Republished from March 21, 2008. Updated to include FAQ’s, photo, and video tutorial.
Did you know that nearly all commercial deodorants contain aluminum salts, usually aluminum chlorohydrate? Manufacturers like aluminum because it effectively suppresses perspiration but the metal has a dark side once it makes its way into our body. Aluminum toxicity It has been linked to cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, and other health issues. It is especially important for women to take thought to the harmful aluminum materials in deodorant as it has been linked to breast cancer, being that the breast tissue extends up into the armpits.
Most commercial deodorants also contain parabens, which act as preservatives and stabilizers, but which like aluminum can be absorbed into the skin. Parabens mimic estrogen, and though the amounts we absorb on a daily basis might be small, over time, the accumulation can be significant.
Did you know you can make your own wonderful effective deodorant with just a few completely natural ingredients? This recipe is awesome! It’s even edible! It is frugal and very effective! Aaron & I have been using it for over two years now, and it has worked wonders. It smells wonderful, but very faint. For years I tried every natural alternative on the market without much success. It has been successfully tried by hundreds of readers! Coconut oil is an all natural oil that has wonderful anti-bacterial and immune boosting qualities. It can effectively nourish and moisturize the skin. This recipe is also very frugal, costing less than a dollar per batch.
Ingredients:
6-8 Tbsp Coconut oil (solid state)
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup arrowroot powder or cornstarch (arrowroot is preferred)
Directions:
- Combine equal portions of baking soda & arrowroot powder.
- Slowly add coconut oil and work it in with a spoon or hand blender until it maintains a firm but pliable texture. It should be about the same texture as commercial deodorant, solid but able to be applied easily. If it is too wet, add further arrowroot powder/cornstarch to thicken.
- You can either scoop this recipe into your old deodorant dispensers or place in a small container with lid and apply with fingers with each use. Makes about 1 cup. This recipe lasts about 3 months for two people with regular daily use.
For a picture tutorial placing this recipe in an old deodorant container, visit here.
Check out my video tutorial for a visual guide through this recipe. Excuse my nervousness….yes, this is the first time I have gotten behind the camera for this site!
Frequently Asked Questions
Since the original publication of this post, I have received numerous repeated questions. I have compiled them all here.
1. I am having issues with an itchy rash under my armpits. Any solutions?
Baking soda can be an irritant for some people. Try decreasing the baking soda by 1 Tbsp and replacing with more cornstarch/arrowroot powder. Itchiness can also often be related to applying this too soon after shaving. Wait an hour or two after shaving to apply. Add 1/4 cup shea butter or cocoa butter to the recipe for its healing benefits is another alternative. You also can try using arrowroot powder as it is more natural on the skin or make sure to choose a talc-free cornstarch. The final option is to apply a thin layer of aloe vera gel/juice to your skin for its healing benefits before applying the deodorant. It will help cool, refresh, and prevent irritations to the skin.
2. Can you use any other oils for this recipe?
It is possible to use other oils on this recipe, such as sweet apricot oil, but we do not recommend other oils simply because they are not as effective as coconut oil with its anti-bacterial benefits. Apricot or olive oil also remain liquid in form, and thus make this messy to apply. Coconut oil remains solid under 76 degrees, so it is perfect for deodorant. You can use palm oil as it is another natural oil that is solid at room temperature, but again not as effective as coconut oil.
3. Will this deodorant stain my clothes?
Not likely or not any more than a standard deodorant or antiperspirant. I have only noticed slight staining on white garments, but this can be avoided by soaking with soap after wearing and before washing. Dishwashing soap and hot water are very effective stain removers.
4. What kind of coconut oil can I use? Is there a recommended brand?
It is recommended to use a high quality coconut oil purchased from a health food store, if possible. I recommend Mountain Rose Herbs coconut oil for its superior quality and benefits. Other recommended brands include Nutiva, Tropical Traditions, and Wilderness Family Naturals. You can also use refined coconut oil, as that version is suitable for the skin but not recommended for consumption. Refined coconut oil will be cheaper in price.
