How to Make Homemade Probiotic Deodorant - Dr. Axe

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Homemade Probiotic Deodorant

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Probiotic deodorant - Dr. Axe

Conventional deodorant can contain a lot of harmful chemicals. Because of this, many people try natural deodorant. Unfortunately, this can be very expensive and most of the time not work well.

Here’s my solution: Make your own!

This homemade probiotic deodorant is easy to make, beneficial to your body, cost-effective and it works!

What Is Probiotic Deodorant?

Probiotic deodorant is exactly what it sounds like: deodorant made with beneficial probiotics.

Why add this “good” bacteria to this everyday beauty product? According to research, probiotics are used in beauty products such as deodorant “’balancing’ the skin microbiome, improving the skin barrier, and enhancing the skin’s overall appearance.” They also have deodorizing effects.

When combined with the other natural ingredients, you get a truly safe, effective way to keep body odor at bay.

Key Ingredients

In this homemade probiotic deodorant, we use only all-natural substances. Here are the key players in this recipe:

  • Baking Soda: As a natural antifungal and antibacterial, baking soda can kill off odor-causing bacteria, molds and more to keep you feeling fresh.
  • Coconut Oil: You’re likely familiar with the benefits of coconut oil for skin. Like baking soda, it has antimicrobial properties, plus it helps hydrate skin and possess antioxidants, which can help protect your skin and keep it fresh.
  • Beeswax: Beeswax is another common all-natural substance used in beauty products, and for good reason. It helps moisturize the skin, holds anti-inflammatory properties and can help treat fungal skin infections. It’s a great addition to this probiotic deodorant.
  • Shea Butter: There are few better natural ingredients for skin than shea butter, which is why we use it in this recipe. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-aging properties and moisturizes skin and protects skin.
  • Probiotics: You can’t make probiotic deodorant without probiotics. This good bacteria can aid skin and keep body odor to a minimum.
  • Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil is known as a powerful essential oil for skin. I can fight acne, moisturize and soothe skin, and combat infection due to its antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral effects. When combined with the other essential oils in this recipe, it makes for a perfect probiotic deodorant mix.

Related: Crystal Deodorant: A Natural Option for Reducing Body Odor

How to Make

Making this probiotic deodorant is a breeze. It begins with heating the beeswax and coconut oil over a double boiler. Stir it gently until it’s completely melted.

Next, add the rest of the ingredients and stir them in. After everything is mixed thoroughly, pour the probiotic deodorant concoction into an empty deodorant container.

Then let the mixture harden and cool in a tight, upright container. Once it’s hardened, it’s ready for use.

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Probiotic deodorant - Dr. Axe

Homemade Probiotic Deodorant


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  • Author: Dr. Josh Axe
  • Total Time: 4 hours
  • Yield: 60 1x

Description

This homemade probiotic deodorant is easy to make, beneficial to your body, cost-effective and it works!


Ingredients

Scale
  • ¼ cup baking soda
  • ¼ cup coconut oil
  • ¼ cup grated bees wax
  • ¼ cup shea butter
  • 3 tablespoons arrowroot powder
  • 3 capsules of probiotics
  • 10 drops tea tree oil
  • 10 drops of lavender/citrus (for women) or cypress/bergamot (for men)
  • Empty deodorant containers

Instructions

  1. Begin by melting coconut oil and beeswax together over a double boiler.
  2. Then, stir gently until totally melted.
  3. Then, add in other ingredients and stir.
  4. Once mixed, quickly pour into empty deodorant container.
  5. Keep container upright and allow mixture to cool and harden before use.
  • Category: Body Care
  • Method: Mixing

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148 Comments

  1. Val Sanderson on

    Good article and a good idea – here are some ready-made probiotic deodorants that I can recommend https://thesolidbarcompanyusa.com/collections/bicarb-free-deodorants

    Reply
  2. Gleen D Racelis on

    Hello, can I add apple cider vinegar to the mixture? Doesnt have problem with the probiotic good bacteria life? Doesnt kill from the apple cider vinegar acid?

