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.
Agreed – you definitely have to rub it in and let it soak in before dressing. I have personally never had any staining issues.
It could very well be that the folks who have issues with the oils staining, is because they are using too much or not rubbing it all the way in. Hence, it sits atop the skin instead of being fully absorbed in which case…you are gonna get it on anything you touch…lol
Oh, Shannon, this made my day!! I hope it continues to work for you.
Just tried this for the first time today… pleasantly surprised that it WORKED! So far anyway 🙂 I’m going to keep trying it this week just to *make sure* – but I’m very, very pleasantly surprised! Thanks!!
Thank you SO much for adding the print feature–including the Green Print feature. Awesome! Can’t wait to try this out. 🙂
Ah that makes total sense and I am surprised I have not received this question yet! This was a concern of mine when I first started using coconut oil (I also use it as a body moisturizer). I have personally not had any issues with it (or the tea tree in this recipe) staining my clothing. When you do a simple Google search for whether or not coconut oil stains, the reviews are mixed – some say that it does not stain while others say it does. Like I said, I rub it ALL over my body, not just on my underarms, and have never had an issue.
I asked this question because you use coconut oil and essential oils on this recipe.
Hi, Flore. As I mention, the bentonite clay is non-staining. I do sometimes get a little powdery-looking residue on my clothes, but it rubs right off.
What about stains on clothers with this recipe ???
Hi, Becky. I just added a print button at the top of the post – check it out! Thanks for bringing this to my attention.
Thank you for the clay idea. I make CO & baking soda deodorant and very pleased. I will add Bentonite, but am VERY allergic to Tea tree.
Unfortunately, it will not allow me to copy this so I can print it off. It is a lot to write down.
Hi, Tammy. I just added a print button at the top of the post – check it out! Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I hope you try it and that it works for you! Please let me know 🙂
Great idea and I would love to try it. However, in trying to print it, and to save paper, I like to select only the text I need to keep to save paper, but your page does not allow that. That’s a bit frustrating.
Joy, you should really try adding the coconut oil to the mix! A jar or organic coconut oil is about $5, and would last you a very long time if used just for this purpose.
I just use equal parts baking soda and arrowroot powder. (inexpensive & easy). I then add water to mix it together and then I apply the goop, let it dry, and brush off the white powder before getting dressed.
Hi, Erinn. Oh no! I’m sorry to hear that. Others also have a sensitivity to baking soda. If it is JUST the baking soda, give this combo a try with all of the other ingredients and just leave the baking soda out. For some people, JUST coconut oil works for them – maybe you are one of those lucky folks!
curious what to use instead of baking soda as all deoderants i ahve tried making with baking soda have given me a bad rash to the point of my sin breaking open and i now have scars under my pits o:
Nadia,
I have found that pure extra virgin coconut oil works very well for odor. No irritation or anything. The only drawback is that it doesn’t help the wetness.
Wow, that’s awesome! Thank you!