Commercial antiperspirants can be full of dangerous substances, learn how to make natural deodorant for an effective all-natural substitute with no baking soda. It’s perfect for those with sensitive skin or people trying natural deodorant for the first time.
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Have you ever thought about giving up antiperspirant? I stopped using it last year.
Done.
Finished.
Gone.
Kaput.
No, I am not passionate about spreading body odor across the United States.
I am on a mission to protect my health… one personal care product at a time!
What’s In Your Antiperspirant?
A few years ago I began paying more attention to the ingredients in my personal care items and learned some shocking facts about antiperspirant.
That nondescript white stuff I’d been spreading under my arms for years was full of substances that can be dangerous to the human body.
Why do arm pits smell?
Smelly armpits are caused by the bacteria that grows in the damp underarm environment created by sweat. The bacteria feed on the fats and proteins that are released by our cells. Gross, but true!
How does antiperspirant stop smell?
Antiperspirants products stop underarm odor because they stop you from sweating. Their ingredients cause skin cells to swell until they block the ducts that release sweat.
- No sweat means a less desirable area for bacteria to grow (and smell).
What is the active ingredient in antiperspirant?
Aluminum compounds are the active ingredient in ALL antiperspirants. They can appear on the label as:
- Aluminum chloride
- Aluminum chlorohydrate
- Aluminum zirconium tricholorohydrex glycine
- Aluminum chlorohydrate
- Aluminum hydroxybromide
- Even natural crystal antiperspirants contain some aluminum in the form of potassium alum or ammonium alum.
It’s the aluminum compounds that cause the swelling that blocks the sweat ducts. This is BAD NEWS for humans who use want to use antiperspirant.
Is aluminum bad in personal care products?
It turns out there is evidence that aluminum is a neurotoxin that should not be in the human body.
- Aluminum has been found in increased concentrations in people with Alzheimer’s disease.
- Aluminum salts increase breast cancer risk by mimicking the hormone estrogen.
- Aluminum can cause the DNA damage necessary for cancer to develop in humans.
- Aluminum can prove fatal to people with impaired kidney function.
These facts shocked me! And then I learn even more startling data:
4 Reasons to Stop Using Antiperspirant
- Antiperspirant is the most common source of aluminum exposure for humans. Repeated daily use can mean a massive exposure to aluminum.
- Commercial antiperspirants and deodorants may also contain paraben, triclosan, and artificial fragrance. These substances can interfere with thyroid hormones, mess with your metabolism, impair brain development, weaken muscles, decrease sperm count, mimic estrogen (causing early-onset puberty and/or breast cancer), act as allergens, and/or cause cellular level changes.
- Antiperspirant is applied dangerously close to breast tissue. PLUS underarm shaving before applying deodorant can increase absorption. In fact, young girls who use antiperspirants may be more likely to develop breast cancer later in life.
- Stopping sweat blocks the body from naturally releasing toxins via your underarm.
The Natural Deodorant Solution
Don’t worry, you can give up antiperspirant and still prevent underarm odor naturally:
#1 Buy an all-natural deodorant.
Deodorants do not keep you from sweating, instead they target the bacteria that causes the smell to stop underarm odor from being produced.
Check out my Natural Deodorant Test and Reviews to see the products I recommend.
#2 Make your own all-natural deodorant.
This all-natural deodorant recipe uses ingredients that naturally fight bacteria and keep you smelling sweet:
- Essential oils that work together to eliminate odor and fight bacteria including :
- Tea tree oil has an herbal scent and is both antibacterial and antifungal.
- Lemongrass has a fresh and clean aroma. Its main component is lemonal or citral, which has anti-fungal and antimicrobial qualities and acts as a deodorant.
- Rosemary has a fresh scent reminiscent of pine and mint. It has antimicrobial and antiseptic qualities.
- Non-toxic ingredients that naturally fight bacteria, absorb moisture, and soften your skin:
- Virgin coconut oil is a raw vegetable oil that has a high content of lanauric acid which is anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial.
