Homemade Deodorant Without Coconut Oil (Natural & DIY)

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Making a DIY deodorant is a simple, natural, and effective zero waste solution for fighting stinky pits. 

Most DIY recipes contain coconut oil, and while coconut oil is excellent for moisturizing the skin, it can leave an unpleasant oily sensation and stain your clothes. 

If you want to avoid the greasy feeling, you’ll love the following recipe for homemade deodorant WITHOUT coconut oil! Below, I’ll tell you more about:

Ingredients needed

Shea butter:

Shea is a fantastic butter with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties (1). It is moisturizing, softening, and suitable for all skin types. Shea butter won’t make your skin oily after applying it since it gets quickly absorbed into the skin.

I prefer refined shea butter because the final result has no grainy feeling. You can find plastic-free shea butter here (it is the one I’ve used for this DIY recipe).

Arrowroot starch:

Arrowroot will help thicken the deodorant. It is moisture & oil-absorbent and an excellent option for a base for body care DIYs. You can substitute it with corn starch or tapioca starch, too. I’ve tried it, and it works great.

Baking soda:

Baking soda is odor-absorbing, and it also helps to neutralize unpleasant smells. While it is not ideal for those with sensitive skin, this recipe is with just one tbsp of baking soda, so it shouldn’t be a problem. You can find plastic-free baking soda from Amazon.

Essential oil:

Adding essential oils is great since they have antibacterial properties while adding a fresh scent. I used vanilla fragrance oil for this DIY since I had it before for another DIY.

You can use anything you have on hand. Just make sure you get high-quality, natural, therapeutic-grade essential oils that are safe to use on the skin. 

A few great options include – Aloe vera, Tea tree, Clary sage, Lavender, etc.

Natural Homemade Deodorant Without Coconut Oil

Materials: 

• A bowl 
• A pot 
• Clean jar (sterilize jars in boiling water for 10 minutes)
• Silicone whisk

Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup arrowroot powder OR cornstarch (45G) 
• ¼ shea butter (53G) 
• 1 OR 1 1/2 tbsp baking soda
• 20-25 drops of essential oil (optional, but recommended)

Instructions:

Melt shea butter in a double boiler.

Once the mixture cools down a bit, add arrowroot powder and mix well. 

After that, add one tbsp of baking soda & mix. Make sure there aren’t any clumps. 

Add your preferred essential oil if you wish (Make sure the mixture is cold; otherwise, the scent will evaporate). 

Afterward, transfer the deodorant to a jar, and put it in the freezer or fridge for an hour or two until it gets solid.

Additional tips

• You have to wait for the melted shea butter to cool off – Otherwise, the arrowroot might become in clumps, and the smell of the essential oil will evaporate. 
• You might have to reapply it throughout the day – This deodorant works great, but I’ve noticed that if it’s very hot outside, I usually have to reapply it at least once during the day (on dry skin).
• Before any DIY product, it is a good idea to perform a patch test to ensure your skin won’t react negatively to an ingredient – Apply a little bit of the deodorant on your inner forearm and wait for 24 hours. If there is no irritation or redness after 24 hours, you can use the product without worries.
• For the natural deodorant to work, you might have to “detox” your armpits – Armpit “detox” is supposed to increase natural deodorants’ effectiveness, remove the buildup of antiperspirant, and eliminate odor. Learn how to do it in the FAQ section.
• If you live in a tropical climate, the deodorant might melt – if it’s too hot where you live, it’s a good idea to store it in the fridge.

FAQ

Does homemade deodorant need a preservative? 

The homemade deodorant contains no water and doesn’t need a preservative. With that said, keep in mind that ingredients do have a shelf life, so make sure the things you use aren’t with a close expiration date. 

Is baking soda bad for underarms?

Baking soda effectively absorbs moisture and sweat, and it kills odor-causing bacteria. However, baking soda is very alkaline (a 9 on the pH scale).

When in contact with the skin, it raises your skin’s pH, and if it’s above its normal levels, it can cause irritation, dryness, redness, itching, painful rashes, etc. 

If you have dry or sensitive skin, you could be more prone to the side effects mentioned above, which means it is best to avoid putting baking soda on your skin.

Find a baking-soda-free deodorant recipe here.

Why is coconut oil used in most DIY deodorants? 

Coconut oil has antimicrobial properties that kill fungi, yeast, and bacteria (1) (2) (3), and in general, it is excellent for the skin. 

Why is this DIY deodorant without coconut oil?

While coconut oil can work great, it can also cause an unwanted oily sensation. Another reason people want to avoid coconut oil is that they might be allergic, or that coconut oil can clog pores and cause ingrown hairs or pimples.

Is it safe to use tea tree oil in your DIY deodorant? 

Tea tree oil contains compounds that fight bacteria responsible for body odor. It is a great option, and you can use it for your DIY deodorant.

How to make this homemade deodorant more efficient?

For some people, the homemade DIY deodorant may not work immediately. In that case, you can try the “armpit detox,” which will increase the effectiveness of natural deodorant, remove the buildup of antiperspirant & eliminate odor.

To do it, mix the following ingredients to make a thick paste: 

• 1 tablespoon bentonite clay 
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (unfiltered works best) 
• 1-2 tablespoons water 

Mix the ingredients with a non-metal utensil. The thickness should be something like yogurt and not too liquid.

Spread the mixture in an even layer under each armpit. Leave the mixture on for 10-15 minutes. Once it’s dry, wash off the armpits with warm water or a wet cloth. 

You can expect a bit of redness as the blood flow will increase. However, if you feel any pain, immediately remove the mix from your armpits. 

You can do it once a week, for a couple of weeks.

Summary

I hope you enjoyed this simple DIY homemade deodorant without coconut oil, and if you give it a try – make sure to let me know how did it go!

For more DIY deodorant options – follow my guide where I share 3 more DIY recipes.