🌿 Homemade Soft-Glide Natural Deodorant (Tube-Friendly + Gentle on Skin)

Let me be very clear: I don’t think humans need deodorant of any kind.

Fragrance masks our natural pheromones — the biological whispers that tell our bodies who feels “safe” and who doesn’t. I’m not saying deodorant is the cause of rising divorce rates, but… sometimes I do wonder if we’ve confused our senses so deeply that we’re choosing partners whose natural chemistry we might not even like.

Honestly, I should call this post:
“Get Rid of Your Deodorant, It’s Ruining Your Life.”

But I digress.

Today we’re talking deodorant — and yes, I still think it’s one of the biggest wellness scams of modern marketing. If you have unbelievably strong body odor, the “maximum-strength” antiperspirant is not going to save you. You might cover the smell for a few hours, but nothing changes the truth: your body is trying to tell you something.

No one ever talks about that.
Your smells are signals.
Your smells are information.
Your smells are chemistry and communication and metabolism all speaking through your skin.

And guess what? It is normal to have a scent. You’re a human with sweat glands, hormones, bacteria, and emotions — not a linen spray. You are not supposed to smell like “Ocean Breeze™” 24 hours a day.

In this post, I’m going to cover:

• A quick history of the indoctrination of deodorant culture
• What your body odor is really trying to communicate
• How to support your internal terrain so you naturally smell great from the inside out
• And of course — a simple, natural homemade deodorant paste (for those who still like a little freshening up)

I Stopped Using Deodorant

I stopped using brand-name deodorants 12 years ago when I was in holistic nutrition school and learned that our skin — our biggest organ — absorbs whatever we slather on it right into our lymphatic system and therefore into circulation. Straight into the bloodstream. No filter. No permission.

Microplastics, heavy metals, synthetic fragrance, preservatives — nope. Hard pass.

As a former teen of Vogue and Seventeen magazine, raised on product lists promising perfect skin, a perfect body, and a boyfriend by spring, I felt completely scammed. Betrayed even.

What did it actually mean to care for my body?
And wait — the mind and emotions were also part of this whole picture? Suddenly I was spiraling down the rabbit hole of holistic living, learning that wellness wasn’t about products at all — it was about connection, nervous system calm, nourishment, and actually listening to myself.

And it all started… with my armpits.

How We Got Indoctrinated Into Believing We Need Deodorant

Humans have been sweating since… forever. But smelling “bad” is a surprisingly modern concept.

Deodorant as we know it didn’t exist until the early 1900s, when a few clever marketers realized they could exploit one universal fear:

We don’t want to be rejected by our community.

So they created the problem first (“your armpits smell offensive and people are judging you”), and then conveniently sold the solution. Classic.

Early ads literally told women that no one would love them unless they fixed their body odor. Later ads told men the same. Instead of teaching people how to support their health, marketers taught us that our natural scent was shameful — something to mask, block, or chemically shut down.

This mindset stuck.
And now we have an entire industry built on the belief that your biology is embarrassing.

But here’s the truth:
Body odor isn’t a flaw. It’s feedback.

And if the odor is really strong? Your body is waving a bright neon sign saying:

“Hey! Something’s off. Check in with me.”

Which brings us to…

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What Your Body Odor Is Actually Trying to Tell You

Body odor comes from the interaction between:

• your sweat
• your skin microbiome
• your detox pathways
• your hormones
• your stress chemistry
• your diet
• and your mineral balance

When something shifts in your internal environment, your scent shifts too.

Here are the most common reasons BO becomes intense:

1. Mineral imbalances (especially magnesium + zinc)

Low magnesium → stronger, more pungent odor.
Low zinc → bacterial overgrowth in sweat areas.

2. Stress + cortisol overload

Stress sweat is chemically different.
It’s thicker, more fatty, and bacteria LOVES it — hello smell.

3. Liver congestion or sluggish detox pathways

Your liver and lymph are overwhelmed → your skin tries to pick up the slack.
Odor becomes sharper, sour, or “off.”

4. Gut imbalances

Certain bacterial overgrowths → certain types of BO.
Your microbiome and your skin bacteria talk to each other.

5. Too many seed oils + ultra-processed foods

Your cell membranes literally change — and so does your scent.

6. Hormonal shifts

PMS, postpartum, perimenopause, low testosterone — all change how we smell.

This is why deodorant never “fixes” anything.
It just mutes the signal.

And your body is trying to communicate.

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How to Smell Great From the Inside Out

Here’s the part no deodorant brand will ever tell you:

When the internal terrain is healthy, your natural scent becomes mild, earthy, even pleasant.

