Finding a homemade deodorant stick recipe that really works in stick form is tricky. I figured out the secret ingredient that gives it stability and the perfect amount of glide.
Homemade deodorant stick recipe
Deodorant is one organic skincare DIY that I’ve been making for a long time. Since commercial deodorants contain some really hazardous ingredients, it was one of the first skincare products that I wanted to be able to make myself. I wanted to be able to use only the safest, most natural ingredients.
For quite a while, I stuck with a cream deodorant recipe, which I applied with my fingers. It worked great. That recipe is amazing at eliminating odor, and I found it to work way better than any of the store-bought natural deodorants I had previously tried.
Then something called motherhood happened to me. I found myself with only a minute fraction of the time I previously had to take care of myself. Suddenly, a cream deodorant that had to be applied with my fingers was just too much effort. I was determined to create a homemade stick deodorant recipe that I loved.
Easy link to tools and ingredients used in this DIY
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Testing, Testing
If you’ve looked for them, you’ll know that there are myriad of homemade stick deodorant recipes online. Pretty much all of them are just cream deodorant recipes with wax added. Normally, it’s beeswax.
I tried so, so many of them. And every time, I ended up with the same problem: The deodorant stick was too soft to glide on properly. It just gooped up and went on in a big, thick, mess. Not good! Nobody wants globs of deodorant on their skin and clothes.
I wanted the consistency to be hard but with just enough glide to slide on in a nice, thin layer, just like the store-bought deodorants (but without the toxic chemicals, and it had to really prevent odor).
The secret ingredient
Eventually, after lots more research and testing and experimenting, I figured out the exact proportions that the ingredients needed to be, so that the deodorant was stiff enough to hold up well in stick form.
I also made a crucially important discovery. The type of wax really matters! Beeswax is just too soft.
Candelilla wax turned out to be the secret ingredient I had been looking for. Beeswax softens too quickly, and is responsible for the thick, goopy mess I had been experiencing.
Candelilla wax, on the other hand, stays much firmer, resulting in a perfect glide. I was so excited. I had nailed it!
Let’s talk about sweat
Before I share my fabulous homemade deodorant stick recipe with you, let’s talk for a moment about sweat. Isn’t sweating gross? Shouldn’t we try to stop it? Actually, sweating is a really good thing.
Sweating is one of the ways that our bodies detoxify. Preventing our bodies from sweating is preventing one of our important detoxification pathways from working, and is definitely a bad idea.
Also, commercial deodorants usually use some form of aluminum to stop perspiration. Aluminum is toxic to the body in a variety of ways. It’s certainly not something we want to be absorbed into our bodies on a daily basis.
So, ditch the toxic aluminum, and feel good about letting your body sweat. The good news is, with a great homemade deodorant stick recipe, you can perspire without worrying about odor.
And you don’t have to sweat like a pig. The arrowroot powder in this recipe helps to absorb wetness and keep you dryer, without compromise.
More about the ingredients
I use a variety of skin-friendly oils and butter in this deodorant recipe. Olive oil, cocoa butter, and coconut oil provide moisturizing properties. Virgin coconut oil has its own antimicrobial properties that help control odor. Arrowroot powder helps to reduce wetness.
The baking soda is a small enough amount to not be irritating but also helps to prevent odor. In the past, I’ve used deodorant recipes with more baking soda in them, and they do tend to be irritating. I haven’t had that trouble with this recipe.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Get my full disclosure here.
Customize it
Like so many other DIY skincare recipes, you can really have fun with the scent. Different essential oils can be blended and used to create an unlimited variety of scent options. Some of my favorites are lavender, grapefruit, and vanilla. I also really like Plant Therapy’s Deodorizing Synergy. For men, cedarwood and sandalwood are really nice choices.
Whatever essential oils you decide to go with, I recommend adding a few drops of tea tree essential oil at the same time. Tea tree is really effective in controlling odor and will blend nicely with the other oils you use.
Reduce, reuse, recycle
Another nice thing about making deodorant yourself is that you can really reduce the amount of trash that is thrown away. Stick deodorant containers can be used, refilled, and used again and again. I like to use little chalk labels to write the scent I used each time I make a new batch of deodorant.
Homemade deodorant stick recipe directions
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 tbsp candelilla wax
- 1 tbsp cocoa butter
- 1/2 cup virgin coconut oil
- 1/2 tsp olive oil
- 1 cup arrowroot powder
- 2 tbsp baking soda
- 60 drops essential oils of choice
- 6 drops tea tree essential oil
Instructions:
- Put candelilla wax, cocoa butter, coconut oil, and olive oil in a heat-safe container.