5. Can I add essential oils to this recipe?
Yes, feel free to add various essential oils for the added scent, but beware that essential oils can cause irritations. Start with making a small batch to make sure you do not react. Tea tree oil is an excellent oil to add for its pleasant scent (men and women alike enjoy it), and it has great antibacterial qualities.
6. Is there any solution for preventing this from melting? (Note: coconut oil melts at 76 degrees).
If you live in a particularly warm climate, add a little melted candelilla wax or beeswax to the mixture. Store in your fridge, if necessary. For summer travel, I recommend storing in a cooler. Remove from cooler or refrigerator 10 minutes before use to allow it to soften slightly for application.
7. What’s the benefit of using arrowroot powder over cornstarch?
Standard commercial cornstarch contains talc, which debate continues over its safety for use in body products. Arrowroot is a more natural thickening agent alternative. I use arrowroot powder as an alternative to cornstarch in all my cooking. You can also purchase talc-free cornstarch at your local health food store. Arrowroot powder is available through your local health food store, Whole Foods, Azure Standard, or Bob’s Red Mill.
8. I am allergic to coconut oil, is there any alternatives?
I have heard people experiencing success by replacing coconut oil with equal quantities of shea butter and cocoa butter. You can also use palm oil because it remains solid like coconut oil. Add a few drops of tea tree essential oil for the antibacterial properties.
9. I am heavy sweater? Is this an antiperspirant?
No, this is not an antiperspirant, so you will sweat but it will definitely be decreased quantities. Sweating is a natural bodily process that is necessary for health in removing toxins from your body. I am definitely a heavy sweater myself, but this deodorant works to remove the smells like nothing else I have ever tried. I do recommend multiple applications if you are doing strenuous work or exercise for it to be effective.
Learn more about the benefits of coconut oil and all its wonderful uses here.
To read all the reviews on this recipe, check out the original post here.
Please note: Passionate Homemaking is an affiliate of Mountain Rose Herbs (my coconut oil source) and receives a small percentage of each sale purchased through my links. I only recommend products that I have successfully use and can highly recommend.
Related Posts
- Homemade Natural Deodorant
- Lotion, Aftershave – Natural Alternatives
- Q & A: Coconut Oil
- Happy Birthday Lindsay!
I’ve made this and love it! Thanks for the recipe and I shared your video with my friends on Faacebook!
How do you know if your corn starch has talc in it? What brands are talc free?
I thought maybe it would be listed in the ingredient list, but it wasn’t…Does this mean it doesn’t have any?
I found cornstarch will say clearly if it is talc free. I found talc free at Fred Meyer Nutrition but I am sure it is available at other health food stores as well.
AWESOME post! Loved the video! More posts with videos!
Hey Lindsey!
I’ve been following your blog for a while, although I rarely leave a comment (I guess I figure why bother when you have 200 other comments to read lol) and just wanted to say how much I love your blog! You’re so encouraging and uplifting!
We’ll definitely be trying the deodorant recipe once we run out! Do you think fragrance oil would work just as well for scenting?
THANK YOU for revisiting this recipe! I tried it based on your original post, and loved it for about 2 weeks. I believe I used cornstarch (no talc), expeller pressed coconut oil (didn’t have virgin on hand at the time) and I added a few drops of organic lemon essential oil since I didn’t have the nice coconut smell like I would with virgin. It smelled great, and went on great from an old deodorant dispenser. After the first week or two, I noticed that I started getting a red bumpy rash on my armpits. Not sure if it’s the baking soda or the cornstarch, but I ended up having to stop using it. I will definitely try a small batches experimenting with the baking soda and arrowroot (thanks to the reader who mentioned tapioca powder too!). LOVE the video, by the way. Great job!
I had a reaction to it after a couple weeks, but realized it was razor burn from shaving that was slightly aggravated by the deodorant. Once I started using more emollient products to shave with, I stopped having irritation.
Lindsay, I love this deodorant and have now shared the recipe with my mom and mom in law! They are both excited to get a healthy deodorant alternative that actually works!
You did great in the video!!! I’ve been using just plain coconut oil w/ essential oils for a long time now as my deoderant, which works really well for me. But I think I’m going to try adding the baking soda and arrowroot next time! I’m due to make a new batch probably tomorrow, so this was very timely!
