I Just Made My Own Deodorant! An Easy 2 Ingredient Recipe

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I know, I know….. all the crunchies have been telling you to do this for years. For me, there was never going to be any natural deodorant that could deal with this Florida heat and humidity, not to mention my hot flashes. Until I started getting rashes from the deodorant. Every single brand caused my armpits to itch. I had at that point decided that I would try several of the options on the market. None of them worked.

The worst natural one I tried had a combination of charcoal and coconut oil which stained my clothes as I sweated through them. Not to mention the cost was $16. Who wants to put coconut oil in their armpits and have it end up on your clothes? I needed an oil-free deodorant option.

The two ingredients that will do the trick for an oil free deodorant?

  • Milk of Magnesia
  • Essential Oils

The simplicity of it. But why would this even work? Which Milk of Magnesia? What essential oils are safe on my armpits?

After suffering through allergic reactions with commercial antiperspirants, and sweating through the natural deodorant options, I was ready to find a solution and learn more about why this 2 ingredient recipe would help.

Make your own deodorant.
Photo Credit Pexels: Tirachard Kumtanom

Why Do Arm Pits Stink, Anyway?

First, let’s find out what the culprit is so we know how to combat the problem. It makes sense that our armpits will stink. It is dark, hot and sweaty there. We can sweat on our arms and never get the same odor we get in our armpits due to the bacteria that grow in this environment.

When certain bacteria combine with sweat (water and nutrients) it can make an odor. The bacteria feed on the nutrients and when the bacteria expel their waste it will create an unpleasant odor. It is the perfect Petrie dish for these bacteria to grow and create a stink!

Using a good commercial deodorant/antiperspirant can help to combat sweaty armpits because you are blocking and absorbing the sweat but are you compromising your health using commercial deodorants that are blocking the toxins?

Diet and Body Odor

Diet can be another factor in smelly armpits and body odors in general. Just eat some asparagus and you will know what I mean. Usually, foods high in sulfur and fiber are the worst culprits. Although these foods are good for you they can react to the bacteria in your gut and create gas and other odors.

  • Garlic and Onions
  • Asparagus
  • Cruciferous Vegetables like broccoli cauliflower and kale
  • Alcohol

Eating smaller amounts of vegetables high in sulfur and limiting alcohol intake may help with body odor.

Why Should I Use A Natural Deordorant?

Skin is our largest organ and can absorb toxins, like parabens, and even “natural” ingredients that may not be good for us. You have lymph nodes in your armpits and antiperspirants may cause your pores to become blocked which can affect the lymph nodes and cause them to swell.

A lot of the antiperspirants on the market also use aluminum salts in their ingredients. With concerns over metal toxicity and Alzheimer’s in recent years, more people are avoiding aluminum and other chemicals.

Many of us are trying to avoid toxins on our skin. Doing an armpit detox may even help with odor and toxins that have built up in the pores of your skin over the years.

Detox Your Armpits (Optional)

You can use bentonite clay made into a paste with water to detox your pits quickly. Cover your pits in the paste for a few minutes each day and then wash off the mixture. Your armpits may turn red which is normal. Any other reaction to the clay, like a rash and you should stop immediately.

For the detox, just mix a tablespoon of clay, 1 teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 teaspoons of water. The clay will absorb and pull the toxins from your skin and help to clean your sweat glands that have build up from using chemical deodorants.

Why Milk of Magnesia or MOM?

In an effort to get more magnesium in my system I saw several recipes that included Milk of Magnesia or MOM as we’ll call for the rest of the article. It may get Magnesium into your system transdermally and is relatively inexpensive.

The best part it works as a deodorant! A solid 24 hours! With no nasty additives that can cause metal toxicity and other health issues.

  • By using MOM in this way, you may be getting a daily dose of pure Magnesium into your system which is essential for your health.
  • As MOM dries it creates a natural barrier for sweat.
  • There are no toxins.

Transdermal magnesium application should be the ultimate way to replenish cellular magnesium levels since every cell in the body bathes in it. It passes directly into the tissues via the skin, where it should quickly be transported to cells throughout the body.

NCBI

The studies have been mixed. But the point of using MOM is that it will not hurt you in any way like commercial deodorants.

Don’t worry ….. It is not Magnesium Oil, which can burn our sensitive armpits. And again, who wants oil in their armpits? Not me. And neither does my dry cleaner!

