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.
I’d suggest trying it without the clay first since it may be all she needs!
Hi, Miti! LOL well I’m glad you’re a returning reader 😉 I did change the photo a few months ago – the other was really old (this was one of my first blog posts!). But no, the recipe has not changed.
I hope the recipe works for you and you enjoy it!!
Hi Nadia,
I’ve been eyeing this recipe for a while.
In fact I was so familiar with the page that I would search it on google through the picture! Haha
Quick question – did you recently change the picture? I remember it being pictured in a tiny glass pot with green writing.
Has the recipe changed too? Let me know please. I’m about to order the ingredients online.
Yay that makes me so happy to hear, Jenny! Thank you for sharing it 🙂
I love this recipe!!! I’ve read recommended it to so many people! It’s strong enough for my husband too.
Hmm… not an oil. But there are a few spray recipes out there that use magnesium oil or witch hazel. You may want to look into going that route!
Hey! I really want to try this, but I can’t use coconut oil. Is there another oil I could use?? (I have allergies, sadness!)
I just stumbled across your blog and immediately signed up for your newsletter because I love what you’re doing here. I just wish your DIY recipes were savable like on the food blogs! I’m copying and pasting your whole blog post to Word so that I can save it in my recipes folder. I can’t wait to try it out.
So interesting, Joanne! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Sage is great for sweating, as well, and is anti-bacterial. If you get enough zinc in your diet, it keeps your perspiration from getting stinky. We used to say, “If you take zinc, you won’t stink”. Many of these can be made into solids with the addition of beeswax, as well, melted into the coconut oil or shea butter, whatever you use. I’m experimenting with food-grade alum, as it shrinks tissues like the commercial aluminum products do in anti-perspirants and Preparation H.
YAYYYY! That makes me super happy to hear, Sandy 🙂
I have been using this deodorant recipe for about 15 months now, and it works so well I can’t believe it. I smell good all the time, even after working out. And it isn’t irritating at all! Love it!!!
I am going to make this as I am allergic to Methylisothiazolinone and I will not take the chance of another bad blistering on my body from a chemical preservative, way too painful and takes literally months to clear up. How long does the batch from this recipe last? And should it be in a cobalt or amber container? Thank you for all your wonderful natural recipes. My face is so happy with the oil on it!
Thank you
Pam
Won’t the clay tighten underarms and leave grey color stains?
Could i use it on my 8 year old daughter? She really needs it when she dances.
Thanks so much for sharing, Katie! I hope other readers find this helpful.
I’ve been meaning to make a recipe for sensitive skin (and test it on my husband who is super sensitive to baking soda!) for those who have a reaction like you described.
Hey, Claire! Sorry for the belated reply. I don’t have any substitutions (except if you want to make a totally different deodorant that doesn’t contains oils, such as those with witch hazel or magnesium oil) BUT castile soap is a life-saver for removing oil stains. Simply spot treat the stains with the soap (so just rub the soap in and let it sit overnight before washing). I hope that helps!!
Hi Nadia,
I left a comment/question a few weeks back, and didn’t see a response, so I’m re-posting. I’m running out of my current deodorant, so hoping I can make a modification that will solve the stain problem!
Looking forward to hearing from you, and thanks for sharing all of these fantastic DIY recipes!
Original post:
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
Success!!! I had a really bad irritation/rash with my first use of this. Here’s what I changed….and now I have NO irritation at all and still noooo smell!!
1. I stopped shaving in the morning before applying the deodorant. I shave at night and don’t put anything on my underarms before bed.
2. I put apple cider vinegar (diluted in water) on a cotton ball and rub underarms before I use the deodorant.
3. I do a bentonite clay detox on underarms (wellness mama website) 2x per week.
4. And finally, here is my modified deodorant recipe that has worked like a charm:
2.5 tb coconut oil
1.5 tsp baking soda
3 tb arrowroot powder
1 tb bentonite clay
5 drops tea tree oil
5 drops grapefruit seed extract
2-3 drops Lavender essential oil
I might even try some diatomaceous earth and some Shea butter in my next batch.
I’ve never used it internally nor have I used it with kids. I’d do some research on that or speak with a functional med practitioner. I’m not sure where gluten would need to be “pulled out” from… doesn’t make much sense to me but who knows. The most important thing is obviously removing it from her diet (and it can be hidden in a TON of different packaged foods).