I love experimenting with all-natural deodorant recipes, so when I came across a brand that specializes in apple cider vinegar deodorant, I knew I had to try making my own. This deodorant, called Sway, also makes a companion dusting powder that helps fight moisture and increase staying power – well, color me intrigued!

Apple Cider Vinegar Deodorant and Dusting Powder Recipe

Before we dive into my homemade version of apple cider vinegar deodorant, let’s briefly talk about why we get body odor and why the ingredients in this deodorant prevent that from happening.

What Causes Body Odor?

The body is covered in eccrine glands (aka sweat glands) that secrete odorless sweat in order to control its temperature in hot or stressful conditions. Some of these glands, like the ones on the underarms and groin, also contain apocrine glands which are the scent glands responsible for producing for body odor.

The axillary microbiome, which are the yeasts and bacteria that live on the body, break down these scents and sweat secretions and convert them into the tell-tale body odor smell known as propionic acid.

It is this acid that makes us stink like BO.

How to Prevent Body Odor

There are two main methods when it comes to preventing and eliminating body odor:

1. Reduce sweating
2. Kill the odor-causing bacteria

OTC deodorants do both of these things by plugging up the apocrine glands and using harsh chemicals to either mask or kill odor-causing bacteria.

Neither one is good for your health since they often contain harmful parabens and aluminum compounds that are known to increase the risk of developing breast cancer.

Fortunately, there are natural methods that can both reduce sweating AND kill odor-causing bacteria without the chemicals.

How to Eliminate Body Odor Naturally

What intrigues me most about the Sway deodorant is its two-step process that effectively kills bacteria and yeasts and keeps your underarms dry.

The ingredients of Sway’s apple cider vinegar deodorant and dusting powder are simple and straightforward, with no harsh chemicals or difficult to pronounce ingredients.

Not only do these ingredients mimic OTC brands, they can do so without the risk of exposing your body to chemicals and toxins it doesn’t need.

Apple Cider Vinegar Deodorant Ingredients

Here is what the roll-on version contains and why these ingredients work:

Rose Water

Rose water is an astringent and natural skin pH balancer. Both of these properties are what makes this deodorant so effective since the astringency helps close the sweat glands and reduce sweating. Balancing the skin’s pH is what keeps sweat from smelling.

Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is another powerful astringent that shrinks sweat glands and hair follicles which helps eliminate sweat and odor. It is also healing and soothing to the skin.

Aloe Leaf Juice

Aloe is soothing, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, and effectively helps prevent and reduce body odor. I opted instead to use a high-quality aloe vera gel to help keep my homemade version a little more viscous.

Raw Apple Cider Vinegar

This is the key ingredient in this deodorant. Raw apple cider vinegar is what kills odor-causing bacteria effectively preventing it from breaking down sweat and making it smell.

Apple cider vinegar also has a pH 4.5 which is very close to the skin’s natural pH of 5.5. The acidity of the ACV is what kills odor-causing bacteria and yeasts and its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties are what keeps them from repopulating your underarms.

Lavender, Lemon, and Tea Tree Essential Oil

Essential oils are powerful antibacterials and antimicrobials and are known to kill odor-causing bacteria, especially the tea tree essential oil in this blend. EOs also serve the purpose of providing a lovely scent to this deodorant which makes it feel fresh and familiar.

Xanthan Gum

Xanthan gum is a natural thickener and is what gives this deodorant a more viscous consistency so that it doesn’t run when applied. It also helps the deodorant dry more quickly.

I subbed this ingredient with arrowroot powder since I didn’t have any xanthan gum on hand and it worked well!

Dusting Powder Ingredients

This dusting powder serves as a way to reduce moisture while also offering a bit more odor protection.

It contains:

Baking Soda

Baking soda has long been used in homemade deodorant recipes and for good reason! It’s high alkalinity, which is around a pH of 8-8.5, is what kills and neutralizes odor-causing bacteria.

If you have sensitive underarms, I would suggest either omitting this ingredient or using less of it in your homemade version.

Arrowroot Powder

Arrowroot powder is a super gentle powder that helps soak up moisture and hold the essential oils in place so that they can continue to ward off odor-causing bacteria.

I found that using just this ingredient along with the essential oils worked well for odor control and dryness.

Sweet Orange and Grapefruit Essential Oils

These essential oils are fresh smelling and help kill off odor-causing bacteria.

How to Make Apple Cider Vinegar Deodorant and Dusting Powder

So now that you know why these ingredients are great for keeping your underarms dry and fresh, it’s time to get into the recipes!

Apple Cider Vinegar Deodorant Roll-On Recipe

Here’s what you’ll need to make the raw apple cider vinegar deodorant roll-on:

• One 1oz roll-on bottle like this one (must have a plastic roller)
• A small funnel
• 1 tsp rosewater
• 1 tsp witch hazel
• 1 tsp aloe vera gel
• Scant 2TB raw apple cider vinegar
• ¼ tsp arrowroot powder
• 10 drops lavender essential oil
• 7 drops steam distilled lemon essential oil (learn why here) – I opted for yuzu essential oil
• 5 drops tea tree essential oil

Loving Preparation – Apple Cider Vinegar Deodorant Recipe

1. Add in the aloe gel first, then the rose water and witch hazel.
2. Next, add in the arrowroot powder and allow it to dissolve and sink to the bottom of the bottle on its own.
3. Next, add the essential oils, then the apple cider vinegar.
4. Cap closed and shake well to mix.

To Use

Apple a thin layer on clean and dry underarms 2x daily.

Citrus Dusting Powder Recipe

Here’s what you’ll need to make the dusting powder:

• A designated coffee grinder for DIY projects
• One 1oz loose powder container with powder puff
• ½ TB baking soda
• 1 ½ TB arrowroot powder
• 3 drops sweet orange essential oil
• 3 drops grapefruit essential oil

Loving Preparation – Citrus Dusting Powder Recipe

1. Measure out the baking soda and arrowroot powder into the coffee grinder.
2. Next, drip the essential oils over the powders.
3. Pulse to mix thoroughly.
4. Scoop into the powder container and cap closed.

To Use

Once the ACV deodorant has dried, use the powder puff to apply a thin even layer of dusting powder to each underarm. Repeat after each application.

Don’t want to make your own? Get Sway HERE.

Have you ever make an apple cider vinegar deodorant before? How did it work out for you? Please let us know in the comments below!

You may also enjoy reading:

DIY Non-Toxic Anti-Sweat Deodorant Recipe
Black Spruce and Lavender Deodorant
Travel Size Roll-on Deodorant
Homemade Mineral Salt Deodorant Spray
Four Thieves Coconut Oil Deodorant

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