Natural Deodorant: 13 Easy DIY Recipes for Every Skin Type

As more people turn toward clean, chemical-free personal care, DIY natural deodorant has become a powerful and personal way to manage body odor without relying on aluminum or synthetic ingredients. While many mainstream deodorants work by blocking sweat glands, natural alternatives respect your body’s biology, letting you sweat naturally while neutralizing odor.

This guide provides 15 complete deodorant recipes, each explained with its skin compatibility, ingredient benefits, mixing process, packaging tips, and science-backed facts to ensure they actually work.

Why Switch to DIY Natural Deodorant?

Commercial deodorants often contain aluminum compounds that block sweat glands, parabens that mimic estrogen, and synthetic fragrances that can irritate sensitive skin. Natural deodorants, on the other hand, neutralize odor-causing bacteria while allowing your body to perspire as it should. According to Harvard Health, it’s not sweat but the bacteria feeding on sweat that causes body odor.

Natural deodorant ingredients like baking soda, magnesium hydroxide, and essential oils are backed by antibacterial and absorbent properties. For example, a 2017 study published in Microorganisms confirms the antimicrobial action of tea tree and lemongrass oils, two common natural deodorant staples.

Core Ingredients in Natural Deodorants

Baking Soda: Absorbs odors but may cause irritation.
Arrowroot Powder or Cornstarch: Keeps underarms dry by absorbing moisture.
Coconut Oil: Acts as a natural antibacterial agent and soft base.
Shea & Cocoa Butter: Moisturize and stabilize the formula.
Magnesium Hydroxide & Zinc Oxide: Gentler alternatives to baking soda for sensitive skin.
Beeswax or Candelilla Wax: Add firmness, ideal for stick-style deodorants.
Essential Oils: Not just fragrant, many are antibacterial.

15 Easy DIY Natural Deodorant Recipes for you

1. Basic Baking Soda Natural Deodorant (Normal Skin)

Ingredients:

¼ cup coconut oil
¼ cup baking soda
¼ cup arrowroot powder
10 drops tea tree essential oil

How to Make It:
Melt the coconut oil over low heat. Once liquefied, stir in baking soda and arrowroot until you achieve a smooth paste. Add essential oil and mix thoroughly. Pour the blend into a glass jar and let it solidify at room temperature or in the fridge.

Baking soda neutralizes odor, while arrowroot absorbs moisture. Tea tree oil adds antimicrobial action. This formula is effective but may be too strong for sensitive skin.

2. Shea Butter Cream Deodorant (Dry Skin)

Ingredients:

2 table spoons shea butter
2 table spoons coconut oil
2 table spoons arrowroot powder
1 table spoons baking soda
10 drops lavender oil

Instructions:
Gently melt shea butter and coconut oil. Remove from heat and whisk in powders until smooth. Stir in lavender oil and store in a small glass jar.

Shea butter is rich in fatty acids that nourish the skin. The mild baking soda concentration makes it gentle enough for daily use on dry skin.

3. Magnesium-Based Deodorant (Sensitive Skin)

Ingredients:

2 table spoons magnesium hydroxide
2 table spoons arrowroot
2 table spoons jojoba oil
5 drops chamomile essential oil

Preparation:
Mix dry powders, then slowly stir in jojoba oil until a creamy consistency forms. Add essential oil and transfer to a squeeze tube or jar.

Why It Works:
Magnesium hydroxide neutralizes odor without disrupting skin pH like baking soda can. Jojoba mimics skin’s natural oils, making this recipe excellent for sensitive users.

4. Activated Charcoal Detox Deodorant

Ingredients:

2 table spoons coconut oil
1 table spoons bentonite clay
1 tsp activated charcoal
1 table spoons arrowroot
5 drops rosemary EO

Instructions:
Mix the clay, charcoal, and arrowroot. Add melted coconut oil gradually while stirring to form a paste. Finish with rosemary oil and store in a non-metal container (clay reacts with metal).

Activated charcoal draws out impurities while rosemary oil reduces bacteria. Great during the transition from conventional deodorants.

5. Vegan Stick Deodorant (Candelilla Wax)

Ingredients:

2 table spoons candelilla wax
2 table spoons cocoa butter
2 table spoons arrowroot
1 table spoons baking soda
10 drops eucalyptus EO

How to Mix:
Melt wax and cocoa butter together. Stir in powders until smooth. Add essential oil. Pour into a refillable stick container like this one and let it cool upright.

The wax base keeps the product firm in warmer climates. Eucalyptus oil is highly antimicrobial and energizing.

6. Aloe Vera Gel Roll-On (Ultra Sensitive Skin)

Ingredients:

¼ cup aloe vera gel
1 tsp witch hazel
1 tsp baking soda (optional)
5 drops lemon EO

Instructions:
Whisk all ingredients until combined. Pour into a roll-on bottle.

