The 12 Best Natural Deodorants That Actually Work, From Sticks to Sprays
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Considering the switch to a natural deodorant? There’s good reason—and not because the synthetic options are subpar. (We love those ones, too.) But because there are so many natural moisture-absorbing and odor-fighting ingredients to be mined, that the best natural deodorant options offer something for everyone, even those of us who are dependent on aluminum-packed antiperspirant deodorants to counter sweat and stink.
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But don’t just grab the first thing that promises to be “natural”: As you probably know, this term has become buzzier and buzzier over the years, and many brands are touting “naturally sourced ingredients” as opposed to naturals-only recipes. Again, it’s not that the non-naturals are bad, but it boils down to the consumer receiving something that he or she is promised, as opposed to being misled into believing. (After all, think of all the non-natural products out there, from face creams to medicines to sunscreens; there’s no need to point the finger at non-natural deodorants as a bad thing.)
Still, you should know what you’re buying: “When selecting a natural deodorant, I recommend reading the inactive ingredient list on the back,” advises board-certified dermatologist Milton Moore, co-founder of LIV Dermatology & Aesthetics in San Antonio, T.X., as well as Holly Hall Supply Co. skincare. There are several compounds to stay away from if you want a natural-only formula, he adds: The primary things to skip are aluminum, propylene glycol, phthalates, parabens, talc, and triclosan. “Always be aware of greenwashing, a type of false advertising and marketing used to mislead consumers into believing products are ‘all natural’ with words like ‘natural scent’ and ‘aluminum-free’,” he says, echoing our skeptical sentiments.
Read on for our pick for the best natural deodorants, along with insights into the best natural ingredients, from Moore and his LIV Dermatology co-founder, and board-certified dermatologist Tessa Cervantes. And remember, if you’re switching from synthetic to natural, there is a period where the skin needs to adjust to the new product, meaning you might feel like it’s not working at first—especially if switching from an antiperspirant. “The halting of aluminum-containing deodorants could cause an increase in sweat production as well as the release of an unfamiliar body odor,” says Moore. “As each person’s biology is different, the interim phase can last from a few days to three to four weeks [before the natural deodorant really feels effective].” So, stay patient.
The Best Ingredients to Look For in Natural Deodorants
There are two categories of active ingredients in natural deodorants: those that control stink (by fighting off odorous bacteria), and those that prevent moisture accumulation (not just for comfort’s sake, but because moisture also attracts the bacteria).
For controlling moisture: “It’s important to understand that natural deodorants wick excess moisture rather than decrease sweat and moisture altogether—ideally leaving the underarms dry,” says Moore. “Starches such as arrowroot powder, cornstarch, tapioca starch, and kaolin clay are great options that brands use to wick excess moisture. Charcoal is also a great option for absorbing moisture and detoxifying the skin.”
For odor control: Moore stresses the importance of understanding why our bodies produce a natural odor in the first place (and it’s more than just bacterial proliferation).
“There are two types of sweat glands, eccrine and apocrine,” he says. “Eccrine sweat glands occur over most of the body and open directly onto the skin’s surface while apocrine glands open into the hair follicles, leading to the surface of the skin. The latter, apocrine, becomes active during puberty and is associated with the underarm and groin areas of the body. These produce an odorless protein-rich sweat that gets broken down by bacteria which then causes an odor. To mitigate the odor, brands mask it with natural fragrances like an essential oil such as lavender, grapefruit, and tea tree.” Another common inclusion is pre- and probiotic ingredients, which will feed the good bacteria in the skin, and balance the microbiome in their favor while they squash the odorous bacteria.
There’s one controversial ingredient that makes skin inhospitable for the bacteria, too: Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate. Its highly alkaline pH level can lead to irritation. So, while it is technically natural, Moore notes that it’s difficult to find an ingredient that works quite as effectively. So, it might be worth testing out a deodorant with baking soda, just to see if your skin will tolerate it. (Truth be told, most people will be fine, or else these wouldn’t be on the market.) As for alternates to baking soda: “We have found that lauric acid content in unrefined coconut oil can reduce odor-causing bacteria in moist areas such as under the arm, and provides hydration and barrier protection for the skin,” Moore says.
Other Ways to Reduce Sweating
If you’re looking for a more permanent solution to sweat and odor, then Cervantes recommends pairing adjunctive therapy with a natural deodorant. “To decrease the bacteria in the underarm, use a gentle wash that contains hypochlorous acid, which is created by white blood cells that naturally exist in the body,” she says. “Hypochlorous acid is safe and more effective as a disinfectant, often used to treat open wounds around the eyes and mouth. One brand of body wash that accomplishes this is CLn.”
And in severe cases, candidates can even consider destroying sweat glands in targeted areas altogether. “This can be done with Morpheus8 [radiofrequency/microneedling] or Miradry [thermal energy], both of which have a 90 to 92 percent reduction in the glands via delivery of heat to the area,” Cervantes explains. Ask your board-certified dermatologist about these procedures, and which might be right for you.
