This natural DIY deodorant spray is a great alternative to store-bought deodorants—it's easy to make and will keep you smelling fresh all day long.
I have gone back and forth on whether or not natural deodorant is really a good idea. When I think about the kinds of chemicals you're putting onto (and into) your body when you use certain store-bought varieties, I feel all Earth Mama and ready to slather some homemade cream on the pits.
But other times, I want to be 100 percent confident in the fact that I won’t be sweaty—or worse, smelly—a few short hours after application. I’ve learned that when it comes to natural deodorant, you will sweat and possibly stink. And it is certainly an adjustment.
I have loved this coconut oil-based deodorant and even this DIY deodorant bar for some time. But I have come to realize that for reducing sweat and handling odors, this vodka and essential oil deodorant spray recipe is my favorite DIY yet.
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Ingredients
Flower power deodorant essential oils
I'm calling this a “flower power” spray because the essential oil blend is a mixture of my favorite florals—jasmine and rose—with a bit of lavender and orange. It's a happy, vibrant scent.
Sure, you could add some tea tree to the mix, but in my opinion, that totally takes the joy out of the scent for me. On the plus side, tea tree has the added benefit of protecting your skin from yeast or fungus buildup [source], which is often responsible for malodorous pits.
Yes, vodka!
It might sound strange to add vodka to a recipe for something you’re using on your body to smell, well, less, but it’s an important ingredient. In fact, it’s an essential ingredient.
Why? Put simply, oil and water do not mix, but adding a little alcohol fixes that.
It disperses the essential oils and helps the scent linger in the pit area for far longer. I also think that the vodka dries things out a bit, kills bacteria (think: alcohol in hand-sanitizer) [source], and helps slow down the sweating in general.
When I shared this DIY deodorant spray recipe on my Instagram page, I got some teasing and questions on whether or not it was drinkable! While I certainly wouldn't recommend sipping it as an alcoholic beverage, I guess that's your choice! However, I'm not a big fan of ingesting essential oils.
How To Make Deodorant Spray
Step 1: Add Vodka
Use a funnel to pour the vodka into a small, dark-colored spray bottle (to keep the essential oils from degrading).
Step 2: Add Essential Oils
Drop in your chosen essential oils. The number of drops will depend on how strong you want the scent to be. Essential oils not only add fragrance but also have natural antibacterial properties that help combat odor.
Let the essential oils sit for 10 minutes to dilute in the alcohol.
Step 3: Fill with Water
Fill the rest of the bottle with distilled water.
Step 4: Shake Well
Once all ingredients are in the spray bottle, shake it vigorously to ensure everything is well combined. The oils tend to separate from the water, so you'll need to shake the bottle before each use.
Step 5: Test the Spray
Before using it widely, test the spray on a small area of your skin to ensure there's no adverse reaction, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Ways To Customize Your Deodorant Spray
You can vary your homemade essential oil deodorant spray for your specific needs and preferences—and it's fun to experiment! Here are somel ways to tweak the basic recipe:
1. Change the Essential Oils
- For Sensitive Skin: Choose gentle essential oils like lavender, chamomile, or sandalwood. These are less likely to irritate sensitive skin.
- For Extra Strength: If you need stronger odor protection, consider adding more potent antibacterial oils like tea tree, eucalyptus, or peppermint.
- For Fragrance: Mix and match essential oils to create a custom fragrance. Floral oils like rose or jasmine can add a luxurious scent, while citrus oils like lemon or grapefruit add a refreshing note.
2. Substitute Vodka
- Grain alcohol: You can also use grain alcohol in a homemade spray deodorant to disperse the essential oils and give the scent more staying power.
- Witch Hazel: Add witch hazel to a liquid deodorant recipe to help the deodorant feel soft and smooth on the skin, which is helpful when it comes to the sensitive underarm area. For extremely sensitive skin, use an alcohol-free witch hazel to reduce potential irritation.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: ACV has natural antibacterial properties and can help balance the skin's pH. Use it in place of or alongside witch hazel for added benefits. Note: The smell of vinegar dissipates once dry, but it's more pronounced upon application.
3. Add Other Natural Additives
- Vegetable Glycerin: Add a teaspoon of vegetable glycerin to help moisturize the skin and improve the spray's consistency.
- Magnesium Oil: Use magnesium oil in place of some of the distilled water. Magnesium is beneficial for skin health and can neutralize body odor.
