This is one of those things I never dreamed I would actually DIY. Seriously, deodorant! I am too vain to mess with things like personal hygiene. But I really want to eliminate as many crazy chemicals as possible in our home.
I tried the store bought “natural” deodorant and after 2 days I felt like I was radiating B.O. YUCK!
But instead of grabbing the aluminum-laced antiperspirant, I decided to give homemade deodorant a try. I couldn’t believe that it worked!
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The first recipe I tried was a soft deodorant that you applied with your fingers, it was a little weird to get use to that, but worked beautifully. But I did miss my stick of deodorant that I could apply quickly and get on with my day.
The recipe I used had only coconut oil as the base. Which melts when it gets the slightest bit warm. In my lotion making adventures, I discovered that Shea butter is pretty solid and with a little beeswax, it would be nice and firm, even in the summer.
So I started messing with some measurements and came up with this recipe. My husband and I love it!
And we have put it to the test, 4 days camping in southern Utah, hiking in the sun, deodorant worked! Hammering stakes into the ground in the greenhouse on a 75 degree afternoon, deodorant worked!
I am sure I will be able to give many more examples this summer 🙂
The one thing I will point out, this is not antiperspirant. It is a deodorant. Your body is made to sweat, so that is a good thing. Smelling like sweat, not a good thing! So it did take a bit to get use to sweating, I kept thinking, it’s not working. But I was fresh, just sweating.
Making deodorant is super fast too, just measure out 3/4 oz beeswax, 2 oz coconut oil, and 3/4 oz shea butter into a glass 2 cup measuring cup. I like to weigh my ingredients because it’s more precise than measuring ingredients that are solid.
Put your measuring cup in a small saucepan with a couple inches of water and simmer on low until your oils are totally melted.
Then remove it from the water and add in 2 Tbsp baking soda, 2 Tbsp corn starch and 1/4 cup arrowroot powder.
Stir until totally mixed together and smooth. Add in the Tea Tree oil and stir.
Then pour into your deodorant containers. I bought mine on Amazon, they can be washed and reused so my set of 5 will last forever 🙂
If you pour slowly, the sides will start to harden and you will get a cut little rounded top! I don’t know why, but I really like that. This recipe makes exactly 2 containers worth. One for me, one for the hubby.
Now your deodorant is all done, you just have to let it harden. If you need it fast, you can refrigerate it.
This homemade deodorant stick will stay solid at normal room temperatures, but if you go camping in the heat, keep it in the cooler or it will get too soft. Learned that the hard way!
Have you tried out homemade deodorant yet? Are you ready to?
Homemade Deodorant Stick
A fast & easy solid homemade deodorant stick that really works! You can make 2 sticks in 10 minutes with all natural ingredients you can feel good about.
Ingredients
- 3/4 oz beeswax
- 2 oz coconut oil
- 3/4 oz shea butter
- 2 Tbsp baking soda
- 2 Tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup arrowroot powder
- 10-20 drops tea tree oil (or other essential oil)
Instructions
- Weigh the beeswax, coconut oil and shea butter into a glass measuring cup.
- Place in a small saucepan with a couple inches of water and simmer until the oils are completely melted.
- Remove from heat and stir in baking soda, cornstarch and arrowroot powder. Then stir in tea tree oil.
- Pour into 2 empty deodorant containers.
- Allow to harden before use.
Hello, I’m super keen to make this but am wondering if you could say how big your deodorant stick/holders are?
I want to make sure I have enough (I ordered some, but they are teeny tiny. oops!)
Thank you!
Found it further down the comments (waaaay down) 2.5oz. Thanks!
Love this recipe,it works great.Not tacky all day protection.Thank you!!
Hi! What size containers did you get, and do you have any recos?
Hi Kati,
I made this recipe for the stick deodorant and it did not solidify the way I thought it would and when my husband tried using it, it just crumbles and feels gritty, not smooth. Can you suggest something that might firm it more or prevent it from crumbling. I read putting it in refrigerator will add moisture to it and it will not be firm. I used the coconut oil, shea butter and 1.5-2 tablespoons of beeswax and perhaps that was too much. Difficult to measure in terms of 3/4 oz so I guessed.