    Reply
  3. Stella on

    I love it . I have made it 3 times and keep making it. First time I used Lavender and tea tree. The 2 nd time I put lavender, tea tree and bergamot. I couldn’t use it . It was like burning sensation on the armpit. I believe was the bergamot that caused the burning. So I made the 3rd batch and mixed up with the 2nd batch that caused burning but without bergamot . And it’s still burning a little bit , only if you really sweat. Anyway I really love my deodorant. I want to thank from the bottom of my heart to Dr Axe for giving us all this beautiful recipes. God blessed you and your family! Thank you!

    Reply
  4. Christi on

    Thanks for sharing the recipe, but you didn’t mention what type of probiotics to use? How do we know which ones are shelf stable or won’t react with essentials oils. Please clarify.

    Reply
  5. Sharon V on

    I am curious as to the use of the Himalayan Sea Salt bar. Is that a good alternative for a
    deodorant bar?

    Thank you,
    Sharon

    Reply
    • Kristen on

      If u have body odor u can try tking charcol pills. Use antibacterial soap like dial um dont use anything creamy or get soaps that are made of tea tree oil . there are natural deodorant out there

      Reply
  6. Amy on

    My husband has HS. I’ve been thinking about making a natural deodorant for him. He can’t use store bought deodorant. They break him out and just cause other issues.
    He works from home most days. So, we don’t care if he stinks or not. I know what he has gone through. I usually don’t smell him, more of the infection. I would like to make a paste or similar for him to use on random parts. To help keep down the skin bacteria and help stop the Oder.
    so many like him are losing their jobs because of Oder.
    What else could be added to smooth the skin? Not cause the pours to clog even more so, while keeping the inflammation down. I know patchouly works well, but the smell blows me away. (Migraine) I know coconut oil helps with inflammation also.
    Thanks for your time.
    Amy

    Reply
    • Kristen on

      I dont know what or where the smell comes from but he can try to tk charcoal pills there an i eternal deodorant if he is tking meds it could interfere . there are new deodorant that are natural soaps that are antibacterial like dial or natural soaps i use irish spring in the summer .

      Reply
    • Renee on

      Many essential oils reduce inflammation and kill bacteria that causes odor. Just Google the list, get some, mix with a bit of organic cold pressed coconut oil. put in containers for him. Another option is put the few drops of essential oil in a cup of Witch Hazel, plus dissolve a teaspoon of Himalayan Mineral Salt in it. Put in dpray bottle for spray deodorant.

      Reply
    • Missy Leverette on

      My niece has HS and I was excited to discover a leach therapy for draining the infections without scarring. It’s an Ayurvedic practice. Check it out!

      Reply
  7. Amy Myers on

    My husband has HS. I’ve been thinking about making a natural deodorant for him. He can’t use store bought deodorant. They break him out and just cause other issues.
    He works from home most days. So, we don’t care if he stinks or not. I know what he has gone through. I usually don’t smell him, more of the infection. I would like to make a paste or similar for him to use on random parts. To help keep down the skin bacteria and help stop the Oder.
    so many like him are losing their jobs because of Oder.
    What else could be added to smooth the skin? Not cause the pours to clog even more so, while keeping the inflammation down. I know patchouly works well, but the smell blows me away. (Migraine) I know coconut oil helps with inflammation also.
    Thanks for your time.
    Amy

    Reply
    • Debbie on

      Hi Amy and everyone that can’t use baking soda,

      I just use salt water as a deodorant, and it’s effective even in Georgia summers. I just dissolve plain salt in water (as much as will dissolve), and put it in a spray bottle and spray my armpits after a shower. On humid days, I dust some corn starch in my pits (using a makeup brush) after the salt water is dry for less stickiness when I sweat, but I think that lowers the effectiveness a little. Hope that helps!
      Debbie

      Reply
  8. Roman on

    Hi Dr.
    Would you know a good formula for Hair Pomade with medium/strong hold, but not to greasy and easy to wash off.

