Make your own DIY natural deodorant with simple, skin-loving ingredients like grass fed tallow. Gentle, non-toxic, perfect for sensitive underarms, with just the right amount of stability and glide.
If you’re looking for a natural deodorant that actually works, you’ll love this DIY natural tallow deodorant. You can make nourishing and odor-neutralizing deodorant at home with a few simple ingredients like arrowroot powder, coconut oil, and essential oils. This recipe includes one of my all time favorite ingredients: grass fed tallow!
I love this recipe because you get all the benefits of beef tallow while avoiding the chemicals found in most store-bought deodorant.
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Why tallow makes a great natural deodorant
I’m a huge fan of handmade organic skincare made with tallow in general. Suet or leaf fat tallow is my favorite for skin care products because it’s more pure, odorless, and lighter in color than trim fat. It’s also rich in nutrients, like vitamins A, D, K, E, and B12, which can help hydrate and moisturize the skin (source). When used in deodorant, it helps soothe sensitive underarms, supports the skin barrier, and adds a smooth, creamy texture to the final product.
Learn how to render your own tallow at home here.
More people are switching to natural deodorant to avoid the harsh ingredients found in typical drugstore options. Whether you’re experiencing sensitive underarms or just want a cleaner option, this DIY natural tallow deodorant is a simple, effective swap.
How to make homemade tallow deodorant
Ingredients:
- 1 heaping tbsp candelilla wax
- 1 tbsp organic extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup organic virgin coconut oil
- ¼ cup grass-fed tallow
- 1 cup arrowroot powder
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 6 drops of tea tree essential oil
- 60 drops of essential oil of choice
Instructions:
- Melt the base oils and wax by adding the wax, olive oil, coconut oil, and tallow to the top of a double boiler. Heat gently until everything melts into a smooth liquid.
- Keep the heat on low and stir in the arrowroot powder. Then add the baking soda. Mix well until no lumps remain.
- Remove from heat. Let it cool slightly (so the oils don’t get hot and dissipate), then stir in the tea tree oil and your chosen essential oils.
- Use a funnel or scrape the mixture into your deodorant tubes. This recipe fills about two 2.5-oz cardboard tubes.
- Let it set. Leave at room temperature until the mixture is fully hardened. You can also pop them in the fridge to speed up the process.
Storage, shelf life, and more tips
What are the best containers for homemade deodorant?
You can use compostable cardboard tubes, reusable plastic deodorant sticks, or even small glass jars. Cardboard tubes are my favorite low-waste option.
How long does it last?
This deodorant has a shelf life of 6 to 12 months. Just make sure to store it in a cool, dry place.
Is the baking soda irritating?
Having a lot of baking soda in a deodorant recipe can definitely be irritating, especially for certain skin ph levels. I find the very small amount of baking soda in this recipe is enough to work well at preventing odor, while not being enough to irritate the skin. If you are concerned, you can leave the baking soda out, or swap it with magnesium.
Can I re-melt and adjust the recipe later?
Yes! If it turns out too soft or too firm, melt it down again using a double boiler. You can also add more wax for a firmer texture or mix in extra essential oils for a stronger scent.
Tips for making natural deodorant
- If you don’t have a double boiler, you can use a glass or metal bowl set on top of a pan.
- Use unrefined virgin coconut oil in your DIY deodorant because it keeps all the natural antimicrobial properties that help fight odor.
- You can replace the olive oil with any skin-friendly liquid oil you have on hand, like jojoba oil or sweet almond oil.
- Customize the scent using essential oils.
- Lavender, patchouli, and geranium are great if you love floral scents.
- Cedarwood creates a wonderful woodsy scent.
More helpful posts
Have you ever made DIY natural tallow deodorant?
Leave a comment and tell me your favorite essential oil combo or what you’d try next time. I read every response!
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Deodorant containers
Organic extra virgin olive oil
Want to shop for organic handmade tallow deodorant?
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Want to grab some labels for your homemade deodorant and other DIY skincare products?
I’ve done all the hard work for you with this set of 30 printable skincare product labels. All the recipes are included on the back labels, too! Get your set of printable skincare product labels here.
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DIY Natural Deodorant with Tallow
Make your own DIY natural deodorant with simple, skin-loving ingredients like grass fed tallow. Gentle, non-toxic, perfect for sensitive underarms, with just the right amount of stability and glide.
Materials
- 1 heaping tbsp candelilla wax
- 1 tbsp organic extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup organic virgin coconut oil
- ¼ cup grass-fed tallow
- 1 cup arrowroot powder
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 6 drops tea tree essential oil
- 60 drops essential oil of choice
Tools
- Double boiler
- Tablespoon and measuring cup
- Spatula or spoon
- Deodorant containers
- Funnel or scraper
Instructions
- Melt the base oils and wax by adding the wax, olive oil, coconut oil, and tallow to the top of a double boiler. Heat gently until everything melts into a smooth liquid.
- Keep the heat on low and stir in the arrowroot powder. Then add the baking soda. Mix well until no lumps remain.
- Remove from heat. Let it cool slightly (so the oils don’t get hot and dissipate), then stir in the tea tree oil and your chosen essential oils.
- Use a funnel or scrape the mixture into your deodorant tubes. This recipe fills about two 2.5-oz cardboard tubes.
- Let it set. Leave at room temperature until the mixture is fully hardened. You can also pop them in the fridge to speed up the process.
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The information in this blog post is my personal experience and opinion. It is for general information purposes only, that may not apply to you as an individual, and is not a substitute for your own physician’s medical care or advice. Always seek advice from your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding nutrition, medical conditions, and advice. Never disregard medical advice or delay seeking medical care because of something you have read on this blog.
