Easy Homemade Deodorant & The Best Natural Deodorants
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The aluminum and other chemicals in store bought deodorants have been linked to breast cancer. As a healthier alternative, we’re sharing an easy homemade deodorant recipe, plus our choices for best natural deodorants.
Health Concerns with Conventional Deodorants and Antiperspirants
Like many beauty products, mainstream deodorants often contain questionable ingredients. Some of these include:
Aluminum Compounds (in antiperspirants) – There is a disproportionate amount of breast cancer in the upper outer quadrant – next to your armpits. Aluminum can cause DNA alterations. That’s reason enough for me to choose an aluminum free deodorant.
One study I saw recently indicated that the crystal deodorants may actually be more dangerous than regular deodorants. My grandmother battled breast cancer, and I lost my older sister to cancer, so I’ve been working to detox our home, diet and our personal care products.
Aluminum salts temporarily block sweat glands to reduce sweating, which may interfere with the body’s natural detoxification.
Parabens – Parabens (used as preservatives) mimic estrogen, which may trigger hormone disruption.
Synthetic Fragrances – Many deodorants use synthetic fragrances, which may contain allergens or endocrine disruptors like phthalates. These contribute to hormone imbalances and skin irritation. They also stink – at least to me. My son is so sensitive to synthetic fragrances that he had to give up jiu jitsu because he got sick from close contact with chemical deodorants and detergents.
Skin Sensitivity – Some ingredients, such as triclosan (a common antibacterial agent), can cause irritation or allergic reactions. Triclosan disrupts the skin microbiome and thyroid function. With my sensitive skin, I used to break out in hives from some deodorants.
Easy Homemade Natural Deodorant Recipe
This simple homemade deodorant uses coconut oil, baking soda, tapioca starch, and essential oils (optional).
To make the homemade deodorant, in a small bowl, combine:
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup tapioca starch
Mix in 4 – 6 Tablespoons of softened coconut oil or shea butter. Add a few drops of essential oil, if desired. This creates a soft paste that’s easy to spread on the skin.
You can keep this mixture in a small glass jar and apply with your fingertips, but it’s much easier to use an old deodorant container. You can also buy new empty deodorant containers. The trickiest part of the whole process is loading it in the tube.
Alternatives to tapioca starch:
- Corn starch (look for non-GMO)
- Arrowroot powder
Need a baking soda free deodorant? Skip the baking soda and reduce the coconut oil accordingly. If you want a milder fragrance, infuse your coconut oil with herbs before making homemade deodorant. Learn how to infuse herbs here.
It’s best to keep this homemade deodorant in the refrigerator when it gets hot, as it will get soft. Shea butter will stay firmer than coconut oil. There’s a chance it might stain light colored clothing, due to the oil, but I didn’t have a problem.
Best Natural Deodorants
Before I list our picks for best natural deodorants, I want to mention that I now rarely wear deodorant. Body odor acts as a diagnostic tool. As long as I eat clean, stay active, and don’t get too stressed out, my body odor is mild. If I’m stinky, I know I need to change up my routine.
Strong body odor may be linked to health issues, diet, synthetic fabrics, medications and supplements, stress, or other factors. If you don’t smell right, see if you can find an underlying cause rather than simply covering it up.
My top pick is Schmidt’s Natural Deodorant with charcoal and magnesium. It absorbs odors, and adds magnesium. Low magnesium levels may contribute to body odor, so this product helps treat the cause of odor.
Herbalix deodorants smell good enough to eat, and provide long lasting protection. In addition to standard deodorants, they also offer detox deodorants. You wear the detox deodorant at night to help clear your armpit pores and lymphatic pathways near the armpits.
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Herbalix research verifies that their products can clean breast cysts naturally and improve lymphatic flow. Read my Herbalix Deodorant Review.
Duncan likes Weleda Sea Buckthorn roll on deodorant. He says it goes on smoothly and does not irritate his sensitive skin.
American Provenance Sensitive Skin Formula has a vey short ingredient list, close to the homemade deodorant. It also includes magnesium, and beeswax for a firmer product.
HiBAR natural deodorant has a silky smooth finish and includes magnesium. The packaging is plastic free.
Attitude Super Leaves deodorant also has a plastic free container and pleasant scent. The container is a little more awkward to use than the HiBAR container.
Other Natural Odor Control Options
Use Milk of Magnesia as a Deodorant, as discussed at Whole Natural Life.
Rub a slice of lemon under the armpit to kill odor causing bacteria. (Don’t use this on freshly shaved armpits!) My friend, Mary Jean, likes this option.
A spritz of rubbing alcohol, with or without a drop or two of essential oil and/or witch hazel added. (Again, not a good one to used on freshly shaved armpits.)
Use baking soda or cornstarch alone, applied with a powder puff under the arm
Rub plain coconut oil in the armpit area. Use sparingly and let sit a bit before getting dressed to give the oil a chance to absorb and reduce the chance of staining. Coconut oil is antibacterial and antifungal.
Kristan M. suggests, “It’s as simple as all get out (and I sweat like a butcher)- 1/3 c. organic corn starch. 1/3 c. baking soda. Add seven drops of tea tree oil. Put it in one of those funny looking flat 1-cup Mason jars, and shake it! Apply after showering/bathing with a blush pad.”
Eat some sprouted fenugreek seeds in your salad. Just a small amount per day will make your armpits smell like maple syrup.
What’s under your arms? Leave a comment below to share your thoughts and tips for body odor.
This article was written by Laurie Neverman, engineer by training, health researcher by calling. Disappointed by mainstream advice to “just live with it”, she’s devoted her time to learning more about helping the body to heal. You can read more about how she cleared her skin of psoriasis in her book, “Psoriasis Healing“.
Originally posted in 2011, updated in 2024.