Say Goodbye to Funk and Hello to Fresh: My DIY All-Natural Deodorant Recipe That Actually Works!
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Let’s be real for a minute: The struggle to find a deodorant that actually works is real. Trust me, I know—I’ve been through it all, especially when pregnancy hormones and breastfeeding kicked my armpits into funky overdrive. Add in the Texas heat, constant sweat from working on our micro homestead, refinishing furniture, homeschooling, and staying active every day—let’s just say, I needed something that could keep up!
I tried every “natural” deodorant out there, but they either didn’t last or, after a while, my body would just get used to them. So, I kept rotating brands, hoping one would be the one. Spoiler alert: It never was. That’s when I decided to take matters into my own hands and make my own deodorant from scratch. It took me ages to perfect the recipe and find the right essential oil mixtures, but trust me—you’ll love it!
Why Make Your Own DIY All Natural Deodorant?
Besides ditching all those harsh chemicals, making your own deodorant is super easy, customizable, and way more
cost-effective. Plus, it works even during the sweatiest, hottest, busiest days! And don’t worry, I’ll share an armpit detox recipe in an upcoming post (stay tuned—it was a lifesaver during my transition from store-bought to homemade deodorant).
What You’ll Need:
Coconut oil – Moisturizes and helps blend all the ingredients. Coconut oil is a powerhouse ingredient in homemade deodorant. It’s packed with medium-chain fatty acids and natural antibacterial properties, making it great for fighting odor-causing bacteria. Coconut oil also deeply moisturizes the skin, which is perfect for keeping your delicate underarms soft and hydrated, especially after shaving. For women, coconut oil can help soothe irritation and prevent rashes, which is particularly helpful if you’re prone to sensitive skin. On top of that, it’s easily absorbed, helping to balance skin moisture without clogging pores—making it a win for overall skin health!
Shea butter – Nourishes and adds smoothness to the mixture. Shea butter is a rich, nutrient-dense moisturizer that’s not only great for your skin but also fantastic for promoting healthy cell regeneration. It’s packed with vitamins A and E, which are known to boost collagen production, improving elasticity and reducing irritation. For women, it can help balance the skin’s natural oils, which is especially important during hormone fluctuations. Shea butter also forms a protective barrier on the skin, making it perfect for preventing chafing and keeping your underarms smooth and soothed, even in the heat. Plus, it adds a silky texture to the deodorant, making application a breeze!
Arrowroot powder – Absorbs moisture and keeps you dry. Arrowroot powder is a natural and gentle ingredient known for its moisture-absorbing abilities, making it key to keeping your underarms dry throughout the day. Unlike some harsher ingredients, arrowroot is soothing and suitable for all skin types, even the most sensitive. It also allows the skin to breathe while absorbing excess sweat, making it a healthier alternative to talc-based products. For women, this is particularly beneficial during times of hormonal changes, like pregnancy or menopause, when sweat levels may fluctuate. It also helps detoxify the skin, contributing to overall skin health and reducing irritation.
Baking soda – Neutralizes odor. (See the sensitive skin section if this is too harsh for you!) Baking soda is a natural and highly effective deodorizer, making it the star ingredient when it comes to neutralizing underarm odor. It works by balancing the skin’s pH and neutralizing acids that cause bad smells. While it’s a potent odor fighter, it can be a little harsh for those with sensitive skin. For women, especially during hormonal shifts like pregnancy or PMS, baking soda can help combat excess odor caused by fluctuating hormones. If you’re prone to irritation, you can reduce the amount or swap it out entirely for arrowroot powder or kaolin clay for a gentler option. Either way, baking soda is a great natural way to keep body odor in check!
Essential oils – For fragrance and additional benefits. Essential oils do more than just add a lovely fragrance to your homemade deodorant—they bring a host of health benefits too! Many essential oils, like lavender, clary sage, and frankincense, are known for their balancing effects on hormones, making them great choices for women looking to support hormonal health naturally. Oils like jasmine and rose are also known for their soothing properties, helping to calm both the skin and the mind. Additionally, essential oils often have antibacterial and antifungal properties, which help prevent odor and keep your underarms healthy. The best part? You can customize your blend to suit your mood or your health needs! My favorite place to get all my essential oils is Plant Therapy! And at the time of writing this post if you sign up for email alerts you can get $10 off $25+. I highly recommend checking them out.
