The Best Natural Deodorants That Can Actually Handle Your Next Trip
Once upon a time, natural deodorant was found in health food stores, farmers' markets, indie music festivals, and that's about it. But the times, they are a-changin' and so are our expectations for what we put on our pits. In our cleaner and greener beauty landscape, lots of people are choosing to skip out on synthetic chemicals for a variety of reasons and look to less processed options to keep themselves smelling sweet. Luckily, natural deodorants are more popular, more accessible, and more effective than ever before. If you’re looking to try your hand...er, underarm...at the natural life, we've got answers to your questions and expert recommendations for the best natural deodorants to buy.
Natural Deodorant FAQs
Why Use Natural Deodorant?
The rise of natural deodorants came in part because of concerns over the aluminum used in traditional antiperspirants: Aluminum salts work like tiny corks for your sweat glands, plugging them up so that you remain dry and stink-free, but then the worry arose as to whether these salts could be absorbed by the body and potentially lead to health concerns as serious as cancer. The American Cancer Society has said that there’s not enough evidence to support this claim. For most natural deodorant users, it’s simply a matter of preference and the decision to eliminate chemicals and synthetics where they can.
Are There Downsides to Using Natural Deodorant?
Unlike aluminum-based antiperspirants, natural deodorants can’t prevent you from sweating; instead, they work to curtail the odor-producing bacteria on your skin that feeds on sweat. Likewise, some people experience what’s referred to as a “detox” period when switching from traditional antiperspirant to natural deodorant. However, skin isn’t a detoxifying organ (like the kidneys or liver), so despite what some might claim, you’re not smelling toxins being expressed through your skin—you’re just getting accustomed to how your skin naturally smells, which some can find off-putting. Basically, natural deodorant curbs stink but not sweat, and going natural isn’t for everybody.
Best Natural Deodorant Overall
Native Deodorant
If the world of natural deodorants had a yearbook, you’d find Native’s picture in the superlatives under Best All-Around. The Instagram-famous brand has cool, social media-friendly packaging; a full roster of scents (like Coconut & Vanilla, Lavender & Rose, and Jasmine & Cedar) to satisfy even the most discerning fragrance hound; and, best of all, products that actually keep B.O. away all day—just ask the some 8,750 fans who've left five-star reviews on Native's website (comparative shoppers could also peruse the 3,000-plus five-star reviews over on Target).
Best Natural Deodorant Spray
Aesop Deodorant
For speedy, on-the-go freshening, this handy travel-size spritz is just the ticket. It combines the natural antibacterial properties of alcohol and witch hazel to knock out the smell-producing bacteria on your skin, and freshens with botanical oils including lavender, sandalwood, patchouli, eucalyptus, clove, and thyme for a lush, unisex scent that will leave everyone wondering if you spent the day at the spa.
Best Cream Natural Deodorant
Schmidt's Deodorant Jar
These petite pots have a mighty fanbase. Made with skin-loving ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, jojoba, and vitamin E, as well as baking soda to fight off odor and arrowroot powder to absorb sweat, Schmidt's cream formulas eschew extra hardeners in favor of a creamier consistency that you apply with your fingers. The moisturizing formula spreads easily and smoothly, and fights funk all day—even days that involve 16-hour flights, intensive walking tours, or strenuous hiking in the heat.
Best Deodorant Wipes
Pacifica Underarm Deodorant Wipes
Pacifica's biodegradable wipes are soaked with disinfecting witch hazel, moisturizing coconut milk, and delicious-smelling essential oils to keep you feeling fresh and clean. They're game-changing on trips where you won't have easy shower access, like camping excursions, multi-day music festivals, or to an off-the-grid destination. And don't feel limited to the pits with these vegan towelettes—they're a delight to use between your toes, behind your ears, and on all 10 fingers after a messy meal on the road.
Best Natural Deodorant Without Baking Soda
Myro Deodorant
Though baking soda is an undeniably effective stink-buster, its alkaline nature means that it can throw off skin’s natural pH and leave some with angry, itchy underarms. Not cute. This aloe-based deodorant uses sage extract and citrus to neutralize the bacteria that produces that eau de eeeww. The really fun part? The product is totally customizable, so you select the color you want for your container (five options ranging from chili pepper red to a creamy mint) and the scent you want inside (six options ranging from fragrance-free to a zesty lavender). Not only is the formula natural, but the case is refillable—just order more deodorant pods to pop into your reusable Myro case.
Best Charcoal Natural Deodorant
Kaia Naturals The Takesumi Detox Bamboo Charcoal Deodorant
Activated charcoal has become a big buzz word in the beauty world for its ability to attract and pull from the skin dirt, impurities, and, yes, smells. This comes down to the molecule structure of charcoal, which is riddled with little pockets that act as a trap for all that stuff you want to get rid of. This fresh, citrusy scented deodorant puts bamboo charcoal (the same kind you see in some water purifiers) to work to snag odor-causing bacteria and keep them from doing their thing (you know, making you smelly). Reviewers have reported doing everything from hiking to going to carnivals and fairs, to good effect.