@Rita, I’d recommend adding about 4 grams of candelilla wax to the mixture. And if that makes the deodorant too hard, I’d recommend adding less beeswax to the mixture.
Hello! I find this is a bit soft in the hot summer months. How much could I increase the beeswax without ruining the product, please?
@Aggie, Replacing a bit of the beeswax with candelilla wax should help. Around 6 grams should do for a mixture this size.
Hello, I tried to prepare the mask and used a combination of essential oil of peppermint and lavender, it smells wonderful and refreshing. I will come back to update!
Anyone know how to stop product from collapsing in container while drying?
Hello I was just wondering what the shelf life of these deodorants would be ?
Did you use a bar of shea butter or the creamy already melted?
Hello this is Sonya w/ SEH Unlimited. My cousin Alice and I made Instagram video making deodorant. So my cousin asked about using baking soda without aluminum in it. I just had store brand baking soda so I used the corn starch to replace it. We made a video. Can you elaborate on the aluminum in baking soda. https://www.instagram.com/tv/CaLv6qrFFHp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
@Sonya, Not sure if your question ever got answered but I found this which may clear up some of your questions. https://bambuearth.com/blogs/news/baking-soda-contains-aluminum-myth
@Sonya. It’s baked no powder that can contain aluminum
I’ve never made homemade products before, but my prepubescent son has started to have BO. He has extremely sensitive skin and has to use special soap and laundry detergent not sold in stores so if course I’m looking for something gentle, yet effective. I see a lot of people saying the baking soda irritates their skin. I’ve considered removing it, but wondered is this ingredient crucial to preventing BO? Also, both cornstarch and arrowroot are included in the recipe. Both are thickening agents that absorb moisture. Is there a specific reason that both are included instead of just 1 or the other? If I just used 1, which would be better?
@Amanda, I know this is old but I thought I’d give you my experience. I’m sensitive to baking soda so I cut that down to 1 TBS and replaced it with 1 extra TBS of arrowroot powder and it works great.
Hi,
Where do you find your label stickers?
Can I reuse a store bought deodorant container?
@Millie A,
Often but not always, I put a couple of reused shop bought containers in the dishwasher and they came out great.
Remember to wind them back down to the bottom before refilling though!
Too late to the party but I made this and love that it works. But currently, it’s cold here in Australia – the deodorant is too hard to scoop out and a little grainy for my liking. What should I adjust, please?
@Ekta, just a bit less beeswax should do the trick.
@Ekta, or, if you’re re-melting what you’ve already made, just try adding more coconut oil to it to help it turn out softer.
This will be my 2nd time making this recipe. I love how easy it is to make and love how well it works. I have even given it to a few friends and family members and they have all loved it too!
Sorry Kati, I followed the recipe exactly to a ‘t’ and it’s too greasy 🙁 It feels so sticky under my armpits. The search for the holy grail of grease free deodorants continues …
Hello can you use aluminum free baking soda instead of the original arm and hammer?
I haven’t ever tried using it so I am not sure. Give it a shot and let me know how it turns out!
@LaGeisha Bigelow, yes you can and it works fine.
I forgot to say that I chose your recipe because you give the weights of the ingredients, which I think, is an much better way to measure. How do you know what a tablespoon of beeswax pellets is, for instance? I skipped all the other recipes for this reason. Can’t wait to try this.
@Diane Anthony, yes same
I have been using a natural deodorant that I purchase from a small, independent company. they are expensive, and also don’t ship in the summer, so I thought I would try and make my own. Your recipe seems to be just what I was looking for. Can this be poured into jars, if I don’t want a stick deodorant?
You can, it is a bit thicker so keep that in mind.
@Diane Anthony, if you do this I’d cut the beeswax down so it doesn’t harden so much.
I don’t have a scale but would like to make this. Could you please give me other measurements for those ingredients?
I find the scale the best way to be accurate. If I didn’t have a scale I would try searching for a conversion chart or calculator online. I hope this helps.
@Kati Farrer, I love any recipe that uses weight over volume, but it’s even more important with powdered/ grainy ingredients vs liquid/ meltable ingredients. The arrowroot powder in this recipe can vary 30% depending on the fineness of the powder and whether or not it’s packed
Hi. I just want to thank you for sharing your recipe. Just did it 2 days ago. Followed everything except for the tea tree e.o, I added 1/2 tsp of it to be more precise.
