Finally An All Natural Deodorant Recipe That Actually Works!
For years, and yes — I mean years, I have been in search for an all natural deodorant recipe that actually works!
Why? Because most store-bought deodorants are toxic and should be avoided at all costs. But who wants to smell right?
I’ve tried it all! The baking soda recipes, the apple cider vinegar inspired recipes, the coconut oil inspired recipes and even the magnesium oil inspired recipes, but there was always something that made me stop using them. Like —
- I still stunk
- I broke out from them
- They smelled
- They were inconvenient to make
- Too many ingredients
- Required too much of me that I found myself just saying “Who has time for this?”
Have you been in my shoes? What if I told you I have a recipe that actually works and it has ONLY 2 ingredients!! Well let’s dive into it, shall we?
2 – Ingredient All Natural Deodorant Recipe, Yep — Only 2 – Ingredients!
So as I mentioned, most deodorants on the market today are loaded with toxic chemicals and toxic ingredients.
This recipe has ONLY 2 ingredients and will take you less than 30 seconds to make. WOW, right?
The two ingredients are:
- Ethanol Alcohol (not rubbing alcohol, but drinking alcohol like gin or vodka)
The reason why I don’t recommend rubbing alcohol on the skin is that studies have shown that Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) is an irritant of the skin, eyes, mucous membranes, and upper respiratory tract. Workers in industries in which isopropyl alcohol is used may be exposed to harmful levels via inhalation. Ingestion may occur through intentional or accidental consumption of products containing isopropyl alcohol in place of ethyl alcohol products. Poisoning by isopropyl alcohol may also occur by skin absorption due to excessive skin exposure. (source)
Ethanol alcohol is a safer alternative and is very effective as a deodorant!
- Distilled White Vinegar
Vinegar naturally kills the bacteria that causes your underarm to smell. Vinegar is non-toxic, has a pleasantly clean smell and is an environmentally safe product to use.
That’s it…two ingredients and you guys…it works incredibly well!
Different Proofs of Alcohol = Different Odor Protection!
Want to know what makes this recipe totally cool? You can adjust it to suit your desired odor protection. The lower proof alcohol, the lighter the coverage (odor protection). The higher proof alcohol the more odor protection you will get.
I find 80 proof works best for me, but my husband needs more protection, so he uses 151 proof.
If a bottle doesn’t give the “proof” you can figure it out from the percentage of alcohol on the bottle. A rough rule of thumb is double the %Alc/Vol to get the proof. So if a vodka is 40% ALC/VOL it is 80 Proof Vodka.
Here is a sliding scale for specific protection:
- 70-90 proof = light coverage
- 90-120 proof = medium coverage
- 120+ proof = strong coverage
Allow Your Underarm To Adjust For 3 Days!
When I first tried this recipe, I had a slight adjustment period…but don’t worry, after 3 days I had very little smell under my underarm — if any!
On the first day, spray 2-3 spritzes under each arm. If you have been using commercial deodorants for awhile, your body might need a few days to adjust to this new formula. I spritzed my underarms in the morning and then again around 3 PM on the first day.
On the second day, I sprayed 2 spritzes under each arm in the morning and then again right before I went to bed.
On the third day, I sprayed my underarms with 2 spritzes each and went the entire day/and night without adding another spritz.
Easy-peasy right? Once you try this recipe, I’ll bet you will never go back! For REAL!!
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Finally An All Natural Deodorant Recipe That Actually Works!
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Pin RecipeIngredients
- 1/4 cup ethanol alcohol (vodka or gin works best). I used 80 proof gluten-free vodka.
- Follow the different “proof” options to pick your desired odor protection: 70-90 proof = light coverage; 90-120 proof = medium coverage; 120+ proof = strong coverage
- 2 tsp distilled white vinegar
- essential oils (optional)
Instructions
- In a fine mist sprayer, add 2 teaspoons of distilled vinegar and 1/4 cup ethanol alcohol.
- Shake well.
- Apply 2 spritzes to each underarm. Allow drying (about a minute) before putting clothes on.
- As always, feel free to add a few drops of your favorite essential oils if you so desire.
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Hi Halle,
I tried your deodorant with 80 proof vodka, but I think I need 121+ proof vodka for more odor protection. In the L.A. area, the only vodka I could find above 80 proof was Everclear Vodka at 151proof. It says it’s made with GMO-grain. Would using GMO-grain alcohol have an impact on one’s health? If so, where can I purchase affordable, organic (non-GMO grain) 121+ proof vodka? Why does using a higher proof vodka give better odor protection? Is witch hazel as effective? Does using a higher proof sting or burn your pits? Thanks for the information.
Hi Nancy! Higher proof means more alcohol which helps kill bacteria better and decreases the odor. It’s probably best to use GMO-free alcohol, I’d ask your local liquor store and I’m sure they can help. Which hazel probably won’t be strong enough for you, and no…I haven’t had any issues with the alcohol burning. You might want to try rubbing a little apple cider vinegar under your armpits first and then spraying your deodorant. This will also give you extra protection. Good luck.