The Recipe

  1. Milk of Magnesia – it has to be pure with no additives. Many commercial brands of MOM can have flavors and other additives you do not want. You’ll find an ingredient hiding in the “inactive ingredients: sodium hypochlorite. I buy the Good Sense brand on Amazon. The ingredients are Magnesium Hydroxide and purified water. NO sodium hypochlorite which is similar to bleach.
  2. Essential Oils – antimicrobial and antibacterial, essential oils will help with bacterial growth and they offer a nice scent for your armpits.

If you leave the top off of the MOM for a few hours it will thicken up if you feel it is too thin. I leave it as it is.

When I thought about which oils to use I chose essential oils for additional scent. coolness and emotional support. I added 3 drops of Lavender, 2 drops of peppermint, 3 drops of Frankincense and a combination oil made for stress. It includes Lavender, Copaiba and Cedarwood.

Using a stress combination oil made sense considering all of the commercials about stress sweat!

Here are some other essential oils to consider:

  • Peppermint Essential Oil (it has a nice cooling feeling)
  • Eucalyptus Essential Oil
  • Orange Essential Oil
  • Lemon Essential Oil
  • Lemongrass Essential Oil
  • Tea Tree Essential Oil

Be sure to use the citrus essential oils sparingly and never put them where you have a chance of getting sun exposure. They can burn your skin when exposed to the sun.

Essential Oils to Make Your Own Deodorant
Photo Credit Pexels:
Pixabay

Additional Supplies

I also ordered roll-on containers on Amazon as well. If you are using essential oils you can buy the glass ones as the essential oils can leach the plastic.

Fill your roll-on container almost to the top, add your oils of choice and shake well! You will want to shake it before each use so the MOM and essential oils are mixed well.

It literally took me less than five minutes to make and that includes ordering it.

Let’s recap!

  • Good Sense Milk of Magnesium – Original Formula
  • Essential Oils of your choice
  • Roller On Containers

The cost for Good Sense MOM is about $3.00 a bottle. It will last through 4 roll on bottles.

SO EASY!

Let me know in the comments which natural deodorants you have tried! You can also share what essential oils you used in your own deodorant recipe?

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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Any product(s) on this website is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Always consult a licensed health care professional before starting any supplement or nutraceutical. Especially if you are pregnant or have any pre-existing medical conditions. Individual results may vary. These are from my own experience and the experience of others and only our opinions.

50 responses to “I Just Made My Own Deodorant! An Easy 2 Ingredient Recipe”

  1. Jen Avatar
    Jen

    I’ve been using the Good Sense brand for years as deodorant and toothpaste. Just heard back from the Good Sense parent company today that they are no longer making it. Have any of you found any other brand that is just the magnesium hydroxide and water (no sodium hypochlorite)? I have looked everywhere. I am contemplating making it from powder. Have any of you been successful at this?

    1. Tricia Snow Avatar

      Just Phillips and it was really expensive. I just bought my own Magnesium from Amazon. After a little research, I figured out all they are doing is adding water. I can do that! lol

      1. Jen Avatar
        Jen

        I’d love to know how that goes for you. I figured out the ratios also and will do that next.

        1. Tricia Snow Avatar

          Oh good! Just got my order in so I will be researching soon!

  2. Christina Furnival Avatar
    Christina Furnival

    I had no idea MOM could be used for deodorant!

    1. Tricia Snow Avatar

      I was pretty excited about wearing Magnesium every day that does not make me itch! It was a win for sure!

  3. Beth Shields Avatar
    Beth Shields

    Interesting use of MOM. Have used it before for other things – wounds, sore areas etc. But not like this so was intrigued. Never thought about detoxing my armpits but completely understand the diet aromas. Thanks for the article, very interesting.

    1. Tricia Snow Avatar

      Thank you, Beth! I am glad you found it informative!

  4. Cindy Moore Avatar
    Cindy Moore

    I’ve never heard of using milk of magnesium as a diy deodorant ingredient! I’ll have to give it a try. I’ve made my own for years with coconut oil, aluminum free baking soda, arrowroot starch and essential oils.

    1. Tricia Snow Avatar

      It has a drying effect! It acts as a shield.

  5. Eva Avatar
    Eva

    I love that this is only 2 ingredients! How amazing!

    1. Tricia Snow Avatar

      That was my favorite part too. Easy!

  6. Alice Avatar
    Alice

    Wow! This is a great idea! I have been buying whatever is the cheapest. Thanks for the instructions!