Thanks!
Thank you for sharing the link to Skin Deep, In a journey to purging things in my home and living a bit more frugally I had decided to not buy any more beauty products till I had gone through what I already had… something that is not always easy since I am a Mary Kay Consultant for my family(meaning I just order enough to keep the consultant status for a year active) but after doing some soul searching and wanting to obtain a more natural and healthy life style I knew I needed to find out if MK was in fact a healthy choice for myself and my loved ones… I remember that a while back you had a link to a website that gave a list of the dangers in the cosmetic world and I was happy to come back for a visit and search for that link on your site… the Skin Deep cosmetic safety data base was an answer to a prayer as it showed me the dangers MK have in their products it was also sad one at best too seeing the high toxic ratings they have
I have been a MK user for 13 years as it was the only line of products that didnt break my skin out and left my skin feeling soft, but I know now that having soft and blemish free skin is nothing compared to keeping my temple healthy before the Lord…. Thank you for sharing this link and being a beacon of wisdom to us who are still learning and growing especially for this Unsophisticated Farm Girl
Hi Jeanne,
I thought maybe you could find something useful on this site. I have found solutions to our families problems there – and finally have all of our products chemical free.
http://www.ahealthcafe.com/more4you
Thanks Lindsey. Looking forward to trying this out and the video gave me the motivation I need! I really appreciated it and you didn’t look a bit nervous! Great work.
I loved the video. You are so cute! I remember seeing this recipe last year, and I thought if I ever had a large quantity of coconut oil, I would try it. I bought a gallon from Mountain Rose, which I love! So, I’m glad you reminded me about this. I can’t wait to try this along with your diaper rash cream.
From what I have read, most baking soda has aluminum in it. I found an aluminum-free baking soda by Bob’s Red Mill. Do you consider the aluminum in regular baking soda to be significant? Do you know of any other sources of aluminum-free baking soda? Thank you for the recipe.
I did extensive research on it and found that baking powder is the one that usually has aluminum in it. I could not find any other conclusive evidence beyond rumors that baking soda contained it.
Yes, ONLY baking POWDER contains aluminum. Baking SODA is pure sodium bicarbonate. If something is labeled baking SODA, it does not contain aluminum.
I have used this recipe for quite a while now and really like how it works. My mom has even been using it for several months. Would you believe that I made small jars of this for a couple of my friends? I told them that I didn’t think they stunk, but that I wanted them to use a healthier alternative to commercial deodorants. They got a good laugh out of it, though. I hope it will make them think about what is in their deodorant if nothing else. Thanks for all of your great ideas and information.
I have been using this since you put it up last time, and have gotten several of my friends, my mom and my sister-in-law hooked on it. I completely love it, and cannot imagine going back to nasty commercial deo. And just as a testimonial, I used to consider myself a “sweater” but no more! I love that I never have to have that moment of panic when my deo quits working — this stuff lasts ALL day, even through my workout.
very cool. Thanks for the recipe.
I’ve seen this recipe before, but I’ve always been reluctant to try…. I figured it just wouldn’t work as good. But saying your husband uses it too sort of pulled me to the other side.. *lol* I mean.. it just isn’t the same when a little lady says it works, right?
But ehmm.. it works! (surprise!)
We now have a batch with added lavender oil and yes.. my husband loves it too and it even works for him
Greetings from the netherlands!
Okay, love the video. You are adorable and so much fun. This looks too easy not to try! Thanks for all you do.
Bless you!
shannon
Appreciated the recipe as the original one I had seen used cornstarch. Just made my first batch last night and it’s working great today! Thanks!
Alright. I finally got inspired enough to try this. (Your video worked!)
I was very skeptical for a long time (and secretly wished it would work).
It wasn’t that I doubted you – I just doubted if it would work for ME.
I, too, have tried numerous natural deodorants and have found only ONE that semi-works for me. (It requires multiple applications throughout the day, etc.)