    Thank you

    Reply
    • Kristen on

      There are natural deodorant out there without aluminum also . if u have a smell try tking charcoal do research 1st if ur tking any kind of medication . dial soap antibacterial use some maybe thats not as creamy .

      Reply
  9. Katherine du Toit Mathew on

    Hi Dr Axe,
    If you add the probiotics to the double boiler, wouldn’t the heat kill the good bacteria?
    Also, which strains of probiotics would you recommend?
    Thanks!

    Reply
  10. Julieta on

    I was using a natural deodorant with coconut oil in it. I noticed while taking a shower that my armpits were oily. I also shaved my armpits probably twice a week. After about 2 weeks of wearing that deodorant my armpits starting to hurt and I developed pimples on them. I ended up going to the doctor because I was extremely uncomfortable. My doctor said it was the coconut oil that plugged the follicles and as a result they became infected. I really want to try a natural deodorant but I am afraid of getting folliculitis again or like my husband that starting getting armpit rashes with certain natural deodorants.

    Reply
  11. deeyan on

    This may sound like a silly question, but how do Essential oils differentiate good bacteria (Probiotics)from bad bacteria? Wouldn’t the EO kill the probiotics? I am a visual learner. Is there a way you can show me or link me to a visual representation of how probiotics and essential oils can work together?

    Reply
    • Kathy A Pelot on

      The oils don’t differentiate. Each essential oil has different chemical components- each oil comes from a different plant. The essential oils are therefore coming from different plants are made up of different chemical compounds that make each plant unique. That is why you have oils that smell different. An orange doesn’t smell like a grapefruit. Why? Because their chemical makeup is different. An orange doesn’t smell like a rose. Why? Because there chemical makeup is different. So, the same applies to your question, you would have to know the chemical makeup of the plant that is making the essential oil certain essential oils are more soothing, some more skin loving, some are more healing than others. You wouldn’t put cinnamon on a wound, it would burn but lavender probably would be ok for most.
      I hope this helped.

      Reply
  12. Tracey on

    I’m wondering about temperatures and probiotic survival. Wax melts around 145 degrees F. But most probiotics have a heat tolerance around 100F. So, how are your probiotics different that they will survive this heat and actually be effective in the formula? Additionally, many essential oils also have antibacterial effects, which is another factor in killing off probiotics. Any insight would be helpful. Thank you.

    Reply
  13. Amber O'Neal on

    I was wandering since tea tree oil is a natural antibiotic, would it then in turn kill the probiotics in the deodarant…apologize if you’ve already answered this.

    Reply
  14. Trish on

    Just want to say I tried this recipe (minus the probiotics) and it works fantastic so far. I’m hoping it will work well in the summer months also! The only issue I had with a rash was I used it after shaving and by the end of the night, there was a rash. Lessson learned… will use my carrier oils/essential oil mix for after shaving… never have a problem with using that. Also, you don’t need to use very much, just a swipe is good. It’s hard to get used to not swiping back and forth a few times. I try to hold it under my armpit to warm it so it softens some before I swipe.

    Thank you Dr. Axe for sharing your wonderful recipes and information with us, it’s greatly appreciated!

    Reply
  15. Joe on

    These recipes are amazing! Some of the ingredients like arrowroot powder or beeswax for example seem hard to find? Is there a convenient and inexpensive space where most of these ingredients are sold? Also because if the natural ingredients is there an expiration? Like for the shampoo with coconut milk for example?

    Reply
    • Conch Obar on

      I’m currently using another similar version of this deodorant that also can irritate your armpits. I’ve had times when it was also totally non irritating. I’ve attributed that to periodic detoxification. I trade off every few days with the Dr Axe Nail Balm recipe ABC that gives my pits a rest from the baking soda. I’ll try this Dr Axe recipe when mine runs out. Looking forward to it.

