Best natural deodorants for men and women that really work
As the temperature rises and our social calendars begin to fill up once again, it’s time to start rethinking our once essential practises that may have been left by the wayside in lockdown. We’re talking underwear, shoes and without a doubt, deodorant.
The freedom of being housebound has encouraged us to go lax with our hygiene practises - but no longer. Summer is here and life is returning to a new sense of normality. Yet, for many, the thought of reintroducing potentially damaging antiperspirants into their skincare routine may not ignite squeals of delight. You tend to apply these sprays or balms in very sensitive areas of the body that play host to a huge concentration of lymph nodes. These areas require greater care rather than ingredients like alcohol, parabens, propylene glycol and biological additives that may cause allergic reactions or swelling.
This is also without even considering the environmental impact. The 600 million aerosols used in the UK each year have a huge effect on air pollution, while non-recyclable packaging puts additional plastic into our landfills and oceans.
So we’re encouraging you to go natural with your post-lockdown hygiene practises with deodorants that are kinder to your body and the planet. Natural deodorants have evolved into effective, gender neutral and skin-boosting products to transform the everyday essential into a luxury item. They also don't block the pores (as opposed to antiperspirants that form a temporary plug on your sweat ducts) and instead encourage good bacteria to keep working, resulting in less odour in the long term even when you're not wearing any deodorant at all. Your body needs to be able to sweat in order to regulate your body temperature and salt levels as well as remove toxins.
It’s important to note that when you first make the switch from aluminium-based antiperspirants, your body goes into a process of overdrive to sweat out the aforementioned ingredient which may lead to an increase of odour. But after this period of detoxing, you will notice that these natural products can be as effective as their chemical counterparts.
We have put natural deodorants to the test throughout the heatwave and high intensity exercise to find you the products that really work.
See our pick of the best.
Wild
Wild has taken its sustainability credentials to the next level with its collection of natural deodorants by cutting down on waste too. It begins with the brand’s reusable case that houses the formulas in refills. It is crafted from anodised aluminium and recycled plastic and comes in an array of colours. The refills are plastic-free and can be delivered to your door without fear of missing the postman - it can be slipped right into your letterbox.
The deodorant is natural, free from aluminium, parabens or an excessively long chemical list where you have no idea what it all means. The dermatologically-approved formulas come in deliciously-scented aromas - fresh cotton & sea salt, rhubarb & raspberry, jasmine & mandarin, coconut & vanilla, orange & neroli, sandalwood & patchouli and mint & eucalyptus among more limited-edition fragrances.
Buy now £12.00, Wild
Fussy Natural Deodorant
Another sustainable deodorant brand worth having on your radar, Fussy is changing up the game with its plastic-free refills. Like Wild, you shop one of the label’s reusable cases that have a minimalistic and chic design in attractive hues of mint green, burnt orange or ocean blue. Next comes the refills that can be delivered as part of a subscription service or ad hoc.
There’s Wide Eye Citrus (mandarin, grapefruit and black pepper), Night Tales Floral (cedar, cinnamon and patchouli), Wavy Days Mint (peppermint, eucalyptus and sage), Forest Haze Woody (scotch pine, silver fit and juniper), Unscented and SunDrunk Tropical (vanilla, ylang ylang and star anise).
The ingredients are all natural and locally sourced where the deodorant is made up of sunflower wax, coconut oil, Shea butter, caprylic, tapioca, sodium bicarbonate, magnesium hydroxide and a probiotic called Lactobacillus. The formulas are made in the UK by a family-run company that also boasts eco-credentials.
Buy now £20.00, Fussy
Drunk Elephant Sweet Pitti
In line with Drunk Elephant’s entire product line, its deodorant - Sweet Pitti - is entirely free from any nasties. Instead the product is made up of natural ingredients like mandelic acid, arrowroot and plant oils like marula, baobab and mongongo seed oil that work to moisturise your skin. The formula is also ideal for soothing post-shaving irritation thanks to the inclusion of nourishing Shea butter.
The unique applicator works by twisting the bottom where the talcum powder-like lid reveals the cream formula. If this results in too much, you can turn the innovative contraption the other way and the product is sucked back in. Apply directly onto armpit or use your fingers like a lotion - the latter is easier and feels more hygienic. The bottle itself is recyclable.
The creamy texture has a noticeable but not overwhelming marzipan or almond-like smell but this doesn’t linger. It melts into the skin on application, drying quickly without leaving stains or marks on your clothes. To suit your active lifestyle, it works by eliminating odour-causing bacteria and absorbing moisture from skin to leave you protected and fresh.
Buy now £13.00, Cult Beauty
Schmidt's Natural Deodorant
Schmidt’s natural deodorants are made up of a mineral-powdered formula that gets to work immediately in cancelling out odours and absorbing perspiration. The brand offers the formula in a roll on format, which may be the preferred option for those who do not want to stick their fingers in a pot. Hold the product directly to your armpit and allow it to warm up. It will then spread evenly, giving you impressive coverage.
The extensive range includes an aromatic Rose and Vanilla, a zesty Bergamot and Lime and essential-oil packed Charcoal and Magnesium as well as a non-fragranced option. Each of the aromas are composed of naturally-derived ingredients without aluminium, propylene glycol or artificial scent.
