Does Homemade Deodorant Work? (+ Recipe)
A review of my experience making and using homemade deodorant – did it work against my seemingly deodorant-proof smell and would it work for you?
This article is going to get a little personal. As in: something I’ve never told anyone.
And since no one (including Brian) has ever mentioned it, I’m assuming (fingers crossed) it was only me who was bothered so much about this thing.
Huh?
OK, here goes. *deep breath*
The Problem
I smelled. Stunk. Couldn’t stand the smell of myself in certain situations. Like after a workout (OK, that’s not that unusual…), or when I was nervous, or just a little warm, or the worst- in the summer when I wore sleeveless shirts. It got so that I didn’t want to wear tank tops, even when it was super hot.
And this is the clincher: I’d even smell myself right after taking a shower. No kidding. And sweat wasn’t really the issue- I’ve never been a person who sweats a lot.
As a matter of fact, I hardly ever wore deodorant in my 20’s and 30’s because I didn’t sweat much and I didn’t smell then. Really. The smell issue started in my early 40’s.
Trying to Solve The Problem
I spent years trying every deodorant on the market, even the “clinical strength” varieties. I mean, most of the time I’d get them for free (the most I paid for deodorant was .50, I think – don’t you love those old days of extreme couponing?), so even though I heard of people making homemade deodorant why would IĀ do that?
Plus, isn’t using homemade deodorant and little “out there?”
But in the back of my mind was something I read a couple years ago on Passionate Homemaking’s popular homemade deodorant post: she said she had issues with smelling and after using the deodorant, she didn’t smell anymore.
After spending a nerve-wracking day in jury duty one July (don’t ask- it was awful), the proverbial straw broke: I didn’t sweat, but I stunk. Again.
Making Homemade Deodorant
I came home that night and whipped up a batch according to Lindsay’s video. It’s just three ingredients:
1/2 c. coconut oil
1/4 c. baking soda
1/4 c. arrowroot powder
Note: you can use cornstarch instead of arrowroot, which I’ve read will keep you drier, but some people can react to cornstarch, so arrowroot is recommended – since I did have it, I used the arrowroot.
It took less than five minutes to whip up in my food processor (much easier than doing it by hand, I found- no powder poofing up).
My coconut oil was half melted (we were having one of our hotter days, surprisingly), but I didn’t worry about it and just poured the deodorant into a mason jar and stuck it in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes to harden up again.
Even though you’re not supposed to, I did use refined coconut oil because it’s cheaper and I didn’t want the smell of coconut- it’s not my favorite smell and I was afraid people might think I was wearing coconut perfume.
So, Does Homemade Deodorant Work?
I used just a little bit and used my fingers to rub it in (I also found that Kitchen Stewardship has instructions if you want to fill an old deodorant container to apply easier, plus more information on how to travel with it).
So here’s the million dollar question: did it work for me?
Amazingly, yes!
In the months (update: years!) I’ve been using it, I very rarely smell myself. Seriously, I’m a little shocked that the simpler deodorant with the least ingredients works better than all the commercial deodorants I’ve tried. Wow.
On a side note, the deodorant in the jar doesn’t melt totally, but it will get pretty soft in warmer months and will liquify if it’s really hot. That is a definite issue. Fortunately our house stays pretty cool most of the time and it’s actually easier to apply if it’s a little softer.
Now there are other reasons why people want to use natural products, which are all good, but my overriding issue was smell. And it is gone. I’ve worked out, worked in the garden under the hot sun, traveled and laid on a sunny beach and done all the normal things I do that caused me to stink before. I’ve even worn sleeveless shirts.
I can’t believe it. But I am happy to share my secret with you and say (who am I kidding- shout!):
IT WORKS!
Have you tried homemade deodorant? Did it work for you?
If you’re interested in more on health and weight loss, check out AOC’s category here.
My husband has the same problem and he is allergic to something in store bought deodorants/antiperspirants. I wanted to try the Sonoma Gardens recipe but I’ll try this one first because I don’t have to order anything special. I’m making this tonight!
PS: I use Natures Way Organic Coconut Oil and the scent is very light. I use it throughout the day and night. I find that after a short while I can’t even smell it. Once my clothes goes on the scent is completely gone. If you wear perfumes I’m sure it would go away faster.
Barbara- really??!! Now I will be looking to see if I will need it after 6 months. š
Dorothy- I hope it does the same for you as it did for me!
Jill- That’s good to know about the cocoa butter. I thought maybe the anti-fungal properties of coconut oil had something to do with it working, but it’s probably just the baking soda (which is amazing stuff, actually…).
Nancy- Ha!! Glad to have you- I think you’ll discover I don’t always talk about stink. š
Lisa and Robb- try it and see!
Fascinating! I wonder if this would work for me.
Oh, my! My first visit to your blog and you’re talking about stinking! I love it! And I love your blog. I need to spend awhile here and take a good look at everything you offer. Nancy
I just have to say that I started using coconut oil/baking soda/cornstarch deodorant in Jan, and I haven’t looked back. I can’t believe I didn’t try it earlier. It works so well that wearing it while wearing old shirts with slight BO smells fixed them too.
I just have to be careful not to apply too soon after a really close shave, or there is some discomfort, but it is so worth it to me.
