Best Simple Homemade Men’s Deodorant Recipe (That Works!)

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It’s no secret that commercial deodorant brands have toxic ingredients in them.  Men especially feel stuck using store bought deodorants because they sweat & have more body odor. Making this homemade men’s deodorant is the answer. 

If you’re looking for a men’s alcohol free antiperspirant deodorant that works well for the man in your life, then you’ve come to the right place!  This is the best homemade men’s deodorant recipe.  It is super easy to make and all natural!  Make it for the man in your life (or use it yourself!).

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Harm of Conventional Deodorants

There’s a laundry list of toxic ingredients in today’s store-bought deodorant brands, especially the antiperspirants.  One of the well-known ingredients in antiperspirant is aluminum. Other harmful ingredients used are parabens, triclosan, phthalates, & propylene glycol.

These ingredients can have serious side effects.  They are connected to types of cancer, such as breast cancer. They also cause hormonal & reproductive issues.

Aluminum is a main ingredient in deodorant. It plugs up the sweat glands to reduce the amount of wetness under your arms.  The good news is there are healthy alternatives to reduce underarm sweat without using this harmful ingredient!

Natural Ingredients For Alcohol Free Deodorant

This recipe calls for three natural ingredients that help odor control and reduce underarm sweat: Coconut oil, baking soda, & arrowroot powder. You can also add in essential oils to help mask any residual odors.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is used in this deodorant because of its health benefits and silky texture.  It has anti-inflammatory properties while also moisturizing under your arms.

There are also antibacterial properties in it that help with deodorizing under your arms.  It is the perfect base for this homemade men’s deodorant recipe.

If you can’t use coconut oil due to your skin type, then shea butter is another great base to use.  Just swap the coconut oil out for shea butter in the recipe below.

Baking Soda

Along with coconut oil, baking soda is an odor controlling hero.  Baking soda counteracts the odorous bacteria under your arms and acts as a natural deodorant.

Baking soda also helps to absorb some of the sweat under your arms, making it a useful ingredient in this men’s deodorant recipe.

Some skin types don’t react well to baking soda. If you experience any irritation, you can lessen the amount of baking soda used in this recipe and just replace it with more arrowroot powder.

Pillar Post DIY Non Toxic Body Care

Arrowroot Powder

Arrowroot powder doesn’t get enough credit in skin care.  It has so many benefits when used in homemade deodorant.

Arrowroot powder helps absorb sweat and moisture. It is the perfect ingredient to use in place of store bought antiperspirants.  It has outstanding wetness protection while also pairing well with essential oils to mask any residual body odor.

Some other benefits of arrowroot powder include its ability to promote healing & soften skin.  It is an excellent and effective antiperspirant.

jar of deodorant paste

Essential Oils For Men’s Body Odor

Choosing the right essential oil is important for men’s deodorant.  The best oils that mask body odor for men are the muskier, woodsy smells such as Patchouli & Cedar Wood. These types of scents will help mask odors, even after a long day of working. 

Here are other oils that have a naturally refreshing scent and work well as deodorizers in this homemade deodorant recipe:

best homemade mens deodorant 2

If you’re using a stronger scent, you’ll only want to add a few drops to the recipe.  Citrus smells aren’t as strong, so you can do a few more drops of those.  Just be careful as some of the citrus oils will make your delicate underarm skin sensitive to sunlight.

My favorite mix is Patchouli & Sweet Orange for the ultimate freshness game.

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    How Do You Make Homemade Deodorant For Men?

    This recipe only takes a few minutes to make.  You’ll just need a mixing bowl, a spoon, measuring cups, & a jar to store your homemade men’s deodorant in. You can also print out this manly label from the Member’s Library to impress the man in your life.

    Tough Stuff Deodorant jar

    Ingredients

    • ⅓ cup Coconut oil (unrefined is best)
    • 4 Tablespoons Arrowroot powder
    • 4 tablespoons baking soda (only do 2-3 if you have sensitive armpits)
    • 2-8 drops essential oils (optional)

    Directions

    1. Soften coconut oil by microwaving for 5-10 seconds
    2. Combine coconut oil, arrowroot powder, & baking soda in a bowl and mix together well
    3. Add essential oils and mix again
    4. Store in an airtight container to use for 12-18 months

    Tips

    • Depending on your skin type, if you have sensitive armpits, you can use less baking soda.  Baking soda can irritate the sensitive skin under your arms, especially if you just shaved, waxed, or have razor burn.  You can add more arrowroot powder and less baking soda if you have sensitive skin.
    • If you’re using a strong essential oil smell like patchouli or rosemary, I wouldn’t use a full 8 drops.  Start with a few drops and then add more if needed.
    • For a more luxurious feel, add a dash of olive oil and use beaters to whip the deodorant.
    • Apply a small dab to your armpits once or twice a day.  Best to use after a shower as your pores are opened up.
    • If you live in colder climates, the deodorant might harden.  Dig a small amount from the hardened deodorant and press to your armpit to let it melt. You can also melt it between your palms first.
    • For best results, detox your armpits several times a week as you switch to natural deodorant.

