DIY Natural Deodorant Recipes for a Fresh and Eco-Friendly Approach

Homemade Natural Deodorant: Simple, Effective & Eco-Friendly

This all started with a Pinterest post. A woman was making her own deodorant using coconut oil, and I was instantly intrigued. The idea of creating a natural, aluminium-free deodorant that I could personalise with essential oils really appealed to me.

But I’ll be honest—I was sceptical. I’ve tried so many eco-friendly deodorants before, and most just haven’t worked for me. They wear off too quickly, and body odour isn’t something I want to be worrying about halfway through the day.

The only store-bought brand I’ve found to be consistently reliable is Native, but it comes at a higher price point than I’d like to spend regularly, and I’ve had trouble sourcing refills.

So I decided to try making my own. I already had all the ingredients in my kitchen: coconut oil, bicarbonate of soda, and essential oils. I scented mine with rose and made one for Tim with cedarwood. The result? A homemade deodorant that was easy to make and smelled amazing.

The Outcome

Tim loved it—he only needed to apply it once every 24 hours, and it never let him down. I had a great experience too, except for one issue: my sensitive skin. After a few days, I developed a rash.

Some research revealed that I wasn’t alone. Bicarbonate of soda, while effective, can be a bit too harsh for sensitive skin. The solution? Mixing it with arrowroot powder to dilute its intensity.

After some experimentation, I’ve found that a 50/50 mix of arrowroot and bicarb works best for me. It’s gentle, still super effective, and I now apply it every 12 hours. Tim still prefers the original recipe, so I make us separate batches.

DIY Natural Deodorant Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 tbsp coconut oil (softened slightly)

• 2 tbsp bicarbonate of soda

• 2 tbsp arrowroot powder

• 10–15 drops of essential oil (your choice of scent)

Method:

1. Soften the coconut oil slightly in the microwave—just enough to make it easy to mix.

2. In a bowl, combine the softened coconut oil, bicarbonate of soda, and arrowroot powder. Mix thoroughly with a spoon until smooth and lump-free.

3. Add your essential oils and mix again.

4. Pour the mixture into clean, sterilised jars.

5. Leave to set at room temperature or pop in the fridge overnight. (You don’t need to store it in the fridge long-term.)

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Extremely cost-effective: around £4 for 6 months’ supply for 3 people

• Zero waste: reusable glass jars

• Long-lasting protection

• Aluminium-free

• Allows your body to sweat naturally—just without the odour

• Customisable with your favourite scents

Cons:

• It’s a little messy—apply with your fingers and wash hands afterward (I keep mine near the sink)

• Can leave white marks on dark clothes (letting it dry before dressing helps)

• In colder months, the coconut oil hardens; using a teaspoon makes scooping easier

I hope this has been helpful! This deodorant has become a staple in our home, and I now make it regularly for family and friends who all love it too. I know it won’t work for everyone, but for us, it’s been a simple, satisfying switch—one that’s kind to both our skin and the planet.

If you give it a try, I’d love to hear how it works for you!