A container to store it – I love using small, cardboard reusable deodorant containers or small glass containers. With the small glass containers I use my fingers to apply deodorant which I normally do not mind but I will say using the cardboard reusable deodorant containers its much easier / a much cleaner process.
Ingredients:
3 tbsp coconut oil
2 tbsp shea butter
2 tbsp baking soda
3 tbsp arrowroot powder
10-15 drops of your favorite essential oil blend (We’ll get to some amazing mixtures below!)
Instructions:
Melt the coconut oil and shea butter in a double boiler (or use a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water). Stir occasionally until fully melted.
Remove from heat and let the mixture cool for a minute or two.
Add the baking soda and arrowroot powder to the melted oils, stirring until smooth and combined.
Add your essential oils and mix well.
Pour the mixture into your chosen container (I use small glass jars or cardboard reusable deodorant containers).
Let it cool and harden completely before using. I usually pop mine in the fridge for 30 minutes to speed this up!
Five Essential Oil Blends That Smell Amazing
Now comes the fun part—choosing your scent! Here are my top five blends that smell feminine, fresh, and totally delightful.
Romantic Rose Garden
A floral, feminine blend that’ll have you smelling like you just stepped into a rose garden.
4 drops Rose Otto
3 drops Ylang Ylang
3 drops Jasmine
2 drops Sandalwood
Calming Lavender Breeze
Perfect for a soft, soothing scent that’s great for everyday wear.
4 drops Lavender
3 drops Clary Sage
3 drops Ylang Ylang
2 drops Frankincense
Citrus Sunshine
Bright, uplifting, and just the right amount of citrusy sweetness.
4 drops Neroli
3 drops Bergamot
3 drops Geranium
2 drops Sandalwood
Earthy Floral Bliss
A grounding yet floral scent for those who want something rich and unique.
3 drops Ylang Ylang
3 drops Rose Otto
2 drops Frankincense
2 drops Jasmine
2 drops Sandalwood
Lavender and Geranium Harmony
A soothing and balanced floral blend that’s perfect for unwinding.
4 drops Lavender
3 drops Geranium
3 drops Clary Sage
2 drops Neroli
Why These Essential Oils?
Each of these essential oils brings its own benefits beyond just smelling amazing:
Lavender: Known for its calming and relaxing properties, lavender helps reduce stress and anxiety. Lavender essential oil is one of the most versatile and widely used oils, prized for its calming and soothing effects. It works wonders for stress relief and helps reduce anxiety, making it a go-to for emotional balance. For women, especially those dealing with hormonal fluctuations, lavender can provide much-needed relief from mood swings and restlessness, particularly around PMS or menopause. In addition to its calming benefits, lavender also promotes skin health by reducing redness, soothing irritation, and aiding in wound healing. Its gentle floral scent helps create a sense of calm, making it ideal for deodorant use.
Clary Sage: Great for balancing hormones and soothing PMS symptoms. Clary Sage is a powerful essential oil known for its ability to regulate and balance hormones, making it a favorite among women’s health remedies. It is particularly effective for alleviating PMS symptoms, such as mood swings, cramps, and hot flashes. For women experiencing menopause, clary sage can provide relief from discomfort and stress, helping to stabilize emotions. Beyond hormonal support, clary sage also has anti-inflammatory properties that benefit the skin, keeping it clear and healthy. Its light, herbal scent adds a fresh touch to deodorant blends while promoting a sense of emotional well-being.
Ylang Ylang: A powerful floral scent that is believed to help reduce stress and uplift your mood. Ylang Ylang essential oil is a sweet, exotic floral oil that has long been used to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Its uplifting aroma has a balancing effect on emotions, making it a great choice for those dealing with emotional turbulence, such as during PMS or stressful times. Ylang Ylang is also known for promoting a sense of calm and joy, making it helpful for boosting mood and confidence. For skin, it works as an antiseptic, keeping the underarms clean and fresh. With its sensual and soothing fragrance, Ylang Ylang brings a luxurious feel to any deodorant blend.
Rose Otto: Besides smelling divine, rose oil is said to help balance hormones and promote skin health. Rose Otto essential oil is known for its deeply luxurious scent and its powerful effects on both mood and physical health. It’s particularly beneficial for women’s hormonal health, as it helps regulate the menstrual cycle and balance hormones. Rose oil is also a fantastic skin tonic, promoting elasticity, reducing the appearance of scars, and calming irritated skin. Emotionally, Rose Otto is believed to promote self-love, reduce anxiety, and uplift the spirit, making it a perfect addition to your deodorant for days when you need an emotional or confidence boost.
