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.
My husband and I have been using this recipe for a little over a month now. We have both noticed that our arm pits have started to hurt, kinda like the muscle feels sore. Has any one had this happen to them since they’ve been using it?
I love this recipe! the deodorant works so well, and I love how it smells like a spa.
Oh no! You’re probably sensitive to baking soda. You can try limiting the amount you put in – some people use JUST coconut oil, so with the tea tree, clay and arrowroot, you may get good coverage.
I had to use another deodorant as this one was so itchy after a couple of hours…I may try the apple cider combination.
I have tried many homemade deodorants and this is my favorite so far. I didn’t even have to reapply after working out! Baking soda tends to make my skin itchy after a few days of using it, but when I start to feel that itchy feeling I use a mixture of water and apple cider vinegar. Just dab it on your pits and let it dry.
Thanks for the recipe!
Hey! I just wanted to tell you about my results while using this recipe. I made it almost exactly by your recipe except I added a vitamin E capsule and used Rosemary instead of Tea Tree Oil. (I don’t really care for the smell of Tea Tree Oil.) I use it every day and have really enjoyed it. Lately, I have noticed an added effect though. I have, for years, had a few tiny skin tags under my arms just outside the underarm area. SURPRISE! I started to notice that they were getting hard. Then, the other day, they fell off! I am attributing it to the bentonite clay but just wondered if you had ever heard of this before. What a welcome surprise. I love your site. Please keep it up, I am telling all of my friends and family about this.
Hi, Kayla. Good question. I use green clay on my face as a mask (mixed with bentonite actually). Both are great “absorbers” (not sure if I made that term up!). But bentonite is known is be especially great for detoxification purposes and absorbing heavy metals – such as aluminum which may be still lingering around our pits due to previous antiperspirant use. Also, bentonite is nonstaining and a pretty neutral color – not sure how green clay would fare!
Thanks for letting us know, CeLeste! I’m glad you were able to find a way of going DIY that works for your skin and WORKS!
I also tend to get a rash when these ingredients are mixed together in a cream/lotion. However, I have had a lot of luck and success over the past two months with these ingredients used in another way. I swab my armpits with witch hazel using a cotton ball, grab a quarter sized amount of virgin coconut oil and melt in in my hands then into my armpits. I mix the dry ingredients of arrowroot powder, baking soda (I use a tad less than recommended), and the bentonite clay powder together and put in a recycled spice bottle. I simply apply it on top of the coconut oil using a powder puff and I stay odor-free and relatively dry even when I am sweating doing housework. Doing this got rid of the rash I got from the cream in a few days and this dry form has worked very well for me. Just FYI.
Have you ever tried, or thought of, using green clay instead of bentonite clay? Do you think this would work just as well??
Okay! Thank you very much! Would it work with most(if not all) of your other DIY things?
Hi, Sierra! Yes, powdered is perfect!
Hi! My local natural food store only have powdered bentonite clay and I was wondering if that would work just as well if I added a little water to it or if I should just buy the actual clay?
Where did you get those beautiful glass containers. Love it.
Need some advice on this recipe. I made this last night but my deodorant has not solidified. Measured out the ingredients as listed. Any ideas!
This recipe didn’t stop the odor. I am highly allergic to tea tree oil, lemon oil and lavender so I’m cautious about using essential oils. Plain coconut oil works for a little while but not enough. Any suggestion?
I don’t understand. Do you think it was the clay?
I truthfully have never had an issue. The coconut oil leaves a little bit of a wet look, but it washes right out.