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Soothing, yet effective, this natural homemade deodorant stick works without baking soda nor coconut oil and uses zinc to help combat odors for those with sensitive skin.
I'm so excited to finally be able to share with you a natural, homemade deodorant for sensitive skin that actually works!
(Before I tell you about my homemade solid deodorant, I wanted to let you know that I now have a roll on deodorant recipe too!)
Over the years, I've tried so many different natural homemade deodorant recipes, but all of them were either ineffective, irritating to my skin, or just plain too messy to use daily for the rest of my life.
Can you relate?
Let me start off by telling you…
Natural homemade deodorants that don't work (for me)
I've been on the search for a decent natural homemade deodorant for years now. Long, long ago, even before I started trying to live a more natural lifestyle, I even had issues with a lot of “normal” deodorants not working for me.
I tried everything from detoxing and eating mostly fruits and veggies for awhile after hearing that often body odor is diet related. I tried supplementation, but that didn't seem to help me much either.
For awhile, I was even buying some strange sort of special 2-3 day deodorant that I found here in Spain. It was a conventional deodorant, made to last for several days without needing to reapply, but I was using it daily. That, of course, concerned me a bit.
Crystal deodorants
I wanted something more natural, so I turned to those weird crystal deodorants that you have to get wet with water and then apply under your arms. Unfortunately, not only did I find them messy, and not 100% effective, but I ditched the idea when I learned that the active ingredient was an aluminum salt. I mean the whole reason I was ditching the conventional deodorants was to try to avoid as many toxins like aluminum as possible, right?
Many will call me irrational and argue that they are perfectly safe, but why take the risk, especially when I have cancer and Alzheimer's running in my family?
Coconut oil + baking soda
I wanted something that was aluminum free, so I turned to the internet and began using a mixture of mostly coconut oil and baking soda. At first it seemed to be working out well for me, but when I started to try to exercise while wearing it, or even just at certain times of my cycle, the baking soda would become way too irritating for me and I'd end up with very red and sore, chaffed armpits. If I ditched the baking soda and just used coconut oil, whose antibacterial properties are supposed to work as a deodorant alone, it was if I hadn't applied anything at all. Coconut oil did absolutely nothing for me, and only left me feeling a bit messy.
Baking soda free deodorants
Because the baking soda irritated my skin, I began to try out numerous baking soda free deodorant recipes that I found on the internet. Most of these recipes again used coconut oil, but either replaced the baking soda with clays (like bentonite clay), essential oil mixtures, or both. I guess the clays are supposed to help absorb the moisture, something that I wasn't as worried about, and the antibacterial qualities of the essential oils are supposed to help combat body odor. While they did help somewhat, they definitely weren't enough to keep me smelling fresh, and my husband was only all too willing to tell me how ineffective they really were!
At one point, I even spent a small fortune buying the ingredients to try out a natural homemade deodorant recipe that used neem oil, and it smelled so bad that just by wearing it I smelled worse than the body odor that I was trying to avoid! Plus, it didn't work, and the mixture of neem oil and body odor was nauseating enough that I couldn't sleep well the first night I applied it. My husband was, once again, happy to make sure I knew. Sigh.
Back to the drawing board…
Baking soda + water
Baking soda was irritating to my skin, but it did work for me, so I decided to try again. I figured that it was probably the abrasive nature of the powdered form that was causing me problems. For several months, I filled a rollerball deodorant container with baking soda dissolved in water. I sometimes added a few drops of an essential oil like tea tree oil to help with its antibacterial qualities.
Baking soda and water actually worked pretty well, and most of the time wasn't even irritating to my skin! I did have an occasional flare up, but usually months would pass between them.
It wasn't this messy every day, but I often found white drips like this in my bathroom after using baking soda and water!
The real problem, though, was that it was very messy to apply. The baking soda solution was completely liquid, so it usually ended up all over the place, leaving a white powdered mess behind once it dried. I got sick of always having to clean up afterward, and my husband started to complain about the white stains everywhere when I unwittingly left a few drops behind. It also left white marks on my clothes like spilled toothpaste. They were easy enough to clean, but I got sick of the white spots showing up on my clothes all of the time.
Why does baking soda work as a natural homemade deodorant?
Baking soda is an effective deodorant because it alters the pH under your arms, making it a hostile environment for bacteria to form. In the case of baking soda, a base, the pH is raised enough to help combat body odor.
Do acids like Vinegar, lemon juice, and citric acid work as natural deodorants?
Lowering the pH is another great way to prevent body odor. That's why vinegar is another natural deodorant that is used by many, and I was effectively using it myself for months at a time.
There were several problems with using vinegar as a deodorant, though. I had to apply it when my husband wasn't around because he can't stand the smell of it. Fortunately, the scent of vinegar goes away when it dries, so it can be an effective deodorant that doesn't smell bad.
Unfortunately, although it worked, for the most part, there were days that midway through the day I could tell that it was no longer working. I reapplied, when I was able, but when I started applying too often, I ended up with red, sore armpits again.
I tried using lemons, but didn't like “wasting them” as a deodorant, plus I had similar issues with lemons as I did with vinegar.
For awhile, citric acid dissolved in water was my go to natural deodorant recipe of choice, but, again, it was hard to find a concentration that would be effective without irritating my skin. Still, it was what I was using up until recently, when I made a discovery by accident!
I told you I tried a lot of different natural homemade deodorants!
Watch me make my natural homemade deodorant for sensitive skin
Zinc as a natural deodorant
Unlike aluminum, zinc is an essential trace element that your body needs to maintain health. Instead of irritating the skin, it can actually help with wound healing. Zinc in topical formulas is also thought to help with acne, eczema and psoriasis. (Just think of the zinc oxide in many diaper creams.)
How does zinc oxide work as a deodorant?
Zinc oxide has antibacterial qualities. In fact it works against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. If you have no idea what that means, don't worry. It just means that it's effective over a wide spectrum of bacteria, so no matter what bacteria is causing your odor issues, you should be covered.
As I mentioned before, body odor comes from perspiration combining with the bacteria on your skin, so if you can create a hostile environment for the bacteria by either altering the pH (baking soda, vinegar), or by using something with antibacterial properties (essential oils, zinc oxide), you can prevent body odor from developing.
Zinc oxide alone in a deodorant works fairly well which I found out by accident one day when I applied a homemade sunscreen (post idea?) to my red, irritated armpits when I had no other creams or lotions on hand. Not only did it help calm my irritated skin, but I was surprised to find that I had no unpleasant body odor, despite not wearing any deodorant of any type.
Zinc oxide powder, green matcha powder, and zinc ricinoleate beads.
Zinc Ricinoleate as a deodorant
I really started to look into zinc for deodorants, though, when I noticed that zinc ricinoleate, a zinc salt that I had bought to prevent acne in a homemade facial cream, was also sold as a deodorant additive. Zinc ricinoleate comes from ricinoleic acid, a fatty acid found in castor seed oil.
If you saw “ricin” in the name and were concerned about it, you'll be happy to know that although they come from the same place, castor oil and ricin don't mix. Ricin is water soluble, so it doesn't get mixed into the castor oil. Any leftover ricin that may enter the castor oil when it is extracted will no longer be an issue because the proteins in ricin are deactivated by the heat used in the process of castor oil extraction.
The mechanism for zinc ricinoleate working as a deodorant isn't exactly known, but it is thought to absorb the odors somehow without inhibiting natural perspiration.
When I received my package of zinc ricinoleate, it stated on the package that zinc ricinoleate “covers (I'm translating from Spanish, here, so I'm not sure I'm using the perfect translation, but…) the bad odors that are caused by the bacterial decomposition of sweat so that they aren't perceived as unpleasant.” I've tried to research the exact mechanism of “covering” the odor, but it seems like it isn't well understood. Most places that talk about it just say that it has a way of absorbing the bad odors.
If you don't have zinc ricinoleate, you can most definitely try to make the recipe without it. As I stated earlier, my homemade zinc oxide sunscreen was enough to combat body odors without any. Because I had it on hand, and it is an ingredient specifically purposed to deodorize, I figured I may as well add it to my recipe to give it a little extra strength, especially now in the summer when I'm sweating a lot more. Zinc ricinoleate, though, is a very inexpensive ingredient, and it shouldn't be that difficult to find if you intend on making deodorant in the future. It comes as a sort of waxy bead that you melt along with the beeswax into the other oils. If you omit it, there is a chance that your deodorant stick will be a little less solid, but you can avoid that problem by adding in an extra gram or two of beeswax.
How well does this homemade natural deodorant with zinc oxide work?
I've been using this homemade deodorant ever since I got home from the US last month. It's been hard for me to keep it off the blog because I've been so excited about how well it's working for me, but I wanted to make sure that I gave it a good try for long enough before sharing it with all of you.
Not only has it worked through many-a-workout and walking outside on hot summer days, but it hasn't caused any irritation at all. In fact, I think it has helped sooth my armpits and has kept me from getting chaffing when I walk or run without any sleeves. In the past, despite the heat, I'd have to wear short sleeves when walking or running to avoid friction rashes, but I've been able to workout in tank tops and sports bras lately! You can't even begin to know how happy I am about that!
So, are you excited to begin?
Let's make some deodorant!
Natural Homemade Deodorant for Sensitive Skin
Natural Homemade Deodorant for Sensitive Skin
Makes around 75 ml (5 small 15ml tubes, or one larger 75ml tube)
Ingredients
- 25 g shea butter
- 40 g sweet almond oil
- 15 g beeswax pellets
- 20 g zinc oxide
- 2 g zinc ricinoleate
- 1/2 tsp. matcha
- .5 g vitamin E
- .5 g tea tree essential oil
- .5 g lavender essential oil
Instructions
- Melt together the shea butter, almond oil, beeswax, and zinc ricinoleate in a double boiler until the wax and zinc ricinoleate melt. Remove from the heat.
- Add in the zinc oxide, matcha powder, vitamin E drops, and essential oils, and whisk together well until the zinc oxide is well incorporated into the oils and wax.
- While still warm, pour the mixture into deodorant containers. You can also pour it into tins, or pour any excess into storage containers, for applying the deodorant by hand.
- Allow the mixture to cool off and set without disturbing it. Once it has set, you can use it immediately!
Notes
- Matcha is optional for antioxidant/anti-inflammatory properties and a bit of color.
- Use the essential oils of your choice for scent. (Or leave them out completely for unscented.)
- If you prefer a roll on deodorant, I have a new recipe for a natural roll on deodorant that also uses zinc.
Substitutions
I'm allergic to beeswax or I am vegan and don't want to use it. What can I use instead?
I haven't tried it yet, but am in the process of ordering some candelilla wax to try it out. It's a vegetable wax that is supposed to make a great substitute for beeswax in natural recipes. I'm going to try using it in some of my future homemade makeup recipes too.
I don't have zinc ricinoleate. What can I use instead?
I'd suggest adding it to help with the deodorizing abilities of this homemade deodorant, but if you are in a pinch and want to give it a try without it, you can leave it out. Because it is a waxy ingredient, you should replace it with an extra gram or two of beeswax to help keep the deodorant solid. If you just leave it out, you'll end up with more of a cream than a solid deodorant.
I personally always use the zinc ricinoleate because I need the extra odor fighting. I've heard from several people who have made the deodorant without it. It has been effective for some, and not so much for others. Using them together, though, I have yet to hear from someone who says it doesn't work for them. So, if you can find it, add it!
I don't have almond oil, but do have coconut oil. Can I use that instead?
