Easy to make deodorant without coconut oil (and options for using baking soda or other ingredients) and with different options for fragrances. Great for sensitive skin.
Over the last few months, I’ve really enjoyed switching over from shop-bought cosmetics to homemade ones.
I love knowing that the ones I make at home are more natural and also help with minimizing packaging and environmental waste.
It’s been great to create my own soap, although I know I’m still using a very basic soap making techniques for beginners and no fancy soap-making equipment either!
PIN THIS FOR LATER
MY OTHER DIY COSMETICS RECIPES
- Coffee & Hazelnut Soap >>
- Cocoa Body Butter with Cocoa Butter >>
- Peach Sugar Scrub >>
- Natural Lip Balm with Beetroot Tint >>
Why make your own deodorant at home
Last week I tried to make my first deodorant, and so far, it’s been a very enjoyable experience, from creating a simple recipe to using it and getting the same results as a shop-bought deodorant.
I have to say that I don’t sweat that much, so this natural deodorant option works great for me, but it depends on each individual person.
My homemade deodorant version is completely natural and doesn’t contain any toxic chemicals, aluminium or harmful parabens.
You can make this deodorant recipe unscented or you can use any essential oils you like.
I like zesty and refreshing scents, so I often use tea tree oil, lemon or vanilla, but other essential oils like lavender, rose or grapefruit are also excellent options.
homemade deodorant Ingredients
Shea Butter
It’s best to use the unrefined type of shea butter.
This is a natural skin softener and helps to protect and nourish your skin as it contains vitamin A and E. It’s a thick type of butter which doesn’t melt at room temperature.
This helps with the deodorant application, without the need to use additional types of wax.
Substitution for shea butter – Coconut Oil
If you didn’t have shea butter, you can replace it with coconut oil, which you can easily buy from any health shop or you can make your own cold pressed coconut oil at home.
Use a good quality organic coconut oil. And in case you are wondering (like I was….at the beginning of my homemaking cosmetics journey), it’s the same stuff you’d use for cooking!
Coconut oil melts at a lower temperature, which is a slight disadvantage in this recipe, as you want to end up with a more solid mixture similar to a stick deodorant.
Cornstarch, Baking Soda and Arrowroot Powder
These three ingredients help to absorb moisture from your body.
I know that some people can find baking soda a bit too harsh on their skins, but you can easily replace it with arrowroot powder.
It’s not expensive, but it’s a little bit more difficult to come by than baking soda, which, I think it’s the reason why so many recipes are using it.
Tea Tree (or other essential oils)
Tea tree oil is antibacterial and it perfect for using as additional ingredients in your homemade deodorant.
The amount you add to your homemade deodorant depends on how concentrated your essential oil brand is and how dry the mixture is.
You want to end up with a thicker consistency, which is going to set a little when completely cold.
Don’t forget that if you are using coconut oil, you might need less oil as coconut oil is thinner than shea butter.
Homemade deodorant packaging
I’ve used a small jar for my deodorant, but you can get professionally-looking deodorant containers. This is great, especially if you are thinking of making these as gifts.
How to make your homemade Deodorant Recipe
Ingredients you will need
30g shea butter (softened)
30g cornstarch
2 tablespoons of baking soda ( or arrowroot powder)
5-10 drops of your chosen essential oil (or more)
Instructions
Measure everything and add to a large mixing bowl.
Start bringing all the ingredients together with a fork. If the mixture looks very dry and doesn’t want to gel together add few more drops of your chosen essential oil.
To make sure that your deodorant is smooth, I always use a hand mixer to finish everything blending together.
This might take a few minutes and it might seem dry at first, but eventually, it will go lighter and will whip up into a soft creamy texture.
Fill a small glass or plastic jar.
Use a small amount to spread in your underarms as you would typically do with a shop-bought deodorant.
Frequently asked questions
Is homemade deodorant without coconut oil suitable for sensitive skin?
Yes, natural homemade deodorants without coconut oil can be suitable for sensitive skin. Some people may experience skin irritation from baking soda, so you might need to swap the baking soda for arrowroot powder (I’ve mentioned this in the recipe card too).
