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.
Bonus Use!! This is great for razor burn and ingrown hairs! I have had problems with the razor burn/ingrown hairs for weeks (have always had this issue, especially around the bikini area). I tried lavender essential oil mixed w/a cooling aloe vera that I got from Walmart Pharmacy. It soothed, but really didn’t seem to make a difference as far as healing. I heard that bentonite clay helps with skin inflammation, so I applied this mixture (see my comment above) for the past few days. It is really clearing up – there are a few remaining red spots, but it doesn’t hurt or itch and there’s really no swelling like before. =D
Instead of baking soda (bc it irritates my skin), I used an equal amount of arrowroot powder. The mixture solidified nicely in an old deodorant stick container (Secret brand). I also added some vanilla and peppermint essential oil. Next time I’ll try apple cider vinegar in place of some of the coconut oil bc I still have some body odor happening w/my current mixture.
I am dying to try this, and was wondering how much this actually makes?… I looked at the link to the jars you use, and was wondering does this only make 1 jar, or more – since they come in a set of 12?
Hi!! excuse me, i want to try this but can i add beeswax to pour it in an old deodorant container?? i read in previous post about you trying that, have you try it yet?? do you know how much beeswax should i add?? Thank you!
Hi, this recipe looks great! I’m eager to try it for my guinea pig sister! Quick question though: according to (http://convert-to.com/568/organic-raw-coconut-oil-conversion-with-nutrition-facts.html), 5 tablespoons of coconut oil weigh 2.4oz, but you say 4 here. Can you clarify please? Thanks, Sheetal
Amanda
I use cold pressed, unrefined coconut oil in my mixtures. It may be something else in the soap causing the problem.
I don’t use the clay. I do perspire a little, but I can handle that. My underarms have never been softer; but I also had laser hair removal several years ago so my pores are very small now.
I also used a combination of tea tree and camphor oil, which I use for cuts and scrapes. The smell is a bit strong when mixing, but dissipates after.
Nadia,
Sorry, I forgot to ask if you leave this deodorant on all day? I know the bentonite clay is drawing out toxins and I’ve read that you should leave it on 20 mins – half hour and then rinse it off.
Nadia,
I was curious about the oils in the natural deodorant because I’ve read, even organic coconut oil can clog pores when put under your arms. Anyone have a problem with that? I noticed that happening when I would use Kirk’s coconut oil soap. 🙁
Used the deodorant yesterday and today and I was so amazed at the efficacy! While I was making it, my husband was muttering things like, “hippie concoction” and “weirdo” hahaha 😀 I’m more than happy to be a weirdo hippie if it means living healthy 🙂
Thanks, Nadia!!
Ahh YAY!! Let me know how it goes and how you like it!
I JUST got my coconut oil, arrowroot powder, glass jar, and baking soda for this (already have bentonite clay) and I am SO excited to make this!!! I have gone through a month of detoxing my armpits/underarms and now I am ready to begin. Thanks Nadia 🙂
I’d think if it didn’t stain, it will at the very least make your clothes look red in the meantime.
I just made a recipe very close to this one and used Moroccan red clay. Looking at it I realized that it may very likely stain my clothes (not sure why I didn’t think of that before making it!). Anyway, has anyone used red clay, and does it stain?
In reply to Trish, this fits perfectly in a pint sized mason jar (the small jelly jar size).
I just wanted to pop on and thank you for this recipe! I’ve probably made it five or six times now! My husband loves it too and I finally made him his own jar 🙂
My favorite part is knowing that Im detoxing from a lifetime of conventional deodorants with the bentonite clay. Part of me misses the stick deodorants so I wonder if anyone has experimented with adding beeswax to this recipe and making it in stick form?
I make a similar deodourant at home, the only difference being mine doesn’t have bentonite clay (which I’m definitely going to try). I’ve found that adding a few drops of lavender essential oil as well as the tea tree oil, really ups the ‘deodourizing’ aspect of it. As for some people being sensitive to baking soda, I have heard you can make it with either less baking soda/more arrowroot powder (my recipe is half and half of each), or with just the arrowroot powder. I would just keep in mind though that arrowroot powder is a starch and can make any yeast rashes worse.
Truthfully, I think people have a reaction to the baking soda, not the clay. This is common in natural deodorants with baking soda since it can throw off the pH of the skin. If this happens, you can “reset” the pH by applying some ACV diluted in water. This should help fix the problem.
While reading through every comment, my thoughts on why some ended up with stains was from the detoxing. Beverly – above – said it very well. I have taken notes on the comments to send to my daughter along with her first batch of homemade detox deodorant, so that she can be informed if anything unusual happens. I am so excited to try this myself, too! Thank you, Nadia!