As unpleasant at is can be, sweating is an important aspect of our bodies’ ability to regulate our temperature, and when sweat combines with the bacteria on our skin, it can cause body odor. But nobody wants to smell like body odor, which is why we use antiperspirants or deodorants (or both!)
But many store-bought antiperspirants contain parabens, aluminum, dyes and a bunch of other things people may not want to put on their skin. Deodorants, on the other hand, tend to have simpler ingredients, and while they don’t stop sweating, that’s not necessarily a bad thing — it helps cool us off, after all!
Luckily, you can whip up a simple, all-natural deodorant at home using just two ingredients. It controls odor without blocking sweat, and without any harsh or risky chemicals.
One thing I like about this formula is that you can use it as a roll-on or a spray. Since many people have strong preferences about how they apply deodorant, it’s nice to have options!
How To Make A Natural Deodorant Roll-On
You’ll need:
Directions:
Add 12 drops of Defend to a roller bottle, then fill the rest of the way with fractionated coconut oil. Replace the roller top and shake well to mix.
Bonus Tip: This tool makes it easy to pop the lids off essential oil bottles and roller bottles!
How To Make A Natural Deodorant Spray
You’ll need:
- 30 drops Defend Essential Oil Blend
- 1 Tbsp vegetable glycerin
- Witch hazel*
- 4 ounce spray bottle
*Note: Witch hazel his included here for its natural cleansing and toning properties, and because it’s pleasantly cool, evaporates quickly, and can help soothe irritated skin. Learn more about the benefits of witch hazel here.
Directions:
Add 30 drops of Defend and 1 tablespoon of glycerin to a small spray bottle, then fill the rest of the way with witch hazel. Replace the spray top and shake well to mix.
Tips For Using A Natural Deodorant
- Natural formulas don’t last quite as long as conventional deodorants, so you’ll benefit from applying them more frequently. Keep some in your purse so you can reapply it once or twice throughout the day.
- If you’ve been using an antiperspirant, your body may need time to adjust to your new routine. You might feel sweatier than usual for the first few weeks.
The million-dollar question about natural deodorant is always the same: does it work? I’ve been using it exclusively for some time now and have been completely satisfied with the results!
I don’t experience what I would call “excessive sweating,” though, so if you do, be aware that neither of these natural deodorants will do you any good in terms of preventing sweat. Only an antiperspirant will help in that regard — just something to keep in mind!
More Ideas You'll Love
Have you ever tried a natural deodorant?
Jillee what is your solid deo recipe with arrowroot and beeswax I cannot remember it, but I loved it. I am on a very fixed income and have almost 70 gasps! I have been your greatest fan for a very long time and do use both your powdered and liquid laundry detergent. The stain spray really works and your oxi brightener is one I use and the whitening soak oh I just need your whole library again. ( no money) oh well, the solid deo is the only one I just cannot find, and I love it. Thx Barb in SLC
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love your blog but really need to point out that the spray deoderant needs an emulsifier for the oils. Witch hazel is not an emulsifier so the oils sit on top and your need to shake well. But this will still put pure oil on your skin and can lead to sensitivity.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi jillee,
You said you added frankincense to the deodorant. Can you tell me one. Not what brand but the type. I use edens garden brand and they have several varieties.
Thank you
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi Maria,
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Love the Edens Garden brand. I use Lemon and Frankincense Serrata in my blend. It has a light citrus scent without being “fruity”. Hope this helps.
Hi Jillee! I ran accross your blog from pinterest! I love it! So i noticed you make alot of your own stuff! As do I. Well I want to intoroduce to Young Living Essential Oils! They are the leader in essential oils because they ARE PURE. When I say 100% pure I want to explain something. Every health food store sells essential oils as do the internet like amazon.com. Well in order for them to call them natural and pure they only need 3 small drops of the actual pure oil in that bottle. The rest is synthetic chemicles. I know you must be shocked! When I found out about the truth of adultered oils i was pretty upset. But then my friend introduced me to young living essential oils! YL strives provide the best most purest healthy safe oils for over 20yrs now. YL Oils are Medical Grade. Grade A. What that means is they have the power to heal illness. *Not FDA approved although (no natural way of healing will ever be FDA approved due to $ and thats the sad truth) I have thousands of testimonies about how ppl are being healed and blessed by these oils. Gary Young owner of Young Living calls the oils “gods medicine” because thats exactualy what they are. What ever comes from the root, tree, shrub, flower is the only thing in that bottle of essential oil. I cannot express how important that is. Please visit seedtoseal.com for more info on that. So YL became the company it is because of the demand of the product 20yrs ago. It just started as a Co-Op. Gary has been researching for over 30years, he travels all over the world to find new plant life to make oils from. It would take 50 cups of tea to equal 1 drop of Young Livings Peppermint Oil. So Young Living owns thier own farms, distileries and Labs. They have full control over the product to ensure we get the best of the best product. YL is an open door company. Meaning as a member of the company like myself members have the ability to go visit any of the farms or diltileries all aorund the world. Work the farm and take part in harvest. All of it. Young Living has no secrets! They love to show us how they make the product and get it to us!
I would love to send you an intro info packet and some samples. I live in San Diego and if you live near id love to go for coffee to have to see and experience my oils first hand. So you let me know if you would like that. I am telling you this in the truest form, These oils will change your life!
Please visit my website! Im am working on it more and will be blogging soon.
I have pictures I wanted to share of myself at the Lavender Farm and distillery but I could not attach here.
