17 best natural deodorants that will *actually* work
Let's face it – even the best natural deodorants seem to have a bad rep, all thanks to the first wave of formulas which arguably deserved it for one simple reality – they didn't exactly work.
Plenty of people tempted by a more natural solution have avoided making the switch thanks to their unfortunate reputation, but thanks to an influx of new, sophisticated formulas and oh-so-chic refillable packaging, eco-deodorants are fast becoming a shelfie must-have as well as a reliable self-care staple.
Unlike traditional anti-perspirants, a natural deo doesn't contain the aluminium salts traditionally used in antiperspirants to plug sweat glands and reduce sweating. Instead, many alternatives use magnesium instead, as well as coconut oil, eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, peppermint oil… You get the picture.
That said, aside from the fact that sweating is a natural bodily function that's necessary to help us flush out toxins, aluminium has been accused of being linked to diseases such as breast cancer and Alzheimer's Disease. It's important to note that scientists and dermatologists say there's very little evidence to support this, however, more people are swaying towards formulas that avoid aluminium altogether. I mean, if you can make do without it, then why not?
There's one thing to clear up, though. Without the use of aluminium, natural deodorants won't make us sweat less. Instead they work by neutralising the smell. "Natural deodorant will allow you to sweat, but it will prevent you from smelling," says Matt Kennedy, co-founder of Fussy, the world's first refillable, probiotic deodorant. "Sweat itself doesn't smell, it's the bacteria that grows on perspiration that creates a bad odour."
Fussy's range of chic, refillable pebble-shaped clean deodorants calls upon a pH balanced blend of antimicrobial and antibacterial ingredients, an all-natural odour-eating probiotic and deliciously scented essential oils to keep you smelling fresh for 24 hours. "We worked with a fragrance house to get a range of really refined, sophisticated scents that you would usually expect from a perfume," says co-founder Eddie Fisher. "We tested Fussy on over 200 armpits and can safely say, it works."
Best natural deodorants at a glance:
- Best eco-friendly natural deodorant: Fussy Starter Kit, £13, Fussy
- Best daily natural deodorant: Megababe Rosy Pits Daily Deodorant, £8, Cult Beauty
- Best water-based natural deodorant: CORPUS Santalum Natural Deodorant, £26, Selfridges
- Best natural deodorant for sensitive skin: La Roche-Posay Sensitive Skin Roll On Deodorant, WAS £8 NOW £6.40, La Roche-Posay
Not only that, but many eco deodorants are doing their bit to help reduce plastic pollution within the beauty and personal care sector and helping consumers inch closer to zero waste. “We first noticed the huge amounts of single-use plastic in our bathroom cabinets and thought there had to be a better way," says Matt. "We created plastic-free compostable refills made from waste sugar cane. When you've finished it, you can literally throw it into your garden and it will decompose entirely in four months."
Do natural deodorants work?
GLAMOUR Deputy Beauty Editor Elle Turner puts them to the test... I've been going au natural for the past few weeks and I have to say – it's been fine! Granted I've been pretty stationary compared to the mad dash into work that normally works up a sweat. The main difference is, my armpits feel slightly more slippery. But since I'm mostly sitting at my laptop or strolling to the fridge, it meets my needs, without the chemicals I usually swipe on.
As for which natural deodorant is best for you, from Aurelia’s sell-out creamy solution, to Aesop’s cutting-edge oily formula, there’s no shortage of clean, effective deodorants to provide you with long-lasting freshness. To save you sweating the small stuff, we've gone ahead and done the dirty work and rounded the best.
For more beauty content from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Twitter @deniseprimbet and Instagram @deniseprimbet.
Here are the best natural deodorants, each of which has gotten the GLAMOUR seal of approval...
Best glide-on natural deodorant
Wild Natural Deodorant,£12, We Are Wild
Why we love it: Not only are you able to choose from a variety of scents – Mint Fresh, Orange Zest, Rose Blush, Bergamot Rituals and Coconut Dreams – you can also customise your reusable aluminium case, which you can pick up in aqua, coral or silver. The formula glides on and smells yum.
Best long-lasting natural deodorant
Nuxe Bio Organic Waterless 24H Fresh-feel Balm Deodorant, £8, Nuxe
Why we love it: By reducing the use of water, this solid deodorant offers a high concentration of organic and natural-origin ingredients, including an absorbent botanical powder and organic botanical oil, that are able to provide 24-hour feeling of freshness, without ever leaving white marks on your clothes.
Best eco-friendly natural deodorant
Fussy Refillable Natural Deodorant, £13, Fussy
Why we love it: The first deodorant in the world to contain an odour-eating probiotic while being entirely refillable, Fussy's formulas have been scientifically proven to prevent bad smells for 24 hours. Plus, the range of scents are so sophisticated, you'll wish you could wear them all over.
Best natural deodorant cream
Aurelia Botanical Cream Deodorant, £18, Aurelia Skincare
Why we love it: Aurelia’s cream-to-powder formula genuinely does the trick. The calming blend of lavender and bergamot smells gorgeous and its lightweight, hydrating formula absorbs your bodies natural perspiration, rather than blocking it. It's an award-winner for a reason.