- Create a double boiler by putting the container with the oils and wax in a pan of water.
- Heat the water in the makeshift double boiler to a low boil.
- Keep heating the oils until the candelilla wax is completely melted and blended in.
- Add the arrowroot powder and baking soda, and mix well.
- Remove from heat, and add essential oils, mixing well.
- Pour into stick deodorant containers.
- Allow to harden in the refrigerator, then allow to come to room temperature.
- Store at room temperature.
Homemade deodorant stick recipe video
More DIY skincare recipes
How to make herb-infused tallow salve
Tallow lip balm recipe with honey
How to make magnesium lotion for sleep, stress, and more
Have you tried making your own deodorant yet?
What essential oils do you like to use? Tell me in the comments!
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Extra virgin olive oil, organic
Plant Therapy Deodorizing Synergy
Plant Therapy tea tree essential oil
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Stick Deodorant
Finding homemade deodorant stick recipe that really works in stick form is tricky. I figured out the secret ingredient that gives it stability and glide.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tbsp candelilla wax
- 1 tbsp cocoa butter
- 1/2 cup virgin coconut oil
- 1/2 tsp olive oil
- 1 cup arrowroot powder
- 2 tbsp baking soda
- 60 drops essential oils of choice
- 6 drops tea tree essential oil
Instructions
- Put candelilla wax, cocoa butter, coconut oil, and olive oil in a heat safe container.
- Create a double boiler by putting the container with the oils and wax in a pan of water.
- Heat the water in the makeshift double boiler to a low boil.
- Keep heating the oils until the candelilla wax is completely melted and blended in.
- Add the arrowroot powder and baking soda, and mix well.
- Remove from heat, and add essential oils, mixing well.
- Pour into stick deodorant containers.
- Allow to harden in the refrigerator, then allow to come to room temperature.
- Store at room temperature.
Hi, I am so glad to have found your deodorant recipe! I just wanted to share my positive experience with you…
Wanting to cut out as many toxic chemicals and products, I was hoping to find an easy and healthy recipe to replace my commercially create deodorant – which tend to leave me with a weird smell if I perspire. I’ve tried brand after brand. THIS recipe has left me without any weird smell!
Before starting the recipe, my only hesitation *was” with the baking soda; as it can irritate my skin. But I went ahead and made it as shown. And, I have had NO issues whatsoever!! Yay! I’ve been using it daily for about 3 months.
I am careful not to over apply, as I’ve found that It can leave residue on clothing (white on dark clothing, and some yellowing on white tops). And, so far, it has always washed off of my clothing just fine.
I LOVE that I can find organic, non-gmo ingredients to use.
I LOVE that I can scent it any way I desire, or not.
I LOVE that it’s moisturizing.
I LOVE that I can make as little or as much I as need.
I LOVE that I can gift this homemade, customizable item to others wanting a healthier way of life.
I LOVE that it controls odors (as intended).
And, I LOVE that you provided this recipe for us!! Thank you!!????
Can beeswax be substituted for the candelilla wax? Thanks!
I love this recipe! I have just ordered the ingredients I don’t have as well as deodorant containers.
I’ve been making soap and magnesium lotion for my whole big family, and will now add this deodorant.
One hint – your link that says arrowroot powder links to coconut flour!
Hi,
Just wondering how much your one batch per recipe yields (i.e. what size containers, how many containers per batch?). Thanks!
Have you got a deodorant paste recipe?
Anyone else having issues with this being too oily?! ???? it stained my shirt already! I’m afraid to give it to other if it will stain :/
It can leave oils stains on clothing if you use too much. If you use the right amount, it hasn’t been a problem 🙂
I just made this recipe but I only had enough to fill 3 containers and on the video she fills 6. I ordered the same containers as recommended on the link I’m wondering why I made half the amount as shown?
In the video the recipe is doubled 🙂
This looks like a great recipe.
Hello ! What about shelf life?
I love this recipe (2nd time now). I had to substitute Shea butter for the cocoa butter but still came out great. Hubby was actually bugging me to make this. He loves to pick out his own scent combos.
Could you substitute tallow for the coconut oil and leave out the cocoa butter? How would I adjust the ratios? I have a sensitivity to them both.
I absolutely love this deodorant! I tried to get more of a baby powder scent using essential oils which turned out floral but was lovely just the same.
I’d like to make this for my sister in law but she is allergic to anything coconut. Is there a substitution you would recommend?
Very similar to Coconut Oil You may want to check ‘Babassu Oil’.