Cheers, Tabby
Sharing The Wellness And Happiness Young Living Essential Oils Can Bring To Your Life!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Independent Distributor #1611042. Please Contact Me!
lavenderlillydroppersyloils.com
If anyone can please help so you mix all these essential oils and witch hazel but how many drops of each?and how much wtch hazel? Thank you :))
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Pretty great post. I just stumbled upon your blog
and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your weblog posts.
In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I am hoping you write once more very soon!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Again, thank you, Jillee for your wonderful blog.
I’ve used the baking soda/coconut oil recipe. It works but I developed a big bump in my arm pit. Scarey. I then tried the witch hazel recipe and it’s not effective and I stunk to high heaven. So!…
I decided to get creative; in a 2.5 oz spray bottle, I only had half of the witch hazel recipe left. I added 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, shook it up and the next day, I poured the witch hazel recipe off (I could have used a coffee filter to get the remaining liquid, but didn’t), leaving the baking soda behind.
In short, I allowed the baking soda to sit in the witch hazel recipe, hoping they can “share” some benefits of each other and WAA LA! It works! Very effective. It’s so effective, I’m scared–and thankful! I will reuse the baking soda, left behind for another batch and that can “marinate” until I’m ready to pour off the liquid from it.
Try! Try! Try! Never give up! All body chemistry is different.
A great advantage to rubbing deodorant into our armpits–female & male–is, it keeps us “in touch” with our glands & lymph nodes, which are a great indicator of what’s going on with our bodies. If you feel a bump, please see a doctor. Could be nothing, but better safe than sorry.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have been using plain baking soda under my arms for 15 years.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My son sweated badly, the Dr. said he had an over active thyroid and killed it, before it lead to more problems.
He is now some what normal and takes a thyroid pill daily.
Hey Jelli!
Thanks for sharing all the awesome DYI or homemade products. I have a quick question about the deodorant. Can I substitute something else for the lavender and if so what would you suggest? I only ask because I am allergic to lavender. Thanks so much again for all you do!
Many Blessings,
Melinda B.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Your style is unique compared to other folks I have read stuff from.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I will
just book mark this blog.
I use a brand called Lavilin (website: http://www.lavilin.com). My husband got it for me a year ago and I absolutely fell in love with their underarm cream. I actually ended up getting the foot cream for my husband as well :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi,
I find it that it is difficult to frctionated coconut oil at my place. Can i just replace it with virgin coconut oil. And i read somewhere that can substitute with sweet almond oil, is it ok?
Thanks.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I used to have excessive sweating and darker underarms, being very pale it was very noticeable. I was wearing prescription strength and sweating through.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.After changing my diet and switching to natural deodorant I realized I no longer sweated nearly as much *no more embarresed to take my sweater off* and that even when I did sweat, it didn’t smell that bad or at least it wasn’t strong enough for others to smell it. Also after I stopped using normal deodorant, my underarms lightened significantly over the course of about a month and have stayed that way.
I’ve gone natural and about to go homemade and I’ll never go back.
Hi,
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks for the recipe. I d like to try the spray version. The only problem is the link for the spray does not work. Can you plse tell me (in ml if possible) the content of the small spray bottle.
Thanks in advance
Isy
I use Lavilin and highly recommend it! It’s a really effective all-natural deodorant. I use it once a week and I don’t smell at all! Love it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi y’all,
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Jillie you’re a genius!
Here in the south we have 5 seasons: winter, spring, summer…and August, making deodorant a social necessity. However, seeing as how I already had the ingredients for this on hand (I’ve been making my own wrinkle reducing moisturizer for some time) I made this version using extra virgin coconut oil that I slightly warmed until barely melted, then added frankincense, lemon, lavender and some lemongrass to help with the perspiration. After it was all mixed and had set up, the coconut oil solidified enough for me to just put half a teaspoon on my hands and rub it all around. Put it on yesterday and then went outside to power-wash my entire driveway. It took me hours in the blazing southern sun. I didn’t sweat, didn’t smell (honest) and bonus – it still had the scent of lemons and lavender when I was through. I had the hubs try it today (though there was much grumbling and protest) and guess what? It works great for him too, even through underarm hair.
Skin is the largest organ organ of the human body – what you put on it gets absorbed into your bloodstream. Try this – your body will thank you!
Good job Jillie!
Lavilin is a really good solution. It’s totally natural and safe – been using it for years. I have gotten lots of friends and family to try it and all of them (except one), have made the switch for good. I would say that’s pretty good!
Try it out: http://www.microbalanced.com
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m really excited to try the spray on, but had a question. How much witch hazel? How small is the “small spray bottle”?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I would use about a 1/3 oz roller bottle.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.When you get around to creating a more manly scent for your husband I would love for you to post. I’m not yet confident enough to experiment on my own. I made this today in the spray form and I loved it!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I really want to try this, but I have one question: Why does it say 2 simple ingredients? Looks like 5 to me. haha
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have to say deodorant is one of those things that everyone needs and that means that a lot of people spend way more money than they need to on it and they definitely don’t realize the harmful ingredients. Even though I knew some about how bad a lot of the ingredients in regular deodorant are for you I never thought of making it myself. I definitely never would have thought it could be so easy either. Just a few drops of some great herbs with excellent benefits. Thanks for the recipes.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Cute pic of you and your sisters. =)
Thank you for your site; these natural recipes and information are so important.
I have lost my 2 sisters in the last 4 1/2 years to lymphoma and breast cancer, so taking care of what goes on your skin and into your body is so very important!
Love reading the “think tank” dialogue also!
God Bless,
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Ruthann