Five simple ingredients make up this effective homemade deodorant.
First, let me say I do not like to stink. And while I’m not the stinkiest person on the planet, I can create quite the odoriferous presence if given the right activities and environmental conditions. But with two immediate family members surviving cancer, I decided to take a hard look at any chemicals I put in, or on, my body.
Deodorant typically contains parabens and formaldehyde, among other nasties. And antiperspirants also contain things like aluminum, which clogs your pores and prevents sweating. All of these chemicals have been shown to be dangerous: Aluminum can cause kidney problems, parabens can cause problems for our endocrine system, and formaldehyde is a known carcinogen.
Instead of rubbing these things into the lymph nodes in my arm pits, I wanted to make a safe deodorant that worked, even though I knew I’d be giving up any antiperspirant activity (however, I haven’t given up hope that I’ll find a natural ingredient that will work as an antiperspirant). This is what I came up with and I love it. I make a batch that lasts about a month for me. And for the guys out there, this does not smell girly at all; there is not enough coconut oil to impart a tropical scent, so no worries!
INGREDIENTS
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 1/8 cup aloe vera gel (99% pure)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable glycerin
- 1/2 tsp coconut oil (you can use another type of oil, like apricot, if you wish)
- 1/8 tsp tea tree oil (use lavender oil if you are pregnant or allergic to tea tree oil)
Place all ingredients except for the tea tree oil in a small saucepan and heat on low heat until combined, stirring constantly. You don’t want the ingredients to boil, you just want them to warm until everything is evenly incorporated and smooth. Turn the heat off, add a small bit of tea tree oil and stir thoroughly. I then pour mine warm into a small, 1/2 cup jelly jar and keep it in my bathroom. Apply with fingers and that’s it!
WHAT DOES WHAT
Baking Soda: is a natural deodorizer. It does feel a tad gritty, but incorporating it in with the other ingredients on the stove decreases this. It can also leave a white dust at times, but it just dusts off with your hand or a towel really easily, and washes off the inside of black shirts without fuss.
Aloe Vera Gel: this helps bind the baking soda and also soothes skin. Aloe has antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiseptic properties, and some studies have shown that it can sink into your skin up to 7 layers deep.
Vegetable Glycerin: helps make skin smooth and soft, and also helps to bind the ingredients together. It also acts as a preservative.
Coconut Oil: is also wonderful for the skin and helps heal skin, and prevents skin infections.
Tea Tree Oil: this is a go-to oil for all manner of skin problems. It is antibacterial, antiseptic, antifungal, and antiviral. It does a great job of combating the bacteria responsible for body odor, but less is not necessarily more so don’t think you can just rub this on your pits. Used straight it can cause burns on the skin, and has even been used to do things like remove warts. But if you find you want more odor-fighting in your batch, you can increase the amount of tea tree oil you use for your own mix.
Essential Oils for Scent: Notice I don’t use any. I don’t want scented deodorant, but if you do you can definitely add your favorite scent, a few drops at a time, at the same time you are adding your tea tree oil.
Ann Mutschler
September 10, 2012 at 9:09 am
Thank you so much! My hubby and I have been considering making our own and now we will!! Love your blog!!!
nuris
September 10, 2012 at 9:21 am
Thank you for sharing! I will try it by myself!
Heidi @ lightlycrunchy
September 10, 2012 at 6:09 pm
I’ve been thinking of making my own too, for a while. I usually just use a salt crystal deodorant, but found it didn’t work in the heat of the summer and I went back to store bought.
Rural Spin
September 10, 2012 at 8:22 pm
The salt crystal didn’t work for me, either, which is why I made this. This works for me.
Kathy Engle-Dulac
September 10, 2012 at 6:37 pm
have you suffered the “24 hour burn”? I’ve heard that, about 24 hours after the first time you use deodorants like this, you get an uncomfortable, but not un-deal-able, “burn” under your arms from the baking soda and coconut oil. This is supposed to go away relatively quickly, but I’m a big chicken. If I can find more people who didn’t get this than did, I might be able to face my fears and give it a go. I would really love to get away from the store-bought nonsense.
Rural Spin
September 10, 2012 at 8:22 pm
I didn’t get that after the first time I used it, but after I shave my arm pits I avoid immediately applying it, as you can well imagine. But I wouldn’t call it a “burn” so much as a, “oh…that’s something….” So, no, I didn’t get what you are describing, but keep the shaving bit in mind.
vintagejenta
September 11, 2012 at 7:40 pm
So, do you just put on a thin film like lotion or do you have to put on a lot?
Rural Spin
September 11, 2012 at 9:56 pm
You do not have to put on a lot…then you couldn’t wear clothing.
Just use what you would normally use for a deodorant you find in a jar (I’m not sure how you define “thin” so it’s hard for me to say). Some of it also depends upon how much one needs for their own personal body chemistry, etc.
Alecia
September 13, 2012 at 2:05 pm
Where can I find the 2nd, 3rd, and last ingredient?
Rural Spin
September 13, 2012 at 8:00 pm
ALoe vera gel, tea tree oil, and vegetable glycerin can be purchased in many different places from alternative grocery stores (Whole Foods, food co-ops, Natural Grocer, etc.) to online sources. You can also find aloe vera and tea tree oil in drug stores–ask the pharmacist or drug store attendant for 99% pure aloe vera gel and tea tree oil. The tea tree oil will come in a small bottle.
Janet McConnell
October 4, 2012 at 5:41 pm
I made it today and not only is it working like a charm to keep any odor at bay but it eliminated the odor I produced running errands (it’s a bit humid today)! It was really easy to make! I had just been going sans deodorant since I’m broke and hate the “regular” stuff so this recipe was just in time! Now my husband can take the clothes pin off his nose! ;-D
Jen
October 20, 2012 at 5:20 pm
Can I use aloe vera straight from the plant?
Rural Spin
October 21, 2012 at 8:32 am
Sure!
Brandy E
October 27, 2012 at 10:41 am
I make lots of my own bath & beauty products. Have been looking into making my own deodorant – but have seen some writings that pretty much denounce baking soda as dubious industrial bi-product (kind of like white “vinegar”). Thinking of using some natural clays in place of the baking soda. Currently I use “Toms” deodorant, but it is only fairly effective and I am a sweaty gal. The other ingredients all make perfect sense to me, so thanks for the inspiration to get to mixing! I’ll let you know how it goes…
Rural Spin
October 27, 2012 at 11:21 am
Keep in mind that a deodorant and an antiperspirant are different things. I am not sure of natural antiperspirant ingredients, which basically block the sweat glands. If you find any that work I’d love to know!
And, yes, I’d love to hear about how your experimentation goes!
ANdrew
April 4, 2013 at 11:04 pm
You do not want to block your sweat glands because then you would trap toxins and sweat inside which can cause cancer.
Rural Spin
April 5, 2013 at 7:30 am
Agreed. That is why this is not an antiperspirant; this recipe is only a deodorant.
Laura
April 6, 2013 at 3:43 pm
What about talcum powder apply after you’ ve applied the homeade deodorant just to keep things dry ^__^ idk just an idea
Rural Spin
April 6, 2013 at 5:57 pm
Some people like to use powder…some don’t. It’s a personal preference thing.
Sarah
May 4, 2013 at 6:07 am
Mine came out very runny. Should I add more baking soda?
Rural Spin
May 4, 2013 at 2:35 pm
Yes, add more baking soda until the consistency is to your liking. I like mine more runny…otherwise I find that it is hard to apply.