I just poured it onto small round containers as I do not have yet the deo stick. I love it is solid but easily spreadable. Not really greasy thanks to arrowroot. And the best part is it really works as a deodorant! Yehey! No stinky underarm sweat in 24 hrs. I intentionally stayed in my garden for 1hr so I could sweat in the morning summer sun and did some exercise too. Just wiped out the sweat and voila! Still smells fresh. I also applied it under my breast and on my back where I sweat a lot.
Just a question tho, I find it a bit grainy. Is it because of the arrowroot or baking soda? Or I just have not mixed it well?
Thanks
I am glad its working well for you! The grainy is from the baking soda, its a courser ingredient.
@Kati Farrer, is there a way to break down the baking soda without compromising. Ie.) heating it longer to breakdown and slightly dissolve.
Lime most people, I skipped the commentary on this and went straight to read the recipe below the post. I questioned the bit about adding water to the bottom of the pan I was putting my oils in, but did it anyway. My deodorant turned out really watery and gross so I went back to see where I went wrong. On the long version of the instructions, it clearly shows the oils being double boiled. On the short version, that critical piece of information is omitted. I know I’m not great at context clues, but if it happened to me, it could happen to someone else so I just wanted to point this out. Will try again tomorrow and do it right this time.
Hi,
I am just wondering if the baking soda can be replaced with magnesium hydroxide. My skin reacts to baking soda, so I am just curious if this would work! Looks like a great recipe!
Love the idea! Will try it as soon as I can round up the ingredients. Quick question – I have quite a variety of essential oils. Besides Tea Tree Oil, have you tried any others? Blends maybe? Have you found any that don’t work so well?
Thanks very much for sharing the recipe.
I haven’t tried anything other than these ingredients. If you do experiment please let me know how it turns out!
@Michael, I make it with half peppermint half eucalyptus, or mint, eucalyptus and rosemary. Spruce and mint are nice, and my daughter likes lavender for hers.
I made it. Very easy. Used beeswax and allied the finished product. Testing continues!
Lovely training. However, I live in Nigeria and I don’t know if we have arrowroot powder here. Now can I exempt that from my recipe? Plus what is the importance of arrowroot powder in the mixture? Thank you.
@Catherine Ishu,
I believe you could replace it with corn starch or something similar. I’m assuming the purpose is to absorb sweat.
I hope that helps 🙂
The arrowroot will help to dry things by absorbing the moisture, you could try corn starch as well if that is easier.
Absolutely shocked at how well this has been working for me. It has been WAY better than my normal deodorant. I have not noticed oils being left on clothes, but I am following advice in the comments to not apply much. Also, I substituted beeswax(equal substitute amount) for soy wax as I had that on hand.
Thanks for sharing your substitution success! So glad you are enjoying it.
I love this deodorant stick, but it has one problem. The shea butter and the beaswax leave underarm marks which make it look like you are always sweating. It works great and lasts around 3 days for me but I stopped using it when I found out that it left marks.
Thanks for the input. You definitely need to only apply a very little bit or you can have a build up of oils on your clothing.
thanks for the great tutorial ,appreciate your work. I will also try it.
How long does it stay useful? I mean, since it does not have preservative ingredients, how much time does it take until it becomes useless?
If you keep unopened deodorant sticks in the fridge, you should not have any problems with it working while you use up one stick at a time. I haven’t had problems with it not working.
@Joe, I’ve had mine shelf stable for up to 11 months before it was all gone and it was still good. I do not keep mine in the fridge at all as I find it to be too hard.
Loved making this recipe! So glad you share what you know and can help many people make their own at home at an affordable cost. I used some emulsified wax along with the beeswax (because it is what I had). I replaced Arrowroot powder with Cornstarch as it is what I had. I also added in Rosemary Extract as a preservative and a bit of vitamin E oil. Scented it with Bergamot because it is my husband’s favorite.
Thanks for sharing! Im so glad that it worked with using what you had on hand. This will be very helpful for others.
What is the arrow root for?
It helps thicken and remove moisture.