So – I made some the other night around 10 pm (after watching your video) and tried it the next day. I am speechless. It works better than ANYTHING I’ve ever used, including all the conventional brands. (And I’ve even purposely applied it only once each day to test it’s effectiveness.)
It’s only been three days, but I know when a deodorant’s NOT working for me -like within the hour!
Thanks so much for the recipe! I am SOLD!!!
(I’m passing it along to everyone in my co-op.)
Someone may have already mentioned this…. but I just wanted to share that I have started mixing my deodorant in the food processor and the consistency is FABULOUS!
I just made it for the first time! I’m so excited to try it! thanks for the recipe
My mum and I have been using this receipe for about 5 months now, and we love it. …I’ve even convinced a couple of friends to do the switch-over. The thing is that we’ve both have discovered that over time our armpits are a lovely shade of dark brown. Anyone else find that their skin is slightly discoloured? I think it might be the coconut oil, but what do you think?
I’m definitely going to try this. I’ve been using a Deoderant Crystal, for the most part, but I’d like to try something else. Also, you’re adorable
All of these wonderful testimonies have convinced me to make some too! My daughter and I are getting ready to do that today =) Now that I read the label on my “natural” deodorant, I cannot bring myself to continue using it, which means I am out of deodorant!
I’m excited to try this!
Thank you for this post, Lindsay!
Karilee
I just had to let you know that I have been using this for four days now and am amazed by how well it works. I’ve tried so many natural deodorants in order to avoid all the chemicals in the traditional ones, and none of them have worked for me. I was ready to give up when I came across your blog and this recipe, so I thought I had nothing to lose by trying it. I’m so very glad I did- thanks so much!
I’ve been using this for ~4 days too! It really works, better than some of the natural ones that I have tried as well. I am pleasantly surprised. Thanks!
Thank you for this informative post. I’ve read your previous posts on deodorant and the creams and wanted to make them but I’ve been unable to order the coconut oil and shea butter from mountain herbs. The out of stock notification has been on the site for about 2.5 months, maybe longer.
You can find it through other sources as well. Check out vitacost.com for great prices. Just look for raw shea butter and virgin cold pressed coconut oil for the highest quality.
thanks Lindsay
The baking soda i buy for cooking is labeled aluminum-free …. doesnt regular baking soda have aluminum anyways? Id imagine its still far less than regular deodorant? You did a great job on the video, I want to try this out. thank you!
Thanks for this! Ive been wanting to try it for quite some time now, as all store-bought deodorants make me itch, and I finally made some up a few days ago. Ive been using it for 4 days and its great! AND my armpits have stopped itching
I love the smell of the coconut 
I really hope this will work out for me through the summer months too 
thanks again!
i used this recipe for toothpaste, adding some thieves and peppermint essential oils. works great! thanks
This stuff is FANTASTIC!
I had been meaning to try this for several months, but was unable to find coconut oil, so in the mean time I tried Toms of Main. Toms was great and worked for about 4 months (basically the cold weather here in TX), but left me stinky with a peeling rash. I needed something better without returning to Dove.
I’ve been using this recipe for 3 weeks now and everything is great! No rash, no smell, and not much sweating either. This deodorant does feel a little gritty as I rub it in, but it’s definitely not bad thing (just remember, a little grit is better than aluminum).
Thank you for the recipe! I will definitely work on passing this along.
I tried this recipe when you had originally posted it- but developed a severe rash. I was so excited that you put some possible remedies for that, and so I tried it again, and I tried all of them, but still got a rash. I also get a rash from Crystal Rock and Toms of Maine, but not from store bought? Do you happen to know why that would be? Anyways- I love all your tips on your site, keep up the good work:)
I am sorry to hear this. I do not have any other suggestions to make, unfortunately. Can you live with it? Is it painful? I guess you just have to way the pros and cons.
My husband and I had a similar problem. What worked for us was putting coconut oil on our pits BEFORE applying the deo. Now we have no problems at all!
It’s really unbearable! I will try that Jessica! Thanks. Do you put the deo on while your armpits are still wet from the coconut oil, or wait a little bit?
Question.. do you rub it in like lotion, or just apply it and let it dry?
Either way works!