Yes, you can use coconut oil or another carrier oil instead. As much as I love coconut oil, I like to try to leave it out of my homemade beauty products because it solidifies at around 76ºF. The problem is that the consistency of the products can greatly change depending on the temperature outside. This recipe works best with a liquid oil, so coconut oil will work great in the summer, but I'm not sure how solid the deodorant will feel in winter.
To avoid having that issue, you can either use a fraccionated coconut oil, which doesn't solidify, or use a little less beeswax when you make your winter batches with “regular” coconut oil.
Why the matcha? Can I leave it out?
I'm so glad you asked. If you don't have any matcha, you can most certainly make this deodorant without it, but I think it's a great addition to this homemade deodorant.
I started using matcha in my first homemade deodorant, a recipe that I almost posted on this blog last year. I had determined that dissolving the baking soda helped me to avoid the sensitivity issues with baking soda deodorants, but I hated applying a liquid solution of baking soda, so I made a deodorant stick recipe using a combination of baking soda and water combined with oils.
Lotions and creams are made by emulsifying together a water solution and an oil solution, using a wax or other emulsifier to help keep them together. Adding water and other liquids to your lotions and creams makes them lighter and hydrating, but it has the disadvantage of being a breeding ground for bacteria. (Just think how quickly a fresh fruit or vegetable goes bad in comparison with a dried one whose moisture has been removed.)
I was mainly relying on the high pH from the baking soda to help make my homemade deodorant last longer without needing to add preservatives. To prolong the shelf life further, though, I added vitamin E to the oily part, and I added matcha powder to the liquid part. Honestly, that isn't necessarily a great idea because it isn't a preservative, but I figured anything that would make the deodorant more inhospitable to microbes would be welcome.
Green tea, in the form of matcha powder, has lots of antioxidants, it's anti-inflamatory, and it makes the deodorant a beautiful shade of green! I loved it so much in my old recipe that I had to use it again here. Powders in anhydrous products like this one (something that only uses oils and waxes, and no water) also seem to help with the glide factor. All of that said, you most certainly can leave it out of the recipe!
As for the old recipe with baking soda that I wanted to share with you once upon a time…
It worked marvelously for months, but I occasionally got irritation, something I didn't want if I were to share this as a recipe for sensitive skin!
For those of you that prefer a deodorant with baking soda, though, I'll share my old recipe with you here.
You'll notice several things that make this recipe not so ideal. First of all, there are oils and water without any emulsifiers or preservatives. I surprisingly never found any separation when using the mix. Perhaps because the water lever was so low? Beeswax isn't really an emulsifier, but perhaps it was enough to incorporate the small amount of water in this recipe.
This is a small batch, and it's probably a good idea to keep it that way because it incorporates water without any real preservatives. (Baking soda will raise the pH which does serve to inhibit microbes from forming. The essential oils, matcha, and vitamin E don't really preserve at all, but may help it last a bit longer. I can't be sure that the pH is high enough to prevent bacterial contamination here because I've never tested it.) I had mine last a couple of months without any issues, but if you decide to try this recipe, and it starts smelling funky, don't risk it and throw it out!
This was the homemade baking soda deodorant that served me well for quite some time. It's smoother than the average baking soda deodorant but grainier and not as smooth and creamy as my zinc oxide deodorant.
Baking Soda Deodorant for slightly sensitive skin
4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. matcha
2 tsp. water
2 Tbsp. shea butter
1 Tbsp. almond oil
1.5 Tbsp. Beeswax
10 drops vitamin E
10 drops tea tree essential oil
15 drops lavender essential oil
- Dissolve the baking soda in water over a double boiler.
- Add in the shea butter, almond oil, and beeswax and whisk over the double boiler until the wax and shea butter have melted, and all of the ingredients are well combined.
- Remove from the heat and whisk in the matcha, vitamin E and essential oils.
- Pour into deodorant containers and allow to set.
This deodorant worked well for me for quite some time, so it may be worthwhile to those who are sensitive to zinc oxide, but that can handle baking soda when it isn't so abrasive. That said, I now much prefer the zinc oxide based deodorant and no longer use this recipe!
I love this deodorant (even without the ricinoleate) and it has been pretty good so far but I’m wondering if there are any ways to make it appear less white on the arms? I find I get white residue on my clothes a lot and it often makes my armpits look white and lint sticks to it like crazy. Has anyone had this problem or has any ideas for a fix?
Hi Morgan,
You want to get the deodorant to be in as solid of consistency as you can so that only a small amount comes off on your skin.
If you’ve made it without the zinc ricinoleate, you probably end up with a very sticky cream that is difficult to apply. When trying to apply something with a creamy texture, you’ll end up apply more than what is really needed, and that will lead to it looking white and even staining clothes.
The zinc ricinoleate is harder than beeswax so it really helps solidify the deo. Some people are finding that even with a different ZR, that it isn’t solidifying enough to glide on easily. I want to update the recipe soon- to lower the amount of liquid oil and/or increase the wax amounts. (That can be either beeswax, ZR, or incorporating some other wax.) That will help solidify things more for everybody.
It may be a bit of trial and error for each person to find what consistency works best for them.
I have been using your recipe for almost two months now and I have to say IT IS AMAZING!!
I make almost everything these days, you name it, I’ve made it so I know a thing or two about DIY. I spend hours researching recipes & ingredients and tbh this is the first review I have ever left. I came back to pick up the recipe again and upon seeing the review left on 23 July 2019 I just had to leave this review. You are right, everyone reacts differently and nothing will ever work for everyone but that is not your fault and seeing as you set out to do a good thing, people should acknowledge that i.e. there is no need to refer to it as ‘awful”, that is just disappointing! Nonetheless, I do hope Margaret finds something that better caters to her needs.
Now, my experience.. Day 1 -I’m not going to lie.. I stank!! However, I had not used any matcha (ran out) and I think my body just needed time to adjust (it didn’t help that I went straight in with a dynamic 90-minute yoga session, I pitied those around me 🙁 .Move forward to Day 2 onwards, it has been AMAZING (having added matcha on day two), my underarms feel soft, the hair seems to grow less (might be wishful thinking on that one!), I do not stink at all, not even at night or the next morning, I sweat a little less and I never re-apply. I’ve even taken this on holiday where temperatures were 35 degrees + and it worked a treat.
The best bit.. I’ve converted my partner and my sister who both sweat buckets (to put things into context, my partner has been using a deodorant prescribed by the doctor as the standard off-the-shelf deodorants just don’t quite cut it), are both naturally very sceptical about my natural care regimes and are both clean freaks! Now if that doesn’t define how great this deodorant is I don’t know what will!
Hence why I’m back here trying to make more!
I use zinc oxide as it’s proven rather difficult obtaining zinc ricinoleate in the UK, even on Amazon!! Anyhow, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.. I’ll keep on with the zinc oxide until ricinoleate becomes more readily accessible.
Thanks for a beautiful product! I hope you share more 🙂 God bless you! Xx
Thank you so much, Ebony, for your review and feedback! I love hearing how it’s working well for almost everybody!
I’ve heard mixed reviews from people using only one of the zincs, but still can’t recall hearing from anybody who has used both saying that it didn’t work for them.
I’m glad that just using the ZO works well for you.
I buy ZR here in Europe from a place called cremascaseras.es. If you ever decide you want to try it with that, you could perhaps find it there. That said, like you said, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” 😉
Followed this recipe to a T except for substituting candelilla wax for beeswax since I’m vegan (which I’ve been doing in recipes for years and years now), and it is awful. It’s so thick and sticky, I sweat immediately after putting it on, which doesn’t happen with other natural recipes I’ve tried or when I wear nothing at all. The worst part though is that it makes me stink worse when I wear it. It’s not just an increase in the amount of BO I smell, but also a different, stinkier smell. It’s very weird. I’ve never encountered this with any DIY deodorant before and even the actual body butter and body creams I make don’t feel so thick, heavy, and sticky. I’m rather shocked by all the positive comments but I notice that a lot are from people who haven’t actually tried it.
Hi Margaret,
This is the first comment that I’ve ever gotten on this post as negative as yours. I get many positive comments from people by email and in private messages on Instagram and other social media, and over 90% of them are people who are thanking me for sharing something that finally works for them. I’ve even had several people contact me about using my recipe to manufacture and sell their own deodorants.
I still make and use this recipe all of the time and the only problem that I’ve found is that some people have issues with it being too creamy and too thin, and I’ve pinpointed that to mostl likely being a difference in the zinc ricinoleate from supplier to supplier. I buy from a supplier here in Spain and the zinc ricinoleate is a very hard substance, harder than the beeswax. If that in itself is causing issues, and on top of that you made a substitution in the wax, I’m guessing that’s your issue. You probably need to add more wax and maybe reduce the amount of liquid oil. This should not be AT ALL sticky. For me, it glides on in a very thin film, but that, of course, is when it is solid enough. This is meant to be applied in a solid deodorant dispenser and shouldn’t be like a cream.
I will say that one time I didn’t have enough zinc ricinoleate and used a lesser amount because I needed more deo and didn’t want to wait for more to arrive. It was way too creamy and too much went on at once. That, I guess, did give sort of a sticky sensation. I later remelted that deodorant and added more wax and it was much better.
Honestly, if I were you, that’s what I would do. I would remelt it with more wax to solidify it more. It should then work much better for you and shouldn’t have that same sticky sensation you are mentioning.
I have no idea about the BO part. That’s the first time I’ve heard something like that. We are all different, though. Maybe one of the ingredients isn’t working with your body for some reason. That is very strange.
Next time I make the recipe, I plan on updating the post with a revised version that should end up more solid regardless of the zinc ricinoleate used. (Last time I made it, I found a version that worked well with mine too, but I misplaced the revised recipe. Sigh.)
I noticed in your video you are using a scale. Which brand do you have? That way I measure out the correct units.
Hi Ninab,
For larger measurements, I use a normal kitchen digital scale. I have several of them. This is one of the ones I have: https://thethingswellmake.com/myKtchnscale
For smaller measurements (under 1g) for things like serums, I use a jeweler’s scale. Any inexpensive one should work fine.
Hi !
I have extremely sensitive skin and would like to try your matcha recipe!
I want to avoid using plastic stick container, can your deodorant be used as a solid cake or in an metal box (and applying it with the fingers) ?
Hi julie,
Yes, you can apply with your fingers.
If you find it’s too solid, you can slightly reduce the amount of wax to make it creamier for easier application.
Experimenting over a number of years with fragrance-free, natural products. Past year, swab on milk of magnesia, followed by dusting of baking soda. Not antiperspirant. Still get wet, but skin doesn’t smell. However, if underarms get damp, clothing does and then the fabric gives off perspiration odor. Both natural and synthetic fibers. Is there a way to prevent perspiration odor from the fabric?
Hello,
I’m sorry, but I don’t really know.
Hi Tracy,
I’ve tried this recipe and it works great! However I get rashes, actually more like blisters on my armpits and I’m not sure whats causing it. I went back to a regular store bought antiperspirant and no more blisters. I would prefer to use a natural one like this one but it’s obviously the cause. Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks Heather
Hi Heather,
Do you have any history of a reaction to zinc oxide?
I actually had someone write me and tell me that they had made this without the zinc oxide and used only zinc ricinoleate because they highly react to zinc oxide.
I was really surprised because ZO is such a mild ingredient and used in diaper creams, but, of course, we can all react to anything, I guess.
She was really happy with it without the ZO and it worked well for her without irritation.
You obviously are reacting to one ingredient or another, but it’s impossible for me to know which.
Do you know of any of the ingredients that normally bother you?
Hi! This recipe is amazing. I would love to try it. My question is, can I use both zinc oxide and baking soda as additives? How much baking soda (in percentage) can I use that won’t really cause skin irritation? Perhaps, I’d like to know the minimum amount of baking soda I can use that works but at the same time does not cause that much irritation.