Like coconut oil, Babassu oil is a plant-based oil rich in saturated fats, making it solid at room temperature. – Source: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/babassu-oil#benefits
You can use any oils – try jojoba (a bit pricey), apricot (a little less pricey) or sweet almond (most affordable).
Do you have a recommendation of where to buy the stick deodorant containers?
The containers I buy are linked in the post 🙂
Hi, are the cocoa butter and coconut oil refined or unrefined?
I was shocked at how well this recipe works! And it’s nice and moisturizing instead of drying.. I’ve tried to find normal store bought deodorants and antiperspirants for years and couldn’t find one that worked well. Then when going chemical free I wasted a lot of money on aluminum free deodorant that didn’t work either. So I thought I’d give this a try and was totally surprised at how much I like it. I substituted Shea butter for the cocoa butter and it worked great. I added lemongrass and it smells great and is a natural bug repellent. This deodorant is a little softer than I expected. You do need to rub it in a bit to prevent caking. And check again a couple times a day to rub in any accumulation in the creases. But it rubs in well and is still better than the white chemical laden deodorants that do the same thing but don’t rub in. This is so gentle instead of irritating like others. I love it. My son just began wearing deodorant and I’m so grateful to give him a safe start and future health using these recipes. Thank you.
Thank you so much for sharing!
Hello! I absolutely love the recipes I’ve tried so far!
Do you think I sub Tallow for the coconut oil in this deodorant recipe?
Thank you so much! Yes, you can 🙂
One request, could you post your recipe, especially the butters, oils and waxes, in grams or ounces? (There are approximately 28.4 grams in an ounce, so grams are more exact.) My butters and coconut oil are usually in a block or bucket. There is so much that depends on how tightly you pack something in a cup.
That’s a great idea, I’ll have to do that when I have the time. Thank you!
YES Formulations (recipes) should/and are always best in grams.
Thanks for this recipe. It’s my first time making home made deodorant. I must be sensitive to baking soda because my underarms are irritated. I’m thankful I made a half quantity so I won’t waste too many ingredients if I can’t use it. I might try melting some of it down and adding more candelilla wax because it is a bit mushy, I used shea butter so that might be why. It might also reduce the amount of baking soda that goes onto my skin with the added oil.
Thanks for sharing! I am sensitive to recipes with a lot of baking soda in them, but the amount in this recipe is small enough that it doesn’t irritate me. Everyone is different, though! I think that if you left the baking soda out it could still work well.
Hi! any chance you’d be willing to post the recipe in weight as opposed to volume?
Also, could you sub in beef tallow for coconut oil in this? Thanks!
I will have to update it with weights – great suggestion! Yes, tallow is amazing in homemade deodorant 🙂
Hi Marisa,
I had the opportunity to meet you in person and listen to a talk you gave at WAPF potluck a few months ago which was really nice. And I made up your recipe for Tallow Balm….Love It! So, now I’m ready to dive in and make your soaps and shampoo bars, etc.! 🙂
But I have a question about the recipe for the Bath Bombs…would it work to use Potato Starch in lieu of the Cornstarch??
Thanks so much for all the work you’ve put into coming up with these recipes! I can’t wait to get started!
Marie
I remember! How fun to see a comment from you 🙂 Yes, I think potato starch would work fine. Let me know how it turns out!
Hi Marisa
I already tried to make different types of deodorant. The latest one was solid and using bee-wax, coconut oil and Shea butter as basis. Unfortunately it ruined some of my shirts. It left some oil strain on the fabric. Any hint what I can change to avoid it?
Thanks
Thomas
I find that the arrowroot powder in my recipe really helps with this!
How can I make this a little bit harder. More wax??
Yes, you can increase the candelilla wax a bit. Hope that helps!
I really want to try your recipe, but I’m allergic to coconut. Is there something I could use in place of the coconut oil?
I think you could replace it with shea butter, and that may work well!
Hi and thanks for the lovely instructions. Could you please provide the measurement in grams? It’s impossible to make the product when a cup could be 150 or 200 grams. The same applies for spoons – some are 15 and some 20. Thanks
I recommend using an online calculator to easily make all of the conversions 🙂
I have a quick question, how many empty bottles does this recipe call for? This is my first time making deodorant, and want to get it as close to right as I can the first time.
Thank you
Tracey
The recipe card in the blog post has this info: Yield: 4 2.5 oz. sticks 🙂
I love this recipe, I have two ppl in my household that has to use natural deodorant. But my husband is having trouble with it balling up. I split the recipie in half(because i ordered travel size containers on accident) so thats a possibility because i had to keep reheating it since it was a small amount and i read in another comment that an immersion blender could help, do you have one to recommend? Part of the reason I’m making these at home is cost and there are a lot of choices out there
I’m glad! Yes, that could affect the consistency. If you melt it down again (or with the next batch you make) you can try increasing the candelilla wax to help the consistency. Yes, an immersion blender is a great idea. I have this one: (affiliate link) https://amzn.to/2DXQYkB Hope that helps!
