Let me start with the bad news: even the best natural deodorant isn’t going to work like Secret or any conventional antiperspirant you may be using now.
That said, the longer I’ve used natural deodorant, the better it works, and I actually seem to sweat less (a lot of you say this is the same for you).
My Top Pick for Best Natural Deodorant
Using Soapwalla has been nothing short of revelation for me. The application (with fingers) took a little getting used to, but this stuff really works.
The good news is that there are a ton of safe, natural deodorants to choose from. They come in sticks, jars, roll-ons, and sprays–and some are even plastic-free. And, yes, many of them actually work!
I now save my conventional, Bad Stuff antiperspirant for the occasional “emergency” situations when I’ll be nervous or hot and cannot afford to sweat at all. I remember when I was on The Dr. Oz Show talking about the dangers of phthalates in food, and all I could smell was the phthalate-laden fragrance of the Degree I was wearing!
The Best Natural Deodorants for Pregnant People
While all of the deodorants below are safe for to use during pregnancy, a few have been specially formulated with this life stage in mind. My top picks are healthybaby and Earth Mama.
What’s Wrong with Conventional Antiperspirant and Deodorant
In general, I’m concerned about deodorant and antiperspirant because of exposure. We tend to apply these products every day and leave them on for long periods of time.
Also, more of the product’s ingredients can penetrate the skin thanks to little nicks left behind from a razor. If you’re a person who shaves your armpits, you should be careful to choose the best natural deodorant.
Here are the common ingredients that I’m most worried about in conventional deodorants or antiperspirants:
- Aluminum is the reason that most people are worried about antiperspirants. Aluminum-based compounds prevent us from sweating by temporarily plugging our sweat glands. They may be linked to an increased risk of breast cancer and neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s, although evidence for both is contradictory.
- Fragrance is the ingredient I’m usually most concerned about in deodorants. (This is the case with many other skincare products, too.) Fragrances generally contain hormone-disrupting phthalates, which you won’t see listed on the label. Even “phthalate-free” deodorants often contain synthetic fragrances, which have unknown phthalate replacements in them, some of which may be just as bad. Always opt for unscented products or those made with only 100% natural fragrances (essential oils).
- Triclosan, the antibacterial agent that forms carcinogenic chloroform when it comes in contact with water that contains trace amounts of chlorine, is found in many deodorants.
- Many deodorants contain parabens (preservatives that mimic estrogen) and artificial colors, which may be neurotoxins.
What’s Wrong with Natural Antiperspirants & Deodorants?
There is a lot of Sneaky Stuff being marketed as natural deodorant and antiperspirant. The most popular sneaky label is “aluminum-free,” because many of these deodorants still have bad stuff in them.
These are the sneaky ingredients that worry me most in natural deodorants:
- Many “aluminum-free” deodorants, such as natural crystal deodorants, contain potassium alum. Potassium alum is natural, but it’s still a type of aluminum and therefore may carry the same risks. I do not recommend these products to women because of possible breast cancer links.
- Even many natural deodorants contain propylene glycol, a softening agent linked to cancer and reproductive damage.
- Concerning fragrances and preservatives are rampant among supposedly natural deodorants.
Best Natural Deodorant for Kids
Play Pits has saved me from having to buy my 12-year-old Old Spice–he’s at an age where everyone is going heavy with deodorants, and these are very scented. Fortunately, what lends them their appealing fragrance is all 100% essential oils.
The Best Natural Deodorant Ingredients
Body odor happens when sweat meets bacteria on the skin. The best natural deodorants combine a variety of ingredients to do one or all of the following:
- Inhibit the growth of bacteria that makes sweat smell bad;
- Absorb some of the moisture from sweat;
- Reduce the amount of sweat by shrinking pores.
Good Stuff products do not act like conventional antiperspirants, which block sweat from leaving the body.
Here are some effective ingredients that you’ll find in the best natural deodorant brands:
- Alcohol (sometimes listed as ethanol) inhibits bacteria. Note that alcohol will increase the penetration of other ingredients in the product, so if you’re using deodorant with alcohol, make sure it’s Good Stuff!
- Aloe soothes and conditions skin.
- Arrowroot powder absorbs moisture.
- Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) helps neutralize odors and absorbs moisture.
- Coconut oil and other vegetable oils and butters (shea, cocoa, mango, etc.) moisturize and soothe irritated skin (hello, shaving). Coconut oil is also anti-microbial.
- Cornstarch absorbs moisture.
- Essential oils are added for natural fragrance and other properties (like antimicrobial tea tree, lichen, and rosemary).
- Hops extract (yes, as in hops from brewing beer) is antimicrobial.
- Kaolin clay (aka white cosmetic clay) absorbs moisture.
- Vegetable glycerin and natural waxes (like beeswax and candelilla wax) bind ingredients together and are most common in stick deodorants.
- Vitamin E (tocopherol) is an antioxidant, so it serves as a preservative.
- Witch hazel and other astringent ingredients help shrink pores to reduce sweating.
- Zinc oxide is anti-microbial. Just be sure that it’s non-nano zinc.
The Best of the Worst
If you really need to NOT sweat, Ban is the best of the Bad Stuff. The unscented variety of antiperspirant contains aluminum and the cyclopentasiloxane, but it’s much better than other Bad Stuff. Just save this for when you really need it, and try not to apply to freshly shaven armpits.
Pro Tips for Success with Natural Deodorant
I’ve learned a lot about using natural deodorants from my own trial-and-error and the experiences of my clients and readers. Here are some tips to help you avoid common pitfalls (pun intended!):
- Time: If you’re making a big switch from conventional antiperspirants to natural deodorant, your body might need time to adjust before the natural stuff can be effective. Some even claim that your pits might have some detoxing to do.
- Staining: A common complaint about natural deodorants made with oils like coconut is that they stain clothes. Avoid this by using only a small amount (read the label) and giving the product a couple of minutes to absorb before you put on your clothes.
- Shaving: Some people also report that natural deodorants sting or cause irritation after shaving. An easy(ish) work-around is to shave at night and apply deodorant in the morning.
- Baking soda: Many of the most popular natural deodorants are baking soda-based. Baking soda can irritate some people’s skin, at least at first. Luckily, there are lots of baking soda-free formulas among the Best Stuff.
- Hormones: If you’ve given birth recently and/or are breastfeeding, you might be sweating more than usual—it’s not just your imagination, and you’re not alone! You might need to apply your deodorant more often. I’m a fan of freshening up a couple of times a day with baby wipes.
Are you overwhelmed with the length of the list of Best Stuff and Good Stuff below? If it’s helpful: my favorite cream is Soapwalla, spray is EO, and stick is the Earth Mama.
