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You are here: Home » Food Preparation » Recipes » Essential Oils » Easy Homemade Essential Oil Deodorant

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Easy Homemade Essential Oil Deodorant

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Easy Homemade Essential Oil Deodorant | I've tried so many deodorant alternatives I can't even count them all. Then I found this one: an easy homemade essential oil deodorant that meets all of my expectations: it smells good, it works (even combating stress-sweat, intense exercise, and hot, humid summer days), it’s economical, it doesn’t stain my clothing, and I feel great about the ingredients. | TraditionalCookingSchool.com

I’ve tried so many deodorant alternatives I can’t even count them all. Then I found this one: an easy homemade essential oil deodorant.

It meets all of my expectations:

  • It smells good.
  • It works — even combating stress-sweat, intense exercise, and hot, humid summer days.
  • It’s economical.
  • It doesn’t stain my clothing.
  • And I feel great about the ingredients!

Conventional deodorants are full of chemicals damaging to our health. Most of us know this already. But, many natural deodorants don’t quite do the job. What’s a girl (or boy) to do?

The recipe is based on a product I used to buy from a natural health practitioner. The original incorporated 9 different essential oils. Since buying 9 essential oils at once was not in my budget, I started out with what I had on hand and will continue to add to the mix as my essential oil collection grows.

It takes only minutes to make, and it lasts a LONG time since only a tiny amount is needed each day.

4.5 from 2 votes
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Easy Homemade Essential Oil Deodorant

This homemade deodorant takes only minutes to make, and it lasts a LONG time since only a tiny amount is needed each day. Plus, it works!
Author Andrea Sabean

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon baking soda
  • 3 tablespoons arrowroot powder corn starch works well, too -- choose non-GMO
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable glycerin
  • 12 drops essential oils see below for suggestions

Instructions

  1. Combine the baking soda and arrowroot in a glass jar.
  2. Add enough glycerin to create a smooth consistency.
  3. Add in essential oils and stir.
  4. Keep a popsicle stick or other small stirring stick in the jar and stir as needed before applying.
  5. Over time, if it seems dry, simply stir in a little more glycerin or water.
  6. To use, swipe a small amount down the center of each armpit.

If you’re making enough for a large family, this recipe easily doubles! It is also adaptable. If you are sensitive to baking soda (as some people are), lessen or omit it altogether.

Also, experiment with the essential oils to suit your own needs. If you make a batch and find it too strong, simply add more arrowroot and glycerin to tone it down.

Soon you will have your own made-for-you deodorant!

Easy Homemade Essential Oil Deodorant | I've tried so many deodorant alternatives I can't even count them all. Then I found this one: an easy homemade essential oil deodorant that meets all of my expectations: it smells good, it works (even combating stress-sweat, intense exercise, and hot, humid summer days), it’s economical, it doesn’t stain my clothing, and I feel great about the ingredients. | TraditionalCookingSchool.com

Which Essential Oils To Use?

There are many essential oils appropriate for deodorant. The ingredients in the original were:

Lemon, Pink Grapefruit, Geranium, Key Lime, Cypress, Lavender, Clove Bud, Coriander, and Oregano.

All 9 are full of antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic, astringent, and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition:

  • cypress and geranium are both supposed to be good deodorizers
  • clove bud is reported to be an antioxidant and has anti-aging properties
  • pink grapefruit tones the skin and helps to remove toxins from the body.

I currently use a mix of lemon, pink grapefruit, cypress, and lavender with excellent results.

Do you make your own deodorant? Do you add essential oils? Which are your favorites?

Also see: Wardee’s Natural, Homemade Deodorant or Review: 3 Homemade Deodorant Recipes.

We only recommend products and services we wholeheartedly endorse. This post may contain special links through which we earn a small commission if you make a purchase (though your price is the same).

Posted in: Essential Oils Health & Nutrition Healthy Living Household & Health Recipes

About Andrea Sabean

Andrea is an artisan and teacher trying to live a handmade and homemade lifestyle with her husband in Eastern Canada. She is passionate about growing her own food, cooking healthy meals, using herbs for healing, nurturing creativity, and finding joy and blessings in the every-day moments of life. She writes about all of this, plus her adventures in sewing and crafting and bringing children’s drawings to life at Artisan in the Woods.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Schuyler M. says

    October 6, 2014 at 7:56 pm

    Hi Andrea!