Howdy! Had a quick question: I noticed another person asked about making the consistency less creamy and pasty and you told her to use more beeswax (I had the same problem). How much do you think would help? Also, when I made this the first time I couldn’t measure my tea tree oil and think I poured too much and it might be irritating my arm pits! They’ve been peeling and are slightly discolored and sometimes the formula clumps on my skin! I don’t think it’s an allergic reaction so much as a problem with the way I made it. Any advice?
Thanks!
I would test it on a smaller scale to see what amount of beeswax gives you the consistency you desire. You could also try remelting the one with too much tea tree oil (over a double broiler on low heat, not in a microwave) and add more ingredients to make a large batch to reduce the concentration of the tea tree oil. As with all things like this, it is a bit of trial and error till you get the perfect formula for you!
That’s an interesting thought. I actually bought fresh tea tree oil and it helped. But I honestly cannot use the deodorant because of the baking soda– it darkened/discolored my underarms and made the skin peel!
Sadly, I had to throw all my sticks out. But thanks for your sharing your recipe and tips.
Good luck to the rest of you!
@Megan, Baking soda did that to my underarms. I can’t use any products with baking soda in them.
@Megan, that sounds like a baking soda reaction. My sister in law has the same issue. I’ve made this for her without the baking soda and it has worked just fine.
I will be trying this DIY deodorant recipe this weekend. I hope it works as well for us down here in the Florida heat and humidity as it does for you up there in the Utah heat. Really looking forward to trying this, and tweaking it as well!! 🙂
Also, there are citrus EOs that are less likely to cause photosensitivity. Look for steam distilled citrus oils, or there is a bergamot FCF that has been processed so that it can be used with no photosensitizing effects. You can find steam distilled lemon EO here: https://www.edenbotanicals.com/lemon-distilled-organic.html , or bergamot FCF here: https://www.edenbotanicals.com/bergamot-fcf-organic.html. Bonus, both of these oils are organic as well. {No, I’m not affiliated with Eden Botanicals, but I do really like their EOs both for quality and selection. :)}
Good to know about the citrus oils. I love citrus anything but steer away from them because of photosensitivity!
Thanks for the recipe, can I ask, how oily is this? Do you have trouble with the oils transferring to and staining clothes?
I haven’t had any trouble with it staining my clothes
I do not have oils on the clothes. It feels very solid when applied. If it feels too oily to you, you can use less coconut oil.
I can not thank you enough for sharing this amazing deodorant recipe! I made it last night, to give it a try. I used it this morning, before work, and it truly worked! I still am fresh with no smell! Thank you ma’am!
I am so happy to hear! Thanks for sharing your experience 🙂
Love this but think the baking soda irritates my skin a bit. I put on aloe vera gel and it feels better. What will be the ratio I should put in if to equal the shea butter or to the baking soda amount in the mixing? Will the consistency remain the same or more runny? Thank you
You could use more arrowroot powder in place of the baking soda without changing the consistency. The shea butter is solid so it might be okay to increase it if you remove the baking soda.
Hello,
Thank you for this awesome recipe. Baking Soda seems to irritate my skin. How would you manipulate this recipe to get the same result? This is brand new to me 🙂
The baking soda is used to absorb order and wetness, you could use more arrowroot but might not get the same results. There are lots of comments from ideas others have used to tweak it for their own.
They are so many different type of beeswax, what type are you suggesting using for deodorant? Unrefined or Refined? White or yellow? Grade cosmetic, AAA or Premium? Sorry, I never bought this. Thanks!!
Honestly, I bought my beeswax in a brick from Michaels, it has worked. I would suggest you pick the best option for you in your price range. The beeswax is what helps make it firm so you can use it in a stick instead of a soft paste.
But of an odd question… I live in South Texas near Galveston island, it sometimes gets around 100 or above on occasion during some parts of summer. Want to make sure I don’t waste supply’s but would like to try making this when I can afford them…
My question is that I’m wondering if anyone thinks this would hold up down down here?
Meant ‘bit’ not ‘but’, sorry.
I have used it while camping in high temps in Utah. But we do not have the humidity. This deodorant will not keep you from sweating though, it is just to keep you from stinking.
Have you ever thought of incorporating Magnesium Oil? I’d like to try it but am afraid of throwing your ratios off! To offset about 1 Tbsp additional oil, would you recommend increasing the wax or increasing the starch?
