Over the years, I’ve perfected several natural deodorant recipes for long-lasting protection, but I was intrigued by the roll-on antiperspirant deodorant and wanted to try a healthier version. The more homemade deodorant options, the better, right?
Not only is this product aluminum and alcohol free, it also provides natural odor protection. It’s easy to use on sensitive skin types and you can customize the scent!
Roll-on deodorant stick
I was that girl who used clinical strength deodorant in high school. I was fooled by the fresh scent and the promise of 12-hour protection. Little did I know I was rubbing parabens, aluminum, and other not-so-nice ingredients into my armpits.
DIY deodorants may not be as fancy as the fresh, invisible solid bars made from powder, but they are definitely much healthier. Plus, I’ve found that natural deodorants work really well if you find the right recipe.
My version uses magnesium to eliminate underarm odor and restore mineral balance. It dries fairly quickly thanks to the arrowroot and baking soda. You can also add moisturizing ingredients like aloe vera and glycerin if you like.
The power of magnesium
My kids and I often use topical magnesium to help with better sleep and to increase magnesium levels. I have found that magnesium oil is a good deodorant on its own, but it is not for everyone. It can be a bit sticky and tingly on the skin if you are not used to it.
Magnesium is good for your skin, both internally and topically, like magnesium lotion, according to dermatologists. Dandy AngelmanIt can also help balance hormones and improve the cellular processes of the skin. I have found that using magnesium oil makes my skin smoother and less prone to acne.
Of course, you can use regular magnesium oil in a roller bottle, but there are other types that work just as well. Magnesium hydroxide is commonly found in magnesium-based deodorants and is great for your skin. You can add the powder to your regular deodorant recipe or make a liquid version that glides on your skin.
Milk of Magnesia
Magnesium hydroxide is sold on every store shelf as the popular Milk of Magnesia. You may know it as a popular laxative. Some brands use surprisingly clean ingredients, just magnesium hydroxide and purified water. But for some reason, all the Milk of Magnesia I could find was reformulated to include bleach.
Yes, it’s the same chlorine bleach that you put in your swimming pool and use to remove stains from your clothes. You’d think the FDA would ban bleach from being used in products that someone drinks, but that doesn’t seem to be the case!
The simplest roll-on unscented magnesium deodorant recipes all use store-bought milk of magnesia. I didn’t want to put bleach on my skin, so I went with Plan B. This recipe involves making your own milk of magnesia by mixing magnesium hydroxide powder with water. It separates in the bottle, but that’s easy to fix. Just shake it before use.
Roll-on deodorant odor protection
This product is not an antiperspirant, so it won’t protect you from moisture like aluminum formulations do. However, I’ve found that I sweat less when I use natural deodorants. When your body isn’t trying to increase sweating to get rid of toxins (especially deodorants), you smell fresher.
It is also not a good idea to apply aluminum and other toxins right next to your lymph nodes and sensitive breast tissue. If you have used traditional deodorants or antiperspirants, you may need to do an underarm detox first. This is a great way to help your skin’s microbiome return to normal.
Deodorant container options
People seem to have mixed results with roll-on bottles. The first one I bought promised no leaks, but the leak-proofing was so strong that I didn’t get any product out at all! The one I have now works much better, but some reviewers report that there is variation from bottle to bottle.
If you don’t have a roll-on bottle, you can also use this mixture in a spray bottle. I’ve found that putting it in a small bottle and applying it with a cotton swab works well. This recipe makes enough for two roller bottles.
Magnesium Roll-On Deodorant
This DIY deodorant contains magnesium for healthy skin and less smelly underarms! Customize with your favorite essential oils.
Produce: three oz.
-
Heat the distilled water until very hot.
-
In a bowl, whisk together the water and magnesium powder.
-
Add all remaining ingredients and whip until smooth.
-
Pour the mixture into a roll-on deodorant bottle.
-
Always shake well before use.
- If you want to use pre-made milk of magnesia, substitute 2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons of the liquid for the magnesium hydroxide and water.
- I used 10 drops of orange essential oil, 6 drops of cypress essential oil, and 4 drops of tea tree essential oil.
Customize your scent
Any essential oil that is safe for skin care will work here. I kept the dilution at 2% to avoid irritation, but if you use oils like lavender or tea tree, you can safely double it. Or you can reduce the essential oil or leave it out completely. I found that witch hazel can have a stronger scent, but the essential oil masks it.
Lavender, tea tree, and patchouli are some good choices. I used sweet orange (antibacterial), tea tree (antimicrobial), and cypress (helps reduce moisture). Mix and match to create your own!
Have you ever used magnesium as a deodorant? How did it work for you? Let me know in the comments!
Do you like it? Try my men’s deodorant recipe too. It’s super strong!