    Are the essential oils the main deodorizer, or if I’m limited as to my selection, (I mostly have lavender) will the deodorant still work? Thanks!

    Schuyler

    Reply
    • Andrea Sabean says

      October 7, 2014 at 3:51 pm

      Hi Schuyler,

      Yes, the essential oils are the deodorizers in this recipe, although the baking soda, cornstarch and glycerin mixture also helps! When I first started I only had lavender and lemon and that worked out fine, although now that I have the four to mix I like that better. I would suggest making a smaller batch with the lavender and see if it works for you.

      Andrea

      Reply
  2. Helen says

    October 7, 2014 at 4:22 am

    Can I use coconut oil instead?

    Reply
    • Andrea Sabean says

      October 7, 2014 at 3:52 pm

      Hi Helen,
      I have not tried this recipe with coconut oil, but there are so many recipes out there combining similar ingredients with coconut oil I am sure it would still work.

      Reply
      • AmericanLynnAnn says

        November 8, 2021 at 6:54 pm

        I personally didn’t like coconut oil because it made my armpits sticky. I use vegetable glycerin and aloe gel.

        Reply
    • Edie says

      October 19, 2014 at 8:14 am

      I use coconut oil and lavender oil rubbed onto my armpit, and then dust a tiny bit of baking soda on top of that. It works great. I probably should just blend it all together, but since I use all 3 of these items for other purposes as well, I just keep them separate in the bathroom and apply. and actually, I have used each of them individually as deodorant, and they all seem to work on their own fairly well too, although the combo is best.

      Reply
    • Tracey says

      April 17, 2016 at 12:16 pm

      I make one almost exactly the same with coconut oil and tea tree essential oil. It works wonderfully!

      Reply
      • Helenore says

        August 14, 2016 at 6:59 pm

        I would like to use tea tree oil! Would I use the same amount (12 drops) to the total 7 Tablespoons of the other ingredients?

        Reply
        • Andrea Sabean says

          August 18, 2016 at 6:52 am

          That should work!

          Reply
      • Milissa Ferrell says

        August 20, 2017 at 12:20 am

        What is your recipe, please share with us

        Reply
  3. Stephanie says

    October 10, 2014 at 6:28 am

    would this be better in a jar or could you put it in a deodorant stick container?

    Reply
    • Andrea says

      October 11, 2014 at 7:31 am

      You definitely want to put this one in a jar! It is much too runny for a deodorant container, plus you only need a really tiny amount each day.

      Reply
  4. Trish says

    October 10, 2014 at 8:56 am

    I am still using the first batch I ever made, and it has coconut oil but no essential oils. The coconut oil is antibacterial and therefore deodorizes. It works great!

    Reply
  5. Holly says

    October 10, 2014 at 10:12 pm

    I know deodorant can cause cancer, especially if woman put it under their breasts, and we all know, that happens, we sweat, right? So, I’d love to know a natural way to make it..

    Reply
    • Andrea Sabean says

      October 11, 2014 at 8:09 am

      This is exactly why I went searching for an alternative myself. From what I understand, adding essential oils like pink grapefruit, oregano and clove can help to fight against disease by removing toxins from the body. The 9 oils in the original recipe were specifically chosen to clear lymph nodes, so it is health protection and odour protection rolled into one! 🙂

      Reply
  6. JH says

    October 18, 2014 at 6:06 am

    What about sweating? I guess you would still sweat with this natural deodorant. Is there such a thing as a natural antiperspirant?

    Reply
    • Andrea Sabean says

      October 20, 2014 at 11:34 am

      Yes, you do still sweat. I don’t know of a natural antiperspirant.

      Reply
      • Chrystal says

        September 13, 2015 at 2:12 pm

        you could use bentonite clay.

        Reply
    • J. Hollis says

      June 25, 2015 at 12:04 am

      Sweating is good for our bodies because it helps our bodies to rid it self of toxins. Sweating is healthy and not something that we should prevent from happening because it will cause a build up of toxins.

