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There’s no shortage of aesthetically packaged and divinely scented natural deodorants in the aisles of practically any grocery store, pharmacy, even Anthropologie (yes, really). Yet along with seemingly limitless options comes an inevitable and harsh reality: it doesn’t matter how promising *you thought* that pricy natural deodorant would be when you bought it. Especially if you catch whiffs of your B.O. in Warrior 1.
So which, if any, natural deodorants are worth your expectations and money?
What Makes a Deodorant “Natural”?
Many deodorants contain synthetic chemicals, including antiperspirant agents such as aluminum, to prevent sweating. They also include fragrance to mask odor. In contrast, natural deodorants rely on natural chemicals not to prevent sweating but simply to neutralize the bacteria in sweat that causes odor.
Beginning in the 1980s, there was increased concern that aluminum and other synthetic ingredients found in antiperspirants, including parabens, might cause breast cancer or Alzheimer’s. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institutes of Health do not currently believe there is a connection. Also, some people find that these products cause skin irritations and prefer natural deodorants as a gentler option.
Importantly, the word “natural” isn’t regulated by the FDA when it comes to deodorants. This means that there’s no standard for what can and cannot be marketed as such. To ensure your natural deodorant best suits your needs, be sure to read the label for ingredients that are potential irritants, allergens, or unwanted chemicals.
5 Best Natural Deodorants That Are Worth the Money
I’ve spent the last year of my life testing natural deodorants and asking dozens of people about their favorites. They did not hold back their honest opinions. Common responses include, “I’ve never heard of any working,” and “I had a friend who tried natural deodorants. Some days she smelled,” and “They’re horrific. I hate them.”
Can’t we all relate to the disappointment?
On the other hand, some of those we asked have found natural deodorants they love based on a variety of factors—scent, texture, ease of application, whether or not they stained clothes, price point, and more.
It was relatively rare that a single brand checked ALL the boxes for any of us. Each has pros and cons that you can only discern for yourself.
The trick is to manage your expectations. A natural deodorant won’t compare to an antiperspirant—they function in entirely different ways. But if you’re looking for a product with ingredients you can pronounce, or you’ve already tried so many disappointing natural deodorants you’re about to give up on your search, you may still find one that suits your needs.
Pro tip: If you’re switching from an antiperspirant, some experts recommend you wait two to four weeks before assessing how well your natural deodorant works. That’s the time it supposedly takes for your body to sweat out the aluminum that might cause the natural deodorant not to work as well.
Salt & Stone Neroli & Basil for $20
1. Most Alluring Scents: Salt & Stone
Chic isn’t typically a word associated with deodorants—but our testers would say it does describe Salt & Stone. The packaging is a minimalist design and the scents are 10 out of 10. Reviewers loved the Santal & Vetiver, which they described as “lovely” and “not perfumey or overpowering.”
Made with seaweed extracts and natural botanicals, Salt & Stone comes in stick and gel. One reviewer appreciated that it felt hydrating on the skin.
After seven or eight hours of wearing the Neroli & Basil, I was impressed by its staying power. The scent had faded but I still smelled fresh. A few hours later, I noticed I smelled like a delicate mix of my own sweat and Neroli & Basil, which I found a little disappointing. I’d definitely wear this one around the house or to yin or restorative yoga—just maybe not vinyasa or hot yoga, where I’d need heavier duty protection.
What We Didn’t Like: A couple reviewers found that the stick formula got slightly white and chalky when they put it on, although one admittedly may have put on too much and the other noted the formula dissolved and lost its color after a few minutes.
Lume Unscented for $15
2. Largest Cult-Following: Lume
Founded by an OBGYN, Lume was created to prevent unwanted odor caused by bacterial reactions on the skin “EVERYWHERE on the body,” according to their marketing. Since then, the whole-body deodorant has gained somewhat of a cult following.
One reviewer notably mentioned that unscented Lume, which comes in a stick and spray, kept her from smelling “for at least a couple days,” even while driving an un-air-conditioned Jeep and practicing yoga in summer. “It has a faint odor for the first 10 minutes or so after applying, but then it completely dissipates,” she noted. Another tester called Lume’s Spray Deodorant her “holy grail,” saying, “It’s the only brand that limits my sweating. And if I do sweat, there’s little to no odor.”
I gave Lume a harsher trial run than other brands. I applied it on a rushed morning when I skipped a much-needed shower. That said, it held up pretty well for the first few hours before I noticed the scent of my sweat coming through.
What We Didn’t Like: Over-applying can lead to a greasy feeling, according to one reviewer. Another said she smelled a little better than she would’ve with no deodorant, but it wasn’t as strong a product as she’d hoped.
Schmidt’s Lavender Two-Count for $20
3. Closest to Non-Natural Deo: Schmidt’s
The name Schmidt’s may not be as recognizable as Lume, but according to their website, they are the “first and only natural deodorant in the U.S. to be Certified Natural by leading global certifier Ecocert.” Schmidt’s offers sticks and sprays; our reviewers preferred the latter.