Just found your site and thought I’d contribute my experience. After 30-ish years of anti-persperant use, I discovered online a recipe for natural deodorant, similar to yours. I use half witch hazel, half vodka (80 proof) plus essential oils. My first blend was lavender/lemon/frankincense, and most recently I’ve done a lemon/clary sage blend. I started last fall and thought for sure it may work while temps were cool, but may not as it became summer, but as you wrote above, I found that over time, my body adapted and I seem to now sweat less. Happily, it worked fine this summer. I never thought of how to further reduce bacteria by adding vinegar, or increasing the alcohol concentration before reading your article. I will definitely try them. In regards to some comments: vodka smell wasn’t a problem and no pit discoloration or break outs experienced (which I had when I tried a coconut oil/baking soda blend or even just applied only baking soda.)
Also, I haven’t used shampoo for about 8 years. My routine is to use straight baking soda once a week (scrub/rinse) followed by a natural conditioner. I used to do the ACV rinse (only on the hair ends) but found it easier just to use conditioner. I also wash my hair with nothing (just scrub with fingertips) twice weekly in between the baking soda washes, as excessive use of baking soda can be very drying to hair. My hair, which is fine and straight, is healthier for it.
I look forward to exploring the rest of your blog!
It has been four months and I am in LOVE!!! I mix 1/4 cup vodka (the cheapest that I can find) and 10 drops lavender plus 10 drops grapefruit essential oils. I keep it in a spray bottle in the bathroom. Normally I don’t sweat a ton but the little that I do smells bad. With this deodorant mix smells are a thing of the past! I can go 24 hrs with no smell whatsoever….unless I wear polyester clothes, in which case I get a bit of a smell but it’s only on my clothes. As soon as I take them off and smell my armpits there is no stink there. Couldn’t be happier! In July and August on very hot days I would get a bit of under arm wetness but nothing excessive. Even then there was no smell so no complaints here.
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How can I make this work without using vodka? I have celiac and can’t even have gluten on my skin. Thanks so much!
Hi Barbara,
There are a lot of gluten free vodka’s out there that are distilled with potatoes. If you can’t find it, you can try witch hazel too.
Thank you for posting this awesomely simple but effective all-natural deodorant recipe!
I have been using it pretty much exclusively over 1 week or so and I must say that it is everything that you described and more!!!
It is so rare to come across a simple, but effective, cost-efficient, and long lasting all natural spray deodorant.
I love this mix!
I’m an active guy in my mid 30’s who works in IT and needs to have something that is simple to make, offer all day coverage, and preferably be all natural and not make me break out due to sensitivity.
BTW, my own mix consists of 151 proof Vodka for the extended protection you discussed that it would provide, along with organic distilled white vinegar, and essential oils including a few drops of peppermint oil, lemon drops, lavendar, cedarwood, tea treal oil, and a little bit of patchouli I believe. I may simplify the amount of essential oils that I use in my next batch.
I love this one!!!!!
Thanks again!!! 🙂
So happy you like this Tim, and thanks so much for sharing your variation with us.
Hi,
This might be a stupid question, but in a few places you say that you shouldn’t use the vodka on younger children. May I ask why and why isn’t it a problem for adults? I have this feeling this might be a “duh” question, but I’d still appreciate an answer. 🙂
Vodka absorbs into the skin and I just feel it best to keep alcohol away from children.
Thank you – that makes sense! I will try this recipe soon.
Hi. I just wanted to let you know that I’ve tried this recipe now and it works, at least for an average not too intense day. I do still reapply it though during the day especially if I would be going out in public, and as to after a work out or badminton evening, well, even the typical bought antiperspirant doesn’t do the job. 🙂 I think though, once I run out of this bottle of vodka, I will try the higher proof option if available. Thank you for sharing this recipe!!!
I have a few questions. I’ve made several batches of homemade deodorants before starting the first batch off with baking soda,coconut oil, and essential oils. My skin broke out so I tried making homemade deodorants baking soda free using beeswax,arrowroot,coconut oil,shea butter, and essential oils. My skin didn’t break out but the deodorant was oily, greasy and seem to work ok. I think my body got used to it and doesn’t seem to hold up as long. Now I’m going to attempt using bentonite clay,magnesium oil,coconut oil and essential oils and see how that works. I was doing some research and found your post using only two ingredients. I read that magnesium oil absorbs in the skin which isn’t the ingredient that you use but using alcohol 151 proof for maximum odor protection. From a person that doesn’t drink applying the alcohol and white vinegar, would I have to worry about the alcohol content affecting me driving if I were to get pulled over causing a problem with my cdl license ? If not,I’d be willing to try it out.
Hi William,
You are not using much of the 151 proof, just a couple of spritz under each arm. That is not enough to cause any issues with driving.
Hi Halle
I’ll take your advice and give it a try.
Hey Halle
What essential oils doe you recommend and how many drops. Also I know that tea tree oil is one of the main essential oils but what about using camphor oil ?
Hey Halle
What essential oils do you recommend and how many drops. Also I know that tea tree oil is one of the main essential oils but what about using camphor oil ?
Hi Halle
Just wondering should I re-apply after working out or does it hold?
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It depends on each individual. If you notice an odor, I’d apply more if need be.
hi Halle
Thanks for sharing this formular. cant wait to mix it up and use it. I havr a question though. can I use whiskey rather than gin or vodka for this recipe? pls I need an answer thanks
Hi and thank you for the information. Would you recommend this for application from a rollerball or only from a spray bottle?
I think a roller ball would work as well, just make sure that you let it dry once applied.
This is an awesome recipe. As an allergy sufferer, this works. I used 3 Howls Navy Strength Gin (114 Proof has heavy citrus notes and some spice), Vinegar, Sandalwood, Lavender and Bay Oils. It smells wonderful and works.
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