      Reply
      • Roxie says

        January 26, 2016 at 3:26 pm

        I think you want to sweat, you just don’t want it to smell. By blocking the sweat glands, toxins back up into your lymph nodes, and you don’t want that.

        Reply
  7. justme says

    October 18, 2014 at 7:35 pm

    does the glycerine make it sticky?

    Reply
    • Andrea Sabean says

      October 20, 2014 at 11:36 am

      Although glycerin itself is sticky, you use such a small amount of the deodorant that it really doesn’t feel sticky once it is on. It has a thick, creamy consistency with the arrowroot powder in there.

      Reply
  8. Andrea says

    December 28, 2014 at 10:41 am

    Love this recipe! Mine is a bit different as I use baking soda, arrowroot powder, coconut oil and tea tree EO. I can’t believe how well this works against both sweating and odor; all without any toxic and icky chemicals!

    Reply
    • Andrea Sabean says

      December 29, 2014 at 4:40 pm

      Thanks for sharing your recipe! I know many who make theirs with coconut oil!

      Reply
  9. Faith W says

    December 28, 2014 at 5:20 pm

    I discovered I have a baking soda sensitivity when using homemade deodorants; could I just sub more arrowroot (or cornstarch?) for the baking soda, or are those just as acidic and cause the same problems (red, itchy, sore bumps in my armpits)?

    Reply
    • Andrea Sabean says

      December 29, 2014 at 4:47 pm

      I am not an expert on baking soda sensitivity, but I would think you could just sub in more arrowroot. When I was playing around with this recipe I tried a few combinations until I found the right amount of baking soda for me (otherwise I have a similar reaction.) Corn starch or arrowroot should not cause a reaction. Maybe make a half batch with all arrowroot or cornstarch and see how it works for you?

      Reply
  10. Nicole says

    January 16, 2015 at 8:52 pm

    Thanks for the recipe!

    I started buying a very similar product at the green living show a few years but couldn’t justify paying $15 for 2 months worth of deoderant.

    I used lemon and lavender, but look forward to adding more essential oils for the next batch.

    Like all natural deoderants that I have tried, I find the deoderizing ability lasts for 12 – 15 hrs. But it holds it own during a spinning class!

    Thanks again!
    Nicole

    Reply
  11. Brenda S says

    August 4, 2015 at 4:30 am

    I add Sandalwood and Tea Tree for my husbands (yes, once he tried it, he loved it!) for mine I use Tea tree, lavender, and sometimes a drop or 2 of lemon!

    Reply
  12. daryl says

    September 4, 2015 at 7:03 pm

    I’m going to give this a try without glycerin since I don’t have any but I need some smelly good stuff for my under arms.

    Reply
  13. Amy says

    November 3, 2015 at 7:51 pm

    I make a deoderant with coconut oil, only 1 T baking soda, tapioca starch, bentonite clay and 3 kinds of EO’s. I sell it in my all natural bath & body business. It works wonderfully. If anyone is interested, I have a Facebook page with my products on it. Nature’s Blessings All Natural.

    Reply
  14. Roxanne says

    December 31, 2015 at 5:44 pm

    I like that it doesn’t contain coconut oil, since that makes my armpits itch like crazy~~

    Reply
  15. Amanda says

    January 10, 2016 at 8:56 pm

    I made this recipe, but found that my armpits felt wet all day? Any ideas how to fix this?

    Reply
    • Andrea Sabean says

      January 11, 2016 at 5:56 pm

      Hi Amanda, I would try to use less. It really only takes a tiny amount to work. If you still find it wet and/or sticky, perhaps you need to add a little more arrowroot to thicken it a little. Hope that helps!

      Reply
    • Roxie says

      January 26, 2016 at 3:24 pm

      You could apply some baking soda on top on it??

      Reply
  16. Michael says

    January 26, 2016 at 6:51 am

    I’ve been making a spray-on deodorant for a couple of years now. I use a mixture of lavender, clary sage and lemon oils. I sometimes substitute in some conifer oils such as pine or cypress. As a carrier, I use witch hazel or alcohol in a small spray bottle. You must shake it before use, as the ingredients tend to stratify due to different densities. Please note that I am a guy and do not shave my armpits. Some formulations may be too hot or concentrated and may sting or burn. Best to test on less-sensitive skin first. My girlfriend (who does shave) has been enjoying it for at least a year now. I/we get lots of compliments on the smell.