Buy now £10.00, Amazon
Akt
If you thought that natural products couldn’t be premium, Akt is here to prove otherwise. Housed within the chic, minimalist and apothecary-style packaging, the deodorant resembles a tube of toothpaste in an aluminium casing that would make an aesthetically-pleasing addition to your Instagram-worthy shelfie. This ensures that it is durable, portable and most importantly, recyclable. It also makes it easier than ever to squeeze into your hand luggage.
The texture of the cream is fairly thick but applies onto the skin seamlessly forming a fragrant barrier against odour - and if there was any question over whether it worked or not, it withstood an hour long HIIT session and still smelt citrusy fresh. There are three flavours that resemble a perfume in their makeup; Orange Grove - with a zesty sweet mandarin scent with neroli blossom, juniper berry and petit grain. After Thunder - a more woody resembling the damp forestry smell after a thunderstorm with notes of cedar, eucalyptus, bitter orange and rosemary and The Onsen imploring a hot springs by the mountain scent using a combination of vetiver root, lavandin, citrus and patchouli.
Apply the cream directly using your finger or make the most of the Guasha-inspired technique with the brand’s brass applicator that not only provides a pampering touch to your morning routine but encourages circulation, relieves tension, and helps to energise the body.
Buy now £18.00, Akt
Weleda Deodorant
Cult natural skincare label Weleda may be beloved for its deeply nourishing Skin Food repair cream but their range of plant-based beauty goodies extends far and wide to a whole host of roll-on and spray deodorants. They are formatted to ensure that your body goes through the natural sweating process without blocking your pores but eliminating odours.
The naturally formulated line up includes Citrus, Sage, Wild Rose, Pomegranate and Sea Buckthorn - all of which are formulated with natural ingredients and may just be the most pungent on this list. They are free from synthetic fragrance, artificial preservatives, parabens, or aluminium salts, which makes it ideal for those with sensitive skin. The roll-on bottles have been repacked in recyclable variations that are crafted from 70 per cent post consumer reyclate.
Buy now £7.95, lookfantastic
Aurelia London Botanical Cream Deodorant
This unique product from Aurelia London is nothing like you would have used in the past. While it looks and feels like a cream when you first dip your finger in, it transforms into a powder on application. The superfine texture - composed of botanicals like antimicrobial Arrowroot and Kaolin - get to work absorbing sweat to keep you dry and odourless throughout the day.
The formula is also enriched with nourishing Shea butter that hydrates your under arms as well as the antiseptic and antibacterial tea tree, eucalyptus and peppermint essential oils, the latter of which leaves a long-lasting aroma on the skin. The brand has crafted the deodorant using as minimal ingredients as possible - free from sulphates, parabens and mineral oils. They are also all cruelty free and ethically sourced. It can be used on sensitive skin.
Buy now, lookfantastic
Malin+Goetz Deodorant
Malin+Goetz’ best-selling eucalyptus deodorant has long been a fixture in beauty editors’ bathroom cabinets - and not just for the chic, understated packaging. But the brand has now doubled up on its fragrance options through the launch of a new bergamot iteration that, like its predecessor, is also free from aluminium, alcohol and parabens.
Using cornstarch to absorb excess moisture caused by sweating, the stick formulations glide effortlessly onto your underarms to keep them dry, fresh and most importantly, odour free. Forget white marks or pit stains, this product absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving any residue on your clothing. Unlike aerosols that can dry out your skin, Malin+Goetz’ deodorants are nourishing, cooling and gentle. The fragrances are very subtle but are fresh and will protect against BO even after intense exercise.
Buy now £19.00, Cult Beauty
Aesop Herbal Deodorant
Aesop takes a slightly different approach to its deodorant. While it is plant-based, the brand takes the botanicals and combines them with a scientific approach to give you an effective product that may not fall under a typical categorisation as natural but is alcohol-free and vegan.
Housed in the brand’s signature apothecary style aesthetic, it has a herbaceous fragrance from a combination of sage leaf, zinc ricinoleate, wasabi and essential oils with moisture and odour-absorbing properties.
The rollerball applicator ensures a seamless application where the product glides right on and absorbs quickly to ensure it doesn’t leave a stain when dressing. It is ideal for daily use but double up before the gym or super sweaty exercise.
Buy now £23.00, Cult Beauty
Green People Prebiotic Deodorants
Sensitive skincare experts Green People has long been a go-to for quality natural products and its deodorants are no different. These formulas really work. They are powered by prebiotics and a combination of soothing and nourishing additions like quinoa, aloe vera or our personal favourite, rosemary. There is also a fragrance-free option.
The plant-based products are mostly organic and contain minimal chemicals while are entirely free from pore-clogging aluminium. The deodorants are designed to encourage your body to produce its own healthy natural bacteria, help you regulate your own body temperature while also containing natural odour fighting properties like Zinc ricinoleate that is a powerful antibacterial and absorb unpleasant fragrance like a sponge. For long-lasting protection, these deodorants may be your best bet.
Buy now £11.50, Green People
Verdict
The Wild deodorants combine natural formulas in an array of lovely aromas with a no-waste approach. It’s a complete win-win.