    1. Tricia Snow Avatar

      It does not get any less expensive than this!

  7. Cathy Avatar
    Cathy

    Very interesting post! Thanks for the great information!

  8. Lina Avatar
    Lina

    Wow! I will have to try this! Thanks for sharing.

    1. Tricia Snow Avatar

      Awesome! Let me know how it works!

  9. Charlene Avatar
    Charlene

    I’ve heard of using non-ammonia deodorants, but those don’t seem to work well for me. Maybe this will be better?

    1. Tricia Snow Avatar

      Maybe … everyone is different. I am a person that NEEDS deodorant and it works well but we all have differences. It is so inexpensive and easy to try that it is worth a shot.

  10. Suzan Avatar
    Suzan

    Yay! Love to hear you’ve gone & made your own. I have a recipe I already use that works great for us, but love to hear when others are taking matters into their own hands & reducing the daily chemical overload!

    1. Tricia Snow Avatar

      Yes! About 5 years ago the rash started and I wore suits every day in the FL heat. It was not pleasant. I had to do something. I am so glad I found this.

  11. Sara Avatar
    Sara

    I love the idea of putting it into a roller bottle.

    1. Tricia Snow Avatar

      Thank Sara! It is so easy to find what you need.

  12. Barbara Avatar
    Barbara

    This is so simple! I’m going to try it! GREAT idea!

  13. Santana Avatar
    Santana

    I love the detox idea!!

    1. Tricia Snow Avatar

      Thanks, Santana! It helps to clean everything out first.

  14. Danielle Ardizzone Avatar
    Danielle Ardizzone

    I literally had no idea you could make your own deodorant. This sounds like a great alternative to commercial brands.

    1. Tricia Snow Avatar

      Yes, once you can’t wear them you have to figure something out.

  15. Lisa Manderino Avatar
    Lisa Manderino

    Very interesting! I would have never thought to make my own!

    1. Tricia Snow Avatar

      Once you get the rash you figure it out real quick in Florida! lol

  16. Suz Avatar
    Suz

    Wow, this is something I’ve never considered. Even though it can get pretty hot in New Mexico, it’s very dry (8% humidity makes us unhappy!). Perspiration happens, but you wouldn’t know it – it evaporates instantly. So, deodorant isn’t a big issue for me; still, I never thought about making it!

    1. Tricia Snow Avatar

      I have heard many people in the west can get away with using a crystal. Not so much here! lol

  17. Kendra Avatar
    Kendra

    Very interesting! I’ve never heard of using MOM for this. I’m intrigued!

    1. Tricia Snow Avatar

      I thought is was interesting. Especially because I am always looking for ways to get more minerals in my cells.

  18. Douglas Jasper Avatar
    Douglas Jasper

    Thank you. I never knew that was something you could make yourself.

    1. Tricia Snow Avatar

      American ingenuity!

  19. Laura Lee Avatar
    Laura Lee

    I’ve always wanted to try a homemade deodorant!

    1. Tricia Snow Avatar

      Now you can! It is super easy!

  20. Holly Avatar
    Holly

    Wow Tricia this is so easy I haven’t heard of this before, but I’m going to try it! Thank you pinned for later!

    1. Tricia Snow Avatar

      Awesome! I can’t wait to hear if it works for you!

  21. Kristin Avatar
    Kristin

    Alzheimer’s runs in my family so I am very concerned about the deodorants I use. I’ll plan to try the bentonite detox paste you mentioned. That is a great suggestion.

    1. Tricia Snow Avatar

      Awesome! I hope it works well for you.

  22. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    That’s awesome!! I’ve never even considered this before but glad there is an easy at-home way to make it. I’ll have to give it a shot!

    1. Tricia Snow Avatar

      Some of the recipes out there were too much for me. I need simple!

  23. Susan Avatar

    Tricia, nice…this recipe I have not heard of and finally found one I liked free of junk and it has magnesium and charcoal but I Enjoy making my own so I am gonna have to try this!!! Thank you!

    1. Tricia Snow Avatar

      I tried the charcoal and mag one, thinking it is the same one actually, but it left grey stains on my sleeveless dresses in the armpit. This one is less messy.

  24. Julie Avatar

    This is a much different recipe than others I’ve seen. I just may need to try this one. Especially if it works in Florida heat!

    1. Tricia Snow Avatar

      I can tell you that I love it! So easy to make and getting a dose of Mag makes all the better. No more aluminum!

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