- Baking Soda: You can dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in the deodorant to help neutralize odors, but if you have sensitive skin, you might want to reduce the amount or omit it.
4. Alter the Base
- Hydrosols as Base: Replace the distilled water with a hydrosol, such as rose water or lavender water, for added therapeutic properties and a stronger scent.
- Herbal Infusions: Create an herbal infusion by steeping herbs like sage, rosemary, or thyme in boiling water, then cooling and straining it. Use this infusion as your water base for their natural deodorizing properties.
5. Add More Skin Soothers
- Aloe Vera Gel: Aloe vera soothes the skin and helps with hydration.
- Cucumber Juice: For a cooling and soothing effect, especially in the summer, add a bit of cucumber juice to the mix. This is especially refreshing post-shave.
- Calendula Extract: Known for its calming properties, adding a few drops of calendula extract can soothe irritated skin.
6. Experiment with Consistency
- Make a Cream: Combine the liquid ingredients with shea butter or coconut oil for a creamy deodorant. This form will require application with your hands or a small spatula.
7. Add Probiotics
- Probiotic Capsules: Some people swear by adding probiotics to their deodorant to introduce beneficial bacteria to the skin. Open a capsule and mix the powder into your deodorant to potentially improve its effectiveness against odor-causing bacteria.
Variation: Woodsy Essential Oils
If you love florals for perfumes and candles but prefer a homemade deodorant spray with a more gender-neutral scent, this recipe is for you. This mix of lemongrass, cedarwood, and patchouli essential oils creates a fresh and lemony woodsy scent.
Woodsy Essential Oil Spray Deodorant
- 3 tablespoon Everclear Grain Alcohol
- 1 tablespoon witch hazel
- 1 tablespoon distilled water
- ½ teaspoon glycerin
- 3 drops patchouli essential oil
- 2 drops cedarwood essential oil
- 5 drops lemongrass essential oil
Storage
Use a 2-ounce dark-colored spray bottle to keep the essential oils from degrading.
Since this recipe contains water, it's a good idea to make it in small batches and use it within a month or two to avoid bacterial growth. Storing it in a cool, dark place can also help extend its shelf life.
How To Use DIY Deodorant Spray for Smelly Armpits
To use your homemade deodorant spray, shake the bottle well before each use to redistribute the essential oils. Give each underarm 2–3 spritzes and let them air dry (this should only take a few seconds). You can also spray it on other parts of your body where you sweat.
It might sting a tiny bit at first if applied right out of the shower, especially after shaving. Apply again after exercising or heavy exertion, if desired.
I tend to spritz a couple of times a day just because I love the smell. Honestly, this recipe could easily double as a homemade perfume!
If you notice a slight alcohol fragrance when applying the deodorant, it should dissipate once the alcohol evaporates off your skin, leaving behind only the scent of the essential oils.
FAQ
We like to use vodka because it's both odor-free and effective. But you can try making it with gin, rubbing alcohol, or even witch hazel if you have some lying around. You may notice the scent of whichever alcohol you choose, but the smell should dissipate after application as the alcohol evaporates.
Sure! Go right ahead.
I recommend oils that smell fresh, such as lemon, basil, or Roman chamomile, or oils that have a woodsy scent, like pine, sandalwood, frankincense, or vetiver.
Once you water it down and add essential oils, you won't smell the vodka anymore. If you do happen to notice a slight vodka fragrance, it should dissipate once the alcohol evaporates off your skin.
No, it shouldn't. Before applying, give it a good shake to evenly disperse the oils, and be sure to let it sink in for a few minutes before getting dressed.
Next: Check out this simple body spray that banishes bacne.
Essential Oil DIY Deodorant Spray
Equipment
- 2-ounce dark mister bottle
Materials
- 2 tablespoon vodka (the higher the proof, the better)
- 2 tablespoon distilled water
- 2 drops rose absolute essential oil
- 2 drops jasmine essential oil
- 2 drops orange essential oil
- 1 drop lavender essential oil
Instructions
- To make: Combine all of the ingredients in a small, dark-colored bottle. Shake to combine.
- To use: Shake well before each use. Give each underarm 2–3 spritzes, and let them air dry. Apply again after exercising or heavy exertion, if desired.
Notes
This post was medically reviewed by Dr. Rina Mary Allawh, M.D., a dermatologist who performs adult and pediatric medical dermatology, skin cancer treatment and cosmetic dermatology. Learn more about Hello Glow's medical reviewers here. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
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