This DIY Homemade Deodorant is super easy to make, and more importantly, it’s actually works. In fact I’ve found it works better than any of the commercial brands I used to but, and it’s made with completely natural ingredients!
This recipe has truly changed my life! I’m sure you’ve heard something along those lines before, but it’s true, and it could change yours as well.
I have tried so many different deodorants from the commercial ones containing aluminum to almost every natural brand that exists. Each one worked, sort of, to one degree (no pun intended) or another for awhile. I was never happy with what I was using until I found this recipe on Crunchy Betty’s site.
Over the last couple of years I have tinkered with the proportions and I couldn’t be happier with the results. The main complaint with natural deodorants is that they don’t seem to work very well. But that is definitely not the case with this one.
I have used this recipe exclusively for about 4 years now because it works so well. I’m happy to report no offensive odors, and best of all it doesn’t contain any scary ingredients.
One problem I’ve noticed though is that at warmer temperature, the deodorant melts and separates which is a pain. Every time it melts, you have to mix it back together for it to be effective. It’s not that big of a deal. But it does get annoying in the summertime when your deodorant separates daily in the heat.
I had several people write in to say they added beeswax to my original recipe, and it solved the melting problem. I knew I needed to test that idea out, and update this recipe with a precise measurement.
And so… let’s make this DIY Homemade Deodorant:
The key to the new version of this recipe is to make sure the beeswax is completely melted into the coconut oil before adding the other ingredients.
When the beeswax is completely melted, mix in the cornstarch/arrowroot and essential oils. This mixture is still liquid at this point, and you can pour it into a container. After a few hours it will solidify and it stays really stable as temperatures in the house fluctuate.
You can add a few drops of essential oils if desired. I have sensitive skin and usually leave them out. Although recently I made a batch with sweet orange essential oil, and that seemed to be fine for me. As an extra bonus, it smells like creamsicle ice cream.
Be sure to place your final product into a clean and sterilized jar. That way you make sure there’s nothing in your container that would contaminate the finished product.
Note: The first recipe below is the new more stable version with beeswax added. And the second recipe is the original I used to make.
DIY Homemade Deodorant
- Total Time: 15 mins
Ingredients
- 6 Tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 Tablespoon grated beeswax, 2 grams
- 1/4 cup cornstarch or arrowroot
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 4 drops essential oils, I love orange or lemon
Instructions
- Melt the coconut oil and beeswax together in a small saucepan over low heat.
- When the wax is completely melted, add the cornstarch/arrowroot and baking soda, and mix until thoroughly combined.
- Add the essential oils if desired, adding more or less to your preference.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
DIY Homemade Deodorant
- Total Time: 10 mins
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup cornstarch or arrowroot
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 5 Tablespoons coconut oil
- 4 drops essential oils
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a bowl and mash with the back of a spoon until thoroughly combined.
Notes
If you coconut oil is hard, melt over low heat, then mix together with the rest of ingredients.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
I absolutely love this idea because I just put cornstarch based powder under my arms like I hate the way deodorant makes my underarms feel and also I drink arrowroot tea so it’s awesome to know arrowroot can be topical
Arrowroot works really well in this deodorant, I sure hope it works for you!
I made this today, but I find the coconut oil is to over powering , is there another kind of oil that can be use with no smell to it.
I haven’t tried this, but you could maybe use something like jojoba oil in place of the coconut oil. I would recommend adding the beeswax option in this case because jojoba oil isn’t solid at room temperature like coconut oil is. I hope this helps and be sure to let me know how it goes or if you have any more questions!
I used tapioca starch and it worked perfectly. Better, and a lot less expensive, than the ones I used to buy. Thanks so much.
So glad to hear it’s working well for you! This is still the best deodorant I’ve ever put together, nothing else I’ve tried or bought works as well.
If I add Vitamin E will it make it more shelf stable?
This deodorant lasts for months, so I wouldn’t worry too much about being shelf stable, but Vitamin E usually does make homemade products last longer.
Is the cornstarch/arrowroot for thickening? In the beeswax method can you then eliminate the cornstarch/arrowroot since the beeswax becomes the stabilizer/thickener?
It does create a thicker consistency and helps it to be spreadable, but it also helps for odors. I wouldn’t eliminate it if you can, but if you’re allergic to both, you could try tapioca starch.
Thanks for this 🙂 i can’t wait to try this recipe. ONE question: can i remove baking soda?
I don’t think this deodorant works nearly as well without the baking soda, but if you do try leaving it out, I’d be curious to know how it works for you! 🙂
I have been making this deodorant for years now and I am happy that you have shared this recipe with everyone!
I have bought once a stick deo, just for the container, tossed out the content and filled it in with this home-made deodorant. And it lives in the fridge all the time, to prevent melting and spoiling. I also mix dry baking soda with solid coconut oil, as it mixes perfectly, no need to melt it and I can directly fill in the container 😉
Thanks so much for writing to tell me you’ve been enjoying the recipe, that really makes my day! 🙂
Hi Kari,
I’m wondering if you can use fractionated (liquid) coconut oil for this recepie as well?
Thanks!
I’m not sure since I’ve never used fractionated coconut oil before, but I would imagine it would be a softer deodorant if the coconut oil is liquid.
Hi I was just wondering how much this recipe makes. What size jar did you use?
It makes about 1/2 cup, and I use several smaller glass jars to put it into. My favorite so far are the really small mason jars that are around 1/4 cup. I hope this helps, and be sure to let me know how it goes, or if you have anymore questions!
Thanks for this nice post. I have problem and can’t solve. My recipe has ZnO, the others similar. For a while my deodorant change color to pink after 2-3 weeks. I didn’t have any problem like this before, what should I be missing? Thankss
I’m not sure what ZnO is, so I can’t give you any advice other than whenever a homemade product turns color, it’s not a good sign. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help!
ZnO= zinc oxide
Thanks so much Sarah, I really appreciate it! 🙂