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.
Hi Nadia….is this safe for an 8 teardrop old? Also have you ever used the clay on kids….my daughter just diagnosed with celiac and I’ve read that the clay internally could pull gluten out and help heal.
Thanks
Great, I will try that!
Thanks for your help!
Hey, Katie! Woo hoo I’m so glad you love it!
The irritation is likely caused by the baking soda. I’m sorry to hear the ACV trick isn’t working! You can make a new batch without baking soda and see if it still works as well, or dilute the batch you have with more coconut oil, cornstarch, and clay to reduce the amount of baking soda.
Hi Nadia!!
I recently ditched all my crazy scented soaps and chemical full deoderant in attempts to relieve some long standing underarm odor problems. I was reluctant but I threw it all away and made this recipe you shared to use as my new deodorant. In addition to this I began doing bentonite clay detox on my underarms a couple times a week. Well, I have been completely odor free now for over a month! I’m amazed. I LOVE this deodorant. Thank you for sharing it.
The only issue I’m having is a rash like iritation in underarm area now. It looks like razor burn/ small red irritated bumps etc. It’s not itchy but very red and irritated. I started doing an apple cider vinegar spray prior to applying this deoderant but that has not solved the problem either. I’m not sure what is causing the irritation and hoped you could give me some advice.
Thank you!!!
Hi Nadia,
Thanks for all of the wonderful ideas you share with us. I love your website, and this deodorant too. I’ve made it a few times now, but started to realize that the coconut oil combined with the bentonite clay stains my clothes. Do you have any suggestions for either substitutions or ratio adjustments, to avoid stains?
Thanks!
Claire
Have you tried it with kaolin clay before? Mommypotamus’s recipe suggest Kaolin or diatomaceous earth as other options for the Bentonyte clay
Hmm bentonite clay? That sounds odd to me.
I’ve been using a diy coconut oil base deodorant for quite some time and loving it. Until I decide to make a batch with clay and regretted as soon as I apply it for the first time. Now I have green-ish armpits. Definitely not for me.
I link to where you can buy some online in the post!
Hi could you please tell me if I can use a substitute fir the bentonite clay I am not sure where I can find it?thanks so much
I’ve done my batch today. I used a plastic spoon so it fitted perfectly to a small vaseline 50ml tub. I’m excited how good this product because I read about it a lot.
Hey, Crystal! I’ve never done that myself but I’d assume so! Please let us know if you try it 🙂 Also, you could add some beeswax to keep it firm even in the summer heat.
Hi Nadia! I just made this and put it in deodorant containers. I know coconut oil will melt this summer, but could I keep this in the fridge??? Thank you!
Crystal
Any way to make this less abrasive? It gets to feel like sand even with everything finely ground!
Huh. I have no clue! You mean your actual armpits and not the armpit are of your shirts, correct?
I would just add not to mix or store Bentonite in anything metal as it will deactivate the bentonite clay…use wood spoon instead. Store in glass container
I have been using this deodorant for a couple of months now after switching from a commercial brand. It has worked wonderfully! I was a bit stinky the first week but after that I have stayed dry and perfectly pleasant smelling 🙂 The ONLY issue I have is that my armpits are really dark now. Any theories on why? The detox process maybe? The green clay?? Thoughts?
I never leave comments on websites, but I’m so in love I felt compelled! This is amazing and I don’t stink after even 24 hours! I’m blown away! Thank you for sharing, I keep passing this website along. The natural deodorants I bought just didn’t work, I stunk like sweat. The spray on EO recipe worked well for a while, but after I remade a bottle it stopped. This one amazes me! I think the baking soda slightly burns a tiny bit occasionally on freshly shaven pits, but it’s totally worth it!
So I finally made this. I added 5 teaspoons of bees wax and mixed with coconut oil in a melted state. Then I let it cool a bit and added the dry ingredients and the tea tree and bergamot. Smells crisp and clean. I poured it into a deodorant stick and it glides right on. It does still feel a bit grainy though. Do you think I should add more coconut oil or would it be smoother to add shea or mango butter?
No, I just mix it dry with the other ingredients listed.