Hi Lea,
Yes, of course! You can definitely try that.
The problem is that it’s impossible for me to say how much you can add without it causing irritation as that is completely dependent on the sensitivity of each person. Some people can add large amounts without any problem, but others get irritation with even the smallest amount. Some people may be affected by its pH, while others may only be bothered by its abrasiveness. That’s what makes this sort of recipe difficult to formulate.
On the other hand, that’s the great thing about making something yourself- You may have to play with the recipe and experiment a bit, but eventually, you should be able to come up with something that is perfectly suited to you and your skin!
Can I just buy some off of you?
Hi Cassandra,
I’m afraid that I can’t legally sell the deodorants and other products that I make. I live in Spain and the regulations for that sort of thing are very strict here. To become compliant legally and to protect myself with insurance, etc., would be very expensive for me. It just wouldn’t be worth my while. I’m not willing to risk ignoring the legalities of doing so.
I totally get it! I have run into many of the issues you describe with natural deodorant so I am excited to try this recipe. Guess I will have to venture and make my own. Thanks!
Hi, so excited to try this. I have played with some bentonite clay recipes and bought some natural ones from people who sell them here (New Zealand) and they have been good but i am really keen to try my own.
I dont have any vitimin e oil or matcha, i am going to order some vitimin e oil because i want to try another recipe for baby bum cream that calls for it but i cant afford matcha as well, well not for like a month and I am too impatient to wait that long! I do have some cocoa powder though? Do you think i could substitute that in? i was reading on your toothpaste blog that it has similar properties?
Regards
Jessamy
Hi Jessamy,
You can go ahead and make this without the matcha or vitamin E.
The vitamin E is an antioxidant that can help extend the shelf life of the deodorant. It will help keep the oils from going rancid as quickly. That said, they should keep for quite a while anyway. It’s a great ingredient to have on hand because it can help extend the life of just about anything you make with oils. It’s definitely not essential to the recipes, though!
The matcha was just a fun way for me to personalize this. I love matcha. (Truth be told, I’m sipping on a glass of matcha with coconut milk as I write this comment!)
Because I love it so much, I knew that it’s well known for its anti-inflammatory qualities. Also, I love the color.
The deodorant looked really white to me, so it occurred to me to add a bit to one of my batches, just for fun, to see if it blended in better with the color of my skin.
I didn’t have any problems with staining or anything like that, loved the way it made the deo look, and figured if any of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties may be of benefit, all the better. Of course, that is totally optional!
If you’ve never tried matcha (but do like green tea), I’d recommend buying and trying it someday. It’s very healthy! But, definitely, don’t feel like you need to buy it just for this recipe! The active ingredients are the zincs.
I’d stay away from cocoa here. I just think it has a huge probability of staining light-colored clothes.
The best way to avoid staining is to get on a very light coat of the deo, which is easier if the deo is solid.
I’ve had some people say that this recipe comes out creamy for them, which may be from differences in zinc ricinoleate from place to place…
Anyway, with my last batch, I decided to reformulate with less oil and more wax, and even with my same ZR, it all worked into a nice consistency. So, I meant to update the blog with the new recipe because I think it’s more likely to work well for everybody, but I somehow managed to lose the paper with the new measurements. I could just guestimate, but I’d prefer to update with something tried and true. 😉 For my next batch (yes, I still make this very recipe and use it daily), I’ll try again and reformulate.
I just thought I’d give you a heads up so you can consider making it slightly more solid for easier application.
Do you use cream or powdered zinc oxide?
Hi Jessica,
I use the powder! 🙂
I want to make quite a few at one time just so I have them ready to go for myself. Can I just multiply the recipe for as many as I want to make or do I need to adjust any amounts for a larger batch? I did make this once and found the last few I poured were much harder and more scratchy than the first ones. Those were much softer, almost mushy. How many can I safely make at one time so I don’t run into that problem again?
Hi Jo,
There isn’t really a problem making a larger batch- except for the fact that the powdered ingredients fall to the bottom, meaning that you’ll have more of them in the last ones that your pour unless you are good about mixing it all up before you pour each time.
I was so glad to find your website and this recipe. I had made a baking soda diy deo from another site and that was great – until it wasn’t. After two weeks of application, my body reacted to the (organic!) baking soda. It took two weeks for the redness and itching to go away. When I found your recipe I was happy to find one using different ingredients. It took a leap of faith to purchase the somewhat pricey bits I didn’t already have. Well I have been using it for two weeks now and it is great. Not at all sticky, goes on nicely, still rather nicely dry. My skin feels soft. I love the color! One thing I didn’t do exactly to directions was that I added the zinc powder to the wax etc. in the double boiler instead of later by mistake. It took a while to melt the waxes – 30 min on low – but everything came out so nice and well mixed. Thank you so much for your hard work to make these recipes. I can’t wait to explore more!
Hi Betsy,
I’m so happy to hear it worked for you too!
Yes, I spent a lot of money over the years on recipes that didn’t work for me, too. Luckily, I was investing in a lot of new ingredients to test them out for the blog anyway, so anything that said it deodorized, well, I bought it to test it out. 😉
Ha! Over the years I’ve spent way too much on lots of oils and butters and waxes, etc., but if, in the end, it means we can find something that works for those of us who can’t find what we need, it’s totally worth it to me!
These sorts of comments really mean the world to me and push me to find new solutions all of the time, so thank you for taking the time to tell me about your experience. 🙂
Can I put cocao butter instead of Shea butter because I need it more solid because of the summer weather, thanks alot
Hi Asma,
Yes, you could try that. I’m not sure if it would be too solid completely exchanging it as I haven’t tried it. You could also lower the quantity of liquid oils and raise the amount of wax used. That said, changing the shea butter out for cocoa butter would probably be the best way to raise up the melting temperature of your deo.
What I’d suggest doing is trying to make it with your substitution, but not adding in the heat sensitive ingredients like vitamin E and the essential oils (and not pouring it into the container just yet). Once the mixture cools, you can see if you like the texture. If it’s too hard, you can remelt and add more liquid oil. Once you get the consistency that you like, you can remelt it, add in your essential oils, and pour it into your container.
I hope that helps. I’d also love to hear how it goes. Your results may be helpful for other people!
Thank you very much for the recipe, I love it because it without baking soda, can I replace the matcha of something else & the almond oil of a coconut oil?
Hi Asmaa,
I’m sorry that I overlooked this question when I answered the other one.
The matcha is optional, so you can just leave it out if you don’t want to use it.
Yes, you can exchange the almond oil for a different oil too.
I made your recipe exactly as written. The deodorant turned out very nicely. I have to ask you though, how in the world do you get it to come off of your skin?? I used it for just two days. My skin is tacky where it was applied, and will NOT wash off. It has now been a week, and it is still there, slowing migrating down the side of my body. I have scrubbed with soap, water and a wash cloth repeatedly. It’s just stuck. I probably should have taken notice when I tried to wash off my utensils after making it, and even with straight blue Dawn dish soap, I struggled to get the residue off of my utensils and bowl. I haven’t used the deodorant (which DID work well) since the 2nd day. Don’t you have the same problem?
Hi Rachelle,
I’m sorry to hear that it’s so hard to remove. I know what you are talking about when you say that the utensils can be hard to clean. Zinc oxide has a way of being a bit on the clingy side. 😉 I use hot water and that really helps dissolve it away. Honestly on my skin, I saw its pervasiveness as being a plus. Most of the time I only need to apply every other day, and I find that it doesn’t rub off onto my clothes, but stays on my skin. Normally I use such a thin layer that I don’t really notice anything being there.
I would think something like my micellar water recipe would be great for removing any lasting residue without irritating your skin! It works wonders for me on waterproof mascaras and permanent type lipsticks. (Not that I recommend using those products, but for the times I have, it has worked much better than soap at removing them!)
You could also try washing with oils. That sounds weird, but it’s kind of the same concept. The oils will dissolve any remaining oily/waxy residue and help remove them. That’s why some people use certain types of oils to remove their waterproof makeups. I’d try rubbing in a cream or oil and then using a hot (not too hot to burn your skin!), wet cloth to help remove the oil. (Look up the oil cleansing method if you aren’t familiar with it. I’d imagine that would work great with this sort of thing.)
We have a sauna, so I tend to sweat it off without much work. 😉
I made this recipe last night and I like the way it feels on the back of my hands; will use it under my arms as a deodorant shortly. Shea butter tends to get gritty with heat so it’s best to heat the other oils then add the shea after removing from the heat; if necessary add as little heat as possible to completely melt the shea butter.
I believe the sticky/tackiness comes from the vitamin E oil (put a drop or two on your fingers then try to wash it off). 10 drops might be a little overkill; I might try making a version with 1-2 drops of vitamin E or omit it completely.
Interesting addition of the matcha; it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as well as a beautiful green color. A little research shows that it is used in face and hair products possibly helping with oily skin (acne), wrinkles and premature gray hair.
I might also try dropping the essential oil drops for a total of 18 drops, perhaps 9 tea tree and 9 lavendar to keep the ratio around 1% as a general safety precaution for a product that is used on a daily basis.
Certified Aromatherapist in the Making (website/blog coming in 2019)
Hello Stacie,
I’m sorry I overlooked your comment before. It got lost with a bunch of spam and I’m now manually clearing all comments and found it.
Your reply is very helpful!
And, yes, I agree with you. When I formulated this recipe, it was one of the first ones on my blog (for DIY natural cosmetics). At the time, I hadn’t taken any courses in cosmetic formulation so I just guestimated the amounts of things like vitamin E and Essential oils. I probably even figured that the more vitamin E, the better.
I now know that a good goal is to shoot for around 0.5% of the recipe- that will help increase the shelf life of the oils. Over that, it can have an opposite effect. I also came tot he realization that drops are a horrible way to measure things like EO’s and vitamin E. The funny thing is that I have been making the same recipe for years and didn’t even notice that it said to use so much vitamin E until recently! I looked at the top part of the recipe because that was the important part for me when mixing up the recipe. I then would always just add in about a drop (because it’s so thick that it’s hard to be super precise) of vit E, and just add the slightest amount of EO’s. I never actually read that part of my recipe.
When I did notice that one day, I changed the recipe into grams and recommended around 0.5% vitamin E (which for practicality’s sake is probably going to be around the drop with as thick as the vitamin E is.) I also put the EO’s at around 1%.
So, yes, I am in total agreement with you and the recipe has since been updated (with a note at the bottom so people would know why I made the switch)!
Thank you, though, for your super helpful response!
Tracy, I made a version of this deodorant, and overall like it, but I have a question. Is it possible for me to melt this down and add more ingredients, even though it already has the essential oils in it? I made this deodorant yesterday, and have used it twice, but it’s a bit abrasive for me. I just put it in glass jars. So I’m wondering if I can scrape out the deodorant, and heat it down and add some additional butters to try to make it easier on my skin. I’m just not sure what that would do to the essential oils in the deodorant. Any help would be great. Thank you.
Hi Jo-Ann,
Yes, you can re-melt, but, yes, you are right that essential oils are quite delicate and may have issues with the heat. Because they aren’t really an essential part of the recipe, though, and are used more for fragrance, it’s not a big deal in this recipe.
I’d remelt and then use your nose to guide you. You can add a tiny bit more of whatever EO you choose right before pouring into your containers. Just be careful not too add too many EO’s as they can also cause sensitivity in some people!
I am curious, though, what is abrasive to you? I find deos with baking soda to be abrasive, but not this zinc based one. (Or did you use my old recipe?)
