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 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! 🙂
Would you be able to melt this a little more and pour into an empty twist up deodorant stick?
Yes that should work, the mixture is definitely liquid enough to pour. I hope you’ll let me know how it goes, or if you have anymore questions!
I will definitely try adding beeswax, as I travelled to Europe this summer and with the heat it melted . I was so upset, as I absolutely love this deoderant. I can’t thank you enough for the recipe. I have been using it now for a year and a half, and have turned so many other people onto it!!!
I know exactly what you mean, we always take it with us camping and traveling, and it always melts. You can stir it back together but it is a bit of a hassle, I really need to try the beeswax and then do an updated post!
Hello, I am impressed by your blog 🙂 I am sorry for my bad English. For a long time it also produced deodorant. I use the same raw materials, but still adds beeswax. Deodorant then in the summer better grip consistency. Do me and your other recipes 🙂
★★★★★
I can’t wait to try adding some beeswax next time I make a batch because my main problem with this deodorant is how it melts in the summertime! 🙂
Wow I’m so glad I discover this post in your site! I have a very sensitive skin and deodorants tend to irritate my skin. I’ve been debating with myself whether to make one myself or not since most comments I’ve read online seems to say that natural deodorants doesn’t work. But this post is tempting me to try it out!
This deodorant works so good I can’t even tell you! I have very sensitive skin too and this is the only thing I’ve tried that doesn’t bother me, but if it does irritate your skin you can always add a bit more coconut oil which seems to solve the problem for most people. I sure hope you give this a try!
It’s simple and works really great, just what I need. 🙂 I tried this out and didn’t dissapoint, so thanks! Amazing deodorant.
★★★★★
I love how simple it is too, and it works better than any of the deodorants I’ve ever used before! 🙂