I have not used magnesium oil. Just make sure you balance it with solids. If you add 1 Tbsp oil, increase the solid oil or a little bit of beeswax (but not the entire 1 Tbsp). It might take some trial and error. If it comes out soft, you can alway’s remelt and add more!
This may have been asked, but is the coconut oil a solid or liquid, or does it matter?
Coconut oil is a solid under 75 degrees and is liquid when it’s warmer.
I don’t have arrow root is there anything else I can substitute it with?
You could use more baking soda.
What size are your sticks? I can see various some on amazon, but 15ml sounds too small… thanks
The ones I ordered are 2.5 oz.
It works! I’m a big goof. Followed the directions. Didn’t spill any. Works perfectly. I’m not as stinky.
Can I replace the baking soda with diatomaceous earth?
I have never tried that and only use diatomaceous earth in my garden.
I wouldn’t use diatemacious earth because it’s microscopic jagged bits of ground up sea shells. This is why it kills bugs, it cuts into their protective shells so they eventually die of dehydration. DE might cause irritation under the arms. People have had really good results with tapioca starch. If you do try DE, make sure it’s good grade as non food grade has dangerous toxins.
Thanks for the info on diatomaceous earth! Good to know.
I was under the impression that Diatomaceous Earth was only effective on bugs (jagged) if it remains dry. If well-incorporated into this wet mixture, I would guess it wouldn’t irritate. Can’t say for sure.
I used tapioca starch in place of arrowroot because it’s what I had. Works like a charm.
I’ve been using this recipe for over 6 months now, through the summer months, and the inside of my bakery reaches 110-120 F at times.
I love that you weigh everything, PSA most grocery stores have food scales for sale, you don’t have to go to a head shop.
My wife likes Lavender oil, Cedarwood, Bergamot, Rosemary, and Myrrh. Also, I thought about trying the all natural beard oil I use, cigar / vanilla.
Love all your ideas! I have not used tapioca starch, but good to know it also works.
I have been making your recipe and I love it but I need to know why my deodorant sinks in the middle and develops a hole shortly after pouring.
I could be that it is slightly too warm when pored into the tube. Or is it leaking through the mechanism in the tube? See if letting it cool down slightly, almost just before it starts looking solid on the edges before pouring it in.
Is the cornstarch necessary, or can I replace with more arrowroot pwd? Thanks!
You should be good with using more arrowroot powder.
How much more arrow root? ( if not using cornstarch)
I would just sub the entire amount of cornstarch with arrowroot to get the same consistency.
Hi Kati! Thanks a bunch for this DIY!! I just recently made this deodorant and it came out very creamy and pasty. How do I make it more waxier and solid (like store bought deodorant)? I am guessing adding more beeswax?? (I wanted to ask before I went ahead and played around with it). I also used African Shea Butter, and I am not liking that smell of that and that could be the reason why its coming out pasting. What Shea Butter have you particularity used?
Make sure you are melting all the oils completely so they mix together well. I use a similar shea butter and it does have a unique smell. I dont notice it with the addition of essential oils, but you can always try switching that out for another oil that is solid at room temp like cocoa butter. If you add more beeswax it will get firmer, but if it is too firm, you will not be able to easily transfer it to your underarm with the stick so be aware of that. Also, it will be more firm in the cooler months because the coconut oil will get firmer in the cold. Hope this helps you as you experiment to find your perfect deodorant!
If you buy ultra refined Shea butter, the smell will be none! I hate the smell too, can’t stand it.
This recipe sounds awesome.. but I have no way to measure oz.. not much of a baker lol
Food scales are inexpensive and come in handy for lots of things! I think mine was around $10-$15.
head shops sell scales suitable for culinary uses.
Hi Katie, I love this recipe. What would you recommend to make this recipe jist a bit more creamy or softer? And how much?
More coconut oil or shea butter could make it softer. Coconut oil is liquid at higher temps so be careful with too much of it or your stick will melt in the heat.
I’ve made four different recipes I’ve found online for deodorant and yours has won out as the best no-smell feel-good deodorant, even compared to store bought natural AND traditional options! My partner runs, sweats, climbs, and is all around outrageously active, and she says it’s the best deodorant she’s ever used! THANK YOU!!! We appreciate you and your hard work sharing with the world!