Not ready to haul out those big guns? Read on for the best natural deodorants we’ve tested and recommend.
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Aesop Deodorant Roll On
This Aesop formula’s milky texture dries down to prevent both moisture and odor, thanks to the vetiver root powder and wasabi it contains.
Buy Now on Aesop:
Baxter of California Cedarwood and Oakmass Deodorant
Did you think they just made shaving gear? Baxter’s delightful clear deodorant stick is one of our go-tos, and the brand recently released it in a calming, woody scent of cedar and oakmoss.
Buy Now on Baxter of California:
Weleda Sage Deodorant Spray
Weleda’s deodorant spray has a loyal and devoted fanbase, thanks to its effective non-aerosol formula and its potent doses of botanicals. In this case, that’s sage, but the Swiss brand also makes versions scented with citrus and wild rose.
Buy Now on Weleda:
Corpus No. Green Deodorant Stick
Corpus’s clean formulas are so delightfully scented, you almost wish they released them as colognes. Until that happens, No. Green (bergamot, cardamom, orange blossom) will have to do as a stick.
Buy Now on Corpus:
Malin + Goetz Eucalyptus Deodorant
The bracing scent of eucalyptus (to say nothing of its anti-odor benefits) takes center stage in this best-selling stick. Its vegan formula goes on clear, so you won’t have to worry about wearing it with your favorite black knit polo.
Buy Now on Malin + Goetz:
Patricks ND1
Patricks squeezed a ton of good stuff into its natural deodorant, including Niodor. This vegan ingredient is derived from plant sources and works as effectively as sticks with aluminum salts. Plus, it smells like a long-lost Serge Lutens draft you wish you could spray on your puls points.
Buy Now on Patricks:
Best Overall: Native Deodorant
We share this top pick along with Dr. Cervantes, who recommend Native to her patients that have any sensitivity issues with aluminum. “Or they simply want to use a deodorant that’s natural and free of chemicals,” she says. And consider all of the deodorizing ingredients in play with this recipe: Baking soda, shea butter, and coconut oil bounce bad bacteria, while a probiotic blend fuels the good bacteria as an added defense in the effort. You can choose froma bunch of scents (or none at all), but this eucalyptus-mint is a tingly, refreshing candidate.
Buy Now on Amazon:
Best Spray: Ursa Major Sublime Sage Spray Deodorant
A spritz of Ursa Major’s soothing sage spray is your dream come true and bacteria’s worst nightmare: It neutralizes bacteria with lemon myrtle, blankets odor with a yeast ferment, and even smells like freshly picked herbs. All together, there are 23 natural ingredients comprising this surprisingly effective spritz. Don’t be fooled by the small vessel either, as it should last you a third of the year.
Buy Now on Amazon:
Best Balm: AKT Deodorant Balm
We previously sang our praises about AKT, the UK-native deodorant balm that is suitable for the entire body. It combines baking soda with zinc oxide and shea butter to reduce bacteria, along with Vitamin E and calendula to soothe and nourish skin. A pea-sized amount will satisfy each pit, and you’ll quickly adjust to the process of massaging deodorant into your underarm (ticklish or not). Choose their Onsen scent in the deep blue vessel—it’s like a dip in a Japanese onsen at Lake Kawaguchiko; lavender, yuzu, and vetiver tether together for a soothing, refreshing zeal.
Buy Now on Amazon:
Best Prebiotic: Caudalíe Vinofresh Natural Stick Deodorant
We’ll call this one natural-ish, for it’s use of naturally prebiotic grape water which will help reduce odorous bacteria and balance the pits’ microbiome, while simultaneously hydrating the skin. There’s a lot of good to be sourced from those French vineyards (not just the wine, that is), all the way down to the eucalyptus-raisin scent that this refreshing roll-on casts.
Buy Now on Nordstrom:
Best Baking-Soda Free: Salt & Stone Natural Deodorant Gel
If you’ve got super sensitive skin, then it’s best to avoid baking soda from the jump. Worry not, because there are plenty of BS-less picks out there, including this exceptional gel deodorant from Salt & Stone. It’s powered by probiotics to help fuel the good bacteria (in the war against bad bacteria), and contains a blend of hyaluronic acid, spirulina, and nourishing oils to keep the skin calm, hydrated, and nourished.
Buy Now on Amazon:
Best for Fastest Results: Schmidt’s Charcoal & Magnesium Natural Deodorant
Just like charcoal is a terrific purifier in face masks, scalp masks, and even toothpastes, it’s equally effective at purifying the pits. It absorbs moisture to keep skin dry, while magnesium neutralizes any odors that might make it past that initial moisture shield. This remains one of Amazon’s top-rated natural deodorants, too, with an impressive 4.5—usually, in the natural deodorant department, there are an overwhelming number of naive negative reviews from people who weren’t patient enough to yield results. So a 4.5, well, that’s about as stellar as it gets, and is evidence of the shortened window that Schmidt’s needs to detox your skin from the synthetic picks.
