DIY Deodorant That Works

Looking for a DIY deodorant that works? Check out this easy homemade deodorant made with magnesium hydroxide. It’s 100% natural and contains no baking soda. It keeps you smelling fresh all day and is very nourishing to the skin!

Easy DIY Deodorant That Works

The transition from using store-bought deodorant to using natural deodorant has not been easy.

I ditched my store-bought deodorant once I learned about the toxic ingredients it contained. But finding a natural deodorant that actually worked was a totally different story.

Don’t get me wrong, natural deodorants have come a long way!

(This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure statement here.)

When I first switched to natural deodorant, very few options were available. And most of the alternatives basically sucked. They just didn’t get the job done.

Now, there are tons of natural deodorants on the market, and some actually work pretty well. But you have to go through a lot of testing and trying to find them, and natural deodorants aren’t very cheap.

So, the process of finding a natural deodorant that works for you can be a bit frustrating.

My go-to store-bought natural deodorant is Schmidt’s charcoal and magnesium deodorant. It is one of the best toxin-free deodorants I have tried, but to be honest, it’s not as effective as I would like it to be.

It works fine on days when you’re not doing any strenuous physical activity or excessive sweating. But I found that when I was doing a lot of work outside or working out, it wasn’t cutting it.

So, I decided to make my own DIY deodorant that works. And I am so happy about how it turned out.

It’s the best natural deodorant I have ever used. Even after a long day of being in the sun or physical activity (or both), there is not even a hint of body odor.

It’s amazing!

Dangers of Store-Bought Deodorant

Now, if you don’t already know why store-bought deodorants are harmful – let me tell you.

Most store-bought deodorants contain aluminum, which some recent studies have theorized may cause breast cancer. Aluminum has also been linked to non-reproductive organ system toxicity.

Also, store-bought deodorants usually contain artificial fragrances that can cause immunotoxicity, allergies, endocrine disruption, and more.

You can click here to learn more about the possible dangers of store-bought deodorant.

After being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease in 2018, I have been on a mission to reduce my toxic burden and live a more natural lifestyle.

When it comes to using bath and body or household products that contain questionable ingredients, I like to err on the side of caution.

If using a product carries a potential risk and a natural alternative that works just as well is available, I usually choose the safer option.

Or I just make my own!

By making my own DIY toxin-free products, I not only avoid nasty ingredients but also save money.

Now, I make my own all-purpose cleaner, lip balm, glass cleaner, eye cream, body butter, and so much more!

Magnesium Hydroxide in Deodorant

As I mentioned earlier, one of my favorite all-natural deodorants is Schmidt’s charcoal and magnesium deodorant. And it is definitely what inspired me to make this DIY deodorant.

The active ingredient in Schmidt’s charcoal and magnesium deodorant is magnesium hydroxide.

Magnesium hydroxide is a mineral supplement that can support digestion, promote bowel movements, support heart health, and more.

Magnesium hydroxide is also a great addition to DIY deodorant that works because it kills bacteria without blocking pores.

Many natural deodorants use baking soda as their main active ingredient. However, baking soda is very alkaline and can strip the skin of its natural moisture, leading to dry, irritated skin.

Magnesium hydroxide is much more gentle on the skin.

How do you Make Magnesium Deodorant?

Before making this homemade magnesium deodorant, you’ll need to gather your ingredients and supplies. Below is a list of all the ingredients you’ll need, as well as why I chose to include them in this recipe.

Shea Butter

Shea butter is part of the base for this deodorant. It contains vitamins A and E and is 100% all-natural. It helps moisturize the skin and leaves your underarms softer than a baby’s bum.

Beeswax Pellets

Beeswax is also the base for this deodorant. Beeswax helps soften and soothe the skin while also helping the deodorant keep a firm consistency.

Vitamin E

I decided to add a tiny bit of vitamin E to this DIY magnesium deodorant to increase the skin-nourishing properties. It isn’t 100% necessary, but your underarms will love it!

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil helps to give this deodorant a creamy texture, and it also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.

Essential Oils

The main purpose of adding essential oils to the deodorant is to enhance the scent. But if you would like your deodorant unscented, you can leave the essential oils out.

I like to use lavender and tea tree. Lavender is used for its smell and skin-loving properties, and tea tree is used for its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties.

If you prefer a more masculine scent, I recommend using frankincense, patchouli, or cedarwood essential oils.

You can use a variety of essential oil combinations. But I would avoid phototoxic essential oils like lemon, grapefruit, and orange.

Need Essential Oils?

I used to use Young Living oils exclusively. I’m no longer loyal to just one brand. There are so many amazing essential oil companies out there.

High-quality essential oils don’t have to cost a lot. I now use brands like Far & Wild, Plant Therapy, and Simply Earth essential oils. They are all amazing and very affordable.

If you decide to buy from Simply Earth, you can use the code HAPPYHEARTFREE to receive a $45 Simply Earth gift card with the purchase of your first recipe box.