- Mango butter is pressed from the seed of the mango fruit. It is highly emollient (softening and soothing) and has a high content of tannins which have anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties.
- Corn starch and Arrowroot powder are both highly absorbent powders that absorb moisture. A dry environment is much less friendly to bacteria and fungus.
- Vitamin e oil is know for its skin healing and antioxidant properties. It acts as a natural preservative in homemade body care items.
Natural Deodorant Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp Coconut Oil
- 1 Tbsp Mango Butter grated
- 1 Tbsp Beeswax Pellets
- 1/2-3/4 tsp Vitamin E Oil
- 2 Tbsp Arrowroot Powder or Cornstarch
- 10 drops Lemongrass Essential Oil or Rosemary Essential Oil
- 10 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
Instructions
- Combine coconut oil, mango butter, and beeswax in a small glass or metal container. I make mine in small Mason jars that hold 4 ounces.
- Place the container in a small saucepan of simmering water to make a fake double boiler. The water should only be halfway up the side of your container. Do not get any water into the container.
- Watch the mixture carefully and remove it from the heat as soon as the beeswax is melted. Use a wooden craft stick or popsicle stick to stir.
- Stir in the Vitamin E oil and cornstarch or arrowroot powder until smooth. Remove the saucepan from the stove but leave the container in the hot water to make the mixing easier. (This keeps the wax hot and melted.)
- Once the mixture is smooth stir in your essential oils.
- Pour into a storage container (you can also use an old deodorant container). Allow the deodorant to cool completely.
- Attach a free printable PDF label, if desired.
- To use apply 1/4-1/2 tsp and rub into each underarm.
Natural Deodorant Tips
You can keep yourself smelling sweet while your body adjust from antiperspirant to deodorant with these tips:
- Apply twice a day at first, after using it for a few weeks you can apply once a day.
- Apply a bit of cornstarch, Cooling Powder, or No More Stinky Feet Spray (it works on underarms too) to underarms before the deodorant.
- Rinse or wipe your underarms with apple cider vinegar before applying the deodorant.
- Get a free printable PDF label for your homemade deodorant.
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Sandra Gulbransen
Hi can I replace the tea tree oil with patchouli essential oil or any others that you recommend.
Thx
Bren
Yes, you can use any oil you desire. You will get a bit more antibacterial action from the tea tree oil,
Kristina M. Tyler
Can I leave out the mango butter or replace it with something else? I would rather just leave it out but wasn’t sure how that will affect the consistancy.
Bren
If you leave out the mango butter completely it will change the consistency. You can try replacing it with avocado butter or cocoa butter or try using all coconut oil if you prefer. Please note, I have not tested these substitutions so I’m not sure how effective the deodorant will be. Let me know if you try!
Tash
Hi Bren,
Great versatile recipe. I was wondering what if there was anything that could be done to keep the scent apparent for longer. Would a few more drops of essential oils work? I used 15 drops in total when i did it.
Thanls
Bren
I would not add extra oils as they can irritate the skin. Unfortunately in a natural recipe, the scent doesn’t last as long as artificial fragrance.
monica
thanks bren for this great tutorial, appreciate your work. I will also try it.
Janelle
It is really rewarding! Thank you for sharing!
Calla Knudson-Hollebon
Hi there. Love the smell of this recipe, but it leaves heavy oil marks on my tops underneath my arms which are really obvious. Not too sure what to do about this?
Bren
Mix a paste of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and dish soap and apply to the greasy area. It will get the marks out.
Lonise
Hi Bren, I’m new here I’m looking forward to try this recipe but do you have anything for men because I’d like to try one for my hubby please, or do you have any suggestions for a good deodorant for men
Bren
This recipe works for both men and women!
Mel
Do you think Argan oil could be used instead of Vitamin E? I have the former on hand. If not, do you use pure Vitamin E?
Bren
It should work texture wise, but I have never tried that substitution so I can’t promise great results! Sorry!
Bonnie
I can’t wait to try this deodorant. But I’m wondering what is the beeswax for? I try not to use animal products and I looked into soy wax but I only found soy wax for candles. So is it necessary to add wax?
