Natural Deodorant DIY in 3 Easy Steps

February 4, 2022 (updated December 14, 2023) — Written by

This easy DIY all-natural deodorant routine with crystal deodorant stone requires just 3 simple steps and it actually works to help eliminate body odor! Recipe and routine from One Love Organics’ Founder Suzanne LeRoux.

An image of ingredients for DIY deodorant.

By: Nicolle Mackinnon

Swapping your Secret out for a more natural deodorant can feel like a chore, but it’s a swap I recommend first to anyone looking to move toward a more conscious personal care routine. Why? Aluminum and its antiperspirant effects are just one reason. Undisclosed fragrance is another.

Natural deodorant is tricky though, because its effectiveness can depend on your body chemistry—what blocks odor on me might not block odor on you. Example: Though I LOVE the scent of rose, when rose is the prominent profile in my deo, my pits start to smell like spaghetti sauce by the end of the day. Weird? Yes. An opportunity to learn? Also yes.

RELATED: Guide to clean beauty.

So when the TNK team was curious about a natural deodorant DIY that actually works, we chatted with Suzanne LeRoux, founder of One Love Organics, a line that I love to recommend to better beauty newbies—it’s accessible, not overwhelming, effective and (bonus) its ECOCERT. We are all ears when it comes to OLO because Suzanne even built an ECOCERT manufacturing facility in Georgia to accommodate her desire for the highest quality skincare certification on the market (read more about why that’s important here).

OLO was one of the very first skincare lines I tried when I started writing for better beauty brands. I love the foundation of innovative skincare science that OLO uses to harness the healing power of plants. Their speciality is in holistic skincare essentials packed with vitamins and antioxidants for fresh, radiant skin. And P.S., if you’ve never tried their Vitamin B Cleansing Oil, girrrrrrrl. You are missing out!

All of that to say, when I heard about Suzanne’s unique DIY deo, I was IN.

RELATED: The best organic store bought deodorant.


A flat lay of ingredients to make deodorant

DIY deodorant from One Love Organics’ Founder Suzanne LeRoux

Suzanne is incredibly knowledgeable about skincare and ingredients, and hearing about her struggles to find a natural deo that worked for her was really validating. Here’s what she has to say.

“This is what works for me. It is a bit complicated but I have tried so many on the market and this is the one that has the least fails. And boy, the fails are hard. LOL. 

I tried a very touted natural deo for the first time and boarded a plane for a store visit. On the plane, I complained to my husband that someone on the plane was kind of stinky. He got a really embarrassed look and said I think it might be you. Well sure enough, it was! And I couldn’t do anything about it until I got off the plane and to the hotel. 

SO, I only test deodorants at home before I wear them out but nothing has worked so far like this three-step dynamo over the past 8 years of experimenting. 

We really looked into what a deodorant does and making our own, but nothing we tried worked better than what I do—but it takes a few steps.

I learned that sweat itself does not smell but body odor may occur when bacteria on the skin break down and the bacteria’s waste products are what produce the smell.”

Step 1

Right out of the shower, I first use a Crystal deodorant stone and smooth it under the arm on very damp skin. The salt forms an invisible film that sits on the surface of the skin. It doesn’t stop you from sweating, but it contains a mineral salt called potassium alum, that helps to prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria.

Step 2

I then apply lavender oil neat on the underarm area. I love the way it smells, it is a calming start to my day and it also is regarded as having great antibacterial benefits

Step 3

I seal this in with a great smelling balm with oils, butters and a great wax like beeswax (I use Skin Savior Balm) to seal in those ingredients and create a topical barrier. You can also use coconut oil and beeswax blended with your favorite essential oils to create a DIY balm at home. 

I apply all of these first thing out of the shower and then get dressed. I use it very sparingly on damp skin so it absorbs so I have never had issues with any residue or staining so I would say those two are key: applying a small amount and to clean, damp skin. 

Want more DIY skincare? We’ve enlisted some of our favorite founders/formulators to create DIY skincare recipesjust for you! Check out this DIY face mask from Dr. Sarah Villafranco, founder of Osmia Organics, this DIY body scrub from  LILFOX Founder Alexis Rose, and a DIY face oil created by Laurel Skin founder Laurel Schaffer!

xo, nicolle in cursive

Natural Deodorant DIY in 3 Easy Steps

An easy way to create a clean and effective deodorant that you can use daily!
Keyword diy beauty, diy deodorant
Author Suzanne LeRoux

Ingredients

  • 1 Crystal deodorant stone
  • 3 drops lavender oil
  • 1 balm of your choice (choose one that contains oils, butters and maybe beeswax)

Instructions

  • Right out of the shower, use the Crystal deodorant stone and smooth it under the arm on very damp skin.
  • Apply the lavender oil neat on the underarm area.
  • Seal it all in by creating a topical barrier with a great smelling balm with oils, butters and a great wax like beeswax.

TNK Team Note: This article contains affiliate links. TNK uses affiliate links as a source for revenue to fund operations of the business and to be less dependent on branded content. TNK stands behind all product recommendations. Still have questions about these links or our process? Feel free to email us.


FAQ

What can I use instead of deodorant?

Instead of using store bought deodorant you can make your own. Learn how to make your own Natural deodorant DIY here.

Can coconut oil be used as deodorant?

Coconut oil can be used as part of a three step natural deodorant routine to seal in other ingredients and create a topical barrier. Learn how to make your own DIY natural deodorant here.

How to use crystal deodorant stone?

Right out of the shower, use a Crystal deodorant stone and smooth it under the arm on very damp skin. The salt forms an invisible film that sits on the surface of the skin. It doesn’t stop you from sweating, but it contains a mineral salt called potassium alum, that helps to prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria. Learn how to make your own DIY natural deodorant here.

By Nicolle Mackinnon

Nicolle Mackinnon is TNK's content manager. She has a penchant for vegan lip color, cold-brew coffee and helping women feel empowered to make informed choices about their health by opening them up to new information and trends. Better, clean beauty is just one outlet to changing the way we shop and live.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating