The Best Natural Deodorant: Your Ultimate Guide
Table of Contents
Introduction
Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt self-conscious about having an underarm odor while wearing a tank top or sundress. That’s most of us! Body odor is a natural human funk that many try to mask with deodorants and antiperspirants.
This has fueled a major shift toward best natural deodorant from plant-based, mineral-rich, and non-toxic formulas. But with so many natural deodorant options hitting store shelves, how do you pick the best one for your needs?
This thorough manual will cover everything you need to know about switching to best natural deodorant. We’ll also provide tips for making the transition smooth so you can say goodbye to conventionally-formulated deodorants for good!
Whether you have sensitive skin, prefer a baking soda-free option, like vegan products, or want an unscented variety, we’ve got you covered. Let’s start by diving into what makes best natural deodorant different and why they’re becoming popular.
What Makes a Best Natural Deodorant “Natural”?
When browsing the natural beauty aisle, you’ll see the term “natural deodorant” used often. But what exactly makes a deodorant realistic? Here’s a breakdown:
Natural deodorants are made primarily from plant, mineral, and other natural ingredients, rather than the synthetic chemicals in conventional antiperspirants and deodorants. Some key characteristics of natural deodorant formulas:
- Avoid controversial ingredients like:
- Aluminum compounds – used to block sweat in antiperspirants
- Parabens – preservatives that may disrupt hormones
- Phthalates – plastics ingredients linked to health issues
- Artificial fragrances
- Rely on natural odor-fighting ingredients like:
- Baking soda – absorbs and neutralizes odor
- Arrowroot powder – absorbs moisture
- Coconut oil – soothes and softens underarms
- Shea butter – moisturizes
- Beeswax – gives solid texture
- Essential oils – antimicrobial properties
- Minimize unwanted ingredients overall
Some common natural ingredients found in natural deodorants:
| Ingredient | Purpose |
| Baking soda | Reduces odor |
| Arrowroot powder | Absorbs moisture |
| Coconut oil | Soothes skin |
| Magnesium | Prevents bacterial growth |
| Beeswax | Provides texture |
| Shea butter | Softens skin |
| Essential oils | Fight odor-causing bacteria |
The main benefit of choosing a natural deodorant is avoiding prolonged exposure to potentially harmful chemicals found in conventional formulas. Natural deodorants provide a safer, cleaner alternative.
Now that we’ve covered the key ingredients and benefits of natural deodorants let’s discuss what you should consider when picking the best one for your needs.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Best Natural Deodorant
You want to switch to natural deodorant, but with the sheer number of options on the market, how do you decide? Here are the key factors to consider when choosing the best natural deodorant for your needs:
Effectiveness
The priority is finding a natural deodorant that keeps odor at bay. After all, no one wants to smell their pits!
- Look at reviews – See what existing customers say about how well the deodorant controls sweat and odor and for how long.
- Consider personalized testing – Our body chemistry is unique. Test 1-2 deodorants for your sweat and odor profile to see how well they work.
Skin type
Best Natural deodorant ingredients can help address skin needs:
- Sensitive skin – Avoid formulas with baking soda or aluminum compounds, which can irritate. Go for soothing options with oatmeal, aloe vera, or coconut oil.
- Oily skin – Seek deodorants with more drying ingredients like arrowroot powder or kaolin clay to absorb excess oil.
- Dry skin – Look for moisturizing shea or cocoa butter. Steer clear of high amounts of baking soda.
Scent
Do you want a deodorant with natural essential oils or no fragrance?
- Fragrance preferences – Choose from options like citrus, floral, herbal scents, or unscented.
- Natural vs synthetic – Some “natural” deodorants use artificial fragrances. Read labels to be sure.
Texture
Best Natural deodorant textures include stick, cream, powder, or wipe:
- Stick – Easiest to apply. It can leave waxy residue on clothing.
- Cream – More moisturizing but needs time to absorb into the skin.
- Powder – Requires hand application but leaves no residue. It may need touch-ups.
- Wipes – Portable but not sustainable. Works on top of skin.
Take your lifestyle and preferences into account. There’s no one perfect texture for all!
Making an informed natural deodorant choice means considering all these factors. Next, let’s look at reviews of some top-rated all-natural options.
Reviews of the Best Natural Deodorant
With so many natural deodorants on the market, figuring out which ones actually work can be tricky. To help you find your perfect natural match, we tested and reviewed the top best natural deodorant options based on effectiveness, ingredients, scent options, and more.
Here are our picks for the best natural deodorant across different categories:
Best Natural Deodorant Overall: Schmidt’s
Key Features:
- 24-hour odor protection
- Affordable
- Variety of scents
Ingredients: Baking soda, arrowroot, shea butter, coconut oil, essential oils
Scents: Charcoal & Magnesium, Rose & Vanilla, Bergamot & Lime, Ylang-Ylang & Calendula
Review: With its vegan, aluminum-free formula packed with odor-fighting ingredients, Schmidt’s consistently rises as an effective best natural deodorant that checks all the boxes. The baking soda and arrowroot absorb wetness and neutralize odor, while the shea butter and coconut oil prevent irritation. We found the scents pleasant but not overpowering—Schmidt’s glides on smooth, offering all-day protection even through workouts. One downside is it can leave white residue on black clothing. But overall, it is an excellent choice at an affordable price point.