Best Natural Deodorant with Aloe
Jason Soothing Aloe Vera Deodorant
For those who find oil-based natural deodorants too heavy, this version, made from a base of aloe vera will lighten things up. The cooling stick uses zinc ricinoleate, an odor-absorbing ester of castor oil, as well as corn starch and baking soda to combat sweat and smells in even the most humid of weather. So if your travels take you somewhere where the humidity is hell, like New Orleans or Bangkok, you won't smack of stink.
Best Fragrance-Free Natural Deodorant
Kopari Fragrance-Free Coconut Deodorant
The antidote to unpleasant sweaty odors doesn't need to be floral, fresh, or fruity—it can be no scent at all. Though most of the brand's super-fans (beauty editors and travel writers among them) are cuckoo for Kopari's original coconut deodorant, not everyone wants their deodorant to remind them of a tropical drink. Made with coconut oil and other heavy-duty moisturizers, Kopari's unscented variety is perfect for those who are sensitive to fragrance, or are just particular about their perfume-mixing.
Best-Smelling Natural Deodorant
Meow Meow Tweet Grapefruit Deodorant Cream
Kill two birds with one stone with this yummy, citrusy deodorant cream—not only does its magnesium hydroxide and arrowroot powder (no baking soda) help eliminate stench, but the blend of natural orange, grapefruit, lemon, and bergamot oils is so garden-in-sun-soaked-Italy fresh, it can practically double as your perfume. Bonus: it also comes in a stick version if you don't want to slow down your morning routine by sticking your fingers in a pot.
Best Natural Deodorant for Working Out
Type A Deodorant
Some natural deodorants give up on a workout faster than your heart rate after a cardio circuit, but not this surprisingly tech-y formula. Perfect for adventure travelers wanting to trek across South America or river-raft through Glacier National Park, this brand kicks into fifth gear when you need it to. In addition to the usual stink-fighting suspects—baking soda, arrowroot powder, clay—Type A also utilizes a patent-pending time-release technology that they say reacts when you sweat, so it kicks into gear just when you need it most. As if the high-tech formula wasn't enough, Type A has also earned legions of fans for its tube packaging, which lets you squeeze out just the right amount of deodorant onto the applicator tip and apply it mess-free.
Best Natural Deodorant on Amazon
Underarmed Natural Deodorant
There’s no dearth of options for great natural deodorants on Amazon, but Underarmed is the product that sends reviewers into raptures. With nearly 3,500 reviews, the four-and-a-half-star-rated handmade deodorant is certainly carrying the popular vote. Fans rave about the refreshing lavender and eucalyptus scent and the blend of smell-erasing baking soda and magnesium hydroxide that keeps them odor-free.
Best Drugstore Natural Deodorant
Arm & Hammer Essentials
Baking soda is a major ingredient in many natural deodorants, so it makes perfect sense that the brand synonymous with baking soda, Arm & Hammer, would get in on the game. Even better, their entry is not only effective at absorbing odors and provides a nice fresh, botanical scent (courtesy of coriander, rosemary, and lavender oils), but for about $2 a stick, it delivers serious bang for the buck.
Best Status Natural Deodorant
Malin + Goetz Eucalyptus Deodorant
If natural deodorants leave you craving an extra bit of luxe, look no further than this cult-favorite stick. Made without baking soda or any of the typical powders found in natural deodorants, this minimalist deodorant relies on straight-from-a-spa-smelling eucalyptus oil and citronellyl to kick reek to the curb. Add to this the benefit of going on clear, so you don't have to worry about annoying deodorant marks on your favorite top. And if you're booked at The Betsy in Miami or the Delano in Las Vegas, your deodorant will match your cute little Malin + Goetz bath amenities.
Best Natural Deodorant for Sensitive Skin
Wildist Tangellow Natural Deodorant
Since baking soda’s pH-shifting powers can leave sensitive types with itchiness and irritation, those with reactive skin may fare better with an alternative B.O.-blocker. This fresh tangerine-wintergreen-fragranced deodorant opts for hops extract to eliminate body odor, tapioca starch to absorb dampness, and shea butter to hydrate and coddle skin. No chafing, no scratching, no accidental monkey impressions. Oh—did we mention it comes in a beautiful round box that can act as the new Q-tip carrying case in your dopp kit.
Best Travel-Size Natural Deodorant
Tarte Clean Queen Vegan Deodorant
This adorable little mini from cult-favorite Tarte earns glowing reviews from the beauty brand's fans for its smooth application, subtle vanilla scent (some customers have even pleaded with Tarte to make a perfume version), and overall effectiveness, without any bumps, redness, or clumps left behind.
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