Finding a good substitute for deodorant isn’t easy. I’ve narrowed it down to three options that will have you smelling great. No stinky pits here
This post may contain affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure policy here.
Natural Deodorants Options that really work
Commercial deodorants and antiperspirants are the pits. If you landed here it probably means you are ready to give up those name brand, possibly bad for you deodorants, for something fresh and new.
It’s no secret that most deodorants and antiperspirants are full of some pretty yucky chemicals. When I started to make over my medicine and beauty cabinet with healthier options, I knew deodorant was one of the first items I had to ditch.
Think about it: we shave our armpits and then rub a smelly stick of questionable chemicals all over the area. More specifically, an area that contains our lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are a major player in our immune system and what keeps us healthy, so let’s not mess with them!.
Finding a good substitute for deodorant takes A LOT of trial and error and a WHOLE LOT of stinky pit action. It’s also a very personal thing. What works well with one person’s body might not work well for another. A universal component that seems to work well for everyone’s pits is essential oils.
I use essential oils in all of my homemade beauty products, deodorant included.
My favorites are Melaleuca (Tea Tree), Lemongrass, Patchouli and a blend called Purify from doTERRA.
Related: Seven Reasons Why You Need Essential Oils in your Home.
My three options include a homemade paste, an essential oil spray and a store bought natural deodorant.
Let’s get started.
The Takesumi Detox – Black Oak and Bourbon by Kaia Naturals
I have tried sooo many store-bought natural deodorants and I finally found one that works and works WELL. Girls, this deodorant from Kaia Naturals is a must-have!
This deodorant is great because there is no baking soda, which can be very irritating to our sensitive pits, and ALSO there is activated charcoal in it. Activated charcoal is great for keeping odors at bay.
I am addicted to the black oak and bourbon scent, but there are a few others to pick from if it’s not your thing. It’s really musky and I just love it. I bought mine from The Detox Market a few months ago and it’s still going strong.
You have to remember that deodorants won’t keep you from sweating like antiperspirants do. If you have a big event or meeting and you’re worried you might sweat excessively, try this tip from a friend of mine: start with a layer of a natural deodorant, like The Takesumi Detox, and then add a layer of antiperspirant. The natural deodorant acts as a barrier between your pits and the antiperspirant.
Essential Oil Spray
This is exactly how it sounds, a spray made up of a few essential oils. I mentioned earlier that you will want to use essential oils that kill bacteria, not just cover up the smell. I like a combination of three oils: Melaleuca, Purify (a doTERRA blend) and Patchouli. You can customize this to your liking.
The basic recipe is: 50 drops each of Melaleuca and Purify and 15-20 drops of Patchouli. You can add this to a cute spray bottle or one of my favorite 10 ml rollers and apply as needed. This is a great option if you are sensitive to baking soda or if you want a break from your usual deodorant.
If you have a few more ingredients on hand, try this deodorant spray for stinky pits. It’s one of my favorites!
Homemade Deodorant
I saved this for last because it requires a little bit of work. Just a little.
This homemade deodorant recipe from Sophie Uliano is super easy to make, lasts forever (seriously, like a year) and totally works. I use less baking soda and more essential oils and I find that it’s just perfect. This is very similar to primal pit paste which also gets great reviews, but I haven’t tried it yet so I can’t weigh in.
Here’s what you will need:
2 Tbs Coconut Oil
2 Tbs Shea Butter
¼ Cup Baking Soda
¼ Cup Arrowroot Powder
10 Drops Melaleuca Essential Oil
10 Drops Lemongrass Essential Oil
To make:
Simply melt the coconut oil and shea butter in a double boiler. Take it off the heat and add the baking soda and arrowroot powder. Whisk everything together. Let cool and add in 10 drops each of Melaleuca and Lemongrass essential oil which are both antibacterial and antifungal. Pour into one of these 4 oz glass containers. Rub a dime size amount onto your pits!
Update: I have recently become sensitive to baking soda, which unfortunately is in most natural deodorant. If you have sensitive pits like me try this baking soda free deodorant option that really works. You can check the recipe out here.
There you have it. Three natural deodorant options for you. There are, of course, a lot more options there, but these three have been tried and tested by multiple people (my friends and family:) who reported no stinky pits at the end of the day.
What is your favorite natural deodorant that actually works? Leave a comment below!
If you love making your own products check out Easy Homemade Beauty Products with Essential Oils and Easy Natural Cleaning Recipes (That Actually Work).
If you found this article helpful, share it with a friend who needs to ditch conventional deodorant.
Leave a Reply