Trying to eliminate petroleum-based chemicals from your personal care regimen? Looking for a healthy alternative to aluminum based deodorant? Consider homemade deodorant powder!
Use this powder in combination with stick or roll-on deodorants – or try this on its own! Personalize with your favorite herbs and essential oils.
This powder utilizes the toxin-binding properties of EM powder. EM powder is derived from Efficient Microorganisms and is completely natural and safe. See this post for more.
Zeolite or calcium bentonite clay may be substituted for EM powder.
Andrea Fabry
Save Recipe
Homemade Deodorant Powder That Works
Simple and effective, this natural deodorant helps keep you confident all day long. A food processor is not necessary but makes for a much lighter powder.
Save Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup arrowroot (an edible starch derived from the roots of the West Indian plant known as arrowroot)
- 3/4 cup baking soda
- 3 tablespoons EM powder (calcium bentonite clay and/or zeolite may be substituted)
- 2 tablespoons ground herb of choice (see below)
- 75 drops of essential oils of choice (see below)
- .
Instructions
- Combine all but the essential oils in food processor or large bowl.
- Whisk by hand or blend in food processor for 15 seconds.
- Remove several tablespoons of the powder blend and place in small bowl. (Mortar and pestle are optimal.)
- Slowly add essential oils to this powder and blend thoroughly.
- Add this oil powder blend to the remaining powder and whirl in food processor for 15 seconds.
- Allow the mixture to sit for 3 days to allow the oils to permeate the powder. Place in small jar or shaker jar for individual use.
- Apply using cotton pad, make up brush, or hands.
Thank you for this great information and beautiful photos!! Trish
Thanks Trish!
I’ve tried DIY deodorants before and they didn’t work. I like the addition of clay in this recipe. I bet works well along with the arrowroot to absorb odors. Can’t wait to try it.
I think you’ll like it, Tracey.
I love the idea of a dry deodorant. I also love the idea of adding clay! We use clay in many of our homemade products, so this will be next. Thank you.
Great to hear from you, Kristin.
I’m REALLY struggling with finding a natural deoderant that works. I am highly sensitive to baking soda (but so far that is the only thing that controls wetness and odor) I’ve tried many other recipes and it’s almost worse than using nothing at all. The commercial natural salt spray stuff works against odor, but I get so wet that I break out in a rash. I’m about ready to throw in the towel (I’ve been doing different things for about 6 weeks now and frankly, I’m embarrassed to go out in public) I sure wish SOMEONE could suggest a recipe or something to help me out. I can’t imagine I’m the only one suffering with all this. And yes, I do take a magnesium supplement and also have magnesium lotion I’m using. I eat a mostly Paleo diet too.
I make a deodorant with bentonite clay, arrowroot, essential oils, coconut oil and very little baking soda. This works well for us as far as odor and not irritating.
You may want to take a ph test though. You can do saliva or urine, though urine is more accurate. We eat meat, mostly Paleo diet, but if we have too much meat then our bodies become acidic and produce more body odor. The best way to tell is to eat a meal of only meat, dairy and grains (acidic foods) for supper and then test the urine ph upon waking. If it’s really alkaline then your body is producing ammonia to compensate for being overly acidic and it would be a good idea to eat less acid foods (meat) and more alkaline (fruits and veggies).
Thanks for the input, Jamie!
Try switching the baking soda with arrowroot powder. I have the same issue an it seemed to work for me.
Have you tried milk of magnesia?
We have! My son didn’t care for it. He said it didn’t work as well as we hoped. Great question!
Thanks for the recipe! I wouldn’t have thought to put dried herbs in my deodorant. 🙂
Nice to hear from you, Alex.
Wow, this looks so simple and easy. I will definitely try this. Thanks!
I’d love to hear if it works for you, Susanne!
My question is if this controls perspiration as well. I do not like sweaty armpits.
I think it varies from person to person. I have found it absorbs sweat for me.
I am so glad that I stumbled on your blog!! 🙂 I’ve listened to your husband’s radio show a lot and knew about your story. I had no idea this was your blog when I clicked a link in pinterest! Woo hoo! 🙂 What great information!
Thanks, Alissa! Glad to connect with you.
I love your blog site Andrea. I found you via Chris Fabry Live. I would like to make this deodorant but when i went to the Teraganix site to purchase the clay there were a few to choose from and I did not know which one you used specifically. Thank you so much for all the great information you offer here. May the Lord continue to bless your family and your endeavors.
Tamarah,
They’re all good products. This is the one I use.
http://www.teraganix.com/Super-C-Powder-p/4009.htm
So glad we connected!
Can you make this recipe without the essential oils and herbs for just an unscented version or are things ingredients important to kill bacteria?
They help, but they’re not necessary, Joyce. Some people just use baking soda alone.
Andrea,
I do not tolerate arrowroot in foods and I don’t want to try it in a deodorant. Will cornstarch do the same thing. I know it can be substituted in recipes.
Thank you.
Yes, I’ve seen it listed as a substitute, Carol.
Hi,
What is EM powder and where can I find it? What is the list of herbs? Thank you for the awesome recipe!
Here’s one option for the EM powder: http://www.teraganix.com/Super-C-Powder-p/4009.htm
I like ground thyme and rosemary or essential oils along the same line. Lavender is also good.