One tester noted Schmidt’s Lavender and Sage scent kept her armpits odor-free for a full two days before she felt like she needed to re-apply or shower. Another raved about the luxurious-smelling options, including Bergamot and Lime, Charcoal and Magnesium, and Fresh Fir and Spice. “It works all day,” she said, “even in hot yoga.”
Schmidt’s Lavender and Sage is the closest I’ve gotten to non-natural deodorant dependability. And by *close,* I mean, if I applied it in the morning, I’d still feel the need to reapply before going out in the evening.
What We Didn’t Like: It stains clothes unless you put it on in advance of getting dressed, noted one reviewer. Another mentioned she doesn’t feel comfortable wearing Schmidt’s in super hot weather, saying “I don’t mess with that when I’m in the South, especially if I have layers on and it’s humid.”
Saltair Pink Beach for $13
4. Saltair
Saltair’s 5% AHA Deodorant’s “multi-acid” blend is supposed to balance underarm pH to reduce odor. The brand offers scents that can and will make you want to book your next vacation. Think Salt Water Vanilla, Golden Hour, and Exotic Pulp. I recommend trying Pink Beach if you like the idea of smelling like cupcakes and frosting as much as I do.
“I’ve used several other natural deodorants in the past, but this is my favorite because of the rollerball application,” said one reviewer. “It is easy to apply and dries quickly.” It’s also worth mentioning the price point of Saltair deodorant, which is comparable to a non-natural deodorant (meaning it doesn’t induce the sticker shock that a lot of its competitors do).
After practicing for an hour on a Pilates reformer, I couldn’t smell Pink Beach but was pleasantly surprised that I couldn’t immediately smell my sweat, either, even while I changed out of my sweaty clothes. Upon further examination, I detected the faintest smell of diluted sweat—but I literally had to put my nose as close to my own armpit as possible to do so. (You can imagine how normal this made me look in the women’s locker room.)
In short, I’m impressed. Saltair has earned my trust enough to keep me (mostly) neutral-smelling during and after future workouts.
What We Didn’t Like: The label recommends allotting 30 to 60 seconds of drying time after applying Saltair 5% AHA—one tester noted it took closer two to three minutes before she was certain it wouldn’t soak through her t-shirt. Another mentioned she could smell her sweat (the *tiniest* bit) after wearing it during a workout.
Native Sweet Peach for $13
5. Most Exciting Scents: Native
We need a moment of silence for Native’s scent options. Sweet Peach and Nectar. Cashmere and Rain. The Jarritos soda collab. Not to mention their limited edition Girl Scout Cookie scents. I mean, come on, they have Dunkin Donuts scented products. Who wouldn’t want their armpits smelling like a Strawberry Frosted Donut?
One reviewer said it left her with the freshest armpits for the longest amount of time compared to other natural deodorants. Another *kinda* liked it, but not enough to give up on non-natural deodorant.
My love for Native natural deodorant is very much conditional. It’s perfectly effective when I wear it around the house while working from home. But it’s not something I would trust to get me through a sweaty yoga class or a hot summer day, at least without reapplying.
What We Didn’t Like: For several testers, it wasn’t long before Native’s scent faded and they could smell themselves.
Honorable Mention
Tom’s Lavender for $8 ($10)
6. Tom’s of Maine
As the green-colored packaging alludes to, Tom’s of Maine maintains an eco-friendly mission by using recycled materials for packaging and naturally sourced ingredients for their toothpastes, bar soaps, and of course, natural deodorants.
“Lavender is my go-to,” said one reviewer. “I like that it has a soft scent and it really does last all day.” However, sentiments were mixed. One reviewer mentioned that although Tom’s works for her teenage daughter, she finds it ineffective for herself. Similarly, Amazon reviews reveal opinions on either side of the spectrum. Though Tom’s Unscented is very highly rated overall, many people say their body odor returned shortly after applying it. Proponents of it often mention that it doesn’t irritate their skin; depending on your priorities, you might consider Tom’s.
I’d have to agree with the people who said they still, well, stunk after using Tom’s. When I gave up on using the Cucumber Aloe on my armpits, however, I did find it helped prevent thigh chafing.
What We Didn’t Like: Although one reviewer appreciated its staying power, most found that Tom’s simply doesn’t last nearly as long as they needed it to.
Squatch Wood Barrel Bourbon for $18
7. Squatch
Marketed toward men, this brand explains its mission is to “educate men to be happier and healthier,” according to Squatch’s website. So they make deodorants, body washes, and bar soaps only with ingredients “Mother Nature has to offer.”
Squatch’s deodorants come in unique scents such as Grapefruit IPA and Birchwood Breeze. But the products aren’t limited to men by any means. Our tester admittedly stole hers from her partner. “Its warm, semi-masculine scent pairs well with my favorite perfumes, application is easy, and it lasts all day,” she said.
What Customers Didn’t Like: Several Amazon reviewers noted that Squatch tends to leave white marks on clothing. One suggested matching the color of the Squatch stick to the color of your clothes (i.e., using white-colored sticks on lighter-colored clothes, and the black-colored sticks on darker clothes).