Start here:

1. Increase minerals (especially magnesium + sodium + potassium)

Hydration is NOT just water — it’s electrolytes.
Magnesium alone can dramatically reduce odor for many people.

2. Eat enough protein + healthy fats

Your body detoxes better when nourished.
Also stabilizes hormones → stabilizes scent.

3. Support your liver

Think: eggs, beef liver, citrus, high-quality protein, adequate amino acids.
(Not juice cleanses — your liver needs fuel, not starvation.)

4. Reduce stress + support the vagus nerve

Your sweat literally changes when your nervous system calms.
Sound healing? Magic. Deep breathing? Free magic.

5. Avoid seed oils

They oxidize on your skin → they smell rancid.
This alone can change everything.

6. Keep your microbiome happy

Simple: don’t over-wash and don’t strip your skin.
And please — for the love of your lymphatic system — get rid of the caramel-scented, neon-colored body wash bottles sitting in your shower. They do the exact opposite of what your skin actually needs.

Your skin’s bacteria are part of your immune defense. When you disrupt them, your body will communicate… usually through irritation, dryness, or yes — stronger odor.

And If You Still Want to Freshen Up…

Great! You’re human.
Some days we want a little extra support — or we’re going to the gym, or traveling, or just prefer a soft, natural scent.

Here’s the homemade deodorant I’ve made for years — soft, gentle, and free of anything your body didn’t ask for.

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🌿 My Soft-Glide Homemade Deodorant Paste (Tube-Friendly + Husband Approved)

Most DIY deodorants are either too hard (ouch, armpit hairs) or too soft (mushy and messy). This version is the perfect in-between: a creamy, soft deodorant paste that you can still pour into a push-up tube. It glides effortlessly, doesn’t tug on sensitive underarm skin, and uses simple, ancestral-inspired ingredients you probably already have at home.
I made this one for my husband, who loves natural deodorants but hates when a stick feels stiff or waxy. This formula is gentle, effective, and smells amazing depending on which essential oils you choose.

No aluminum.
No fragrance chemicals.
No endocrine-disrupting nonsense.

⭐️ Ingredients

(Makes 1 standard deodorant tube)

Melt Phase

• 2 tbsp shea butter
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1.5 tbsp beeswax (my leftover candle beeswax worked perfectly!)

Powder Phase

• Optional: ½ tsp baking soda (only if your skin tolerates it)

• 1 tbsp arrowroot podwer

• Optional: ½–1 tsp magnesium hydroxide (gentle and effective)

Scent (optional)

5–10 drops essential oil
(See Essential Oil Blends below)

• Cedarwood
• Lavender
• Bergamot
• Cypress
• Frankincense
• Sandalwood

⭐️ Instructions

1. Melt the base

Place the shea butter, coconut oil, olive oil, and beeswax into a double boiler (or a bowl over a pot of simmering water).
Stir until everything is fully melted and silky.

2. Remove from heat + add powders

Let the mixture cool for 2–3 minutes (so the powders mix smoothly).
Whisk in the arrowroot powder and any optional magnesium or baking soda.
Mix until creamy and lump-free.

3. Add essential oils (optional)

Stir gently to incorporate.

4. Pour into a deodorant tube

Pour liquid into a push-up or twist-up tube. Alternatively, you can use a clean glass jar with lid.
Let it set at room temperature or place it in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes.

⭐️ What the Texture Will Be Like

Because we’re using only 1.5 tbsp of beeswax, this deodorant is:

• Soft
• Creamy
• Easy to apply
• Won’t pull hair
• Perfect for sensitive underarms
• Still solid enough to stay inside a tube

Think of it as a “lotion bar deodorant” that glides beautifully.

⭐️ Adjustments

If it’s too soft:
→ Add ½ tsp more beeswax next time (or store the tube in the fridge for a few minutes before use).

If it’s too firm:
→ Add ½ tsp more olive oil next time.

If you want extra odor protection:
→ Use magnesium hydroxide — it’s gentle and works extremely well.

🌿 Essential Oil Blend Ideas

Forest Fresh (masculine):

• 4 drops cedarwood
• 3 drops cypress
• 2 drops bergamot

Crisp + Clean:

• 5 drops lemon
• 3 drops rosemary

Calming:

• 6 drops lavender
• 2 drops frankincense

⭐️ Save This Recipe

This is a wonderful, low-tox, skin-friendly deodorant you can make again and again. It’s simple, cost-effective, and gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin.

If you try it, let me know how it turns out — I love hearing how your creations evolve.

In health,

Bridgette Joy