Homemade Natural Deodorant (Minimalist Recipe)
After a lifetime of buying deodorant, I really wanted to be more self-sufficient. I wanted to make my own deodorant using a homemade DIY natural deodorant recipe that truly works.
I wanted this recipe to be so simple and easy that I could whip up my own climate-friendly deodorant anywhere I travel or live in the world.
Even with my sensitive skin that rashes allergically, I was sure it must be possible to find or create a natural deodorant recipe that…
truly works (so I smell nice for at least 24 hours)
uses minimal ingredients (that are easy to find nearly anywhere I travel or live)
is simple to mix, apply, and carry
Why Not Just Buy Mass-Produced Natural Deodorant?
In the past, I’ve regularly used and packed mass-produced natural deodorant. But the following challenges occur wherever I’m traveling or living…
deodorant eventually runs out
it’s hard to find mass-produced natural deodorant that works
if I do find natural deodorant that works, it’s hard to find it a second time (even in Europe)
mass-produced natural deodorants…
do not always contain ingredients as natural as they could be
often utilize single-use plastic packaging
are often expensive
can feel hard on the skin
can feel too greasy or gritty
can sting or rash
Essentially, buying mass-produced natural deodorant isn’t always as sustainable as I would like. That said, I am grateful for it if it’s all I have.
For instance, my favorite mass-produced natural deodorant was sold to a large company, at which point its packaging was swiftly changed to single-use plastic.
I love my deodorant in a cardboard tube or a small glass jar.
I couldn’t bear to start buying deodorant in plastic again (unless it was a dire emergency).
And I cannot believe we ever thought it normal to buy deodorant in a spray can (I coughed on the bathroom floor as a child, inhaling its fumes, begging my parents to stop using it).
So I searched the internet for homemade DIY natural deodorant recipes from sources that appeared to be as reputable as possible.
Shea Butter or Coconut Butter
Most homemade natural deodorant recipes I found online called for combining shea butter and coconut butter to create the base ingredient.
Soft, creamy shea butter became my preferred base. But organic shea butter can be a tad harder to find (and more expensive) in the States.
Soft, oily coconut butter became my second choice for a base (could its coconut scent attract bees?). Organic coconut butter has been easy to find and affordable nearly anywhere I go.
So I buy organic shea butter when I’m able to find it. I buy organic coconut butter if shea butter cannot be found.
Also, I seek out organic shea butter or organic coconut butter in glass jars or metal tins to ensure it’s the butter that can soften naturally—and to eliminate plastic packaging.
Baking Soda
Baking soda was another common ingredient in the natural deodorant recipes I found online.
From everything I researched, it appeared to me that baking soda does not have aluminum in it, but most people assume it does (as some baking soda packaging says, “aluminum-free”).
My best guess is that this confusion arose because baking powder can be found with aluminum. But I am not an expert on this, so this is just my best guess.
I know some people who fluff a little baking soda under their arms, which works as a deodorant for them. But I try to avoid loose powder in the air (for lung health).
And some people avoid baking soda because it irritates their skin.
So I wanted to try baking soda in my recipe, but without it having sole contact with my skin. I wanted a buffer/carrier. Hence, I liked the idea of mixing it with shea butter or coconut butter.
And I love that baking soda is easily and cheaply found nearly everywhere, in cardboard packaging, especially in grocery stores.
Additional Ingredients
The homemade natural deodorant recipes I found online called for more ingredients, too. So I gathered those additional ingredients.
Those recipes instructed me to gently heat the shea butter and coconut butter, stir in the rest of the ingredients, pour all into my little jar, and let it cool. But that didn’t work well for me.
Once I poured the mixture into my little jar, all ingredients (except the butter) settled to the bottom of the jar. Even if I stirred it as it cooled. Even if I cooled it quickly.
Logic set in. It appeared to be an unnecessary step, heating the ingredients.
I wanted the simplest recipe that truly works. I didn’t want to use unnecessary processes, ingredients, or equipment. I didn’t want to waste energy or resources. To me, less is more.
So I simplified and downsized my natural deodorant ingredients and how I combine them.
My Homemade Natural Deodorant (Minimalist Recipe)
I experimented and found that I only needed two ingredients to make a homemade DIY natural deodorant recipe that truly works. Just two. And they could be mixed at room temperature.
organic shea butter (or coconut butter)
baking soda
I scoop a little shea (or coconut) butter into a shallow bowl. I sprinkle baking soda on top of the butter—enough to lightly and evenly coat the exterior of the butter.
Using clean fingers, I mix those two ingredients together until well blended. Then I scoop the mixture into my little lidded jar (still using my fingers).
Initially, I fretted about using exact measurements. But all the online recipes I found called for far more baking soda than I needed (my underarms were irritated).
And one day, feeling lazy, I just placed a little shea butter on my fingertip, gently tapped it onto the baking soda, then tapped off any loose baking soda, and applied it. Perfection.
So I essentially just copy my lazy method when filling my lidded jar. I think it’s healthy to encourage and enjoy experimentation.
And this minimalist mixture keeps me smelling pretty for at least 24 hours.
I should note that I usually shower at night (after a long day out and about, walking, biking, or traveling), and I don’t bother to apply deodorant until the next day—and only if I’m going out.
If I become stinky at any point between my shower and the next time I head out the door, this deodorant immediately removes any old stink and prevents any new stink. I’m good to go.
This super easy, two-ingredient, natural deodorant recipe makes it so easy for me to live free of mass-manufactured deodorants. I can’t believe I ever thought I needed them.
Traveling With Homemade Natural Deodorant
I’ve found that it’s normal for shea butter and coconut butter to change consistency based on temperature. Even with the baking soda mixed in.
Room temperature keeps my homemade natural deodorant a fantastic consistency for mixing and applying. It remains softer/creamier in its glass jar.
Colder temperatures can make my natural deodorant firm up. If so, I scoop a little and warm it between my fingers. It softens quickly, ready to apply.
Hot temperatures can make my deodorant melt but I can still use it. I stick a clean finger in my glass jar, stir it, then apply. And it firms up again fairly quickly, out of the hot heat.
Before I knew hot temperatures could melt my deodorant, I packed it loose in my luggage, where the tiniest amount seeped out once. It was the slightest seepage, but I like to avoid that.
So I pack this little jar in a small reusable leakproof bag in case I’m ever in hot temperatures. I intentionally keep this deodorant well-sealed and contained, just to be safe.
Also, if I carry my deodorant on a flight, I know hot temperatures might make this deodorant a liquid. Thus, I treat it as such and use a jar, tub, or tin that meets security requirements.