Hello,
Wonderful site you have and thank you for sharing all your amazing research, tips & recipes.
I tried the deodorant recipe – measure the quantities exactly; used all the correct ing. Unfortunately the deodorant rolls on powdery and grainy. Do you have any tips to prevent this from happening when I make another batch? Thank you.
I’m sorry to hear that! I haven’t had this happen. That’s interesting that it happened without any substitutions. You might try letting the mixture harden very quickly, like in a freezer, and that may help the texture to be smoother. Also, when mixing, maybe try using an immersion blender to mix it very thoroughly. Hope that helps!
Hi! I just found this recipe and I’d like to try it. Would it be too much if I add non nano zinc oxide powder on your recipe? Plus, how long is the shelf life? I’m already thinking about halving the recipe because it’ll be only for me. But I am not sure if the second stick will still be okay to use after the first stick is done.
I’m not sure about the zinc, I’ve never tried that. Shelf life is pretty long, a year or more. That shouldn’t be an issue. I like making a full batch, because then I don’t have to make it as often 🙂
Hello! I was wondering if this makes roughly a stick or two of deodorant, or if this is the amount you had in the video. It seems easy enough to halve if this makes multiple. Also, do you have a measurement for how much essential oil? My essential oils do not have the dropper tops on them and I’m sure pipettes put off bigger drops.. Thank you!! I’m very excited to try this!
This recipes makes about 4 sticks. I just go by drops for essential oils, so if you think your drops are a lot bigger, you could try adding a bit less. Hope that helps!
Hello!
I made your deodorant stick recipe. Love the odour combating properties! I used tea tree, equal parts orange and lemon, and a touch of rosemary.
I’m having a small issue though. It’s still too “wet” for my liking. When I spread it on, too much comes off and ends up rolled up on my skin. Feels quite wet until it dries. I feel like it might need more wax. Can it be melted down again and add some wax? Do you think this will help?
Thank you! 🙂
I’m glad you like it! Sorry to hear about the softness. Did you use candelilla wax? The soft texture issue sounds like what happens with beeswax in the recipe. You can definitely try melting it down and adding some more wax, I think that should help.
Where is your cream deodorant recipe? I’ll be ordering my supplies once I get your recipe.
I’ll try the stick recipe next. Looks very easy
Thanks
I don’t have a cream deodorant recipe up yet, but you can use this same recipe to make a cream version, and just leave the wax out. Hope that helps!
Recently found your site. I’m excited to try some of your recipes. Could you use magnesium hydroxide powder for some of the arrowroot powder? If so, would you leave would you leave the baking soda out?
That’s a great idea! I haven’t actually tried it, but from what I know about magnesium deodorants, I am thinking it would be a great thing to do. As for leaving the baking soda out, that’s up to you. Some people are sensitive to it, so if you are, substituting the baking soda for the magnesium powder might be a great way to have the deodorant effective without being irritating. If you try this, let me know how it turns out!
Hi,
I love your natural deodorant stick recipe.
Wonderful! I’m so glad. Thanks for letting me know 😊
can i substitute the backing soda with zinc?
will it be the same amount?
I’ve never tried it before, but I would think you could. The same amount should work. If you try it, let me know how it works, especially for odor control 😊
Hello! I absolutely love your recipe for homemade deodorant. I closely matches all the ingredients of this zero waste deodorant that I absolutely love but just ran out of. I was wondering I you think I could sub cocoa butter for shea butter?
Oh I’m so glad you like it! Yes, I think you could substitute them fine, as they are a similar consistency. Cocoa butter is a tiny bit harder than shea butter, so you might want to increase the wax a little tiny bit. I’d try it with the measurements as is first, as it might be just fine that way. Let me know how it turns out!
Hi! I subbed the cocoa butter for shea butter as that’s all i had on hand. It seemed to be a tad mushy but definitely still functional. If i could do again i would add a little bit more candelilla wax, but as is it’s not bad. I love this recipe, thank you for posting this!! 🙂
That makes sense, shea butter is softer than cocoa butter. Adding more candelilla wax would help to firm it up with the extra shea butter. Thank you so much, I’m glad!
Hi! I love all you recipes and am excited to try this one. I have another questioning about substituting the cocoa butter for tallow balm? Any suggestions on making that work? Thanks!
Thank you so much! You should be able to substitute them one for one 🙂