I want to try this, but I don’t like the tacky feeling of natural deodorants, ie. the feeling of sweaty pits. Is there any way to incorporate a clay into the formulation to help absorb some moisture?
Hi Erin,
I don’t see why not!
You could definitely try it out. Some people also like to add arrowroot powder to their deodorants or body butters to keep them from feeling greasy. You’d have to experiment a bit to get a texture that you like, but it shouldn’t be too hard. I’d suggest making the batch without any heat sensitive ingredients like essential oils (so you can easily re-heat as necessary without hurting anything). You can make it in a double boiler insert or small pot and allow it to cool. Check on the texture and consistency and modify it as needed. Once you are happy with the result, do a final heating, add in the EO’s, and pour into the final molds!
(I’m thinking of suggesting that people do this anyway as some have found that their deodorant made with zinc ricinoleate from another supplier isn’t making the bar as solid as mine made from one sold here in Spain.)
Hi Tracy! I’ve been making coconut deodorant with baking soda for many years. It was extremely effective but more times than not, I found my skin highly irritated.
I was excited to discover and make your deodorant recipe for sensitive skin. However, I have some concerns with the batch I prepared. The deodorant is very thick and difficult to apply. It also comes off and stains my clothes with a tan color. Finally, the smell of the deodorant is very earthy. I don’t smell from perspiration which is fabulous but now the offensive odor is coming from the deodorant. Is this typical?
I precisely made your recipe and even purchased the exact ingredients you recommended. Essential oils were used which faded away quickly.
Can you provide some guidance what I can do differently to improve the next batch I make?
Thank you!
Michelle
Hi Michelle,
That’s interesting that you say it’s too hard. I have had people tell me it’s too liquidy too. My suspicion is that the zinc ricinoleate is slightly different from supplier to supplier. I live in Spain and ended up linking to the only one I could find online for the US as people were asking me where to find it. Mine is very hard beads. Was yours the same way? It’s a wax-like substance that appears to me to be harder than beeswax. Mine ends up being a solid bar that glides on pretty well. I’ve had times where I was in a hurry and I didn’t let all of the zinc completely melt (I noticed as I was pouring into the dispensers) and my deodorant was much creamier and went on too thickly. That time I also ended up leaving behind stains on the clothes. I was able to get it out pretty easily, but, yes, it was frustrating.
When I make the recipe the same way with my particular zinc, it turns out a consistency that I like, but you may have to tweak the recipe slightly to get it to suit you.
Let’s see if we can troubleshoot for you.
First, what are you using to apply it? Do you prefer a solid deodorant type dispenser or do you prefer to apply it like a cream? If you want to dispense it, you’ll want it to be more solid- if it’s too creamy, you can add more wax. On the other hand, if it’s too solid, you can reduce the wax amount slightly.
As for the scent…
I linked to an unrefined shea butter because a lot of my readers prefer everything as natural and unprocessed as possible. That said, the scent can bother some people. I actually have both types and use a refined shea butter in recipes that use a lot of shea butter because I’m not a huge fan of the scent either. 😉
Perhaps you can try with a different shea butter.
Obviously, for now, though, you’ll want to use up yours. You could try using a bit less and increasing the amount of oil and wax to compensate for the difference. You can also switch out oils. Neither the butter or the oil are the active ingredients in this product- I’m just using them to get a consistency that I like, if that makes sense. Go through and take a whiff of all of your ingredients to see which ones you don’t like. Most can be switche dout without any problems, and I’m happy to help you try to figure out a good combo for you.
You can leave out the matcha if you feel like it’s staining your clothes. I added it because I liked how it gave the product a pretty light green color and it has anti-inflammatory properties, but it isn’t essential to the recipe either.
As for the essential oils- yes, one of the problems with using them is that the scent doesn’t last as long as a scent from a synthetic fragrance. There, you kind of have to decide what’s most important to you. A long-lasting fragrance will probably need to come from some other sort of fragrance oil. I prefer to stick with essential oils, but it’s something you could consider, depending on your priorities. I use lavender a lot because it tends to last a bit longer than some of the others. You can switch it up and experiment.
I really hope that helps you.
Hi Tracie, thanks for your feedback!
I think you are right about zinc ricinoleate. My beads are hard and feel waxy. That waxy ingredient also coats my armpits and is hard to get off. I guess I need to use less? Does bees wax also leave a waxy film on the skin?
Regarding the scent, all of my ingredients seem fine even the Shea butter. However, thanks for your suggestions about trying the unrefined butter. I have a feeling the culprit is the zinc ricinoleate which I might leave out when making my next batch.
Thanks for all that you do and for all of your amazing/useful posts. ?
In many cases I’ve found it’s the Tea Tree oil or Neem oil that has been the irritant … have you considered Arrow Root or Orris Root as possible replacements for the Baking Soda…
Also, have you found the Matcha Tea to be a staining factor on hot sweating days… when white is worn.
Hello,
No, I haven’t had any issues with the matcha staining. You can definitely leave it out, though. The zinc oxide can leave a bit of a mark on darker clothing if you apply the deodorant in too thick of an application. If you rub it in, or make sure to only put on a very thin amount, though, you shouldn’t have issues. In any case, I’ve always been able to wash it out.
I tried arrowroot in the past, but that did nothing for me. I haven’t tried (or heard of, actually) orris root.
I have no issues with tea tree nor neem.
I think it’s mostly the abrasive nature of the baking soda, but even when dissolved in water, it eventually (after a week or more of using it) will start to bother my skin.
Thanks for the ideas, though! 🙂
Tracy, first I want to say how much I appreciate the time and effort it takes to create these wonderful recipes and posting them on your site for everyone to use. I made your matcha deodorant recipe on Saturday and I absolutely love it. I am having a little trouble with it being too soft. When I appy it, too much goes on even if I don’t press very hard. I have stored it in the refrigerator and that helps but I really don’t want to run to the kitchen everytime I want to put on deodorant. Can I add some beeswax to the recipe, if so how much, if not do you have any suggestions for me? Also I want to thank you for the wonderful portion calculator you added to your recipe it’s THE BEST!!
Hi Regina,
Thank you!
Yes, definitely add some beeswax or another wax to harden it somewhat. I wouldn’t want to put a cold deodorant on in winter either!! 😉
I think it may depend on the zinc ricinoleate and where you obtain it from because my final deodorant is rather solid, but other people have told me the same thing about their deodorants being on the softer side.
My zinc ricinoleate is a very hard wax, so it must be doing a great job at giving me a more solid texture. You probably wouldn’t need to add very much, but I’m going to guess that it will be very forgiving, so… I’m not sure. I do think you’d have to go pretty far overboard to make it too solid.
Hi Tracy,
How long does it last before it goes off, given it doesnt have the preservatives that other recipes have.?
Regards,
Laura
Hi Laura,
This recipe doesn’t need preservatives because there isn’t water in it. (In the case of the one with baking soda, it should last several months without a preservative because of the high pH.) It will keep for as long as the oils are good (don’t go rancid).
You’ll note that my roll-on deodorant recipe does have water in it, which is why it does need a preservative. That recipe has a shelf life of around 3 months, even with the preservative.
Hi! Thanks for this great information! One of my problems the natural deodorant I’ve been using is the coconut oil in it. I end up with underarm oil stains on my clothing over time. So, I’m concerned about the almond oil in your recipe. Wouldn’t it do the same thing? Otherwise, I’m excited to try this out and to learn of zinc’s deodorant properties. Good to know!
Also, do you happen to have this recipe in cups and teaspoons? I’m not used to measuring ounces and grams. Thanks!
Hi Merrill,
I’m sorry- I only do these sorts of recipes by weight because otherwise it is very difficult to keep the consistency accurate! You can find digital scales very inexpensively and if you plan on making more homemade products, they are very important, so you can get a lot of use out of them!
I think that if you can keep the bar solid enough (the wax and zinc ricinoleate help with that), then you don’t really have to worry much about the oil staining your clothes because the layer of deodorant tends to stay put. If you find the bar to be too creamy, you can add a bit more wax to help prevent the deodorant rubbing off. I’ve never found coconut oil to stain clothes, though- well, it can leave a mark when you use it, but I’ve always found it easy to wash out without leaving any stain behind.
I have occasionally put too thick of a layer on and had some rub off on clothing (mainly when the batch has been less solid because I’ve measured and made it in a hurry and put too little wax in), but I haven’t really ever had a problem getting it off with soap and water. Most of the time, though, that doesn’t happen.
Can I skip Zinc Ricinoleate?
Hello again,
You can try it without the zinc ricinoleate, but I wouldn’t just leave it out of the recipe. Instead, try substituting it out for more wax. You may need to even add a little more wax than the amount of zinc that you are substituting out because the zinc is a hard, waxy substance that helps make the deodorant more solid. Without it, the deodorant would be more of a cream rather than a solid bar.
Can I change that Matcha with Charcoal?
Hi Lizabeth,
You could try it, but there are two things you might want to keep in mind before doing so.
Charcoal can be slightly abrasive, so it may be irritating to the skin. I added the match because it is anti-inflammatory and I figured it may help soothe the skin.
The other potential problem I see is that the charcoal may stain clothing. I haven’t had any issues with matcha staining my clothes.
The matcha is completely optional in any case, so if you don’t want to use it, you don’t need to.
Have you had good results with the candelilla wax?
Hi Taylor,
I have it at home, but to be honest, I haven’t used it much. It does appear to work very well as a substitute for beeswax, though.
I had a lot of beeswax from long ago, so I usually just use that. For those who are vegan or sensitive to beeswax, it’s a great option!
Hi Tracy, I have a very similar recipe, but for me it is best working when I do a mix of zinc oxide and baking soda. I do not have vitamin E added (and no water), and I recognized that some batches turn pink with time, but they don´t smell bad and have the same effectiveness. Have you ever experienced that? Any guess why is that happening? Thanks
Hi Tina,
Hmmm, no. I’ve never had that happen. Mine is normally a nice shade of green because of the matcha, so that may cover any changes. Mine has always stayed green like that, though.
What else do you have in your deodorant? If you don’t want to post it here, you can email me at [email protected] or you can join my Facebook group where we can try to pinpoint the problem.
Do you have anything like aloe vera gel or something similar in it?
It is shea butter, sweet almond oil, beeswax, baking soda, zinc oxide, arrowroot powder and natural fragrance inside.
Hi Tina,
Hmmm. Interesting. I’m not really sure what the issue is then.
When you say “natural fragrance,” what does that mean?
Most “natural flavors” are based on natural products but then changed in a lab. It’s usually not that natural. That’s not really the issue I have, though…
If it’s a water-based product, that could cause issues.
On the other hand, if you’re using essential oils, that shouldn’t cause any problems.
Tina, can you tell me the amounts you use in your natural deodorant? Thank you.
Hi! I may have missed this but please address melting issues from the heat! Are you in a hot part of Spain? I am in the very hot and HUMID southern US and no matter how cool my house is, the diy stick deodorants get so soft in the summer. I love the stick idea because I dont want to rub it in. Beeswax is right out- a little for good glide but it melts. Have you worked with any harder waxes? I have on other recipes and theres a fine line between too much and too little!
Hi Lisa,
Yes, my house is very hot right now! My coconut oil melted weeks ago and things are very hot and sticky. It’s a semi-tropical climate here and I have lemon, lime, mango, and avocado trees growing at my house!
I don’t have any problems using this deodorant when it is hot out. I haven’t left it in the sun, though, so I’m not sure how much it can handle.