Best scented natural deodorant
Salt of the Earth Lavender Vanilla Spray Deodorant, £5.99, Holland & Barrett
Why we love it: If your main concern with natural deodorant is a sticky formula, then Salt of the Earth is the brand for you. Its refreshing, super lightweight deodorising spray is easily absorbed and smells heavenly, though it doesn’t last for hours. They also offer a refill service which uses 60% less plastic than buying each bottle individually. Saving your pits and the planet - win, win.
Best natural deodorant for sensitive skin
La Roche-Posay Sensitive Skin Roll On Deodorant, WAS £8 NOW £6.40, La Roche-Posay
Why we love it: This is a game-changer for the most sensitive of skin types. This natural deodorant stick sits invisible on the skin whilst absorbing the underarm’s natural wetness, and the soft consistency leaves your pits gorgeously soft. We’re sold.
Best lightweight natural deodorant
Weleda Sage Deodrant, £9.95, LookFantastic
Why we love it: Weleda’s liquid deodorant is a little messy on application but it dries quickly and sits invisible on the skin. While we wouldn’t recommend using it on a hectic day when you’re rushing around or doing high-intensity exercise, it provides a lovely, lightweight formula for a lazy summer's day.
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Best natural deodorant spray
Aesop Deodorant, £23, FeelUnique
Why we love it: Aesop has fast become one of the most desirable skincare brands due to their award-winning formulas and delicious Insta-worthy packaging so we had high hopes for their deodorant and boy, did it deliver. The spray nozzle allows for easy application and the eleven essential oils conceal underarm odour with a zingy citrus smell. The 50ml bottle is perfect to chuck in your bag when travelling or on the go.
Enjoy up to 40% off when you shop for the best natural deodorant using these FeelUnique discount codes.
Best vegan natural deodorant
Schmidt’s Rose + Vanilla Deodorant Stick, £6.99, ASOS
Why we love it: We gave Schmidt’s 100% natural, vegan formula a trial run on a scorching hot day in the Mediterranean and have never looked back. Its gorgeous rose and vanilla blend effectively masks underarm odour and leaves the skin feeling super soft and conditioned.
Best fragrance-free natural deodorant
Kosas Chemistry Deodorant, £15, Cult Beauty
Why we love it: This unscented and fragrance-free deodorant balm contains antimicrobial shikimic acid to fend against unwanted scents, as well as pure aloe vera juice and hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate and soothe your skin. The formula is also lightweight and vegan, and doesn't contain ingredients such as aluminium or baking soda.
Save more when you shop for the best natural deodorants with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Best natural deodorant gel
Necessaire The Deodorant Gel - Eucalyptus, £18, Space NK
Why we love it: This natural deodorant gel is fortified with 5% AHA, niacinamide, panthenol and chamomile flower extract. It's gentle enough to use even on sensitive skin, quick to dry, and fragranced with a clean, eucalyptus scent. What's not to love?
Save more when you shop for the best natural deodorants with these Space NK discount codes.
Best water-based natural deodorant
CORPUS Santalum Natural Deodorant, £26, Selfridges
Why we love it: This sandalwood and cedarwood-scented natural deodorant has a water-based, long-lasting formula that contains naturally derived enzymes and plant extracts to eliminate body odour. It's also made without baking soda, making it incredibly gentle on your underarms.
Best non-greasy natural deodorant
Native Deodorant Coconut & Vanilla, WAS £21.99 NOW £21.15, Amazon
Why we love it: With natural ingredients like coconut oil and shea butter in lieu of those such as aluminium, phthalates, or talc, this deodorant applies like a dream – a smooth, non-greasy application with no leftover residue. And it works like a charm with effective odour protection all day long too.
Best natural deodorant with eucalyptus
MALIN + GOETZ Eucalyptus Deodorant, £12, Cult Beauty
Why we love it: The MALIN + GOETZ Eucalyptus Deodorant is perfect for those looking for a natural alternative to aluminium-based deodorants. Its cruelty-free and vegan formula features eucalyptus oil for all-day protection. It also has a transparent gel texture, which glides on easily, quickly absorbs and leaves no stains.
Save more when you shop for the best natural deodorants with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Best plant-based natural deodorant
Briogeo B. Well Tea Tree + Eucalyptus Clean Natural Deodorant, £13.50, Cult Beauty
Why we love it: This plant-based deodorant doesn’t compromise on freshness. It features tea tree oil, which helps to fight bacteria and soothe sensitive skin, while antibacterial eucalyptus neutralises odours. Did we mention that it also contains an infusion of coconut water to hydrate and soothe underarm sensitivity?
Save more when you shop for the best natural deodorants with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Best daily natural deodorant
Megababe Rosy Pits Daily Deodorant, £8, Cult Beauty
Why we love it: Powered by natural enzymes and extracts to break down odour and absorb wetness, this natural deodorant can help you smell fresh throughout the day without clogging your pores. The best part is that it's soda-free and contains coconut and vitamin E, both of which moisturise and alleviate razer burn and irritation.
Save more when you shop for the best natural deodorants with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Best natural deodorant with coconut
Kopari Beauty Natural Aluminum Free Coconut Deodorant, £14, Cult Beauty
Why we love it: Free from any additives like parabens or sulphates, this natural deodorant instead relies on coconuts to shield against aggressors and preserve the health of skin cells. It's 100% plant-based, providing odor protection while also warding off odor-causing bacteria in the first place.
Save more when you shop for the best natural deodorants with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
