Natural Deodorant Without Baking Soda

Try this natural deodorant that is made without baking soda so it won’t irritate your skin and the best part, it actually works!

Video Tutorial

I have had quite a few blunders when it comes to using natural products. These blunders have included soaps that won’t sud, unscented air fresheners and likely the worst one yet. A deodorant that left my underarms burning and red. The shock and horror I felt when I lifted my arm exposing a bright red and irritated armpit that just hours before was smooth and normal. I knew immediately, this was a natural deodorant issue.

More to the point, a baking soda issue. I wouldn’t say I have sensitive skin but since this happened I had to re-evaluate things. A lot of natural deodorants called for it, so surely many people were using it, right? Or so it seems.

If you are like me, and don’t want to risk of burning under arms or have in fact, sensitive skin. This natural deodorant just might unlock a brand new natural beauty product for you. One that helps you avoid the extra cost of using natural deodorants over conventional ones.

Most importantly, the stuff worked for me and my daughter. So I simply had to share it here in hopes that it too ends your search for an effective natural deodorant without baking soda.

I found that an easy swap to arrowroot powder, a fine powdery flavorless substance that comes from dried rhizomes of an arrowroot plant, did the trick. Arrowroot powder in this deodorant helps absorb moisture, help control odor and is a nice thickening agent. All this while being safe for sensitive skin. As far as beauty products go, arrowroot powder is one of those things you will want to keep on hand for not only deodorant but a myriad of other beauty needs.

This Natural Deodorant Is…

• Made with natural ingredients that help control body odor and is safe for my sensitive skin type.
• A DIY deodorant that won’t cause skin irritation for most people and is free from artificial fragrance.
• One of the best natural deodorants I have used that did not give us red armpits. 
• A great natural option for anyone looking to swap out their conventional deodorant.
• Different from traditional deodorants or a conventional antiperspirant.
• ​One of the best DIY recipes that I have used for a long time.

Ingredients

Coconut Oil- use organic coconut oil not a blend. 

Cocoa butter- use certified organic cocoa butter if possible. If buying a bar of it, you will need to use a cheese grater or sharp knife to cut it into pieces before heating. 

Beeswax Pellets- you can use white beeswax or yellow beeswax for this. You can also use beeswax bars but keep in mind you will need to use a cheese grater or sharp knife to cut into small pieces. 

Vitamin E Oil- This is a great oil to use for any sort of skincare. Make sure to use a pure natural vitamin E oil. 

Arrow Root Powder- a nice alternative to baking soda. Make sure to use a food grade arrow root powder that is safe for use on skin. This will help absorb moisture and keep the skin under the arms dry without clogging the pores.

Tools

Deodorant Container

Double Boiler or Sauce Pan with a heatproof Glass Bowl

Funnel

Foil (optional)

Directions

In a double boiler or a sauce pan with a bowl over, add the beeswax pellets, coconut oil, and cocoa butter to the bowl.

Heat until all contents are completely melted. You can opt to cover the bowl with a piece of foil to make the melting process quicker. But is optional.

Once they are all melted, remove them from heat. Add the three teaspoons of arrowroot powder and the 6 drops of vitamin e oil to the bowl.

Stir well to make sure all the ingredients are combined well. The solution will be a hazy yellow color when it is ready.

Use a funnel to pour the solution into the awaiting deodorant container or into a mason jar.

Allow the deodorant to sit at room temp until it sets.

The time for this varies based on room temperature but normally will set in about an hour and a half or so. The deodorant is ready once it completely sets.

FAQ

Can I use shea butter instead of the cocoa butter for this recipe?

You certainly can. Another option is using mango butter which is not as commonly found but is another great option for this deodorant.

What is the arrow root powder for?

In this particular recipe, it has been added for its ability to absorb moisture. As you might realize it is used in place of baking soda and is a milder option.

Can I add essential oils to this?

Yes, with using the cocoa butter I don’t feel the need to add extra scent as the cocoa has a nice sweet scent to it. However, using essential oils is fine if you feel that you’d like a bit stronger scent. Below I will leave a couple of favorite blends I have tried in the past when wanting a scent in mine. 

You can also get creative and put blends together for a smell you like most or just use an essential oil of your choice. One thing to note is that when adding essential oils I try to aim for about 15 drops per stick of deodorant I make. This might seem like a lot, but if you are trying to scent a full stick of deodorant, it will require a decent amount of essential oil to do so. 

Is this natural deodorant safe for sensitive skin?

 The ingredients used to make this natural deodorant are on the mild side. Without the use of harsh chemicals, or synthetic fragrances this makes a very mild deodorant. The use of arrowroot powder in place of baking soda will also reduce the risk of skin irritation since arrowroot powder is a more gentle alternative. With anything, you can still find this deodorant is an issue for you for whatever reason. It is a good idea to start off with a small amount to sort of test the area and then apply more in your best judgement. I highly suggest that if this does irritate your skin, stop use immediately. 

Essential Oil Blends To Try

Citrus Blend

5 drops of the following:

lemon essential oil

sweet orange essential oil

grapefruit essential oil

Floral Blend

5 drops Jasmin essential oil

4 drops lavender essential oil

6 drops rose essential oil

Tips For Switching To Natural

Switching to a natural anything comes with its disadvantages at first. If you are switching from a store-bought, aluminum-mixed deodorant. You will have some adjusting to do with a detox period or giving your body time to adjust. There are tips out there for detoxing your underarm area however, I think just giving the deodorant some time to acclimate with your body can be enough.  If you find you have a hard time adjusting, consider the detox. Remember anytime you switch to a natural product, there most likely will be a bit of trial and error.

So be forewarned, switching up your deodorant might mean you will need to reapply it throughout the day or have a few less-than-fresh days while your body adjusts. Remember your reason behind making the switch. You will be using something far healthier for you and making the effort is worth it in the end.

How To Store

Store the deodorant with the lid on so that it does not dry out. Store it at room temperature not in the fridge. Storing in the fridge or an overly cold room can make the deodorant too hard to use. If making this natural homemade deodorant in batches, place the containers  in a dark cool place like a bathroom cabinet or hall closet. 

*Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive commissions if you choose to purchase through the links I provide (at no cost to you).

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Natural Farms Deodorant Containers 3 pk

Raw Coconut Oil

Raw Organic Cocoa Butter

Beeswax Pellets 2 lbs Natural Cosmetic Grade

100% Pure Vitamin E Oil

Starwest Organic Arrow Root Powder 1 lb

Kitchen Funnel

Free Printable Label

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If you try this recipe and love it, I would appreciate you coming back to give it 5 stars!