I will say this- I don’t use coconut oil for that very reason. I begin with liquid oils so that the consistency won’t change much once things heat up. The exception to this is the shea butter that usually melts somewhere between 90-100ºF. So, if you were to leave it in a hot car, yes, you could end up with a much softer product, but hopefully your house isn’t that hot all of the time. 😉
Luckily, the waxes (beeswax and the zinc ricinoleate) have much higher melting points, so unless you are going above 140ºF, they should help keep the product mostly solid even at higher temperatures.
My zinc ricinoleate order finally came in! I whipped up one batch – so excited. Used some and……I itch! Go figure I’m sensitive to the zinc ricinoleate! Dang right? So I’m trying another batch using a little baking soda and a little arrowroot. Did a little reading about the zinc r. and it turns out it can cause contact dermatitis in some people. Bummer. So you wanna buy a bag of slighty used zinc r? lol
That’s a bummer!
Too bad I live in Spain and the shipping would probably be ridiculous, if not, I’d probably take you up on your offer. 🙂
If you find that the baking soda irritates your skin like it does mine, perhaps you could try with only the zinc oxide. You’d have to probably add some more wax to it to help thicken it into a bar because the ZR is waxy, but I know that it has worked for some people without the zr.
I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you. I have issues with the zinc PCA in the roll on deodorant recipe when I use it at levels strong enough to work for me. I was using it for months, and I’ve actually gone back to this one. I still make the roll on for my husband because it’s his favorite. I guess we each need to find the best formulation for us!
I’d be interested in buying it! I totally understand the struggle of trial and error with these things, but I’m excited to give this recipe a go! Email me at (removed visible email for privacy reasons) if you still have the zinc for sale. Thanks!
Hi Mallory,
I don’t sell the deodorant or the ingredients. I just show people how to make things themselves.
I do link to places where you can find the ingredients within the recipe. If you click on the ingredient, in many cases it will take you to a place where you can find and buy that particular ingredient. I hope that helps!
I am so glad I found your website! I have very sensitive skin and have been searching for homemade deodorant recipes without baking soda that really work. Thanks for this post! I can’t wait to try this deodorant, and to read more of your blog 🙂
Hi Diana,
Thanks so much for your comment! I hope it goes well for you! It’s one of my favorite recipes, probably because it took me so long to find something that actually worked for me! 🙂
Hi,
I noticed the natural homemade deodorant for sensitive skin recipe is available in ounces or grams. But the one for baking soda deodorant for slightly sensitive skin is in tsps and Tablespoons.
Is there any way you could list the natural homemade deodorant for sensitive skin in tsp and T? I was hoping I wouldn’t have to buy a kitchen scale.
Thank you
Jane
Hi Jane. I converted it to tsp for myself but double checked with a scale. Here’s what I got. Shea butter is about 5 tsp, oil about 8 tsp, beeswax was 3 tsp, zinc ox was 4 tsp, and the zinc r. was .3 tsp or .05oz. Also, mix up that zinc oxide really well. Some of mine sank to the bottom of the mixing bowl and didn’t quite make it into the container. Good luck!
Oh thank you so much Christine! This will be very helpful. 🙂
That’s very helpful! Thanks, Christine!
Hello thank you very much, I have not been able to comment on the publication in Spanish, can I replace the shea butter with the cocoa butter?
Could the zinc oleate ricino be replaced by another?
Here there is also the fractionated coconut, within the inputs, this is what I have at hand to get your recipe.
https://www.herbolario.cl/polvos-y-otros-aditivos
thank you very much I also use a talcum powder with essential oils.
Hello Carolina,
Thank you for alerting me to the problem with the comments. I’ll look into it to see if I can find the problem!
Let me see if I can help you somewhat…
If you replace shea butter with cocoa butter, you’ll end up with a more solid bar. I’m not sure if it will spread nicely so you may have to switch it for cocoa butter + a bit of oil (maybe the fractionated coconut oil) to help soften the bar. (It may take a bit of experimentation to get the perfect consistency).
I’m not sure of anything you could exchange for the zinc ricinoleate. It helps deodorize. That said, some people have tried the recipe without it and find that it works well for them anyway. (Others have told me it works much better for them with the ZR).
If you leave it out, the bar will end up being softer because the Zinc R. is like a wax. (So, if you were to exchange the shea for the cocoa and to leave out the zinc ricinoleate, it may turn out to be a good texture, but I’ve never tried it, so I don’t know.)
Do you understand my answer? Or would you prefer that I translate the answer?
This sounds like a great deodorant recipe! I have everything but the zinc. Was wondering if mango butter can be used in place of the shea butter? I’m thinking it may be too soft? Thanks!
Hi Christine,
I love mango butter too. I stuck with shea because more people have it on hand, but I’d think that mango butter would work well. As you’ve said, though, yes, it may make for a thinner final product. You could add just a tad more beeswax to compensate for the difference. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you how much as I haven’t tried it myself yet. I’d probably err on the side of using not too much so you don’t end up with a hard bar that is difficult to spread. I’d love to hear how it goes if you give it a shot!
Thanks Tracey! Just submitted another comment with my results. I used a mango/shea/cocoa butter blend and grapeseed oil. A few drops of meadowfoam oil and a little peppermint eo. I liked the consistency but the zinc r. didn’t agree with me. I chose those oils because of their “drier” quality. You just have to tinker with it until you find the right mix for you. Your recipe is a great starting point though!
Hi Tracy! So far I’m liking this deodorant!! Need to up the beeswax a little in the next batch though, its a little melt-y. Thank you so much!
Hi Christine,
Yes, without the zinc ricinoleate, the recipe will be too thin to use as a solid deodorant if you don’t either replace it with more wax or lower the amount of oil in the recipe. If you come up with a recipe that achieves a good consistency without the ZR, I’m sure other readers who can’t or don’t want to use zr would love to see it. 😉
I’ve been unable to find zinc pcs anywhere. Please advise where one can find it
Hello,
I didn’t realize that it was going to be difficult to find when I posted the recipe. I order it from a place called cremascaseras here in Spain. They sell it through the Spanish Amazon.es, but I’m not sure if they send internationally (or if it will take you away from the link to bring you to the Amazon of whatever country you are in.)
In any case, I’ll try… this is the link to the product on the Spanish Amazon.
Hi,
I have been looking for DIY recipes with zinc and magnesium in them and without baking soda. I’ve read about magnesium hydroxide being helpful for natural deodorant use.
For your sensitive skin recipe, how much magnesium hydroxide would you recommend adding? The pure product comes in a powder form.
Also, I have jojoba oil. Could I use that instead of the sweet almond oil?
Thank you!
Hi Jane,
I’m not sure about magnesium hydroxide as I haven’t used it.
I will say that I tried using magnesium oil as a deodorant and didn’t find it effective for me. I also found it irritating to my skin. I’m not sure if magnesium hydroxide would behave similarly. If you do decide to try it, though, I guess I’d probably try switching it out at the same amount.
As for the jojoba oil- that is definitely a switch that you can do without any problems!
Hi Tracy,
Thank you for the reply.
Switching it out for what? I didn’t want to take out any ingredients (other than the matcha) I just wanted to add the magnesium hydroxide powder to the recipe.
It’s basically the same thing as milk of magnesia but without any additives. Some people use MoM alone as their deodorant! Apparently it works great on it’s own, is soothing and drying and controls odor. (Like you, I also can’t handle magnesium oil but apparently magnesium hydroxide is fine for the pH balance.)
I did read that (Philips brand) MoM isn’t a good choice because it adds bleach to the formula. But some cheap drug store brands do not have the bleach. However I don’t want to use a liquid milk of magnesia alone. Personal preference.
The last few days I’ve been using Desitin cream as a deodorant since it has the zinc oxide and it’s working pretty well. However it’s messy and has other ingredients I don’t want to continue using.
Anyhow, I really like the idea of both zinc and magnesium since I know both are good for me and both seem to work well in deodorants for many people. I was hoping to figure out an amount of the magnesium powder to add to your recipe.
Any suggestion?
Thanks!
Hi Jane,
Ah, so I totally misunderstood. I thought you wanted to switch out the zinc oxide for the magnesium because you were worried that the zinc oxide would stain. (I had just gotten a comment from somebody else who was worried about the zinc oxide staining so I guess I jumbled both of the comments together in my head. It must have been either by email or on my Spanish blog, now that I’m looking and don’t see it here.)
If it’s a powder, I’d just add in a small amount to test it out- maybe 1/2 to 1 tsp. I’d probably err on the side of using less the first time to see what the resulting texture is. If you find that it gets too thick or solid, you can add a little more oil the next time to compensate for the extra powder. That would also allow you to test out the difference between the batches to see if you think it makes it more effective, more or less irritating to your skin, etc.
I tend to experiment with lots of batches before posting here to get things just right. I think I had been making both of my deodorant recipes for months before they finally made their way to the blog. 😉
I’d be interested in hearing how you think it works- if you think it increases the effectiveness, etc. While I’m quite happy with what I’ve been using, it may be helpful for others who have issues with the zinc oxide.
Hi again,
Thank you for the suggestions. Since I plan to try it with both magnesium and the two zincs on my first attempt, I won’t be able to make a comparison with your original sensitive recipe. If I have problems with it such as skin irritation then I would leave out the magnesium and just make the recipe the way you have it written up.
I really appreciate your help. I had read a lot, tried a few natural deodorants off the internet and then fine tuned the ingredients I want to use but I really needed the amounts in a recipe.
Thanks!
Hi Jane,
I get that. 🙂
I meant if you make it once with less magnesium, and then the next time with a bit more- I’d love to hear if you notice a difference between batches either way. (It’s very possible that you don’t notice the difference). It’s just my curiosity. 😉
I’m always happy to help and really appreciate your comments too. I can always learn more myself. 😉
Thank you! 🙂
So I haven’t made a deodorant yet but I used the Milk of Magnesia for several days. It did not sting or cause any reaction even right after shaving. It did take awhile to dry since there is so much water in it but once it was dry I stayed DRY! Just amazing. Since I also had good results with Desitin (with the zinc oxide) I feel very confident that combining the two zincs and the magnesium hydroxide will produce the product I’ve been searching for. 🙂
you and your recipe are terrific—–thanx for sharing! a few comments to help you and your readers. one, every body is different——-even in my family i come from parents that have similar dna yet they can use any thing and have no irritations or problems! two, zinc in any form is antibacterial or antimicrobial
and so is coconut oil! three, if you are allergic to pollen or honey, like me, avoid beeswax—period! four, baking soda is an excellent
deodorizer, yet if i use it in homemade toothpaste—no problem with irritation, yet again in deodorants i swell, redden, and itch profusely—–i believe it’s my type o blood since type o’s are naturally the king or queen of body odor! five, because of this b o that seems to be typical to type o bloods——i’ve tried every recipe for deodorant known to man—–ranging from zinc formulas to magnesium and beyond! my greatest success has been with zinc oxide of all the formulas ranging from petro-based to water-based to wax-based to oil-based! zinc oxide beats out all the zincs—–zinc ricinoleate, zinc chloride, and on! six, be care of pouring any powdered zinc out of the containers they come in—–the dust should not get into any mucus membranes such as eyes, nose, mouth, lungs——-it can cause some toxic effects! finally,
we are all supposed to sweat and expel toxins through our pores—-period—–so it is natural! i’ve used a recipe on another site with the best success and i modified it to my liking! it’s similar to my own—–but it has a better feel to me since i apply it with my finger!
i don’t like the applicators like tubes, etc… since most irritate my skin when i apply! if anyone would like the link or more info—-i’ll post with your and the other person’s permission!
Hi John,
Interestingly enough, I have type A blood and my husband has type O, and I’m much more prone to BO than him, even though my diet is cleaner more of the time. (He eats well at home, but at work has to eat what is served.)
