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.
Loved Reading This ! I too already make my own Lemon Zest Deodorant Spray. I have been using green clay- it works great but recently bought some Bentonite to use in another recipe. YOUR use of it here has inspired me to make this D-O for my daughter and niece who suffer from excessive sweating. I Hope This recipe Works! Peace and Blessings!
Nadia, did you end up coming up with a recipe without the baking soda? Every version (different essential oils) that I have made of this has irritated my under arms and given me a burning sensation and turned the area red! I read some comments from other readers and wondered if it could be the baking soda that is irritating me.
Nadia on May 18, 2013 at 12:35 pm
Sandy, I know what you mean! I gave this to my boyfriend but the baking soda gave him a huge red rash. I am going to try to make one without the baking soda. Now you have inspired me to get on it!! The cornstarch and arrowroot irritate you as well?
If I used some lavender essential oil as well as the tea tree oil how many drops of each should I use?
Hello,
I’m allergic to coconut, is there an alternative?
Ahhh Sarah, that made my day!! I’m so happy to hear it 🙂 🙂 🙂
Just wanted to say I’ve been using this recipe for 3-4 years now and I’m never turning back. I love it so much.
No – just as it’s not a good idea to use a metal spoon, a glass or porcelain bowl is best!
Can you mix this in a metal mixing bowl?
That’s definitely a good concern! I’ve found that coconut oil doesn’t stain to the extent of other oils but it can leave a mark on clothes, especially over time. But here’s a trick for ANY oil stain: castile soap is THE BEST for removing oil stains! I spot treat with it for a few minutes before tossing it into the laundry.
I’m concerned about the coconut oil staining my clothes… Oil stains are so difficult, sometime impossible to remove.
Ok. So I’ve been holding this recipe for months and finally was proud of myself when I made it the other day. I love the idea of making my own deodorant I wore it yesterday but kept feeling like people might mistake its oder for armpit oder. I kept trying to figure out what it smelled like and realized it smells like Pine Sol…maybe I put too much teatree not sure but if I ever make it again I will pick a nicer smelling oil.
Thank you for pointing this out! I will have to edit it to include it.
You never mentioned that you cannot use metal when dealing with bentonite clay. It makes inactive. This post is a couple years old, but I just came across it and wanted to give it a try.
Oh, that depends on the temperature of your house – if you keep things above 74 degrees F then yes, that would be best. You can also add some beeswax if you want to avoid that.
I made a batch today and a few hours after making it the coconut oil turned to complete fluid. Am I supposed to keep this mixture in the fridge?
I have only used Kaolin clay for face masks. There are certainly many different recipes for natural deodorant out there!
Did the coconut oil solidify after you made it? Sometimes that just happens to coconut oil which is the explanation I’m leaning towards but if you’re at all concerned, trash it and make another – better to be safe than sorry! And of course, any time you make a DIY, make sure your hands, the jar, and everything you use is super clean as is your workspace.
Just made this and love it BUT it looks to be developing a thin film over the top in the jar. Can it go bad or spoil? I’ve only had it for the a couple days. Seems like odd thing to have happen based upon the ingredients. Any thoughts or suggestions?