If you are not familiar with Simply Earth or their recipe box, you can check out previous boxes here.

If you order now with the code above, you will receive the recipe box, a big bonus box, plus a $45 Simply Earth gift card, all for only $29.99! (new customers only)

Magnesium Hydroxide

Magnesium hydroxide is the main active ingredient in this homemade magnesium deodorant. It is what prevents odor and makes this deodorant so effective.

Magnesium hydroxide does not absorb into the skin but instead remains on the skin’s surface and counteracts odor-causing bacteria.

Now let’s get to the recipe.

How to Make Homemade Deodorant

To make this DIY deodorant that works, you’ll need a container to store your deodorant in. I just reuse an old deodorant container.

You can purchase empty deodorant containers on Amazon if you don’t have an old one on hand.

Then you’ll need the following ingredients below.

• 4 tablespoons of shea butter
• 4 tablespoons of beeswax pellets
• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
• 10 drops of vitamin e oil
• 20-40 drops of essential oil
• 2 tablespoons of magnesium hydroxide

This makes around 4 ounces of deodorant. It fits perfectly into the container that is pictured in the photo above.

Magnesium Hydroxide Deodorant Recipe

Melt the shea butter, beeswax pellets, and coconut oil in a double boiler. If you don’t have a double boiler, you can carefully place a glass jar into a pot of water on the stove.

But I highly recommend using a double boiler. Making homemade products is so much easier when you have a double boiler. A double boiler typically costs less than $20 and is 100% worth the investment.

If you decide to use a glass jar instead of a double boiler, light the stove and keep it on the low setting. Add the shea butter, beeswax pellets, and coconut oil to the glass jar and let it melt completely.

You can also place the shea butter, beeswax pellets, and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave them at 30-second intervals until everything has completely melted.

Stir gently in between intervals.

After everything has melted completely, add the vitamin E and essential oils and stir well. Then, add the magnesium hydroxide and stir until everything is thoroughly blended.

Gently pour it into your container and wait for it to become firm. This can take a couple of hours. You can place it in the fridge to speed up the process.

Once the deodorant is firm to the touch, it is ready to use.

Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Magnesium Deodorant

Is Magnesium Hydroxide Safe to Use in Deodorant?

Magnesium hydroxide is a naturally occurring compound that is generally considered very safe.

It’s a much better and safer alternative to aluminum, typically used in store-bought deodorant.

It’s also better than baking soda.

As I mentioned, baking soda is very alkaline and can strip the skin of its natural moisture, leading to dry, irritated skin.

Magnesium hydroxide, on the other hand, is much more gentle on the skin.

Is Magnesium Good for Your Armpits?

Magnesium is actually really good for your armpits. It helps to reduce body odor without any negative side effects.

As I mentioned earlier, Magnesium hydroxide does not absorb into the skin but instead remains on the surface and counteracts odor-causing bacteria.

How to Store Homemade Deodorant?

It’s best to store this homemade deodorant in a cool place. If exposed to extremely high temperatures, it can melt.

Also, please ensure the lid is attached securely when not in use. If it is constantly exposed to air, it can dry out quickly.

Never allow water to get into the deodorant container. This will prevent the homemade deodorant from being contaminated with harmful bacteria.

How Long Does Homemade Magnesium Deodorant Last?

As long as the deodorant is stored properly and does not come into contact with water, it should last for at least six months or longer.

Keep in mind that this assumes all the ingredients used are fresh. If they are not, this homemade magnesium deodorant will expire whenever the ingredients you used are set to expire.

For example, if you used shea butter that you’ve had for a while and it is set to expire in 30 days, then your homemade deodorant will expire in 30 days.

I hope that makes sense. When making homemade bath and body products, it’s best to use fresh ingredients whenever possible. That way, you can ensure a long shelf life.

A Few More Tips

If the deodorant’s scent isn’t strong enough for you, feel free to add a bit more essential oils the next time you make it. If it’s too strong, use a little less.

This deodorant is the best deodorant I have ever used, and I hope it is the best deodorant you have ever used.

But with that being said, everybody is different, and what works for my body might not work for yours.

Also, if you have never used natural deodorant before, you may experience a detoxification process, and it may take a little while to adjust.

This happened to me. When I first switched to natural deodorant, I developed a red rash on both underarms. I continued with the natural deodorant, and after a few weeks, it went away, and I never experienced it again.

My underarms have never been smoother, softer, or healthier-looking. Prior to switching to natural deodorant, they were always very dry and slightly discolored.

If you have never used a natural, toxin-free deodorant, I recommend trying an armpit detox mask.

An armpit detox mask can help you detox from the build-up of toxins that can accumulate from using store-bought, toxin-filled deodorant.

They typically contain ingredients like charcoal and bentonite clay. You can click here for an armpit detox mask you can make at home.

Or you can buy one. Amazon has a few good ones.

I hope you love this DIY deodorant that works as much as I do. Let me know if you have any questions or comments below.

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