Best Natural Deodorant for Sensitive Skin: Native
Key Features:
- Soothing, aluminum/baking soda-free formula
- Plastic-free packaging
- Mild scents
Ingredients: Tapioca starch, coconut oil, shea butter, vitamin E
Scents: Coconut & Vanilla, Cucumber & Mint, Lavender & Rose, Unscented
Review: For those sensitive to baking soda, Native offers an ultra-gentle formula free of baking soda, aluminum, parabens, phthalates, and artificial fragrances. Ingredients like tapioca starch, coconut oil, and shea butter absorb moisture and fight odor without irritation. We loved the faint, pleasant scents like Coconut & Vanilla. Native glides on smooth without any stickiness. While it requires reapplication after heavy sweating, this mild deodorant is a great option for sensitive skin types. The plastic-free packaging is a bonus!
Best Baking Soda Free: Meow Meow Tweet
Key Features:
- Baking soda-free
- Ideal for sensitive skin
- Range of scents
Ingredients: Arrowroot, kaolin clay, cocoa butter, sunflower oil, candelilla wax, essential oils
Scents: Grapefruit, Rose Geranium, Peppermint, Unscented
Review: For those who still want odor protection without baking soda, Meow Meow Tweet is the perfect pick. The combination of arrowroot, clay, and essential oils absorbs moisture while neutralizing odor-causing bacteria. The creamy cocoa and sunflower butter smooth over the skin without irritation. We loved the light, fresh scents in options like Grapefruit and Peppermint. Meow Meow Tweet may require occasional touch-ups as a baking soda-free formula, but its gentle ingredients make it ideal for sensitive underarms.
Best for Active Lifestyles: Primal Pit Paste
Key Features:
- All-day odor protection
- Effective even during workouts
- Gender-neutral scents
Ingredients: Arrowroot powder, shea butter, coconut oil, candelilla wax, essential oils
Scents: Charcoal, Lavender Sage, Cedar Citrus, Unscented
Review: For eco-conscious athletes or outdoor adventurers, Primal Pit Paste offers long-lasting protection even during sweaty workouts and activities. The mix of arrowroot powder, shea butter, and charcoal absorbs moisture and neutralizes odor without aluminum or baking soda. We loved the outdoorsy scents with options like Cedar Citrus. The texture is somewhat runny, so the application has a learning curve, and you need to wait for it to dry. However, once applied, the odor protection lasts through high activity levels—an excellent natural choice for those with active lifestyles.
Best Natural Fragrance: Corpus Naturals
Key Features:
- Dermatologist-tested
- Mix of natural and conventional ingredients
- Sophisticated scents
Ingredients: Aluminum sesquichlorohydrate, propylene glycol, aloe barbadensis leaf juice
Scents: Palo Santo, Sugared Lemon, Chamomile Clementine, Unscented
Review: Corpus Naturals offers a solid middle-ground if you like conventional deodorant scents but want a cleaner formula. It blends natural ingredients like aloe with limited traditional ingredients like aluminum sesquichloro hydrate for odor and wetness control. We loved the sophisticated essential oil scents like earthy Palo Santo. The corpus goes on smoothly with no sticky residue. As a tradeoff, it has fewer scent options compared to conventional brands.
No two underarms are alike! These reviews help you find your perfect natural deodorant match based on your odor-fighting needs, scent preferences, and skin sensitivities.
Making the Switch to Best Natural Deodorant
I decided to switch from conventional to natural deodorant, but I’m unsure where to start. Transitioning to a natural formula comes with some adjustments. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making the switch smoothly:
Phase it in slowly
Don’t go cold turkey if you currently use antiperspirant daily.
- For the first 1-2 weeks, apply best natural deodorant only 1-2 times per week.
- Gradually increase frequency over the next 2-4 weeks until using it daily.
Expect a detox period
It takes time for your body to adjust and purge the aluminum and chemicals built up from conventional deodorants. For the first 2-4 weeks, you may sweat or smell more as your underarms detox. This is temporary and means it’s working!
Learn proper application
Best Natural deodorant textures require a technique:
- Sticks – Swipe on thinly like a glue stick to avoid clumping.
- Creams – Dot on and use fingers to spread evenly into a thin layer.
- Powders – Use the included brush or fingers to pat on. It may require layering.
- Wipes – Smooth the underarm area until no wetness remains.
Troubleshooting tips
Some transition issues can come up:
- Rashes/bumps – Scale back use if irritation occurs. Ensure proper application.
- Odor – Reapply midday if needed until the body adjusts. Try a different natural formula if issues persist.
- Residue – Reduce amount applied. Switch to a wipe or powder format. Wash residues off clothing gently.
Stick with it! Finding your perfect natural deodorant match may take some trial and error. But with the right product and routine, you’ll be odor-free.
The Bottom Line
Switching from conventional antiperspirants and deodorants to natural options comes with some adjustments, but it can be a game-changer for eliminating harsh chemicals from your daily routine.
The key is finding a formula that fits your odor-fighting needs, skin type, scent preferences, and lifestyle. It’s worth trying different best natural deodorant to land on “the one” that works best for your underarms.
While no best natural deodorant is 100% perfect, the options available today are better than ever. With some patience during the transition, you’ll be well on your way to natural underarm hygiene and odor prevention. Just remember—it takes a few weeks for your body to adjust and detoxify. Stick with it, and soon you’ll be deodorized the natural way!