skin.
Yes, it’s the anti-antiperspirant.
Oh, and it works. As in no odor and reduced sweat (no natural deodorants completely stop sweat).
Here’s what some Body Unburdened readers have had to say about the DIY All-Natural Detoxifying Deodorant over the years!
“I just wanted to tell you that my whole family loves this recipe. We live in Texas so it has gotten a thorough trial and works wonderfully not only on us gals but also my husband and boys.”
“I have tried many homemade deodorants and this is my favorite so far. I didn’t even have to reapply after working out!”
“I have a hard time using commercial deodorants because they irritate my skin, and the natural ones just don’t keep me smelling sweet. I mixed up some of this and love it. It works! Feels great on my skin, no irritation at all, and keeps me smelling sweet in our hot Missouri summers.”
Bentonite clay is the all-star of this homemade deodorant recipe.
It’s one of the most effective and powerful healing clays.
It has the amazing ability to attract and bind toxins and impurities.
For this reason, it’s popularly used as a detoxification agent
Bentonite clay also has a very fine velvet-like texture, is odorless and non-staining… which are all very important qualities for a deodorant! Clays also quickly and easily absorb moisture.
So let’s get to it!
DIY All-Natural Detoxifying Deodorant
DIY All-Natural Detoxifying Deodorant (i.e. “The Anti-Antiperspirant”)
Looking for a safe, natural deodorant that works? This DIY All-Natural Detoxifying Deodorant is a tried-and-true favorite among Body Unburdened readers. Not only does it stop odor naturally, but it contains an ingredient that actually helps to draw impurities from the skin.
Ingredients
- 6 tbs or 3 oz organic virgin coconut oil — a great natural antibacterial (If you notice the deodorant is at all flaky on the skin, you may add more coconut oil as needed.)
- 2 tbs baking soda — neutralizes pH and body odor
- 3 tbs arrowroot or organic cornstarch — absorbs perspiration
- 2 tbs bentonite clay — adds extra wetness protection by whisking away sweat, and pulls toxins from skin
- 20 drops tea tree essential oil (optional but highly suggested) — a potent antibacterial
Instructions
- Put the coconut oil in a large mixing bowl. If the oil is hard (since coconut oil has a melting point of 74°F, it may be solid or liquid depending on how warm or cool you keep your home), mash it with a fork to soften it a bit. Then add all of the other ingredients. Mix everything together until you have a smooth, consistent paste. Lastly, simply transfer your deodorant into a small jar.
- To apply, simply rub your finger on the top of the paste to warm it a little, and scoop out a small amount to rub on your underarm. The paste will “melt” (as coconut oil does) right into your skin and absorb rather quickly.
- The tea tree essential oil may be a bit overpowering while mixing everything, but has just the right amount of scent when applied to the underarms. Rosemary and lavender essential oils also have antibacterial properties and so could be used with or instead of tea tree oil.
Keywords: homemade deodorant recipe, DIY deodorant
Troubleshooting: Skin irritation from natural deodorants.
Baking soda can irritate the skin by throwing off its pH.
Baking soda has a more alkaline pH (8) while the skin’s natural pH is slightly acidic (5.5-6).
So if you experience irritation this DIY deodorant recipe or from any natural deodorant that contains baking soda, that’s the likely culprit.
You have a couple options:
- Rebalance your skin’s pH with apple cider vinegar. Make a mixture of 1 part ACV to 2 parts water, and dab it on your underarms with a cotton ball.
- Reduce or remove the baking soda from the recipe. While this may affect the effectiveness, you can certainly give it a go and see if the recipe works for you even without the baking soda.
Awww YAYYYY! This totally made my day, Cole! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe with others 🙂
Hi! I’m so glad you posted this recipe. It has worked wonders for my kid when I wasn’t sure how to maintain the under arm odor in a natural way. I recently started using Aztec clay for a face mask so that was how we had everything on hand easily.
The night before we used the deodorant we applied the clay just mixed with apple cider vinegar to make a paste all around the under arm area to get a detoxed clean start. The day after, applied the deodorant and was amazed at how completely odorless she was by the end of the day. The only discomfort was from more sweat than usual, but it was clean sweat because there was no smell. I understand that in the absence of the chemicals from traditional deodorant there may be more sweat. I’ve already recommended this recipe via link to friends and family. Thanks again!
Hi! First let me say I love your website!! It is filled with so much wonderful information! I’ve found several things I am going to try right away. I have even directed my mother and sister to your site. I am hoping you can help me with an issue I’m having. I have bags and slight darkness under my eyes. Do you have any suggestions on how I may be able to deal with this? Please keep up the wonderful work you are doing by providing so much great information! Thank you for your help!
Erica
Ohhh you’re in CA! Yes, since coconut oil has a melting point of 74, it’s probably super liquidy for you! Some beeswax will definitely firm it up.
And YAY!!! That makes me so happy 🙂 Healthy, non-funky pits are the best!
Thank you !! I think I will put some beeswax in it! With California weather. It gets hot too! So I need something more solid! It works too!! I did a test and went to the gym and did the treadmill no classes of course because I didn’t want anyone to smell my funk and I didn’t smell! Phew!! Lol. So the following day I went to my workout class and I was sweating buckets but didn’t smell!!! Thank you so much! I made so many natural ones even bought a few and it never worked for me. So thank you so much!! 😀
Hey, Jamie. Yes, it is a cream so may seem salve-like. Yep! A tablespoon of beeswax should do the trick!
I made mine last night but it looks more like salve. I think I put too much coconut oil because I see an oily film on the top too. Lol. Do you think I can maybe melt some beeswax and mix it in so its more solid?? Thanks !
Oh no! It’s most likely the baking soda — some people are sensitive to it. You can make another batch with less or no baking soda, or try to rebalance your underarms’ pH with some diluted apple cider vinegar.
my underarms are breaking out? Is this normal
I have been trying to get rid of commercial deodorants for over a year. I have about 15 natural deodorants in my cabinet. They only work for a few hours and I begin to smell like a hoagie. What am I doing wrong. I want aluminium out of my life!!!! I was able to endure a greasy scalp for about 2 months when I got rid of chemical – laden shampoo but body odor is a no-no!!! Will this clay help???
Try adding a little more coconut oil!
hey Nadia! this is an awesome recipe! I am very happy with it! the only downside of it is that its not really smooth …is there a way I could dissolve the soda previously? I wish I could make this into a more creamy paste, but in my case it turned out to be more of a scrub…
I just mixed up a batch! I think my arrowroot powder is a little old, but since I’m not going to eat it, I think it will be okay. 😉 Just wondering, have you had any issues with the deodorant staining your clothes? The bentonite makes it so dark!
YAY! Let us know how it works for you 🙂
Well it depends on the temperature of wherever you’re keeping it. Since coconut oil has a melting point of 74 degrees F it can be melty during the summer. If you want, you can add some shea butter or bees was to keep it solid in warmer temps. Did it wind up solidifying for you or no?
And I’ve never personally heard about bentonite clay being used to lighten tattoos but it’s certainly an interesting idea…
Just made my first batch! Excited. Curious how long it takes to solidify a bit, second question – I’ve read that the detoxing in the bentonite can lighten tattoos. Does anyone know about that? Experiences that? I have a finger tattoo so am a little hesitant.. Haha thanks
I think they’re just shy of 4 oz.
Hi – what size jar did you use/how much did it make? I am trying to see if I can use the smallest ball jars I’ve come across – thanks!
YAY!! That makes me so incredibly happy to hear!
I can’t thank you enough, this is the best deodorant I ever tried, I been using it for a year now and it never failed me, even at the gym! Thank you so much!