Jasmine: This sweet, seductive oil boosts mood and reduces anxiety, making it perfect for a confidence boost. Jasmine essential oil is known for its rich, floral aroma and its ability to uplift the mood, boost confidence, and reduce anxiety. It’s often referred to as an aphrodisiac, thanks to its sensual scent that evokes feelings of positivity and self-assurance. Jasmine is also incredibly beneficial for the skin, helping to promote moisture, elasticity, and a healthy glow. For women, jasmine can be helpful in balancing mood swings, especially during times of hormonal fluctuation such as PMS or postpartum. Its sweet, alluring scent adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to deodorant blends.
Bergamot: Fresh and citrusy, bergamot oil is uplifting and can help ease feelings of stress. Bergamot essential oil offers a fresh and uplifting citrus scent that’s known to ease stress, tension, and anxiety. Its bright fragrance stimulates feelings of positivity and energy, making it perfect for boosting your mood on challenging days. For women, especially those managing hormonal fluctuations, bergamot can provide relief from anxiety and emotional lows associated with PMS. Bergamot is also beneficial for the skin, offering antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which help keep the underarms fresh and free from irritation. Its vibrant scent is ideal for creating an energizing deodorant blend.
Frankincense: This grounding, earthy oil helps with relaxation and emotional balance. Frankincense essential oil is revered for its grounding, spiritual, and calming properties. It’s excellent for promoting emotional balance, helping to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety while encouraging relaxation. For women’s health, frankincense can aid in managing the emotional symptoms of PMS and menopause by calming the mind and body. It’s also known for its skin-healing properties, helping to soothe irritation, reduce inflammation, and support healthy cell regeneration. Its warm, earthy scent adds a touch of depth to deodorant blends, making it a grounding and stabilizing addition.
Geranium: It’s both floral and herbaceous, and helps promote emotional well-being while also balancing hormones. Geranium essential oil is both floral and herbaceous, making it a versatile oil that promotes emotional balance and well-being. It’s particularly beneficial for women’s health, as it helps balance hormones, alleviate PMS symptoms, and even ease the emotional effects of menopause. Geranium oil is also known for its skin-nourishing properties, helping to soothe irritated skin, reduce inflammation, and promote a healthy, clear complexion. With its calming yet uplifting aroma, geranium is a great choice for adding a gentle, feminine fragrance to deodorant blends while supporting overall emotional health.
Neroli: A citrusy, sweet scent that’s known for its calming and stress-relieving properties. Neroli essential oil has a citrusy, sweet, and slightly floral aroma that is deeply calming and stress-relieving. It’s often used to reduce anxiety and promote emotional stability, making it an excellent choice for women experiencing hormonal fluctuations. Neroli is also fantastic for the skin, known for improving skin elasticity, reducing the appearance of scars, and soothing irritated skin. For women’s health, neroli helps with emotional balance and stress relief, particularly during PMS or menopause. Its light, refreshing scent makes it an ideal deodorant addition for a touch of floral sweetness with emotional benefits.
These oils not only smell fantastic, but many are also great for PMS and women’s health by helping to balance hormones and reduce stress—two things that definitely help when it comes to managing sweat and odor! My favorite place to get all my essential oils is Plant Therapy! And at the time of writing this post if you sign up for email alerts you can get $10 off $25+. I highly recommend checking them out.
Sensitive Skin? Here’s What to Do
If you have sensitive skin or baking soda tends to irritate you, don’t worry! You can either reduce the amount of baking soda (try 1 tbsp instead of 2) or swap it out entirely for extra arrowroot powder or kaolin clay. Arrowroot is super gentle and still helps absorb moisture. Adding a little more coconut oil or shea butter can also provide extra moisture and prevent irritation.
Coming Soon: My Armpit Detox Guide
Switching to homemade deodorant can sometimes make your pits go through a little “detox” period where things smell... well, worse before they get better. But don’t worry—I’ve got you covered with my DIY armpit detox that I use quarterly to keep everything fresh and clean. Stay tuned for that post—it’s an absolute game-changer!
There you have it, folks! A deodorant that works even on those Texas heat, micro-homestead, all-day sweaty kind of days. I absolutely adore this recipe, and I’m sure you will too! Trust me—once you make the switch to homemade, you’ll never go back.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab those ingredients, mix up a batch, and let’s get rid of that funk once and for all!
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