Homemade Deodorant Recipe {Aluminum Free} (2024)

By Stacy Williams

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If you’re tired of using deodorant that is full of toxins, this homemade deodorant recipe is just what you need. This all-natural DIY aluminum free deodorant recipe works amazingly, smells great and comes together in just a few minutes.

Homemade Deodorant Recipe {Aluminum Free} (1)

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Deodorant is one of those things that no one should be without. After all, no one wants to be the girl (or guy) no one wants to be around because of smelly pits, right? For me, deodorants are something I’m quite picky about.

I don’t like store bought deodorant because I hate not knowing exactly what I’m putting on my body so when we started going greener and living more simply a few years back, I moved to learning how to make this homemade deodorant instead.

fact, this lavender scented homemade deodorant was the very first thing I made homemade when I started working on this list of things to make homemade to save money back in 2015 and I’m still making it today!

How to Make A Homemade Deodorant Recipe with Aluminum

I’ve tried a lot of homemade deodorant recipes over the last few years, but none of them were able to handle what a Texas summer can throw at it.

It ain’t pretty when the heat index outside is 112° F and you’re sitting on the side of a lake and your deodorant fails.

This homemade deodorant recipe though works incredibly well in those kinds of heats while being gentle at the same time. In fact, it’s gentle enough that both of my girls wear it as well.

That was exactly what I was looking for when I began making it; a homemade deodorant that would hold up under even the hottest Texas sun, but gentle enough not to irritate my skin.

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What Ingredients Are in DIY Deodorant?

Part of the reason this lavender scented homemade deodorant works so well is because the ingredients are perfect to make a homemade deodorant with.

Beeswax is known for its skin softening qualities and in this recipe; also holds things together to form a sort of “gel.” The shea butter and coconut oilnot only help moisturize dry skin, but combined they also help your homemade deodorant to glide or spread easily.

Corn starch and baking soda not only help to get rid of any odor, but they also help to absorb moisture from sweat.

Is there aluminum in baking soda?

I am not sure where this rumor began, but there is no aluminum in baking soda. Baking soda is pure sodium bicarbonate and sodium bicarbonate does not contain aluminum at all.

If you are interested, this site explains it better and in a bit more detail.

In any case, this particular homemade deodorant recipe is an aluminum free deodorant so those who are sensitive or try to avoid it can rest easy when using it.

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What essential oils are in homemade deodorant?

As this deodorant is an all natural deodorant, it does contain essential oils. These oils help to boost the power of the deodorant and add their own benefits to the mixture.

Tea tree essential oil is antimicrobial so it makes sense to use it in a homemade deodorant. Odor is caused by bacteria on the skin so using an antimicrobial product can help to kill bacteria that help create odor.

Lavender essential oilis antibacterial as well which gives your tea tree oil a bit of a boost and also helps your finished product smell fresh, clean and soft. The two essential oils together create a very powerful combo for your homemade deodorant recipe.

Vitamin E Oil is used not only for its skin softening properties – seriously, try my homemade dry skin lotion recipe (Six Dollar Family) that uses it as a main ingredient! – , but also because it has a preservative effect on homemade beauty recipes. This preservative effect helps to give not just this homemade deodorant recipe, but all your DIY beauty products a longer shelf life if they are properly stored.

What Other Scents Can I Make This Deodorant With?

The batch in this post was done with a lavender scent, but you do not have to use lavender. If you’re not fond of the scent of lavender, feel free to experiment with other essential oils for scent.

For women, rose essential oil, geranium essential oilor or even peppermint essential oilare all fantastic options.

I also especially like using the Clean and Fresh essential oil blend from Simply Earth.

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You will need:

Homemade Deodorant Recipe {Aluminum Free} (5)

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Homemade Deodorant Recipe

If you're tired of using deodorant that is full of toxins, this homemade deodorant recipe is just what you need. This all-natural DIY aluminum free deodorant recipe works amazingly, smells great and comes together in just a few minutes.

Course DIY Beauty

Cuisine Essential Oil Recipes

Keyword Beauty, Lavender Oil

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Cooling Time 8 hours hours

Total Time 8 hours hours 25 minutes minutes

Servings 1 container

Author Stacy Williams

Cost $1.00

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Add the coconut oil, beeswax pellets, and shea butter into a medium saucepan and melt it slowly over low heat stirring often.

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  • After the mixture has melted, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the baking soda and corn starch using a wire whisk

    Homemade Deodorant Recipe {Aluminum Free} (7)

  • Allow the mixture to cool slightly, but no so long it thickens too much. Add the essential oils and stir to combine. Pour into empty deodorant containers and allow it to sit for 8 hours or until it is fully hardened.

