A natural deodorant recipe without baking soda 

I love the natural movement and consumers saying no to harmful ingredients in our skincare and deodorants. Shortly after its conception in the late 19th century, clever and caustic antiperspirant commercials convinced women that not using an antiperspirant is a major social faux pas and the reason why we aren’t getting a second date. Because we stink. Two decades later, they used similar tactics on men.
I also thought it will be doom and gloom after I stopped using my store-bought deodorant. I was still carrying it with me for 2 weeks after I switched to my natural deodorant recipe without baking soda (recipe below), just in case. At that time, I couldn’t find many reviews or people with positive experiences with natural deodorants. But to my surprise, I never had to revert back to a store-bought deodorant. What did I miss?

2 months later, my partner tried it as well. And we all know men must stink worse than women, right? It turns out, he was happy also. It was been about 5 years now, and we are still both using it, come summer or winter.

What I’ve also learned it that I don’t really stink as much as I thought I did. There were days I forgot to apply it or I’m just lounging at home, and my guy is still around.
I’m really quite sensitive to smells and my partner seems OK too. If he stinks, it normally means he was working very hard and he needs a shower, not just a deodorant.

Worth mentioning also, I tend to smell a bit differently depending on my cycle and what I was eating the day before. Sugar equals stink for my body.

There is also some evidence that a blah body odor could mean vitamin or mineral deficiency, so check with a doctor if you think your odor is consistently really bad.

What I do not use in the recipe?

Baking soda

Sometimes it seems like baking soda is everywhere, like a miracle cure-all, fix-all, clean all-natural products which makes me suspicious. Personally, I’m not a fan. Baking soda can be extremely irritating to skin, especially on something as sensitive as freshly shaved armpits.

I gave baking soda a go for a lot of things, and I found other things work better for me. Nowadays I only use baking soda in my Canadian recipes (baking powder is a lot more common in Europe) and when I make fizzy bath-balls (once in a blue moon).

Wax or oils

The problem with using oils in a home DIY zero waste deodorant recipe is getting the ratio right. Oils in most homemade recipes are there as carriers for anti-septic, anti-bacterial ingredients, meaning they constitute almost half of the recipe. The other half of the recipe then has to be some sort of a thickening, drying ingredient, most commonly arrowroot powder. Together they form a firm paste or stick, that is easier to apply.

Oils and wax transfer on clothes easily, leaving a greasy stain. That then makes for an extra washing step removing the stain (often with baking soda) and that’s just a no in my books. Home formulations are just tricky.

Using the wrong kind of oil can also clog pores and you really do not want that on your armpit.

You might also like: Why I ditched my DIY laundry detergent

So, what do I use then?

Potassium alum

It’s actually very simple. I use potassium alum as my natural deodorant recipe without baking soda or oils. In the simplest form of the recipe, I just mix it with water to make a spray. You could use it just in its crystal form, or make a spray for easier application.

Potassium alum is a salt and has been used for decades as an aftershave, to treat minor cuts, bug stings, acne treatment, in baking powder (E522), water purification used, and treatment for hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). It’s a natural astringent (or styptic) and antiseptic.

It’s actually nothing new or revolutionary. Is has been used as a deodorant for centuries all over the world, in Mexico, Thailand (sarn-som), the Philippines (tawas), all over Asia. I used to be able to only get in in Asian grocery stores and specialized stores, but it’s getting more and more common in drugstores here in Europe.

Is potassium alum safe?

Though credible sources get more and more muddled online, according to my research, potassium alum differs from aluminum chlorine and is safe for use. If you have CREDIBLE and PEER-REVIEWED studies claiming otherwise, please let me know.

Magnesium chloride

I sometimes use magnesium chloride in addition to alum.

Magnesium helps with muscle soreness, cramps, relaxation, headaches and balances blood sugar, and… body odor prevention. Magnesium on its own doesn’t quite do it for me as a deodorant, but it might be worth a try as well. Pure magnesium chloride is quite hard to find in Europe, but I found it in my organic food store in the Japanese cuisine section. Magnesium chloride is otherwise known as Nigari in Japan and used in tofu production.

Nigari/magnesium flakes need to be used in really small quantities, so the package lasts a really long time. You can also use it in foot baths, baths, or topically to sooth menstrual pain or sports aches.

*Note that topically applied magnesium can cause tingling just after applied, especially in magnesium deficient people. It’s likely caused by a different pH of magnesium oil. compared to our skin. It’s hard to get the dosage just right, it depends on your unique body’s needs, so do a test patch and start with a small dose.