Bren
This article about vegan substitutes may help!
Katie
Any suggestions for a mango butter substitute? I live overseas and its the only thing thats hard to get ahold of (I tried the Body Shop Mango butter out of desperation, but I don’t think thats what you were suggesting, ha!)
Bren
You can use shea butter as a substitute. It has to be 100% pure, not a premade product. Good luck!
Suzy
Hi Bren, is there anything that can substitute the beeswax pellets? I am vegan and would like to try your recipe but without the beeswax.
Bren
You can use soy wax!
Roselie Ann Blankenaar
Hi Bren – thank you so much for this recipe. I thoroughly enjoymed making it and using it. Many have commented on the fresh smell – I used lemongrass.
Lorna
My deodorant is too hard what could I do to remedy it?
Bren
Remelt and add a bit more coconut oil.
Lorna
Great thanks Bren. Adding more coconut oil has done the trick.
Rhyta
My first natural deodorant was consisted of smilar ingredients except cornstarch and mango butter. I only used it for a week because I did not like the consistency and smell. I stumbled across your blog and decided to try out your recipe. Thanks for this recipe, this is the exact consistency I was looking for and know what, I cannot stop sniffing my pits. This lasts even 48 hrs.
Bren
Woo hoo! I am so glad it works well for you, Rhyta!
Anna
Hi Bren,
I’ve nearly finished my first batch of the doedorant from your recipe.
It has usually been effective with the body odor but the summer came and It doesn’t seem to be enough for me (I’ve been spraying some vinegar on armpits before applying deodorant but no better). I’m considering trying out baking soda- what amount do you recommend I could try mixing in your recipe?
Secondly, It has stained my bras- I have now orange marks around the armip areas and they won’t wash away. I have used shea butter in place of mango butter- do you think this may have caused the staining?
Many thanks for your help.
Anna
Bren
Thanks for commenting, Anna. I’m not sure how much baking soda to add. You can read my suggestions for making natural deodorant work better in this post. I’ve never made it this way. As far as staining it’s hard to say. This DIY cleaner takes it out easily.
PATRICIA
Hola Buen Dia! me encanta este articulo,yo uso desodorante natural lo preparo en casa tiene bicarbonato, aceite de coco y maizena o fecula de maiz y me ha funcionado pero este me parece diferente y quiero probar otro.Como preparo la mantequilla de mango? gracias por compartir.
Bren
You can buy mango butter already prepared and ready to melt. I get mine here: mango butter.
Charlotte
Hi if you make it in one of those twist deodorant rones in the tube thing, will that still work?
Bren
I’ve never made the deodorant in a tube. It should work as long as you let it firm up a bit before pouring into the tube. When completely liquid/melted it might leak out.
Maudlyn
Oh Jesus! I must say I am in love with this recipe. I absolutely loves it. I made others before and my goodness, cannot be compared to this recipe at all. The other recipe I had to constantly apply and feeling insecure. Yo know, in church, I have to give praises, dancing and everything associated with my Heavenly Father, so I can not be able to feel insecure at all. One application, that’s it. No yellow underarms either or stains. Absolutely love. How many times have I stated, absolutely, well, just in case I didn’t say absolutely, I #ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. There, I have said it, absolutely!!!
Bren
Maudlyn, I’m thrilled that the recipe works so well for you. I ABSOLUTELY love it too! 😉
Wendy
Could you substitute lavender EO for the rosemary?
Bren
Yes!
Wendy
Excellent! Thank you 😊
Lamia
This is so informative and helpful, thank you
Bren
Thanks, Lamia!
Silvia
Can I use cocoa butter instead of mango butter? Also howbout guar gum instead of cornstarch?
Bren
Yes, you can use cocoa butter instead of mango butter. I’ve never used guar gum so I would not be comfortable making that substitution.
Kara
I have an allergy to coconut oil – could I use shea butter instead? Or would you recommend something else in replace of the coconut oil? Thanks!