Benefits:
Aloe soothes inflammation while witch hazel tightens pores. Use daily, especially post-shaving.

7. Bentonite Clay Detox Deodorant

Ingredients:

2 table spoons bentonite clay
2 table spoons coconut oil
1 table spoons arrowroot
10 drops geranium EO

How to Make:
Mix powders, then blend in melted coconut oil. Add EO and mix until creamy. Store in glass.

Why It Works:
Bentonite clay absorbs toxins and helps manage detox symptoms during your switch from antiperspirants.

8. Teen-Friendly Citrus Blend

Ingredients:

2 table spoons mango butter
1 table spoons baking soda
1 table spoons arrowroot
5 drops sweet orange EO

Instructions:
Melt mango butter and combine with dry ingredients and essential oil. Store in a tin or travel-sized jar.

Effectiveness:
Mango butter is non-comedogenic, making it perfect for younger skin. The citrus scent is uplifting and neutralizes odors effectively.

9. Baking Soda-Free Balm (Super Sensitive Skin)

Ingredients:

2 cocoa butter
2 table spoons shea butter
2 table spoons arrowroot
2 table spoons magnesium hydroxide
10 drops patchouli EO

Mixing Instructions:
Melt butters, stir in powders, add essential oil. Let it cool in a small tin.

Why It Works:
Perfect for users with a baking soda intolerance. Patchouli oil offers long-lasting scent and antimicrobial protection.

10. Tea Tree and Neem Antibacterial Balm

Ingredients:

2 table spoons neem oil
2 table spoons coconut oil
1 table spoons arrowroot
10 drops tea tree oil

How to Prepare:
Blend oils and powder until you get a paste. Store in a tightly sealed jar.

Effectiveness:
According to a study from PubMed, neem oil has powerful antibacterial properties. Tea tree boosts its odor-fighting ability.

11. Apple Cider Vinegar Spray Deodorant (Odor Neutralizing)

Ingredients:

¼ cup apple cider vinegar (with “mother”)
¼ cup distilled water
10 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops rosemary essential oil

How to Make It:
Combine apple cider vinegar and distilled water in a small spray bottle. Add essential oils and shake thoroughly before each use. Store in a cool, dark place.

How It Works:
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is naturally antibacterial and helps restore the skin’s pH to make it less hospitable to odor-causing bacteria. Lavender and rosemary oils boost antimicrobial action and provide a fresh, herbal scent. According to PubMed, ACV exhibits antimicrobial effects against multiple bacterial strains, making it a smart alternative for those avoiding oils or powders.

Packaging Tip:
Use a dark glass spray bottle to preserve the potency of essential oils and avoid plastic degradation.

12. Coconut and Zinc Oxide Paste Deodorant (Long-Lasting Protection)

Ingredients:

2 tbsp coconut oil
1 tbsp zinc oxide (non-nano, uncoated)
1 tbsp arrowroot powder
5 drops peppermint essential oil

Instructions:
Mix all ingredients in a bowl until you get a smooth paste. Store in a small airtight glass jar.

How It Works:
Zinc oxide forms a protective barrier while also offering antibacterial and antifungal benefits. Combined with peppermint oil, which has proven antimicrobial properties, this formula is ideal for those who sweat heavily or want extended odor control.

Safety Note:
Use non-nano zinc oxide to prevent particle penetration through the skin.

13. Powder Deodorant for Sweaty Feet & Underarms

Ingredients:

3 tbsp arrowroot powder
1 tbsp kaolin clay
1 tsp baking soda
10 drops eucalyptus essential oil

Preparation:
Mix all powders thoroughly in a jar. Add essential oil drops and shake or stir until well-distributed. Apply using a powder puff or clean fingers.

How It Works:
Ideal for underarms and feet, this dry deodorant absorbs excess moisture while eucalyptus provides a cooling and antibacterial boost. Kaolin clay gently detoxifies and keeps skin dry without irritation.

Pro Tip:
Store in a shaker jar for easy, mess-free application.

Packaging and Storage Tips for natural deodorant

Natural deodorants should be stored in air-tight, non-metal containers, especially those containing clay or charcoal. For solid versions, use reusable push-up tubes or silicone molds. Keep them in a cool, dry place, and refrigerate if your climate is hot.

Shelf life ranges from 3 to 6 months, especially if you include vitamin E oil (antioxidant) or grapefruit seed extract (natural preservative).

Conclusion

Crafting your own DIY natural deodorant not only saves money and reduces plastic waste but also empowers you to take full control of what goes onto your skin. With these 15 well-tested recipes, you’ll find something that works for every skin type, and with the right ingredients and understanding, natural deodorants can be just as effective as their commercial counterparts.