    Reply
    • Andrea Sabean says

      January 31, 2016 at 10:59 am

      This sounds like a great recipe, too. Thanks for sharing, Michael!

      Reply
  17. teresa fitz says

    April 17, 2016 at 3:30 pm

    I make mine only with coconut oil and baking soda,also can be used to brush your teeth,whitens and brightens.store it in a container in bathroom.it works great!

    Reply
  18. Rachel says

    June 12, 2016 at 7:38 am

    4 stars
    The baking soda seems to always remain gritty, so when I apply the deodorant it feels like i am scrubbing my armpits. Is there something wrong with my baking soda?

    Reply
    • Andrea Sabean says

      June 14, 2016 at 4:10 pm

      Hi Rachel, A few things could be happening here. First, are you just using a small amount? It only takes a small swipe to work. If you’re already doing that, it might just need a good stirring as it is possible the cornstarch and glycerin are not well mixed in with the baking soda. If it’s still too gritty after stirring, add more arrowroot, and a little more glycerin if needed to keep it moist, so you have less baking soda overall in the mixture. If that works for you, then when you make the next batch, just remember you need less soda. Sometimes when I make a new batch I find it gritty for the first few days and then it seems to get better, which I am assuming is because it gets stirred every day. It definitely shouldn’t feel like scrubbing. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  19. Km Koesler says

    November 7, 2016 at 12:28 pm

    I’m really curious about the baking soda and arrowroot starch. Does the baking soda do anything other than absorb the oils and change the PH of the skin to alkaline? Does alkalizing the skin deter the bacteria? And does the starch in the arrowroot feed any yeast under the arm? (I have trouble with persistent yeast that I occasionally have to address with athlete’s foot medication) I’ve been using a coconut/beeswax/EO combo for a deodorant for about a year, but I’ve been wondering if I should add baking soda.

    Reply
    • Andrea Sabean says

      November 12, 2016 at 12:41 pm

      I am really not sure about baking soda and arrowroot starch as far as killing bacteria or inhibiting yeast. The baking soda in this recipe acts as a deodorizer, and the arrowroot as an absorbing agent. Do you currently have Clove and/or Tea Tree EOs in your deodorant mix? These are the first ones I think of when battling yeast. I have also recently read that Lemongrass EO can be helpful for battling yeast as well.

      Reply
      • Km Koesler says

        February 21, 2017 at 11:28 am

        I have a mix of tea tree, lemon grass, oregano, thyme, myrrh, lavender, and clove – basically a homemade Thieves oil mix.

        Reply
  20. Iva Gancheva says

    February 20, 2017 at 8:12 pm

    5 stars
    I was wondering about shelf life on this deodorant? And also, I can just keep it at room temperature?

    Reply
    • Andrea Sabean says

      February 23, 2017 at 7:43 pm

      I keep mine at room temperature and have had it last up to a year.

      Reply
  21. Deb says

    October 18, 2018 at 7:48 am

    Where does one purchase veg glicerin and arrowroot powder? Is there a substitute for either?

    Reply
    • Peggy says

      October 18, 2018 at 10:20 am

      Hi, Deb,
      You can purchase vegetable glycerin and arrowroot powder at any health food store or online. There is a link above for the arrowroot powder, if you would rather not use it you can substitute it for a non-GMO cornstarch.
      ~Peggy, TCS Customer Success Team

      Reply
    • AmericanLynnAnn says

      November 8, 2021 at 7:06 pm

      I find both at Meijer. I use Bob’s Red Mill baking soda and arrowroot powder. The veg glycerin I find in the bandaid, antiseptic aisle. I order sandalwood paste made in India from Amazon. Only a pinch is needed and it smells so divine.

      Reply
  22. Linda Phillips says

    August 18, 2021 at 10:05 am

    I’m very excited to try this new to me recipe! Can activated charcoal be added to this deodorant?

    Reply
    • Danielle says

      August 26, 2021 at 5:14 pm

      Hi, Linda.

      We have not tried adding it to this recipe but you certainly can! 🙂

      If you do, please let us know how it turns out.

      ~Danielle, TCS Customer Success Team

      Reply
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