DIY deodorant is simple: It’s good for you, it works, and it’s good for the earth! Make your own natural deodorant with this homemade recipe.
DIY Deodorant | How To Make Natural Deodorant At Home
One of the first homemade stuff I wanted to make was deodorant, so I searched the Internet and found an abundance of homemade recipes, and experimented with quite a few. One of the more popular recipes online these days contains coconut oil, which seems to be a much raved-over ingredient that is here to stay. There are over one hundred uses for coconut oil, including deodorant. I have tried and semi-perfected this recipe through trial and error, so help yourself!
What You'll Need:
- 1/3 cup refined coconut oil (can be purchased at a local grocery store; I like to buy mine in bulk from a wholesale store)
- 1/3 cup corn starch
- 2 tablespoons baking soda (some prefer aluminum-free, which can be purchased online)
- 10 drops of essential oils such as tea tree oil (optional)
How To Make A DIY Deodorant:
Step 1: Mix
Mix coconut oil, baking soda, and corn starch with a spoon or use a hand held a mixer for about 30-60 seconds, or until the mixture is whipped and well blended.
Step 2: Add Essential Oil
Add the essential oil or your own fragrance until you get the scent you desire, and mix well. I use tea tree oil because, aside from its pleasant scent, tea tree oil has anti-bacterial properties that help kills bacteria which causes body odor.
Step 3: Transfer The Mixture
Scoop the mixture into a glass jar or a deodorant container of your choice.
Step 4: Proper Storage
Store at a cool or room temperature to avoid the mixture from melting. Depending on the temperature of your home this might stay solid or a bit liquid. This DIY deodorant should have about 4-5 months shelf life.
A Few Things To Keep In Mind:
Always apply this mixture to freshly washed pits! If you are a naturally sweaty person, then you will want to apply liberally. Also, we are always in a hurry, and sometimes we will do our beautifying in the car on the way and in the rush of things, leave the deodorant in the car only to come back hours later to find it melted in the heat. So be sure to store your deodorant in a cool dry place.
However, if it does melt, pop it in the freezer for a few minutes to allow it to solidify again. It will melt immediately on contact to your pits because the main ingredient is oil and as every cook knows, oil melts with heat. Another note, if you shave, the baking soda might irritate your freshly shaven skin. If this happens, I simply add a “pat” of cornstarch to help with the irritation. The irritation usually goes away by the next morning.
Want to see this DIY deodorant in action? Check this video from iamvanessae:
Needless to say, everyone is different and our bodies are different and react differently to things. When you make this recipe, you will have to tweak it to your preference. Some will prefer more baking soda to help absorb odors, some less due to irritation. In this case, just compensate with the cornstarch. The recipe is simple and almost everyone has the ingredients in their cupboards!
Will you give this DIY deodorant a try? Let us know in the comments section below.
Up Next: Mother Nature’s Best Home Remedies
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Editor’s Note – This post was originally published on May 2015 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
Appreciate the recipe for DIY deodorant. In the ingredients list,”1/4 corn starch” is unclear, How much corn starch ? 1/4 of what; tsp., tbsp., cup
Thanks for clarifying.
Hi David,
My apologies, the measurements are in cups. So 1/4 of a cup of each ingredient. Thanks for reading my article and tell me about how you like/dislike the recipe!
Is there a substitute for the coconut oil? I am allergic to coconut in any form and break out in hives.
Thank you!
Hi Jayce,
Thanks for reading my article! That is a great question. I have never tried anything else besides the coconut oil, however let me do some research and get back to you on that one.
I think 1:3 beeswax to Olive oil is a mixture I heard someone trying to use to replace coconut oil… Might need more adjustments though
Does it stain the clothes or leave greasy patch on it?
Were do you get the empty deodorant containers?
Hi Iren,
It can leave a stain on your clothes, however I noticed that it washes right out.
Thanks so much for the great post! I have been too worried about all the chemicals on our skin for years now. I love these natural alternatives 🙂
Coconut oil can be substituted with another solid oil, like cocoa, but will need a carrier oil to dillute as its very solid, you could also make a mix of shea or mango butter to add with the cocoa. I don’t know amounts, just play with it until you get the consistency you want. You can use PLAIN baking soda by itself, it works just as good, just make sure to dust all loose powder off. I like to have the scent sometimes, but plain is the quickest way.
If you have sensitive skin like me, as baking soda always tore up my pits and blistered me, then here is how many can over come it. Make sure your pits are COMPLETELY dry – air dried – before applying any type of baking soda product. THEN make sure you wash it off after 8 hours or so, and let fully dry then you can reapply. If you have any sweat or moisture, this causes the baking soda to irritate. This method has worked for me and my mother as we both have sensitive skin.
Hi Tara,
Thank so much for the advice. Another reader was asking this very question. Aside from the baking soda as it does tend to irritate some, simply using cornstarch works fine too. It is great at absorbing moisture!
I’m hoping this will work well. I’ll be trying it because my husband and I do not want to use store deodorant anymore. But, I’m on David’s page – how much corn starch do you use. I want to be exact!
I have seen other recipes for deodorant that have included some bees wax pellets, they are suppose to keep the coconut oil from melting.
Hi Janet,
Yes I have heard beeswax works great! However, I am always looking to cut costs, so I make mine without it.
Hi Kristi Albury,
I’m wondering the same thing David said 1/4 what on the corn starch tsp., tbsp., cup?
🙂
Hi Beverly,
My apologies but it is 1/4 CUP of each. 🙂
Did you melt the coconut oil before mixing in the other ingredients or try to mix it as a solid? I have tried a similar recipe that had the beeswax but i left it out for cost also. But i’ve gone back to store bought because the homemade was always crumbling little bits all over the floor whenever I used it. It did work as far as odor and I did get used to sweating, but the crumbling all over the place was annoying and embarrassing if i traveled.
Hi Jen,
Great question! You don’t have to melt the coconut if you are going to keep it in a jar and apply the deodorant by hand. However, if you want to keep it in a deodorant container and apply it that way, then yes I would melt the coconut oil and mix in the ingredients for this otherwise you will not be able to pour it into the container. (I probably should have mentioned that! 🙂 ) This recipe crumbles if you have it in a jar. However, if you keep it in a deodorant container then you should have no problems. I bought my containers online for $5 for 5 containers. I refuse to go back to store bought. I will stink before I do. LOL!!
I would suggest. 15-30 drops of tea tree oil be mixed in also especially in really humid or hot climates for the anti-fungal, anti-bacterial. Properties. In my area humidity stays in the 90+% range most of the year and fungi breeds like Bunnies.
Ah yes! Tea Tree Oil nature’s anti fungal! Great idea! Thanks!
When I made this recipe I added an envelope of clear gelatin, which was a huge help keeping the deodorant solid on the shelf.