Bren
You could use shea or mango butter in place of the coconut oil but you should also add an little oil to make the deodorant spread better (mango butter or shea butter are thicker than coconut oil). I would use 1.5 Tbsp mango butter, 1/2 Tbsp almond oil, 1 Tbsp beeswax, 1/2-3/4 Vitamin E Oil, 2 Tbsp Arrowroot Powder or Cornstarch, 20 drops essential oil. Good luck!
Kara
Thank you so much! I really appreciate the response – can’t wait to try this out!
Kara
I made this – with the modifications you suggested to avoid coconut oil – and am so impressed! It works wonderfully! Thanks so much!
Bren
I’m so glad it worked, Kara! 🙂
Wendy
Hello bren am very excited to make this where can i buy mango butter that can be grated and beeswax?
Victoria
Hi Bren Thank you so much for this recipe I have tried it and it turned out perfect smells gorgeous!I used 10 drops of Lemongrass EO and 10 drops of Tea Tree EO I have sensitive skin and I too felt a bit of welting up for an hour.
i gave that batch to my 25 year old daughter because I want her to use natural Deodorant I have only used it once yesterday and i smelled lovely all day no BO.
I am making another batch ,Do you think I should cut down on the Tea Tree EO to 5 drops ?
I feels soooooooooo moisturising on my arm pits!I love it!!!
Thank you so much x
Bren
Thanks Victoria! I would try making it with no EOs if you have sensitive skin the see how it works, you can always remelt and stir in the EOs if you decide you want them. Hope this helps! -Bren
Victoria
Hi Bren
Happy New Year
I made a new batch on the 2nd Jan 2017 and left out the lemon grass and used the Rosemary EO instead,I also used half the amount of tea tree EO and now its perfect for me!I love it.Keep up the Good work!!!!
Thank you so much x
Debbie
I don’t have beeswax. Can I make this without using or should I go buy some?
Bren
I’ve never made it without beeswax, I am afraid it would be too thin.
Dee
I have been going back and forth on this same topic for years. I really appreciate this receipt, it looks very promising and I am will to try but I do have one very simple maybe dumb question.
How do you apply the product on?
I am so conditions to popping the top and turning the base of deodorant s that I am.not sure how to apply this product.
Please clarify.
Thanks again.
Bren
I just scoop out a bit with my finger and rub it on like lotion.
Karen
What brands did you use there are so many.
Thanks
Bren
I ‘ve tried a ton of brands, you can see my favorites here.
Aisy
Hai dear. Im from malaysia.. N iwanna ask u, it can be used until 1year or less??
N if im not using arrowroot n corn, still can or not?
Bren
I use mine up in about 3 months, it has no preservatives so I would try to use it quickly or make a small amount. I have never tried it without arrowroot or corn starch (corn flour) so I am not sure how it would work. Good luck!
Sheena
I think 10 drops of Tea tree oil is a bit too much. My arms starting welting up after a couple of days. Did anyone else have this issue? Is there something I can do to tone down the batch I’ve already made? Or something I can do to keep it from burning?
Bren
It might be too much if you have sensitive skin or have never used tea tree oil. Did you also add other EOs as well? You can remelt and add 1 Coconut Oil, 1 Tbsp Mango Butter, 1 Tbsp Beeswax pellets, and ½-tsp Vitamin E oil then stir in 2 Tbsp Arrowroot powder or cornstarch. Don’t add any additional oils and you will have a half strength batch.
Juliette Broucke
I’ve been looking for ways to make my own natural deodorant and this recipe sounds lovely!
I’ll have to give it a go soon!
Thanks!
Bren
Thanks Juliette, I hope you give it a try.
Rhonita
I don’t have mango butter. Will this work without using mango butter?
Bren
Yes, just increase the coconut oil by 1/2 Tbsp and increase the beeswax by 1/2 Tbsp. Good luck!
Brenda
Can you you shea butter instead of mango?
Bren
Yes, you can use shea butter.