      Here is some interesting info I read today debunking the scare about essential oils being hormone reactive.

      https://www.mommypotamus.com/does-lavender-oil-cause-estrogen-imbalance/

      Reply
  16. JoeF on

    This was fun to make and works all day! Only thing I found is that it’s too soft to use In a deodorant stick and comes off in clumps. I can spread it but is anyone else having the same issue

    Reply
    • Kathy A Pelot on

      Tracy, if the wax melts at 145° just let the wax cool to 100° before adding it. You can find arrowroot on Amazon.

      Reply
  17. Afifah on

    Hello Dr Josh. My name is Afifah and I have made the probiotics deodarant as you have instructed in this article. I am happy to see that my armpit has stop producing the smell which is great. When I use the deodarant from the market, I noticed that my armpit smells like sweat and the deodarant smell which is very unpleasant. After I made this deodarant, I have noticed that my armpit has gone blacker than before and I am not too sure why this is the case. If you can reply to my comment and help me answer the question, I would really appreciate that. Thank you for all of your advise.

    Reply
  18. Pita Dane on

    If you don’t want to make a solid, make the oil in a brown or blue glass roll on bottle. I use 10 ml bottles. I also use sesame oil as a carrier oil because it does not stain clothes, adding essential oils of Petigrain(wonderful deodorant) and either lemongrass,or geranium. I live in florida, it works!

    Reply
  19. Lori on

    Dr. Axe,
    I would like see the answers to the questions re: Tea tree/Breast cancer/estrogen issues with deodorant. Also, underarm darkening?
    And will this stain clothes

    Reply
  20. Dora on

    I cannot tolerate Baking Soda!! It burns my skin. I would have to leave it out. Would it be as effective? I cannot use Baking Soda anywhere on my body at all. (Oh, I just read the comments below, which you said to use just the arrowroot. I presume one would use the same amount as the Baking Soda that is left out.)

    Can you make a suggestion what else i can use? I haven’t used underarm deodorant for a very long time. I just wash more often.

    And the regular beeswax does not mix well with other liquids. I tried it and ruined all my work to make a skin cream. Lost a lot of money too.

    I asked a supplier what had happened and they said I should have used “emulsified” beeswax. It is the only beeswax that would blend with liquids.

    Thank You very much for his recipe.

    Reply
  21. Kenneth Ridgeway on

    So how do you use this deodorant? Please.
    Ken Ridgeway
    I enjoy reading your articles. They seem quite fair and balanced.

    Reply
  22. Jean on

    I wanted a recipe without baking soda and I found one that uses food-grade diatomaceous earth and arrowroot powder in lieu of baking soda. Is the diatomaceous earth ok to use? I’m finding mixed reviews of the product in general.

    Reply
    • Kenneth Ridgeway on

      Hi. I read about just using baking soda and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Cleans and deodorizes just about everything. The vinegar smell goes in ten mins.

      Reply
    • Lois on

      I am a breast cancer survivor. I take arimadex each day, which helps keep the estrogen down. So what about tea tree EO? I use it for other things………..

      Reply
  23. Danielle on

    I made this recipe minus the probiotic and different essential oils, but it started darkening my armpits to almost black. I don’t have any issues with stink or perspiration, but my dark armpits are kind of ugly. And I have been using this since March, so I don’t think it’s a detox reaction. Any idea what might be causing it or ideas on how to undarken my armpits?

    Reply
  24. Marina on

    I bough the Axe Naturals, live probiotics and i made the 3 capsules that the recipe calls for. The only thing i didn’t know what to do if just put in the capsules as they are or open them up and just mixed what’s inside the capsule, which i ended up doing anyway. I hope this is okay…anybody else?…Dr. Axe?

    Reply
  25. Amanda on

    I’ve been making my own deodorant for a couple of years. I use the finger application method, but since my little jars have NO locker room cred for teenage boys, I tried this recipe so that they could have a typical deodorant container. I have found this recipe to be difficult to apply and it remains sticky on the skin until it is removed. The only change I made was substitute the baking soda with arrowroot powder. I doubt this is the issue since I have used only arrowroot powder since I found out years ago that I have adverse reactions with baking soda.

