I’ll never forget the moment I realized my store-bought deodorant might be doing more harm than good. My underarms were itchy, irritated, and, despite trying every “natural” product I could find, nothing seemed to help.

I wanted a solution that actually worked and felt good on my skin. That’s when I started researching DIY alternatives, and eventually created this no baking soda deodorant that I now use and love!

This recipe is one of my favorites because it’s soothing, effective, and doesn’t include baking soda, which can be too harsh for sensitive skin. Plus, it’s simple to make and fully customizable with your favorite essential oils.

Here is how to easily make your own DIY no baking soda deodorant!

3 tubes of ,my diy no baking soda deodorant

Why These Ingredients Work

Before we jump into the how-to, let’s talk about the ingredients. Each one was chosen with care to support your skin naturally and effectively.

Shea Butter
Shea butter is rich, nourishing, and wonderfully soothing, especially for sensitive underarms. It helps create a creamy base while supporting skin health.

Beeswax
This gives the deodorant a solid texture and adds a gentle layer of protection to lock in moisture. It also helps the deodorant hold up in warmer climates.

Carrier Oil (like jojoba, almond, or coconut)
The carrier oil helps blend everything together and adds even more skin-softening benefits. You can choose what works best for your skin. I used a calendula infused oil.

Magnesium Hydroxide
This is the star ingredient for neutralizing odor. It’s a much gentler alternative to baking soda and does a fantastic job without causing irritation.

Zinc Oxide (non-nano)
Zinc oxide adds odor-fighting power and also helps with moisture. Be sure to use non-nano zinc so it sits on top of the skin rather than being absorbed.

Arrowroot Powder
A natural absorbent that helps keep you feeling dry without clogging pores. It also contributes to the creamy consistency.

Essential Oils
You can use whatever blend you like best! Lavender and tea tree are wonderful for their calming and antimicrobial properties. Or try citrus oils for a fresh, energizing scent. This recipe uses a 2% dilution rate, which is generally safe for daily use.

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How to Make DIY No Baking Soda Deodorant

Here is how to make your own homemade deodorant without baking soda! This makes 4-6 tubes:

Ingredients

9 tablespoons shea butter
6 tablespoons beeswax
4 ½ tablespoons carrier oil
1 cup magnesium hydroxide
7 ½ tablespoons zinc oxide
6 tablespoons arrowroot powder
180 drops essential oils (I used 100 drops lemongrass and 80 drops B.O. Be Gone)
Empty deodorant tubes

Get all these ingredients to make this recipe for 10% off with code KATE10!

ingredients for diy no baking soda deodorant

Instructions

In a double boiler, melt the beeswax, shea butter, and carrier oil until fully liquified.

While that’s melting, mix together the magnesium hydroxide, zinc oxide, and arrowroot powder in a separate bowl.

Add essential oils to the powder mixture and stir well.

Once your oils and wax mixture is melted, remove from heat and quickly stir in the powder blend.

Pour immediately into deodorant tubes before it begins to harden. (I recommend melting again for a smoother finish).

Let the deodorant sit undisturbed overnight to fully set.

Notes:

This recipe uses a 2% essential oil dilution, which is safe for most people. If you’re making it for kids or someone with extra-sensitive skin, you can reduce the amount of essential oils.
Feel free to experiment with scent blends. Lavender, frankincense, and lemon is one of my favorite combinations for a clean, fresh aroma.
If it is not smooth, you can always remelt. That’s what I had to do after I took the pictures. If you remelt after mixing all the ingredients in the last step, you should be good!
Because of the zinc, it does leave a white residue on your skin. Not my favorite, but how well the deodorant works kinda makes up for that!

long view of diy no baking soda deodorant tubes

Where This Recipe Comes From

This particular no baking soda deodorant recipe was inspired by the DIY Natural Deodorant Kit from Simply Earth. I love that their kits make it so approachable to start making your own products at home.

If you’re just beginning your journey into natural DIYs, or if you like the idea of having ingredients pre-measured and ready to go, their deodorant kit is a wonderful option.

What I appreciate most is that the kit focuses on gentle ingredients that actually work, and it’s a great starting point if you’re not quite ready to source everything individually.

Whether you use their kit or blend it up yourself, this recipe is a keeper for anyone looking for a baking soda-free solution!

Use code KATE10 to get 10% off your kit!!

No Baking Soda Deodorant

Yield: 4-6 tubes

No Ratings

Materials

9 tablespoons shea butter
6 tablespoons beeswax
4 ½ tablespoons carrier oil
1 cup magnesium hydroxide
7 ½ tablespoons zinc oxide
6 tablespoons arrowroot powder
180 drops essential oils (I used 100 drops lemongrass and 80 drops B.O. Be Gone)
Empty deodorant tubes

Instructions

In a double boiler, melt the beeswax, shea butter, and carrier oil until fully liquified.
While that’s melting, mix together the magnesium hydroxide, zinc oxide, and arrowroot powder in a separate bowl.
Add essential oils to the powder mixture and stir well.
Once your oils and wax mixture is melted, remove from heat and quickly stir in the powder blend.
Pour immediately into deodorant tubes before it begins to harden. (I recommend melting again for a smoother finish).
Let the deodorant sit undisturbed overnight to fully set.

Notes

This recipe uses a 2% essential oil dilution, which is safe for most people. If you’re making it for kids or someone with extra-sensitive skin, you can reduce the amount of essential oils.
Feel free to experiment with scent blends. Lavender, frankincense, and lemon is one of my favorite combinations for a clean, fresh aroma.
If it is not smooth, you can always remelt. That's what I had to do after I took the pictures. If you remelt after mixing all the ingredients in the last step, you should be good!
Because of the zinc, it does leave a white residue on your skin. Not my favorite, but how well the deodorant works kinda makes up for that!

Final Thoughts

Making your own deodorant might feel intimidating at first, but I promise, it’s simpler than it looks and so worth it!

You’ll be able to trust every ingredient, know it’s gentle on your skin, and feel empowered by creating something that supports your health naturally.

Natural living isn’t about perfection. It’s about small, loving shifts that build up over time. So if this is your first DIY project, I hope it sparks curiosity and confidence.

And if you’re already a seasoned herbalist or oily mama, maybe this is just the tweak you’ve been looking for.