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 do you make 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 natural armpit deodorant? ›

Instructions
  1. Melt the shea butter and coconut oil in the microwave or on a double boiler at medium heat.
  2. Mix the arrowroot powder and the baking soda in a bowl.
  3. Add the melted oils/butters to your powders.
  4. Mix well until there are no clumps left.
  5. Add your essential oil/s and mix well.
  6. Pour into your container.

Why doesn t deodorant without aluminum work? ›

While natural deodorants may contain ingredients designed to absorb sweat, only aluminum is effective is preventing it. Expect to be sweatier than you would be with an aluminum-based product. Moreover, some people report being especially sweaty (and smelly) for a week or so while their body adjusts to the switch.

Why use arrowroot powder 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 ingredients are in aluminum-free deodorant? ›

Some antiperspirants are made without aluminum, instead incorporating alternatives like corn starch, arrowroot powder, talc, and baking soda to absorb moisture.

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

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.

How do you make natural deodorant from scratch? ›

Homemade deodorant recipe #1:
  1. 2.5 tbsp of unrefined coconut oil.
  2. 2.5 tbsp of unrefined shea butter.
  3. Quarter of a cup of arrowroot starch/flour.
  4. 1.5 tbsp of baking soda.
  5. 6 drops of lavender essential oil.
  6. 6 drops of grapefruit essential oil.
  7. 1 drop of tea tree oil (if you like)d.
Nov 23, 2022

Do homemade deodorants really work? ›

Don't expect the same results as traditional deodorants when switching to a natural product. It could take a few days or weeks for your underarms to rebalance their ecosystem. You can try an armpit detox to potentially speed up the process, but keep in mind that natural deodorants won't halt sweat.

How do you make deodorant from scratch? ›

Instructions
  1. Mix baking soda and arrowroot together. ...
  2. Add the coconut oil and essential oils. ...
  3. Pour into clean air-tight jar (Homemade deodorant will last up to two years in an airtight container.)
  4. Use a popsicle stick to get the deodorant out of the container and transfer to your finger.
Jan 20, 2023

Why I stopped using natural deodorant? ›

Skin Irritation: Ingredients in natural deodorants, particularly high levels of baking soda, can sometimes lead to skin irritation or discomfort, especially for those with sensitive skin or allergies to specific natural components.

Does degree make a deodorant without aluminum? ›

Degree 0% Aluminum Free Deodorant Revitalizing Botanicals, 2.6 Oz.

Can I use coconut oil as deodorant? ›

Coconut oil is a STANDOUT among natural deodorant ingredients, prized for its versatility and myriad benefits. It is a key player in many natural personal care products. This valuable ingredient works effectively to combat odor-causing bacteria and provides a pleasant, subtle scent.

What essential oils are good for homemade deodorant? ›

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

What is the most important ingredient in deodorant? ›

Aluminium chlorohydrate and aluminium zirkonium tetrachlorohydrate glycine complex are the most frequently used active ingredients in commercial antitranspirants today. Aluminium chloride and propantheline bromide, the anticholinergic substance, are important alternatives although less common.

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.

Is it better to use deodorant without aluminum? ›

While there is no “direct link” between aluminum and cancer, according to the American Cancer Society, using an aluminum-free deodorant is better as you're not putting unnecessary chemicals in your body. Aluminum-free deodorants usually contain natural ingredients that are gentler on the skin.

How do I transition to non aluminum deodorant? ›

If you find that your skin is irritated when you start using your new deodorant, here are a few tips. Try splitting up when you shave and when you apply your aluminum-free deodorant, spacing it out by 20-30 minutes or shaving your underarms at night and applying your deodorant in the morning.

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