Top 10 Homemade Deodorants (And How To Make Them)

Common deodorants have some ingredients that can be harmful. However, there are many natural products that can serve as inexpensive, natural and environmentally friendly deodorants.

Of course, you have to find which of these products is more suitable for each skin type and pace of life. Bacteria that lodge on the skin can cause a bad odor even though sweat as such practically does not smell. This article shows the best homemade deodorants and how to prepare them.

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Top 10 Homemade Deodorants and How to Make Them

First of all you have to know is the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant. What the first one does is eliminate the bad smell, while the second one has the function of preventing sweating by clogging the pores.

It is best not to avoid sweating, but for some people who perspire a lot it is advisable to partially remove it in order to better control the bad smell. Here are the best homemade deodorants and how to prepare them, as there are different options and all natural.

1. Baking soda

Baking soda is one of the most widely used natural deodorants, and it is very efficient for people with little perspiration. To use it, simply apply the powder directly to the area in question or make a paste with water to facilitate the application.

The biggest downside to using baking soda as a deodorant is that it stains clothes very easily. In addition, it is not recommended for sensitive skin, as it tends to cause irritation from the first applications.

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2. Alum stone

Alum stone is very effective as a deodorant. It is also a very practical alternative, as it does not need any special preparation. You just have to buy natural alum stone and wet it a little and then slide it on the skin.

Alum stone is an excellent home deodorant because its properties include being a powerful bactericide. In addition, its effect is long lasting. It has no odor, so it can be supplemented with a natural perfume such as essential oils.

3. Vinegar

Vinegar lowers the PH of the skin which helps eliminate body odor. It is another very effective alternative that also does not need any preparation. You just have to apply vinegar on the armpits or in the area where you want to eliminate the bad smell.

The disadvantage is the smell of vinegar, which although it disappears after a few minutes of having applied it, at the moment it can be annoying. In addition, its deodorizing effect does not last long so it needs to be applied several times a day.

4. Lemon

Lemon is known to be a powerful bactericide. This property of lemon allows bacteria to be eliminated and with them the bad smell they produce. You just have to apply the lemon juice and that will be enough.

The downside is that it easily irritates sensitive skin. It also has no antiperspirant effect, so it does not prevent sweating. Thus, in people who sweat a lot, lemon loses its effectiveness in fighting odor.

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5. Coconut oil and baking soda

A homemade deodorant made with coconut oil and baking soda is a great alternative.. It can be prepared with different consistencies to facilitate its application, but only 3 tablespoons of cornstarch, coconut oil and a little baking soda are needed.

To prepare this homemade deodorant you have to mix the 3 ingredients well until you get a cream. A solid consistency is achieved if it is then put on the fire, mixed, and then left to cool in the refrigerator. Its prolonged use helps reduce perspiration, although it is not one of its main characteristics.

6. aloe vera

Aloe vera is an excellent natural deodorant. It can be used as a gel and applied to any area of ​​the body where you want to eliminate the bad smell of sweating. It does not need further preparation and has the advantage that it can be used anywhere on the body.

It is a good alternative for those with sensitive skin who do not sweat too much. It can be combined with any of the other deodorant alternatives to counteract the irritation that some of them cause.

7. Liquid deodorant with vegetable jojoba oil

This liquid deodorant with vegetable jojoba oil can be easily prepared at home. You need 50 ml of jojoba vegetable oil, a teaspoon of baking soda and essential oil of your choice.

You just have to heat the jojoba oil a little, add the bicarbonate and then it can be removed from the heat. It is then poured into a bottle and mixed. At the end, 15 drops of essential oil are added to add smell. It can be put in a roll-on bottle for easy application.

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8. Zinc

A homemade zinc deodorant is a great option for sensitive skin. Zinc oxide has antibacterial properties, which is why it works as a deodorant. It is best to prepare it in combination with other elements.

You need 25 grams of Shea butter, 40 grams of sweet almonds, 15 grams of beeswax, 20 grams of zinc oxide, 2 grams of zinc ricinoleate, ½ tbsp matcha, 10 drops of vitamin E, tea tree essential oil and lavender essential oil.

To prepare it, you just have to put all the ingredients on the fire and let it cool before using the result as a deodorant.

9. Tea tree essential oil

Tea tree essential oil has bactericidal properties. The truth is that any essential oil that can kill bacteria can be used as a homemade deodorant. However, the tea tree has proven to be one of the most effective and also has a pleasant aroma.

As it is a high-concentration ingredient, just a few drops on the armpits (or on the part of the body where you want to eliminate the bad smell). Of course, it requires several applications throughout the day.

10. Hydrolates

Hydrolates can be used by people who do not perspire too much. Hydrolates are the flower water resulting from the steam distillation of a plant's essential oil.

You have to be careful when buying them, because there are many products on the market that are sold as hydrolats, but they are not. You have to check the labels well.

Lavender, thyme jasmine or tea tree hydrolates are the most recommended for use as a deodorant. You also have to apply them different times throughout the day, but they do not stain and do not irritate sensitive skin.

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Bibliographic references

• Eshun, K. and He, Q. (2004). Aloe vera: a valuable ingredient for the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries — a review ". Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 44 (2), 91–96.

• Greenwood, N. N. and Earnshaw, A. (1997). Chemistry of the Elements (2nd Edn.), Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.

• Keis, K., Persaud, D., Kamath, Y.K. and Rele, A.S. (2005). Investigation of penetration abilities of various oils into human hair fibers. Journal of Cosmetic Science, 56 (5), 283-295.

• Kuehl, B.L., Fyfe, K.S. and Shear, N.H. (2003). Cutaneous cleansers. Skin Therapy Lett. 8 (3), 1–4.

• Picon, M.; et al. (2005). L'alun de Mediterranée. Center Jean Bérard.