    Reply
  26. Kathy on

    I would really like to give up commercial deodorants and antiperspirants, and have tried the crystal type deodorants which don’t work for me.

    Essential oils cause me to have contact dermatitis and according to my dermatologist, are sensitizing for everyone. You say in an answer to a comment that the tea tree oil is important to the recipe. Is there a combination of ingredients which would not require essential oils?

    Reply
  27. Sarah on

    I am having a horrible time with this deodorant staining my clothes! At first, I wondered if it was a detox reaction. I just made a second batch, though – this time with the right amount of beeswax and shea butter (I did lesss before) – and now it’s leaving deeper and larger stains all over the armpits of my clothes. Any idea what’s causing it? I’m thinking it’s the beeswax. Has anyone else had that problem? I love the use and effectiveness of this deodorant, but I can’t have it ruining my clothes…

    Reply
  28. Tamara S on

    I used a commercial probiotic base deodorant, and ended up with a terrible bacterial rash for over a week. Looked like the measles under my arms… ? Any suggestions for a homemade one in choosing probiotics? I was going to use Life 5 by Young Living…. I am also sensitive to baking soda, would love to see the soda free recipe! : ) TIA

    Reply
    • Dr. Josh Axe on

      I personally use the Axe naturals probiotics: http://store.draxe.com/products/probiotics
      I would use just a small amount of baking soda in relation to the other ingredients

      Reply
  29. Deanna on

    I have trouble swallowing capsules. Could this deodorant take the place of supplementing with probiotics? Or can your Live Probiotics capsule be opened and mixed with applesauce?
    Thanks

    Reply
    • Gypsy on

      Old nurse trick…..to take tablets put tablet in mouth, take fluid & tilt head backwards then swallow. To take capsules, out capsule in mouth, take fluid & tip head slightly downwards (capsules float so this causes them to go to back of mouth making them easier to swallow)….then swallow.

      Reply
  30. Nikki on

    Heats above a certain point ruin the medicinal properties of essential oils. So since they are added well before the mixture is aloud to cool to a safe temp for the oils, I’m assuming the Esentials oils are in there just for the natural fragrance and not it’s benefical properties is this correct?

    Reply
  31. Marie on

    I understand why the probiotics are added but does it really matter? Aren’t the probiotics killed by the essential oils that are also added?

    Reply
  32. Liz on

    Do you have a recipe withough baking soda? The baking soda is so abrasive especially when working out. I get rubbed raw. Do you have a good substitute?

    Reply
      • Didi on

        Thanks; I would appreciate a good alternative. Baking soda can sift to a nearby garment. If I don’t use the baking soda, I don’t get good results; but i don’t relish the grittiness. And I just can’t quite get past my original belief that Arm-n-Hammer brand has aluminum in it.

  33. gina on

    Sorry some ingredients I don’t know I live in Mexico could you explain me what is: shea butter, arrowroot powder, and Live Probiotics? this are like Yakult? thanks!

    Reply
  34. Terri on

    I haven’t used deodorant for several years. I read an article that talked about eating healthy foods that your body wouldn’t be fighting off so many toxins and you wouldn’t need deodorant so I try not to get away from my healthy eating and of course shower every day. Keep the bacteria washed off and don’t load your body with toxins and you won’t need it. You body will have to learn to take care of itself, so the first week or two may not be good. But after that it should start doing better.

    Reply
  35. Alexandra Huebner on

    I just mix coconut oil and baking soda half and half. It is the best deodorant I ever had, even my hubby says so and he has been complaining quite a while about odor and sweats!!!