A natural deodorant recipe without baking soda

Basic recipe

The recipe makes 100 ml of deodorant, which is conveniently the size of my bottle. It’s also very simple to scale up or down the recipe, since you have percentages as well.

Ingredients:

1. spray bottle, new or used with a medium dispersion spray
2. 18 gr or a bit less than 1 tbs of potassium alum powder from a credible source, or alum crystal
3. 100 ml of water or a bit less than 1/2 cup (100 ml of water equals 1/2 cup minus 1 tbs)

Method:

If using powder, just mix alum and water in a beaker or any other appropriately sized glass or cup. Stir slightly. There might be some excess alum in the bottom, you can add a bit more water or discard/save the powder for next time. Pour the mix into your spray bottle.

Alternatively, you can also mix it in the spray bottle, whichever is easier.

If using crystal, pour water in a glass or cup you are using with the desired amount. Put the whole crystal in the water for a full day. The crystal will dissolve by itself, so you don’t even have to stir it. If you forget about it and come back later, no problem. I normally make a bit of a bigger batch in a jar, and just keep the crystal in water for convenient refills.

*I like to use a beaker because it already has a spout. I bought a beaker for baking years ago and I put it to use for DIY home recipes as well. You can make the recipe without it no problem.

NOTE: This is a water based recipe. If you aren’t using distilled water like me, there will be some calcium buildup in the bottle and spray after a couple of months. You will know if the pump is acting up. I clean the bottle once or twice a year with a bit of vinegar, also pumping it through the spray and it’s like new. To avoid it, you can use distilled water or boil the water prior to using it.

Advanced recipe

Ingredients:

1. spray bottle, new or used with a medium dispersion spray
2. 18 gr or a bit less than 1 tbs of potassium alum powder from a credible source, powder or crystal
3. 100 ml of water or a bit less than 1/2 cup (100 ml of water equals 1/2 cup minus 1 tbs)
4. 1/2 tsp magnesium crystal flakes or Nigari

Method:

Mix all ingredients like in the basic recipe. Add magnesium flakes and stir well. Wait for the mixture to settle and pour into a spray bottle. If you have any precipitate (little particles left in the bottom), add a bit more water, save for next time or discard.

Fragrance recipe (advanced):

Ingredients:

1. spray bottle, new or used with a medium dispersion spray
2. 18 gr or a bit less than 1 tbs of potassium alum powder from a credible source, powder or crystal
3. 100 ml of water or a bit less than 1/2 cup (100 ml of water equals 1/2 cup minus 1 tbs)
4. optional magnesium crystal
5. essential oil booster/dispersant like Solubol
6. a few drops of essential oils of your choice, good choices could be tea tree, lavender, or geranium. I like lavender because it’s gentler for skin.

Method:

First, mix essential oil with Solubol (or other EO dispersant) in a 1:1 ratio (or follow instructions on the bottle if specified differently). Stir really well. The oils and Solubol will become 1 homogeneous liquid. If it’s not happening, you might need to add an additional drop or two of Solubol.

Mix other ingredients like in the basic recipe. Add the EO solution. Shake well.

I have tried just adding essential oils into the mix, but obviously, water and oils do not mix well, and I ended up just clogging the spray.

IMPORTANT NOTE: I’m also not the biggest fan of adding essential oils on freshly shaved armpits, or just armpits in general really. Essential oils can be irritating for some people, and it’s really easy to add too much. It is something you will be applying daily, so it’s better to try out with a smaller amount. I would not recommend essential oils from the mint and citrus families for deodorants, especially if you have sensitive skin. Mint stings, I find too potent and the orange family tends to be well, orange in color, and might stain clothes. It’s really up to you and what your skin handles well.

Where to buy ingredients for this natural deodorant recipe without baking soda?

Where to buy alum? I buy mine at natural drugstores – they come in a small block or powder on Aromazone.

Where do I buy magnesium flakes? In the French Biocbon grocery store, Aromazen Belgium

Where to buy Solubol:

some organic health stores
Aromazen Belgium
Naturally Goode Australia
Coop Coco Canada
Aromatics USA
and I’m sure many others. You can find it by searching for Solubol, or essential oil dispersant or essential oil emulsifier + your location.

I buy most of my EO in my organic grocery store or local market. If they go on my skin, I buy organic. If I’m only using it for cleaning or laundry, then it doesn’t matter as much.