If you are not sure if you are going to be O.K with your homemade deodorant test it first for few hours on your hand with just a small amount. If you notice that your hand is getting red or start to itch, wipe and wash the deodorant to make sure it doesn’t keep you irritated.
Does homemade deodorant without coconut oil work?
I found, that homemade deodorants without coconut oil can be really effective at reducing body odor, but their effectiveness may vary depending on the individual and the specific ingredients used in the recipe.
Some natural deodorants use alternative ingredients like baking soda, arrowroot powder, and essential oils to combat odor-causing bacteria, but it’s important to note that natural deodorants are not antiperspirants and may not prevent sweating. You might need to experiment with different homemade deodorant recipes to see which one works best for you.
How often should I apply my homemade deodorant?
Use it as you would normally with a regular deodorant – once in the morning after you shower and dry. Depending on your needs you could also apply it as needed throughout the day. To make the deodorant more effective, leave it dry a little before dressing. This is also a good thing to do if you don’t want to avoid any staining on your clothes.
However, the frequency of application may vary depending on your level of physical activity or sweating. Some people may need to reapply natural deodorant more frequently than others to maintain its effectiveness.
Is homemade deodorant without coconut oil better than commercial deodorant?
I think, that homemade deodorant is better than a shop bought one, simply because it’s made with less ingredients, all-natural ingredients and has be better for us and the planet too!
But, there is no definitive evidence that natural deodorants without coconut oil are better than commercial deodorants. I simply prefer the natural deodorants because they are free of potentially harmful chemicals like aluminum and parabens that are commonly found in commercial deodorants. Natural deodorants may also be more eco-friendly and cruelty-free than commercial deodorants.
The only thing you might need to consider, based on your personal preference, is that natural deodorants may not be as effective at preventing sweating as shop bought antiperspirants
Can DIY deodorant without coconut oil cause skin irritation?
Yes, natural deodorants without coconut oil can cause skin irritation in some people. Some people may experience skin irritation from baking soda or other ingredients commonly used in natural deodorants. However, all you need to do is to swap the baking powder to alternative ingredients like arrowroot powder, magnesium, and zinc oxide that can be gentler on sensitive skin.
What are the benefits of using a natural deodorant without coconut oil?
I know that some of my friends prefer a natural deodorant without coconut oil because coconut oil can cause an unwanted oily sensation. Instead, natural deodorants without coconut oil can use ingredients like shea butter, beeswax, arrowroot powder, baking soda, and essential oils.
What is the best essential oil to use in a natural deodorant without coconut oil?
There is no one best essential oil to use in a natural deodorant without coconut oil, as it often depends on personal preference. However, some essential oils that are commonly used in natural deodorants include grapefruit, tea tree, clary sage, lavender or eucalyptus.
Is it complicated to make a natural deodorant without coconut oil at home?
It’s very easy to make a natural deodorant without coconut oil at home, just follow my recipe below. You only need a few ingredients – some you might already have at home – to use in natural deodorants without coconut oil and these can include shea butter, beeswax, arrowroot powder, baking soda, and essential oils.
Stay in touch
Hope this post inspires you to make your own natural cosmetics and if you do, I’d love to what you think! Let me know in the comments below or find me on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter and add the hashtag #practicalfrugality so that I can see your post.
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Magdalena
Homemade Deodorant Recipe (without coconut oil)
Materials & Ingredients
- 30 grams shea butter
- 30 grams cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons baking soda or arrowroot powder
- 5-10 drops essential oil of your choice
Instructions
- Measure everything and add to a large mixing bowl.
- Start bringing all the ingredients together with a fork.
- If the mixture looks very dry and doesn’t want to gel together add few more drops of your chosen essential oil.To make sure that your deodorant is smooth, I always use a hand mixer to finish everything blending together.
- This might take a few minutes and it might seem dry at first, but eventually, it will go lighter and will whip up into a soft creamy texture.
- Fill a small glass or plastic jar.
- Use a small amount to spread in your underarms as you would typically do with a shop-bought deodorant.
This blog post was originally written on 28 April 2020 and last tested and updated on 19 June 2023.
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