    Reply
  36. Rebecca on

    My son suffers from a severe case of hidradenitis suppurativa which is caused by infected, swollen sweat glands. He has had multiple surgeries from having this disease already. We are always looking for alternatives to kill bad bacteria in places that are prone to humidity on the body. I will be buying the ingredients and have him use this (minus the extra ingredients given for fragrance) to apply under the arms, and between the thighs. Always trying to avoid moisture and kill bad bacteria.

    Reply
    • Riss on

      The essential oils are not only for fragrance the have useful properties. Tea tree is cleansing and a natural antiseptic, it can reduce bad bacteria that cause odor. And as the doc said the cypress promotes circulation. You would be able to replace any of those essential oils with another that would be useful for your son’s condition.

      Reply
    • Sandy on

      Hi Rebecca, have you heard about ASEA and Redox signaling? This product could help your son’s condition. I can send you info if you would like.

      Reply
  37. Gw on

    I would probably try in a small batch. On a day where I would not have to be in public. I have an acquaintance who uses a natural deodorant and I can’t hardly stand to be around them because they smell like a Billy goat. I am very leery to give up my commercial deodorant.

    Reply
  38. linda on

    I use fresh lemon juice, works great, I couldn’t believe it, the only thing that has ever worked for me was the clinical strength deodorants, which i hated using because of all the chemicals. I really never believed it would work, but it does.

    Reply
  39. Simone Jade Kelly on

    Um… Wouldn’t the probiotics die if you cooked them in boiling hot melted coconut oil and bees wax? They have to stay at a certain temperature to stay alive.

    Reply
    • Lorelei on

      That’s why you use a double boiler, it is made for heating/melting ingredients that are too delicate to boil. The water in the bottom of the double boiler boils, and you melt the ingredients in the top of the boiler, only until they are soft and mixed, then let cool a bit and add the probiotics.

      Reply
    • Dr. Josh Axe on

      It depends on the probiotic you use. The Axe Naturals Live Probiotic contains bacillus subtilis, bacillus coagulant and saccharomyces boulardii which are heat resistant probiotic strains. Most other low quality probiotic supplements would die.

      Reply
      • Tracy on

        But you could add the probiotics in at the same time as the EO’s. After removing from the heat so as not to destroy the EO’s…. that’s when I add them.

  40. Elizabeth on

    Thank you! I am excited to try this since I am tired of paying so much money for “natural” deodorants that barely seem to work anyway… would you recommend that we store the deodorant in the refrigerator if the probiotic we use (Garden of Life brand) is refrigerated or does it make no difference to the effectiveness of the probiotic in the end product?

    Reply
  41. Rachel on

    I’ve been making a recipe similar to this for a few months now and it works SO WELL. I was a bit skeptical from no success with ‘natural’ deodorants. You still sweat with this kind (which is good anyway) but NO stink. Even after a long day in the heat of the South i had no smell whatsoever. I give it 5 stars.

    Thank you Dr. Axe, for informing so many with this recipe!

    Reply
    • Ann on

      Hi Rachel, I’m just curious if this recipe is good enough for a tropical country where heat can go more than 35 degrees. Did the deodorant get soft or did it melt at all in the container since you live at a warm place as well?

      Reply
    • Cbrooks on

      Is this still working for you? I’d like to make it, but don’t want to invest in all the ingredients if it doesn’t work. I live in Missouri and the summers can get hot. Thanks!

      Reply
  42. Matthew on

    Dr. Axe, what is the purpose of the probiotics in this deodorant? And are there any good tips, recipes, diys for anti-perspirants?

    Reply
    • Dr. Josh Axe on

      Probiotic eliminate bad bacteria which is a major cause of body odor. Also, adding cypress essential oil to your deodorant may cause a bit less sweating because it improves circulation.

      Reply
  43. Suzanne on

    Why would you need a deodorant to have probiotics in it?? Never heard of probiotics being used in something that you didn’t “ingest”!

    Reply
    • Dr. Josh Axe on

      The skin is our largest organ. Because of this, things we put on our skin is absorbed into our body, whether it be good or bad. That’s why I am careful to choose skin products with whole ingredients.

      Reply

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