Candelilla wax is a good, vegan substitute for beeswax that works well for those with allergies or who otherwise wish to avoid any animal products.
I agree with the zinc oxide working wonderfully. I made a roll-on deodorant that my husband prefers. It uses zinc PCA and zinc ricinoleate. While it works well for me most of the time, this recipe is more effective for me personally too. 🙂
tracy,
i found that my favorite recipe that i mentioned earlier in my first response contained water and has to have additional anti-microbials such as your leucidal because water breeds microbes. these anti-microbials may very well be the extra ingredients to allow my deodorant to last for 2 or more days before b o sets in again. in any case, to prove how sensitive i am, i can’t use candelilla wax, tea tree oil, chamomile, almond oil, matcha, bee’s wax, and the list goes on! ever since i was diagnosed with cancer 2 years ago, i have tried to further reduce my intake of toxins. through the years, i’ve cut toxins dramatically, but it is harder here in the usa than many people realize. even though i have not tried any of your recipes, i have tried enough in my 63 years of human errors to realize that your ingredients alone will work to dispel b o quite well! thanx again for all of your info, recipes, advice because i am ever learning since knowledge is power and until i experience something whether recipe, food, etc… i don’t know my body’s response to it!
Sometimes you can get away without the use of a preservative if the product is in an extreme pH range (above 9 or below 4). The main natural preservatives don’t work very well in those pH ranges anyway. I’m guessing that you would be sensitive to a product in those ranges, though.
My roll-on deodorant doesn’t use zinc oxide and instead uses zinc PCA, but that could be potentially switched out. My husband is sensitive to zinc PCA, but doesn’t need a lot of it so he still favors that recipe. Of course, the zinc oxide is more likely to stain, but if you are sensitive to the other ingredients, it makes sense to use it.
Are there any waxes you can tolerate? There are some lovely floral waxes on the market that you could use to solidify the product more- though if you say that dispensers bother you, then you probably don’t need to solidify the product.
Thank you for your comment. Cancer seems to run rampant in my family, which is one of my main motivations for living a healthier, more natural lifestyle. My husband’s father was also recently diagnosed which has made him more serious about avoiding toxins too. I really hope that you recover/have recovered from your cancer. It’s absolutely horrible to live with (luckily not speaking from personal experience yet- just watching family members suffer.)
tracy,
when you say stain, are you referring to a white stain from zinc oxide as you wear your top or outfit then i understand you, if not, then i’m confused. when i’m finished wearing my tops or shirts the laundry detergent removes the zinc oxide perfectly. my recipe is Coconut oil, Water,
Preservatives (radish and coconut), Olive M Emulsifier, Zinc Oxide, Fragrance(Essential oils).
i tried bay essential oil in the deodorant, but, i developed a headache from it as well as a slight irritation. my deodorant keeps me fresh for 2 or more whole days and i really stink like nothing you’ve smelt before! i produce a very high acid chemistry which causes the strong smell both from the excretions through my pores and the bacteria that comes from the breakdown of the excretions(growth of bacteria)—–normal for most people with type o blood! my cancer was removed. however, i live in fear since it runs on both sides of my families and many have died from it! my psa was normal last time i checked.
so, considering the prostate was removed, i’m a little more at ease. the big issue here is will i develop another cancer. i have made my own products such as soap, toothpaste, deodorant, body wash—shampoo and more for years. my best first bar soaps were from light oils such as apricot kernel oil, grape seed oil, avocado oil. the drawback was they were drying soaps yet my body skin liked them and my hand skin hated them! i like detergent based body wash—shampoo because all soaps now irritate my body horribly especially superfatted or oily soaps! i use Decyl Glucoside with water and the preservatives i mentioned above and my body skin no longer itches to high heaven like it did with bar soaps and commercial products! thanx alot for your concerns and i wish your whole family freedom from cancer! i found out recently from my sister’s dna search that my ancestors came through turkey 1000’s of years ago with ancestors from many regions of the world including spain. but, the test called my relatives iberian as opposed to spanish or any other term! thanx again!!!!!!!!!
Hello again,
Yes, I referred to staining clothes from the zinc oxide. I didn’t really have too many problems with it with this deodorant, but it did concern some people. I was concerned that a water-based product with zinc oxide would be more likely to stain, though, but that may not be true.
I also like decyl glucoside. I just started to experiment more and more with surfactants, and want to start introducing more surfactant based products to the blog.
Some people think that only soap based cleaners are natural, but the gentle surfactants are really great for people who don’t react well to the high pH of soap, and they also come from natural sources. I quite like them myself.
And thank you for the well wishes. I wish you the same. I’m happy to hear that things are going well for you, apart from the sensitivities.
Be aware that zinc oxid is a nanoparticle !
Hi Krys,
It’s quite easy to find non-nano- zinc oxide to use.
You’ll notice that I linked to a non-nano- zinc oxide.
This is a wonderful recipe for sensitive skin. Does not burn like the magnesium deodorant recipies. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Barbara!
I tried to use magnesium at one time, too, but while it didn’t burn my skin, it wasn’t effective for me. I’m really happy to have found something that really works for a lot of people who were otherwise frustrated!
Where do you get your deodorant tubes from? I’ve tried eBay, Amazon & Etsy & they’re all super expensive! Cheapest I could find was around $15 for 1 tube!
Hi Tania,
I have to admit that the tubes that I used were rather small, like these tubes, and I bought them for using for multiple projects- stick blushes, deodorant, etc. They are a bit small, but are practical for traveling and bringing it with you. I wanted to make the smaller tubes because I wasn’t sure if I was going to have to apply throughout the day when I first made the deodorant. Luckily, that isn’t necessary, so I don’t really bring the deodorant with me anywhere unless I’m traveling.
I’ve found other listings for cheaper alternatives, but the usually come with several tubes. Here’s one with 10 tubes for just under $12 or another for 5 tubes for just under $9. Perhaps you could make some for yourself and some for friends and family. 🙂
There is another alternative that I’m hesitant to give you because I don’t like to advocate waste, but you could buy a cheap solid deodorant and remove it and use the tube for your own homemade deodorant. If you go this route, clean it thoroughly with soap and warm water, and then do a final rinse with something like rubbing alcohol.
I agree that it’s frustrating that the empty tubes are often more expensive than a tube with product already in it!
I just ordered 8 – 2.5oz tubes for about $12 on Amazon. Comes to $1.48 per tube. Keep checking Amazon, their prices bounce around alot!
Did you find that the zinc deodorant continued to harden until it was practically impossible to apply? If not, I wonder what I did wrong. I did notice that the zinc seemed to sink to the bottom. Any tips would be appreciated. I have tried loads of homemade deodorant and this one has the best odor protection of them all. I would love to be able to make it work.
Hi April,
No, I didn’t have that problem at all. Which zinc sunk to the bottom? The zinc ricinoleate should fully melt and easily incorporate itself into the oils. The zinc oxide, on the other had, may sink to the bottom to a certain extent. Ideally, you can wait until it’s starting to cool to pour the mixture, but not too much so that it’s too hard to pour. If that’s too difficult, you can also use a type of electrical whisk to really get the zinc oxide to stay more suspended in the rest of the ingredients.
In any case, I’m just about to post another deodorant recipe that works well for us and doesn’t use zinc oxide if you aren’t loving that. 😉 (Hopefully, I’ll be finishing it up today.)
I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate you posting this diy deodorant recipe. OMG! I had been having the exact same issues you were with the baking soda and had been looking for a recipe without it for a long time with no success. Then I finally came across yours and when I read what you had been going through I thought you were talking about me. I was so excited to try your recipe out and I’m so glad I did I love it! I can’t thank you enough for posting that recipe it has helped me more than you know.
Yay!
I’m so happy to have been able to help!
It’s definitely one of my favorite recipes on the blog because it was life changing for me. 🙂
(Which, of course, sounds ridiculous to those who haven’t gone through what we’ve gone through, but, ha!, it’s true!)
Thank you so much for letting me know! 🙂
Tracy, thought you might want to read this regarding the zinc PCA https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/707071/ZINC_PCA/
I use a DIY spray deodorant of which the base is zinc oxide, magnesium hydroxide and vodka. It works very well but goes on wet so have to let it absorb and dry before dressing. I will try making yours with the zinc ricinoleate and see how it compares to what I’m currently using.
Love your site–and have particularly liked your info on making liquid soap which I will also be trying shortly.
Hi Kathy,
Thank you!
Yes, I saw that.
I noticed that it’s mostly environmental concerns, with a slight concern that it could cause respiratory concerns if used in a spray. I don’t use it in a spray and use it in a very, very small dose in our liquid deodorant. I had a mishap once where my scale was off, and one of the batches used more and it also irritated my husband’s skin.
I tried making it without once, and it worked for my husband, but wasn’t enough for me with just the ricinoleate.
I think with these sorts of things, it’s good to experiment and find what works for you. I need something stronger than my husband does.
I’m constantly experimenting, which is why I haven’t posted my liquid deodorant yet. 😉
We’re probably on our 5th batch now. I wanted to make one final batch before posting.
With the zinc PCA, it works out to being like a pinch used in a batch that lasts several months. I think as long as you use it responsibly, and are careful where you throw it away, that it’s probably not too bad (especially when you compare to what else is out there).
I think the ideal would be a liquid deodorant with just the zinc ricinoleate because occasionally the solid one can build up on clothes after time, but for me it just isn’t enough.
I’ll definitely be addressing the problem when I post that recipe, though! Thank you. 🙂
Hi, I’m really excited to try this recipe! I was just wondering if you have noticed that the shea butter or zinc oxide stains clothes? I noticed this with another recipe I tried using shea butter beacuse it’s yellow. The beeswax was yellow also. I just want to make sure it’s not going to stain my shirts- espeically when I wear a tank top- before making it.If i need to bite the bullet and find beeswax and shea that isn’t yellow I can buy new. I just have quite a bit of the other on hand. Sounds like a great recipe though. I’ve tried everything for both myself and my husband, so hoping it works for us!
Hi Jenna,
I was wearing this for months and months without it staining anything, but I have to admit that it did start to build up a bit on some clothes after using it a lot. I was able to get it out, but the zinc oxide can be a bit of a pain if you let enough of it build up.
You don’t need to use a lot of this deodorant, so I think the secret is to use a very thin layer. In the summer, that can be a bit trickier because the bar is less solid from the heat. (I find in the winter that the deodorant is solid enough to go on smoothly in a very thin layer.) You could try rubbing it in well before putting on clothes to help prevent the buildup.
Lately we’ve been using a liquid formula using zinc ricinoleate and zinc PCA that doesn’t use zinc oxide. It works well. I find that on very sweaty days that this solid bar works better for me, but the fact that it normally works well for me says a lot. I didn’t even really find any commercial liquid deodorants that worked 100% well for me normally, so…
I’m just about to make a new batch of it, and if it goes well, I’ll be posting it soon. I’ve made around 3-4 batches already, but haven’t posted because I was looking to make it with an emulsifier that was easy to find in the US. (My first successful batches used an emulsifier that I couldn’t source well for readers, and I had a few failed batches along the way when trying new emulsifiers.)
I’ve never had any staining issues with that recipe. (Yet. 😉 )
Hi Tracy, So glad I found you! I have been experimenting with natural deodorants for a while and have been very disappointed. I am currently awaiting Amazon to deliver supplies to make your recipe. My question is: Have you posted the recipe for the liquid deodorant with zinc PCA yet? Thanks so much and I will let you know how it goes.
Hi Stephanie,
No, I haven’t posted it because I’ve been experimenting with more common emulsifiers to make it work well. I had made the first batches with Montanov 68, but it appears to be hard to find in the US. So, I tried with Olivem, but it separated and got weird.