Carol Rode
I was not able to print the labels for this recipe. There are other posts that I could not print labels for either — Laundry detergent/fabric softener and the glass cleaner. Any help would be appreciated. Every time I tried to print the labels a new window opened up for box.com and wanted me to sign up.
Bren
Sorry for the issue, Carol! Box seems to be having some sort of issue. I’ve moved the files to Google Drive. You can access them on my free printables page.
Carol
Hello Bren,
This is the first recipe i’ve tried and the consistency of it was great.
I had just switched from store bought deodorant to all natural and after a few weeks of using your recipe i started to have terrible body odor!!!
I read a lot of article saying that baking soda helps with body odor, do you have any suggestions or have you ever tried baking soda?
Bren
Some people use apple cider vinegar or baking soda for a detox period You might try this. It does take awhile to adjust to natural deodorant, but worth it got your health!
Scarlett
This looks like a great recipe! How long does it keep for once it has been made and does it need to be stored in a particular way to preserve it?
Bren
I store it in my bathroom drawer, it lasts 6-9 months (I use it up in this timeframe with no problem.)
Ruth
Hi Bren.
Thanks for the recipe and tips. I considered going natural with my deodorant because I started having hard white bumps in my underarms which I’m still trying to treat.
Would try out the recipe and hopefully it cures me of the bumps as well.
Bren
I hope it works well for you, Ruth!
Karen Wiggins
Hey Bren! This is a great post! I’m a nurse and a health and wellness coach. I’ve been really looking into more holistic products to share with my clients. The connection between aluminum and other diseases is startling and if we wish to live an optimal life we have to be willing to open ourselves to try new things. I’ll check back in once I try deodorant!! Have a great day!
Bren
Thanks Karen! I agree, being open to new ideas/things is key. I’d love to hear how you like the deodorant!
Kaitlyn
What can I use in place of beeswax? Does soy wax work?
Bren
Kaitlyn, I have never tried soy wax so I cannot tell you how (or if) it works. Sorry!
Raquel
Can Jojoba oil be used in place of vitamin E oil? Thanks.
Bren
Raquel, you can use jojoba in place of the vitamin E as it would not change the consistency of the deodorant, however I am not sure that jojoba would act as a preservative as vitamin e does in this recipe. You can always try it and see what happens. When I make changes to any recipe I try a small batch to see how I like the results.
Sophie
Hi! I poured this recipe into moulds to make it into a deodorant bar but it was too oily and felt like a lotion bar. Any tips?
Bren
Sophie, you can reward the mix and add a bit more beeswax to make it more firm. First melt the beeswax then add your already made deodorant to keep from over warming the EOS.
Scarlette
I can’t wait to try this!
Bren
Thanks Scarlette!
Catherine
Does it stain clothing? Just wondering……
Bren
I haven’t had a problem with staining.
Melissa
Can Shea butter be used in place of mango butter? That’s all I have currently and mango butter is kind of pricey. Thanks!
Bren
Yes, you can use the shea butter. I simply prefer the smell (or lack of smell) of the mango butter. Good luck!
Johanna Danz
I tried a lot of different natural deodorants before, but this is the best for me by far. 🙂 Really amazing and effective recipe.
Bren
Thanks Johanna! I am so glad to hear you like the deodorant recipe. It works really well for me.
Heaven
You read my mind. This is exactly the kind of recipe I’ve been needing. Pinned! Stopping by from Merry Monday.
Bren
Thanks Heaven! I hope you enjoy the recipe.
Karon.webb@gmail.come
Hello when do u add the mango butter can u use avocado butter instead I don’t have mango butter
Bren
I have never used avocado butter, but it should work if it is the same consistency of mango butter.
christine
can you make this without the butter?
Bren
Yes, but you should increase the coconut oil to 2 Tbsp or it will be too thick to scoop from the jar. Good luck!
aya
Is it possible to replace mango butter with shea butter and give the same ideal result?
Bren
Aya, I’ve never made the recipe with shea butter. It would be the same consistancy as the mango butter version but I am not sure of the effectiveness. Let me know if you try!