I’ve been making and using homemade deodorant for about a year and a half and have found (as well as my teenage daughter) that it works much better than ANY over the counter deodorants we have used. My recipe is similar to yours except the base is cocoa butter, which is very solid/hard at room temperature. This allows us to pack it into old roll up deodorant containers and use it as a stick (convenient application). We also add in several drops of essential oils to give it the fragrances we like: my daughter likes peppermint, which combines with the cocoa butter to make a chocolate-mint fragrance. I like orange oil and sandalwood oil, which also goes nice with cocoa butter. The one problem I have had is that if I use it for too long I sort of “break out” in my armpits! I get sore red bumps. I’m not sure if it’s irritation from maybe too much baking soda (the active ingredient) or if it’s the cocoa butter, but I may try your recipe and just keep it in a jar (coconut oil is liquid at room temp here in the summer) and see if that helps.
Oh my—I have this SAME problem, too! Once I entered my 40’s my regular deodorant stopped working. I switched brands. I switched brands again. I chalked it up to having a baby at 39 (right, blame it on the baby!). I tried the super duper varieties of Secret, Degree, Dove. It is barely working. I’m going to try this out. Thank you so much for sharing your personal stinky story, lol. =)
(It’s not on sale now, but here’s an example of a sale on amazon: frugallivingnw.com/online-deals/amazon-nutiva-organic-coconut-oil-for-just-5-83-a-jar-shipped/)
Coconut oil is often a good deal off amazon.com…
I’ve wanted to try this for awhile now. I think you should do a follow-up check-in post to see if it’s still working in another month when it gets hotter in your area. I’d be interested in your results. I’m also thinking of making my own shampoo & body washes and all kinds of home care stuff like that.
I tried this “recipe” last summer and LOVE it! I live in GA and it gets VERY hot in summer and it really works. However, I have to tell you, after you have used this for a while–maybe 6 months–you won’t need it anymore! I’m not sure why, but I can go without it now and still sweat and not have any odor. I’m thinking the OTC deodorants do something to our bodies that produces the smells and this homemade stuff brings everything back to normal. Anyone else notice this?
Barbara
Ellen- I’ll try to remember to do that!
Vinnie- Yes, I’ve gotten in on those deals from Amazon before! Thanks for the reminder. I usually use that really good coconut oil in food, and the cheaper, unrefined type in this deodorant. š
Brenda- You and me both, then. š You can add any essential oil, so adding tea tree oil if you’d like would work. Thanks for the link to green cleaners! I use quite a few that I’m going to be posting on soon, too. š
WOW – thank you for this post. I appreciate this information and will definitely try it. Maybe it is an age thing. When I was young, no problems. Then, later on, there was odor from nervous sweating, but not exercise sweating. Now, I can take a shower and want another one four hours later, sweat or no. I tried the expensive Jason brand – no luck. I did have better luck with the mineral salt rock, though not a 24-hour fix.
One thing though – the Jason contained tea tree oil. And I’m of the opinion that it pulls toxins out, kind of like bentonite clay does. It seems like a good thing to get those suckers out of you, though that’s little comfort when you need to be in close proximity to other folks.
Here’s just one link with info on making bar soap, laundry soap, green cleaners, etc. I haven’t started yet, but I will as soon as I get low on the current inventory.
http://down—to—earth.blogspot.com/
Rhonda has tons of “from scratch” info. Hope you enjoy it.
Brenda from Arkansas
I hope this works for me! I do not use antiprespirant, to be extra careful of breast health, so I am always on the lookout for new deoderants that might ‘work’. Thanks and I will let you know how it worked for me.
Where can you buy coconut oil? Thanks for the idea My dtr has issues with this
Jo- You can buy virgin (unrefined) coconut oil in the natural section of most stores. I found the refined oil at Walmart, of all places. š It’s called Lou Ana’s.
Lauren- I’ve seen some with shea butter, but I heard the coconut is anti-bacterial, which I thought might go towards helping the smell. š Glad yours is working for you!
Mrs. Wilson- I totally agree with your hubs! We are designed to sweat. š Yes, the arrowroot does NOT keep you from sweating- just helps thicken the mixture for easy application. It’s the baking soda and coconut oil that go to work on the smell.
If you were to only use coconut oil, baking soda, and essential oil, would the consistency be any creamier without the arrowroot?
I don’t know, Zoanna, but you could try with a small batch. It works so well as is, that I’m afraid to mess with it, ha!
I, too, would be interested in this. Where do I find coconut oil?
I have a question… My husband will not use anything that keeps him from sweating, because he says sweating gets rid of toxins in your body and a bunch of other stuff that I don’t remember. You mentioned the cornstarch will make you drier. Does the arrowroot powder keep you from sweating?
I’ve been using homemade deo for a year or two, and I like it. I wanted to quit using anti-perspirant because of the links to breast cancer, so I tried this. I do sweat an awful lot, but it’s worth it to me. The main ingredients in mine are shea butter and cocoa butter. The recipe is from Amy’s Angry Chicken / A Sonoma Garden. I put it in an old deo container. It’s a little messy going on sometimes, and I dab with TP, but it’s all good. š
How funny…I am the exact same way…not till my 40’s and nothing works. Sooo excited to try this. I already have all the ingredients!
Yippie!