I’m about to make a new batch with the same emulsifier that I used in my hair conditioner recipe. That one is supposed to be good for light lotions, so it should work perfectly for the deodorant. It should make its way to the blog soon after I find something that works well repeatedly. If it works well, I’ll make a second batch for myself, and I’ll try to get up the recipe ASAP. I don’t like putting up recipes that I can’t reproduce easily, nor recipes that I don’t think will work easily for everybody! 🙂
HI! I was THRILLED to find this post. I too went on a harrowing 2 yr journey with DIY deo, including spending the small fortune on the neem oil recipe and practically gagging when putting it on.
I’m about 2 months into using your recipe here as-is. I can’t say it’s as good as the primary baking soda one, but no rash, so it’s winning. Few questions for you: It seems pretty lotion-y to me though… have you tried anything to make it a bit drier? I also feel like it doesn’t do as good of a job of keeping ME mostly dry. Thoughts?
With the lotion-y texture it seems like it clogs up my razor, gunks up my screw-on container top, and the matcha green leaves an unappealing cross between pale green deo and pale yellow sweat. ewww.
Thanks again for sharing!!
Hi Jen,
It shouldn’t be lotion like at all. Mine is very solid, so something is off in your batch.
Did you leave anything out, like the zinc ricinoleate, perhaps?
Some people have left it out, and find it’s a sticky, pasty mess, and it isn’t as effective without it. Zinc ricinoleate is a waxy like substance and it helps solidify it. You could otherwise solidify it more with more wax, but you’ll be missing out on the effectiveness of the zinc r.
As for the matcha, you can leave it out if you don’t like the color of it. I never see the color on anything because the stick goes on pretty dry. I actually added it because I liked not having a bright white deodorant. I thought it blended into my skin quite nicely. I thought about turmeric, which is yellow like skin and also anti-inflammatory, but it also stains, so I wanted to avoid that! 😉
nope, i followed the recipe to the T. maybe i misread something. will try it again! thanks for the response.
i tried it again tonight, using the recipe for “4” servings and on metric. it’s maybe a little bit drier, but i’d still put it in the lotion category.
i’m using a scale and taring it properly (am no stranger to recipes like this). and i’m in the bay area, so far from a tropical climate.
would you mind checking that the proportions are correct with the little calculator above and my selections?
thanks.
Stephanie?
Great post! Thank you for sharing! I’ve been struggeling for years to find the perfect recipie for myself as well, your post has all my struggles with baking soda. I always end up super irritated but no one in my family seems to have trouble with it And my friends are all good with it too. I thought it was just me who reacted badly to it.
I then started using arrowroot powder and DE for my recipie. So far its okay. Leaves my skin smooth but doesn’t help much with the sweating and I still have a bit of odor. I feel as though the DE absorbes the esssential oils I add and. i can hardly smell the essential oils.
I will try zinc oxide in my next recipe. I actually just bought some for my home made sunscreen I’m working on and I”ve been thinking of adding it to the deodorant but wasn’t sure.
Does this recipie keep you dry? Also instead of the matacha powder, could I add green tea extract for the antioxidant properties? I actually have some that’s why I ask.
Also do you think it’s okay to keep the DE in my recipie. Or do you think this may change the properties of the deo? I just bought so much of it that I wouldn’t know what else to do with it haha!
Hi Migdalia,
I hope the zinc helps you!
I will say that this recipe is formulated to use both zinc ricinoleate and zinc oxide. Without the zinc ricinoleate, the texture will be a lot pastier because the ZR is a waxy type substance that helps give a solid consistency to this deodorant.
Some people have tried this recipe with only the zinc oxide and it has worked for odor for some, and not so much for one or two people. I think the zinc ricinoleate really helps a lot too as it’s specifically made for deodorizing purposes.
I’d assume that adding diatomaceous earth to this recipe would be OK in small amounts (not enough to alter the texture enough to make the rest not work), but I’m not really sure it would benefit things in any way. I personally haven’t had any luck with deodorants with DE in them, though, so that’s where my pessimism about it stems. 😉
As for dryness. I’m not sure that it really helps with dryness at all. It may help somewhat, as you create a sort of barrier, but it doesn’t have any anti-persperants (unless one of the ingredients has anti-persperant qualities I’m unaware of), so you will still sweat. I used to have a lot more problem with wetness. I don’t notice any problems recently, but that could be due to any number of factors. I sort of doubt it’s the deodorant, but you never know.
As for the green tea extract- while it would probably work, there is the danger that green tea extract is water soluble and could introduce bacteria into the mix. I’m also not sure if it would separate out or not. In any case, you don’t really “need” either, but I just liked the idea of adding some color/anti-inflammatory properties to the deodorant, seeing as I always have matcha powder at home. Whether or not it’s helpful, I don’t really know for sure.
Good luck, no matter what you decide to try! I hope you find something that works for you!
Thank you so much your tips! I’ll keep experimenting.
Hi Tracy,
Have you also heard of adding probiotics to deodorant recipes?!
I actually tried your recipe and then I read about adding probiotics. So I added 2 capsules and I really like it. I just thought I’d share that info
Hey Tracy!
Guess what arrived today?! I am going to try melting my original batch and adding the zinc ricin and will let you know if that works better!
This evening I made up your recipe with baking soda and added some lemon juice to the mix, and can’t wait to see how that works as well.
I will def report back on my results! Thanks for keeping those fingers crossed for me! I want to be in that club too! 🙂
Hi Joan,
I have my fingers crossed!
I really hope it will work for you.
I do want to say that with the other recipe, the lemon juice is probably working against you. The reason I think it works is because the pH of the baking soda is high enough that it makes it a inhospitable place for bacteria. The acidic lemon juice will likely react with the baking soda to neutralize the pH, something you don’t really want.
Lemon juice, by itself, on the other hand, also works well in my opinion as a deodorant. It’s just a bit too messy for me to want to use everyday. 😉
Anxiously awaiting your results with the zinc r! 🙂
I was so excited to try your deoderant as the ones with baking soda give me a terrible rash. I ordered all the ingredients needed but unfirtunately the zinc ricin. did not arrive with them. Decided to try it without as I am desperate and figured the zinc oxide would help my underarm rash too. Unfortunstely I was stinking by the end of the day (my worst nightmare lol). Anyway they say it will be here within the next week so I will try it again and hope it works. I guess I will be stinky for a while still.:( Keeping my fingers crossed that the zinc ricin. Is the secret!
Hi Joan,
I really sorry to hear it didn’t work out for you without the zinc ricinoleate. I’ve heard people some people say that it has worked well for them without it, but I’ve personally never tried.
Of course the deodorants that don’t work at all for me do work for some people, so we are all different.
In my case, I’ve been making a liquid deodorant with zincPCA and zinc ricinoleate for my husband, and it works for both of us. That one doesn’t have any zinc oxide in it, and is still effective. I’m hoping that means that the zinc ricinoleate is the more potent part of the recipe, and this deodorant will work for you when it arrives.
The zinc ricinoleate will also make your deodorant slightly more solid and better for a stick deodorant container. (It’s like a waxy substance.)
My guess is that your recipe without it turned out slightly pasty and messy.
Because these ingredients are all oils and waxes, and there are no water based ingredients, you should be able to melt your batch and add the zinc ricinoleate when it arrives. That way you don’t end up with a wasted batch!
I have my fingers crossed with you. I know exactly how frustrating it is when nothing works!
I’ve heard back from a lot of people who were super happy to find this recipe because it has worked for them, and I’d love to include you in our club. 😉
Is the zinc oxide paste or powder? Also, have you tried substituting arrowroot powder or cornstarch for baking soda? If so, what was your experience? Thank you!
Hi Lori,
The zinc oxide comes in a powder form.
Arrowroot and cornstarch do absolutely nothing for me when it comes to helping stop body odor. I think they are usually added to deodorant recipes with the idea that they will somehow absorb some of the wetness, and/or to help make them feel less oily and help keep the oilier recipes from staining clothes. I have my doubts that either could really help prevent body odor for most people, though.
I’m convinced that the baking soda works by changing the pH enough to make it difficult for the bacteria that make up body odor to multiply. Neither cornstarch nor arrowroot powder do that.
Hi!
Very inspiring post. 🙂 I have one question, where can I get a hold of the containers that you put the deodorant mix in?
Hi Therez,
Well, you have a couple of options. You can either repurpose an old solid stick deodorant container. I clean out old cosmetic containers as best as I can and then throw them in the dishwasher to help fully clean them.
You can also find empty deodorant containers online. I used tiny 15ml containers in my pics, and was using those for a long time. I ended up making about 5 of those with this recipe. I liked them because I could take them around with me, on travel, etc.
Since then, though, I’ve realized I don’t need to bring them with me because the deodorant is effective all day. Having so many tiny containers only means I need to clean out more containers when it’s time to make more. So I’ve since bought 1 larger container (75ml) and this recipe basically fills it almost perfectly.
Does this deodorant have to be refrigerated when not in use?
Hi Giselle,
There is no need to refrigerate this deodorant because there isn’t a water component to it. It will keep for as long as the oils keep without going rancid.
In the recipes that I make with water, like my basic lotion recipe, I use natural conservatives so that you don’t have to worry about refrigerating in those recipes either. Most of the most natural conservatives will help a product last for 3 months without refrigeration.
I could have written this! I tried EVERYTHING and my pits were sooooo chaffed and had a huge red rash. I put my baby’s diaper rash cream on them yesterday because I didn’t have anything else. And at the end of the day my pits were not stinky! I was shocked. So when I came across this post I got so exited! Can’t wait to try this recipe.
Hahaha Ash- Right?
It seems amazing that it’s so simple. I still can’t understand why there are so many natural deodorants out there that just don’t work! Or why they still use aluminum instead!
I hope it goes well for you. This is still one of my favorite recipes. 🙂
Hey! Thanks for sharing your experience! I have two questions. One has to do with the zinc ricinoleate. I can’t find it in the Netherlands, do you think the deodorant will work the same if I just use the zinc oxide? And the second question is where do you buy the essential oils? Are they pure essential oils?
Thanks! Looking forward to your response so I can make my own deodorant.
Hi Daniela,
I’ve heard people trying it and saying it works, but they end up with a very pasty texture. The zinc ricinoleate is hard like a wax, and it makes the product more solid. You could perhaps try changing the zinc ricinoleate for a wax like beeswax to at least help keep the texture the same.
I’ve recently been making a liquid deodorant with zinc ricinoleate and zinc PCA, and it’s really effective without the zinc oxide, so the zinc ricinoleate in itself probably is a good deodorant, but it can’t hurt trying without it.
I tried doing a search for you in eBay and Amazon, but the only place I find it is here in Spain and it doesn’t appear that they send to the rest of Europe yet. It appears to be called Zinkricinoleat in German. It surprises me that your wouldn’t be able to find it in Germany- usually they have a lot more to offer than the places here in Spain.
If you do try it, I’d love other how it goes!
Hi Tracy,
Thanks for your super quick reply! Ok so I do have beeswax, so I can definitely try it with it. Also, I found I can buy Kaolin klei, which has Zinc in it and Calamine powder which has zinc oxide and zinc carbone… Do you think that could also work out?
Thanks again!
Pd. Lei que eres mitad espanola, entonces tambien te puedo escribir en espanol, cierto? Mi computadora no tiene acentos por eso no escribo con acentos 😉
Grcias por tus consejos!
Hola Daniela,
Siento no haberte contestado en seguida. Por algún motivo el sistema del blog no me avisó de tu mensaje. (O lo marqué yo como leído sin darme cuenta. Vi otro aviso ahora al vaciarme el inbox del email!)