    Homemade Deodorant Recipe {Aluminum Free} (8)

Notes

  • The beeswax pellets will melt slower than the other ingredients. Be sure to watch the mixture carefully and stir often so it does not burn.
  • As with any recipe containing cornstarch, it will thicken as it begins to cool. While you do need to allow it to cool before adding the essential oils, do not allow it to cool enough to thicken. Doing so will make pouring impossible.
  • For best results, use within 90 days and store in the fridge for long lasting shelf life. Bring to room temperature before using, however, please note that coconut oil begins to melt at around 76 degrees Fahrenheit.
Homemade Deodorant Recipe {Aluminum Free} (2024)

FAQs

How to make your own aluminum free deodorant? ›

DIY: Natural Deodorant
  1. 1/2 cup coconut oil.
  2. 1/4 cup cornstarch (or arrowroot powder for sensitive skin)
  3. 1/4 cup baking soda.
  4. 1/8 -1/4 teaspoon essential oil (choose your favorite scent)

How do you make your own natural deodorant? ›

Instructions:
  1. Mix baking soda and arrowroot.
  2. Mash in coconut oil until blended. Add essential oils, if desired.
  3. Place the mixture in an empty glass jar.
  4. To use, just warm a small amount between your fingers until it turns into liquid. Apply to your armpits.

Is it cheaper to make your own deodorant? ›

First of all, you will save a lot of money in the long run. Mixing together a little cornstarch, baking soda and coconut oil is a heck of a lot cheaper than buying a $3 stick of deodorant. And natural brands can cost as much as $23! By making your own, you get a $23 all-natural deodorant for almost nothing.

How long does homemade deodorant last? ›

Q. How long does homemade deodorant last? A. Because there's no water in the recipe I've found it lasts for 6-12 months.

Why do my armpits still smell with aluminum free deodorant? ›

It is the bacteria that grows on the sweat that causes this odor – sounds gross right? Therefore, when you remove aluminum, your body will release what has been blocked which causes this brief time period of body odor. It's known as a detox when switching to a natural deodorant.

Why do I have BO when I use aluminum free deodorant? ›

(The brand's aluminum-free deodorant, Rosy Pits, is one of my personal favorites.) The bad news: “When you remove the 'plug' of aluminum, you begin releasing what you had been blocking off, which contributes to that brief B.O.,” says Musavvir.

Do homemade deodorants really work? ›

"Some of the enthusiasm for natural deodorants seems to be driven by fears and myths that have been repeatedly debunked,” says Nabeeha Siddiqui, MD, a Cedars-Sinai primary care physician in Culver City. "You won't find any solid scientific or medical evidence showing these deodorants are better for you.”

What happens to your body when you switch to natural deodorant? ›

By the third week, the body odor will start to die down but you may notice more sweating than usual. This is your body doing a final sweat purge. You're almost at the finish line! Around week 4, your underarms are sweating less and smelling better.

Can your body get used to natural deodorant? ›

It's natural to sweat a lot more once you decide to make the switch to natural deodorant. In this period of time, your body is getting used to being aluminum-free. Just let your body do the work and relax. Sweating helps your body cool down and release toxins, so it's time to welcome the change.

Can coconut oil replace deodorant? ›

If you're looking to deodor yourself healthily, you're in luck. You can turn to coconut oil for an adequate, healthy, natural solution – a common natural substitute for cosmetic products. Raw, organic coconut oil can be an excellent deodorant, keeping any unpleasant odor at bay.

What does arrowroot powder do in deodorant? ›

Arrowroot functions as a thickening agent and absorbent in natural deodorants. To create your own gentle, non-toxic deodorant, gently heat 6 tbsp. of Coconut or Babassu Carrier Oil (both great choices for their antibacterial properties) along with 4 tbsp.

What essential oils are good for homemade deodorant? ›

  • Bergamot Oil.
  • Clove Oil.
  • Cedarwood Oil.
  • Cypress Oil.
  • Geranium Oil.
  • Grapefruit Oil.
  • Lavender Oil.
  • Lemongrass Oil.

Can deodorant be made without aluminum? ›

Deodorant brands that label their packaging as "natural," "aluminum-free," or "clean," have done away with the inclusion of aluminum altogether. In its place, such brands are opting to mask body odor with fresh scents or natural products like apple cider vinegar, sage or coconut oil.

What ingredients are in aluminum free deodorant? ›

Cedar & Vanilla
INGREDIENTSSIMPLE NAME
Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideOil Made From Coconuts
Tapioca StarchTapioca Starch
OzokeriteEarth Wax
Magnesium HydroxideDead Sea Salt
5 more rows

What is aluminum free deodorant made of? ›

Even further, some products work as both deodorants and antiperspirants. Some antiperspirants are made without aluminum, instead incorporating alternatives like corn starch, arrowroot powder, talc, and baking soda to absorb moisture.

Is it good to use deodorant without aluminum? ›

“The type of antiperspirant or deodorant you use really comes down to personal preference,” says Dr. Ulupinar. “There's no medical reason to avoid using an aluminum-based product, but there's no reason not to use a natural deodorant if that's what you like.

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