    How to Use Homemade Deodorant Recipe

    There will be a little bit of “growing pains” as you switch over to natural deodorant.  I’ve written a post on how to stop using deodorant. It gives some tips on ways to slowly switch over and some other ingredients that might help you.

    The best thing you can do is detox your armpits a few times a week as you make the switch. 

    You can apply this natural deodorant a few times a day to help fight the odors that your armpits will release as your sweat glands open back up.

    Directions To Use Homemade Men’s Deodorant

    Changing from a stick deodorant to a natural paste will feel a little different at first.

    For easy application, use your finger to dip out a nickel-sized amount and apply under your arms one to two times daily.  It is a good idea to put it on right after a shower as your pores are opened up for long-lasting odor protection.

    If you live in a colder climate and the deodorant paste hardens, you can use a popsicle stick to dig some out. Then, hold it up to your armpit or between your palms to let it melt for easy application.

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    Switch To Natural Men’s Deodorant

    The ingredients in this recipe plus the essential oils work really well to fight stronger odors.  It might take a week or two to fully eliminate your underarm odor. Your armpits will need some time to detox from the toxic ingredients in your conventional deodorant.

    Overall, you’ll love this easy recipe and the fact that you’re not harming your body with toxic ingredients!

    best homemade mens deodorant

    FAQ

    How long is homemade deodorant good for?

    If you store your deodorant in an airtight container at room temperature, you can use it for up to two years.  Just keep an eye on it to make sure nothing starts growing on it or it doesn’t have a funky odor.

    What ingredients in deodorant stop odor? 

    All three ingredients in this recipe are a great option for making your own deodorant and have properties that help to stop odor. This effective formula uses coconut oil, baking soda, & arrowroot powder.  You can also choose an essential oil that helps with odor to make it even stronger.

    What ingredients in men’s deodorant prevent sweating?

    Antiperspirants use the active ingredient aluminum, which can be really harmful to your health.  Arrowroot powder is the natural ingredient in this recipe that helps to soak up underarm sweat.

    How do I stop my armpits from sweating without aluminum?

    There are many steps you can take to stop using deodorant.  Detoxing your arms with apple cider vinegar and charcoal are the best ways to prevent odorous sweat as you switch over to natural ingredients in your deodorant.

    How can I make my armpits sweat less and less smelly?

    The best way to make your armpits less smelly is to stop using store bought deodorant.  The toxins make your sweat smell worse because your body is trying to sweat out the toxic ingredients in the deodorant. 

    Detox your armpits and then switch to making your own deodorant with natural ingredients that prevent odor and sweat such as coconut oil, baking soda, and arrowroot powder.

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    Homemade Men's Deodorant

    Homemade Men's Deodorant

    This is the best homemade men’s deodorant recipe.  It is super easy to make and all natural!  Make it for the man in your life (or use it yourself!).

    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Total Time 5 minutes

    Ingredients

    • ⅓ cup Coconut oil (unrefined is best)
    • 4 Tablespoons Arrowroot powder
    • 4 tablespoons baking soda (only do 2-3 if you have sensitive armpits)
    • 2-8 drops essential oils (optional)
    • 2 tsp Olive oil (optional if your coconut oil is really hard)

    Instructions

    1. Soften coconut oil by microwaving for 5-10 seconds
    2. Combine coconut oil, arrowroot powder, & baking soda in a bowl and mix together well
    3. Add essential oils and mix again
    4. Store in an airtight container to use for 12-18 months

    Notes

    • Depending on your skin type, if you have sensitive armpits, you can use less baking soda.  Baking soda can irritate the sensitive skin under your arms, especially if you just shaved, waxed, or have razor burn.  You can add more arrowroot powder and less baking soda if you have sensitive skin.
    • If you’re using a strong essential oil smell like patchouli or rosemary, I wouldn’t use a full 8 drops.  Start with a couple drops and add more if you prefer more.
    • For a more luxurious feel, add a dash of olive oil and use beaters to whip the deodorant.
    • Apply a small dab to your armpits once or twice a day.  Best to use after a shower as our pores are opened up.
    • If in colder climates, the deodorant might harden.  Dig a small amount off the hardened deodorant and press to your armpit to let it melt or melt between your palms.
    • For best results, detox your armpits weekly as you switch to natural deodorant.

    Nutrition Information:


    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 0

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    5 Comments

    1. I can’t wait to give this a try! I’ve been making my own deodorant for years but never could get my husband on board. I’m going to try a new scent and see if he likes it any better. If not, it’ll be a great Christmas present for my dad!

    2. Funny – I actually have arrowroot flour I had no idea what to do with! Used it for paleo pancakes a while back. Now I have a use for it! Have been using Native deo for years, and it works okay, but not great. Especially for the price. Excited to try! Thanks!

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