Contesto en inglés para poder ayudar a la mayoría de la gente…
It’s hard for me to know for sure what would work or not, and how any of them would affect the texture of the deodorant. Adding a powder or clay would likely solidify it more, and anything with zinc in it would likely help add to the deodorant properties, but without having tried it myself, it’s really only a guess as to what the result would be. If you do give it a try, I’d love to hear how it goes.
And sorry again for having overlooked your comment. I do make a point of answering people as soon as I can, and hate when I overlook comments like this one!
Have used this for 6 months – so effective! Love it! Thank you for not giving up in your quest for a great product.
I’m so happy to hear that, Tami!
Thanks so much for your comment.
Yes, I tend to be a bit stubborn, and just can’t bring myself to posting something that I don’t love myself. If you only knew how many body butters I tried to make before finally delving into making lotions. Now I’m inspired to continue.
If you like roll-on deodorants, I’m planning on posting a new roll-on option soon. (My husband hates solid, so I had to make it for him.) It’s working amazingly well too, and is light and nice for summer.
Super excited to try this recipe! I had tried one with just coconut oil and corn starch and essential oils and I found I had to reapply it two or three times during the day, even when just sitting at a desk at work all day. I was wondering how many tubes this fills?
Hi Jennifer!
I hope this goes well for you. I don’t need to apply it at all during the day, and even with some conventional deodorants, I wasn’t always making it through the day.
Th last time I made this, I ended up filling one 75ml container, which makes sense because I think I fill about 5 of the tiny ones, which I think are 15ml each.
I’ll have to make sure to make sure next time I make this.
Lately I’ve been testing out a homemade roll-on deodorant using zinc ricinoleate and zinc PCA, and it’s been working really well for me too. (My husband prefers roll-ons and now that I’m better at making emulsions, I was up for the challenge.)
I’ve been using that one successfully for several weeks now, and will try to post it soon for those who don’t like working with the zinc oxide powder, or those that find it stains. (I personally haven’t had that problem because it’s solid enough that only a thin layer goes on, and it absorbs pretty well right away, but it’s good to have options, right?) 🙂
I made it! I left out the zinc ricinoleate because I didn’t have it and I added in some bergamot essential oil also and it works pretty great! I sweated (like you’re supposed to) and couldn’t smell anything! It goes on a little pastier than I was expecting (think the texture of diaper rash cream), but I just rubbed it in a little bit and everything was fine. However, I think I disturbed my deodorant tube too soon because it won’t go up and down, it just stays stuck in there. I’ve been applying it with my finger. Lessons learned for next time! And we’ll see how it holds up come summertime! Thanks again for the great recipe!
Hi Jennifer!
I’m glad it’s working to combat the odor, even without the zinc ricinoleate. I think I’m going to have to update the recipe with a note about leaving out the zinc ricinoleate. Somebody else told me that they left it out, and that they also ended up with a pasty mixture.
The zinc ricinoleate feels like a hard wax, so I think leaving it out is causing the texture to be completely different from mine. Mine is very solid, and only goes on in a thin film. I made the mistake of microwaving the leftovers once to quickly pour them into a tiny tube, and that made the mix really pasty and I didn’t like using it nearly as much.
I’m going to guess that rather than leaving out the zinc, perhaps exchanging it for beeswax would be a better option, and would likely give a result more like mine. (That, of course, is just a somewhat educated guess. I haven’t personally tried it.)
Can you give measurements for the US? When I change the recipe to US on the page it shows up in ounces. Can this be measured using teaspoon and tablespoon measurements?
Hi Amanda,
When working with these sorts of recipes, I work in grams and ounces because it is very difficult to quantify in volume ingredients like beeswax (some people use sheets, others use beads of varying sizes, etc.). Plus, some of the ingredients are used in such small amounts (less than 1/4 tsp.) that I wouldn’t know what measurements to use.
If you are planning on making more DIY natural products and/or soaps, it is worth the investment to buy a small, inexpensive kitchen scale for these sorts of recipes. Otherwise it’s impossible to get precise measurements, meaning that your final products may not turn out as they should.
I usually use grams when working with weights, not only because it is more universal, but because using the term “ounces” often confuses people. They aren’t sure if you are talking about weight ounces or liquid ounces; in this case it’s the weight ounces.
Hello! Do you think it would work to just use castor oil instead of zinc? Maybe replace the almond oil with castor and leave out the zinc? Just trying to use up the ingredients I have on hand?. Thank you in advance for your reply!
Hi Jenny,
The zinc is the active ingredient that I have found to work for me at keeping away body odor. I can’t imagine this deodorant working for me without the zinc.
On the other hand, if you were to want to just replace the almond oil for the castor oil (while still using the zinc), that probably would work fine. Keep in mind, though, that castor oil can be more drying to your skin.
Was just browsing the internet for zinc ricinoleate deodorants and stumped on your blog….
Zinc Ricinoleate is created by extracting the ricinoleic acid from castor oil, using zinc oxide. If you use castor oil, you’re only going to get a minute amount of ricinoleic acid, which has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, but not odour reduction properties. Zinc Ricinoleate works to absorb bacterial odours because the chemical composition isn’t just ricinoleic acid, it’s changed by the zinc. It won’t actually do anything to help your deodorant be more deodorizing. 🙂
Oops, that should have been stumbled* on your blog! 🙂
Ha! I didn’t even see the typo. 🙂
Interesting…
I’m curious to what you mean about the deodorant not being any more deodorizing, though?
Do you mean if you only used castor oil?
Can the baking soda substitute with bentonite clay. I guess my question is does the clay do the same as the baking soda
Hi Antoinette,
I really prefer the main recipe which uses zinc and doesn’t use either one.
If you are looking at my old recipe at the bottom, and want to try that one instead, I find that baking soda works a lot better than bentonite clay for odors. The baking soda alters the pH, making it less desirable for odor causing bacteria. I don’t know what bentonite clay would do in a deodorant recipe. My guess is that it may help absorb some of the moisture, and may slightly help with the impurities in armpits, but I doubt it would be enough to combat odors.
If you read through the entire post, you’ll see how many different things I’ve tried, most of which didn’t work for me.
The baking soda deodorant did work successfully, but irritated my skin after awhile. It was a lot less irritating to me, though, than most of the deodorant recipes that I’ve seen floating around the internet that use coconut oil and baking soda.
I hope that helps!
Hello! I am also living in Spain. How was it finding these ingredients? Did you have to order them online or did herbolarios have them?
Hi Cassie,
Well, I order quite often from a few places online anyway because I find that I save a lot of money compared to most of the herbolarios that I can find locally. The herbolarios do have the oils and essential oils, but I doubt they would have the zinc ricinolate. The zinc oxide is a maybe. 🙂 I tend to save the herbolarios for most of my food choices. I think everything for this can be found at this place called cremascaseras.com. I’m not an affiliate for them or anything, but I have bought a lot of stuff from them and have overall been happy with them. I did have an issue with them once where I couldn’t get a discount to work (They give you a percent discount for your next order), and they never really answered the problem, but the orders have always arrived really quickly and well. I hope that helps somewhat!
I’m wondering if this deo helps with perspiring? I certainly don’t like to stink, but it’d be nice to not feel wet either. I also find a lot of the “natural” deos not working for me. I was researching the ingredients but don’t want to spend a lot of money before I know. Thanks!
Hi Michelle,
That’s a great question, and I wish I had a better answer for you, but I have to answer I don’t know.
Let me see if I can better clarify my answer now.
When I was younger, I remember being embarrassed about sweating a lot from my armpits in the summer when using commercial deodorants/antiperspirants. It hasn’t been so much of any issue for me lately, now that I think about it, but I don’t know if it’s because I just don’t sweat as much or if it has something to do with the deodorant itself.
Commercial antiperspirants use aluminum salts to plug the pores and keep the sweat from coming out of those pores, from what I understand. I’m not sure if zinc would do anything like that. I will say that I have seen recommendations for people who have problems with excessive sweating to try supplementation with magnesium and zinc. Also, this goes on like a thick cream, and I’m not sure if that would cover the pores in a way that would keep some sweat from coming out?
What I will say is that I haven’t had problems with excessive sweating from the armpit area lately, but I have no idea if it has anything to do with this deodorant. I am ecstatic with the way this deodorant works for me, though, and I wouldn’t go back to using anything else.
If it helps, I can try to better monitor my perspiration over the next few days and see if I can give you a better guess about how effective this may be. (Even if I don’t sweat much from my armpits when I go hiking with my dog this week, it may be due to other factors- my diet these days, or who-knows-what can affect perspiration- but I’ll try to give the best guess I can.) Sound fair?
Ok, this just popped up in my Pinterest and I read it all the way through. I can tell you, your story is my story! Coconut oil/ baking soda was working marvelously for such a long time, and then my flare ups for to the point where I felt my lymph nodes were getting tender, so I stopped right away. I spent money on all the clay formulations only to find none of them worked, and some were stay enough green (with unbleached shea butter) that it wasn’t good on my clothes. And my husband was also helpful in letting me know of the failed attempts. I’ve tried so many brands of natural stuff and finally found the Nubian heritage stuff to work-but it’s spendy! I’d decided I was done trying new recipes until I saw one with a vastly difference ingredient list. As soon as I can gather the zinc stuff and matcha powder, I am going to give this a go! Based on our similar problems, I’m very hopeful!
Hi Melinda,
I really hope it goes well for you. I’m still using this recipe, and it is still working well for me!
I’ve made several batches by now.
Right before this, I had just spent a lot of money on a natural deodorant from the health food store that did nothing for me either. I’m still holding onto it for some strange reason, probably because I wasted so much money on it. hahaha I need to just throw it away because I know I’m not going to use it.
This deodorant has a slight green color because of the matcha, but I haven’t found it to stain anything (yet). The deodorant is creamy and absorbs in right away, pretty much, so I haven’t found staining a problem at all. In any case, if you were to have a problem with it, the matcha is only there for anti-oxidant/anti-inflammatory properties and its pretty green color, so you could always try leaving it out. 🙂
I look forward to hearing if it works for you! I have my fingers crossed!
Instead of matcha powder can any other powder be used? I have arrowroot and beet root powder. Would those help in binding?
Hi Sam,
If you don’t want to use the matcha, you can just leave it out. It isn’t there for the binding at all. It’s just added for it’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but it’s totally an optional addition.
I never even heard of zinc ricinoleate. Interesting! I tried a deodorant recipe last summer using DE along with a homemade mix of calamine (zinc oxide + iron oxide). I think I even had some clay in the mix. It seemed like at first it worked and I especially loved how soothing it felt on my skin. Over time it didn’t work. Definitely an inspiring recipe that has me thinking of incorporating into my recipes. Have you tried magnesium? Great post! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
Hi Michelle,
For me it’s been working wonderfully for a couple of months now, and, yes, it’s very soothing and so much nicer feeling than anything else I’ve tried so far. Plus, it works all day, even when I get wet.
As for magnesium… I did do some trials with a homemade magnesium oil as a deodorant, but it wasn’t very effective for me. Not only did I find it irritating, but it didn’t work very well for very long. I had to keep reapplying it, which irritated my skin and made me feel icky. I guess I should have added that to the list of things that didn’t work for me. Using magnesium as a deodorant sort of slipped my mind as I still use magnesium oil for other things. I had read about people supplementing with magnesium not needing to wear deodorant, but even when using magnesium oil, I still need deodorant right away. Perhaps there is a better way to use magnesium as a deodorant? For now, this is the best that I’ve found. 🙂