Thanks so much for the comment! It has made my day. I am so glad this recipe is working so good for you guys. This is why I love sharing what I make 🙂
I’ve been looking for a handmade deodorant because I’ve been purchasing ours online for years now. I already make our own soap and lotion bars but haven’t had any luck w deodorant recipes yet but yours sounds promising! I also would like to try the other recipe that is applied w fingers because I’m already using that method w the product I buy so I have lots of glass jars stashed. I will be trying this one and will let you know how it works out. I don’t have Shea butter in the house but have cocoa butter so I wonder if that would be too chocolately? Also, I’d like to use patchouli oil instead of tea tree oil. Have you used that or heard from anyone who has?
Thanks again!
I am sure cocoa butter would be nice in the deodorant and I dont think anything can be too chocolatey 😉 And you can definitely play around with the EOs to find ones that you like. Look at the properties of each and adjust to what you need most.
What does the arrowroot do for it? Is it necessary for the deodorant to work. Only wonder because it’s the only ingredient I dont have already.
this isn’t my recipe, but to my understanding the arrowroot powder acts as a drying agent to help with perspiration.
Very well put Aurora!
Arrowroot is kind of like cornstarch. It is pretty inexpensive, but can be hard to find. If you don’t mind cornstarch you could try using it. It is a drying agent that can help with minimizing moisture (sometimes people use it in homemade dry shampoo too).
Love this recipe!
Looking to substitute the beeswax for candelilia wax to make it vegan.
How much would you recommend to use in this recipe as apparently candelilia wax is stronger than beeswax so you don’t need as much?
I have never used candelilia wax so I am not sure how it might change the recipe. I say play around with it a little. Just an FYI, in the summer when my house is naturally hotter, the deodorant is softer so maybe leave the amounts the same as we are entering the warmer months.
Do you have a suggestion for an alternative to coconut oil? I’m allergic to coconut.
Thanks!
You need something that is solid so I would use shea butter or cocoa butter.
Do you have printable labels for the deoderant?
I’m sorry Lori, I do not. But they are easy to make so have some fun with your favorite colors.
How did you make your labels then? What Avery size are they or where did you print them?
I think they are the 2″x4″ mailing label size. I used a template for the labels. Avery supplies them for you!
And I print them on my home printer.
Hello, and thank you for linking up this recipe for Merry Monday’s! This looks awesome, and while I agree with your comments about sweating, this blend might need to be a bit stronger for those of us living in the deep south, where with humidity, the average summer day can far exceed the triple digit marks, and where sweat lingers and sticks to the body, clothing, etc. Thanks for linking up this week!
Yeah, we get to 100 here in Utah but it’s a dry heat and only for a week or two. I know some people make a stronger homemade deodorant and other combinations of essential oils help with that too. Good luck this summer 😉
Wow, who knew? I just love this idea and appreciate the step by step instructions.
By the way, I’d like to invite you to post on my new blog hop (www.myflagstaffhome.com) that is open all weekend, if you’re interested.
Jennifer
Thank you Jennifer!
Oooh! I’ve heard of your myflagstaffhime site. I live in Sedona and would love to friend you on FB. ❤️????❤️
You must be thinking of someone else, this is my only website 😉
What a great idea. I’m trying to make more homemade products, so this is one I’m going to try. Thanks for linking up and sharing with us at Funtastic Friday. Hope you join us again this week.
Thanks you Sherry! I hope you give it a try, it’s really great and simple to make.
I would have never thought to DIY deodorant! I bet using different essential oils would create different fresh scents. Thanks so much for sharing at the Creative Inspiration party!
Hello Kelly! You can use any essential oils you want to customize the scent. Just be careful with citrus oils because they can cause sensitivity to the sun, but if you don’t expose your underarm a lot, they would smell awesome!
I’ve never attempted to make my own deodorant but I have thought about it. Now that I know that it’s pretty easy I will for sure be trying it.
It is really easy to make and I love how much it works. I hope you get a chance to try it soon 🙂
Great recipe!! What about adding scents, like lavender essential oil or citrus? Would it work with those ingredients?
You can definitely add other scents with other essential oils. Be careful about citrus oils, they can cause sensitivity to sunlight, but if you don’t expose your underarms a lot in the summer, it would smell amazing :). I always prefer citrus scents for the body.