Homemade Natural Deodorant
For years now, I’ve been making deodorant for my husband and myself. A while back, I posted a deodorant recipe and explained why it’s a good idea to make your own without the harmful chemicals that is added to most conventional deodorants. I also listed the top harmful ingredients to stay away from. If you haven’t read my original post you can CLICK HERE.
While the original batch worked great, I noticed on some days I was re-applying it more than I wanted to. So, with each new batch, I would experiment. I tried using different essential oils, adding shea butter and even beeswax. (Adding shea butter or beeswax was a big thumb’s down, both made the deodorant much less effective.)
Some batches worked great for my husband, but not for me and then some worked great for me, but not my husband. I didn’t want to make two different batches so I had to narrow it down to what worked for both of us.
As I played around with each batch, I began to realize that the big difference was which essential oils I used. I also tried adding one of my favorite detoxifying ingredients, activated charcoal. It made sense to me that this would be a beneficial ingredient to add. You see, activated charcoal contains tiny pores that attract and eliminate impurities and toxins from your skin. (It also works great for teeth, hair and the digestive tract, but that’s a different blog…)
As it turns out, activated charcoal works REALLY well to help eliminate odor in this recipe!
Finally, I am happy to say that, with the new ingredient and a new combination of pure essential oils, both my husband and I can use this formulation without reapplying throughout the day.
I hope this new recipe will work for you too. Give it a try! I would love to hear your feedback, so if you do try it, please let me know and leave a comment below.
Here’s to healthy bodies and smelling fresh!
Ingredients I used for this recipe:
Nutiva Organic Coconut Oil, Virgin, 78 Ounce
Organic Arrowroot Powder (Flour) – by Feel Good Organics
Hardwood Activated Charcoal Powder 100% from USA Trees 8 oz
- 1/2 cup unrefined virgin coconut oil
- 1/4 cup arrowroot powder
- 3/4 tablespoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon activated charcoal powder*
- peppermint 8 drops
- tangerine 8 drops
- bergamot 8 drops
- lemongrass 5 drops
- melaleuca (tea tree) 10 drops
- lavender 8 drops
- rosemary 6 drops
- Combine all ingredients together and mash with a fork until well blended and smooth. If the mixture is too runny, place in the refrigerator or a cool place to harden a bit. This deodorant should maintain a paste consistency so it's best stored at room temperature in a glass container with a lid. To apply, simply use your fingers to rub a small amount onto your underarm area.
- Both my husband and I find that this new formula last all day long, however, you can apply this as often as you need to.
- *Use less charcoal if the recipe is too dark. Use more if it's too light. The color should be a light grey.
- Tip: For a more firm deodorant and hands free application, you can fill an empty deodorant tube with this paste and keep in the refrigerator.
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How can I measure 3/4 tablespoons of baking soda in simpler terms? I get confused with measurements. Thank you in advance!
Hi! You should be able to find a 1/4 tablespoon measurement spoon. Just use three of those. 🙂
I followed everything this recipe says, and followed all the steps in this recipe, but when I put my deodorant in the fridge to harden, it becomes watery if I leave it out all day. I am confused because I followed everything in the recipe correctly, yet I am not getting the paste-like consistency that I was expecting. If I can’t leave this out all day to maintain a paste consistency it becomes more of a hassle waiting for it to defrost for 30 mins every time I want to apply.
Hello, Consistency can vary depending on temperature in your environment. If your room temperature is very warm, the coconut oil will liquify. You may need to increase the arrowroot powder in this recipe to get the consistency you want. It’s still effective even if it’s a little watery.
Hello!
Is there anyway to remove or lessen the black color of the activated charcoal?
Use LESS of it 🙂
Are the essential oils to control smell and sweat or just to scent?
Essential oils are used to control odor-causing bacteria as well as other health benefits. A bonus is they smell pleasing as well. They don’t help with sweating.
thank you beautifulremedy for giving me wonderful information
you’re welcome!
Hi, I love the idea of this deodorant. But I was wondering, with coconut oil as the base, doesn’t this stain the underarms of clothes?
Great question! I haven’t seen any stains on my clothes from it, but I would be careful with silk clothing.
Thanks to provide us very valuable information Homemade Natural Deodorant.
you’re welcome!
This is a great article with helpful info. My skin gets irritated a lot when using roll on and spray deodorants. I also have been doing research and stumbled onto this.
https://bit.ly/2Nm7IFa
This really opened by eyes and from a qualified Dr as well.
Thats awesome! Thanks for sharing, I’m so happy it helped!
Thank you for information! It helped me a lot!
I recommend the lost book of remedies! Excellent, it has solved all my problems! http://bit.ly/2YkXtH4 Kissesss
Great! I’m so happy to hear! Thanks for sharing.
Deodorant and that too homemade amazing ..yes we can do many amazing things by natural herbs and leaves ….the thing is only we need to the information and knowledge about home remedies or natural remedies.
Health and Nature
Thank you for sharing this post
where can we ger arrowroot powder?
You can find it at many grocery store now or health food stores. I order mine from Vitacost.
This is going into the diy day looks promising. We usually buy from local farmers market but have decided to dive in and create our own and love the print option for the recipe very helpful.
Thank you! I hope you like it. It really is so easy to make your own!
I started making my own deodorant at home and it works so much better. I’m using refillable roll-on bottles like these https://amzn.to/2Nq9VMc. I also waste less plastic doing this way.
Nice! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
I’ve tried every deodorant on the planet, made at least ten different ones myself, used straight lemon slices, straight essential oils, did heavy detoxes, took supplements, took on a paleo diet, everything- and nothing worked. Ever since I had my kids I’ve battled this weird issue but I made this deodorant two days ago and my issue is completely gone! I’m amazed!! I use activated charcoal to wash my face and brush my teeth but never thought to use it for a deodorant and was nervous of it staining my clothes. The essential oil blend is a perfect light scent and I just rub it in well so it doesn’t show. Mine came out a bit darker than I think it was supposed to but it works so I don’t care! Thank you SO much for posting this recipe!! 🙂
This is such GREAT NEWS!!! I’m so happy you took the time to share your experience using this recipe. 😉
Can I replace the baking soda with magnesium?
Hi Michelle, I’m not sure if it will have the same odor reducing benefits.