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Are you looking for the best eco-friendly deodorants that are kind to the planet and your skin, yet still smell great?
You're in luck, because I've tested the 11 best options on the market today.
Many well-known deodorants contain ingredients that harm the planet and can even harm human health. Yet millions of Americans every day still willingly spray and roll these chemical-ladened products to their underarms.
Polypropylene (the hard plastic used for deodorant containers) is one of the biggest components of plastic waste...with a tiny 3% recycling rate.
It’s time to ditch single-use deodorant containers and choose a more sustainable and natural deodorant.
One that contains no toxic ingredients and comes in plastic-free, zero-waste packaging.
There are three main types of natural deodorant, and I've tested them all.
Let's start with my top pick - the eco-friendly deodorant I use myself...
✔ Palm Oil Free
✔ Recycled Plastic Packaging
✔ Vegan & Cruelty-Free
Ingredients: Tapioca Starch, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Sodium Bicarbonate, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Magnesium Hydroxide, Activated Charcoal, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint ) Leaf/Stem Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Salvia Sclarea (Clary Sage) Oil, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus (Lemongrass) Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Flower/Leaf Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Leaf Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil.
They Say: Formulated with the same absorbent and body odor-controlling superpowers, our stick is like the fraternal twin of our Natural Deodorant Cream and comes with 35% more product per unit. All you need is one to two swipes for long-lasting odor protection.
We Say: I’ve been aware of PiperWai since 2016 when they appeared on Shark Tank and accepted an offer from Barbara Corcoran.
After over a year of further negotiations, the deal eventually fell through, and Barbara walked away, but that hasn’t stopped PiperWai from going from strength to strength.
This natural deodorant stick is now my go-to most mornings.
The smell of this deodorant is just right for me. Strong enough to last many hours without being overpowering.
The activated charcoal works hard to keep both sweat and odor at bay for most of the day. A second application in the afternoon is sometimes required on warm days. This is the same for me with all deodorants, though.
Not a fan of scents? Sensitive skin? Need a genuinely neutral product? PiperWai has your back with their Scentless Natural Deodorant Stick.
There is free ground shipping available on all domestic orders over $38.
You can also set up a recurring order and save 15%. Eco-friendly, convenient, AND cost-effective. Love it!
Ingredients: *+cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, *maranta esculenta (arrowroot) powder, magnesium hydroxide, *+theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter, *+butyrospermum parkii (shea) fruit butter, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed wax, sodium bicarbonate, *lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil, citrus aurantium bergamia (bergamot FCF) peel oil, *mentha piperita (peppermint) oil *certified organic +fair trade
They Say: No more fingers in your armpits! Our compostable stick deodorant is a synergy of potent plant and mineral powders with sweet smelling and mighty essential oils that will keep you smelling oh-so fresh! Not only does it work, but the packaging is biodegradable—it will compost in a year! The scent is sweet floral and zesty citrus and the texture is a powder-ey balm.
We Say: This natural solid stick deodorant is one of Mrs. M’s favorites.
She loves the smell of lavender, and this deodorant packs a punch in the lavender smells stakes.
Personally, I feel the smell can get a bit overpowering if you’re heavy-handed with the application.
Mrs. M totally disagrees, though, and says the level of smell is perfect.
There is a Eucalyptus Lemon option that is much more suited to my ‘taste’.
This aluminum-free deodorant uses baking soda, magnesium, and arrowroot to absorb excess moisture and keep you fresh and comfortable all day.
All Meow Meow Tweet products are 100% cruelty-free, vegan, and palm oil free.
This is a seriously powerful sustainable deodorant...all wrapped in a zero-waste tube.
Ingredients: Caprylic/capric triglyceride, tapioca starch, brassica alcohol, magnesium hydroxide, Prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, Euphorbia cerifera (candelilla wax) cera, hydrated silica, bambusa arundinacea stem extract, jojoba esters, zinc oxide, tapioca starch polymethylsilsesquioxane.
They Say: Stay fresh and confident all day long, without baking soda or aluminium. Instead, our wonder ingredients keep sweat and smells away: magnesium hydroxide, zinc oxide and bamboo (which absorbs 200% its own weight in sweat and oil). Unscented for super sensitive skin and made with jojoba and sweet almond oil for a gentle application and to keep your underarms silky smooth.
We Say: Ethique is becoming one of our favorites here at TheRoundup.org.
Steph loves their chemical free shampoo and conditioner, and I’m a massive fan of their plastic free deodorant.
The version I tested was called ‘Minimalist’.
With a name like that, I was expecting a short list of ingredients and sustainable packaging, and I wasn’t disappointed. The eco-credentials of this deodorant (and the Ethique brand in general) are beyond reproach.
Ethique is a Certified B Corporation based in New Zealand. It donates 2% of yearly revenue or 20% of profit (whichever is higher) to many eco-friendly and sustainability charities.
I’m always a little skeptical of fragrance-free deodorants and their ability to keep the pong away all day.
No such concerns with ‘Minimalist’ from Ethique.
My pits gave off an incredibly subtle clean smell. Hard to describe, but think of freshly laundered sheets that have been drying in the fresh air for hours.
✔ Natural Organic Ingredients
✔ 100% Plastic-Free
✔ Non-Toxic Formula
Ingredients: Coconut Oil*, Shea Butter*, Arrowroot Powder, Wildcrafted Candelilla Wax, Magnesium Hydroxide, Non-Nano Zinc Oxide, Jojoba Oil*, Eucalyptus Essential Oil, Peppermint Essential Oil. *Organic
They Say: Make the switch to a clean, non-toxic, natural deodorant that really works! This zero-waste and vegan deodorant is the perfect plastic-free alternative to conventional deodorant. Our baking soda and aluminum-free deodorant work with your body’s natural functions to aid in odor reduction.
We Say: EcoRoots is one of my favorite zero-waste online stores, so when I saw they made their own eco-friendly deodorant, I had to try it. And I’m glad I did!
It’s made with natural, organic ingredients that are gentle on the skin while providing effective protection against odor.
Not only does it work well in reducing body odor, but EcoRoots Zero Waste Deodorant also comes in an innovative, compostable paper tube, making it a zero-waste option.
Plus, the deodorant is vegan and cruelty-free, so you can use it with peace of mind knowing that no animals were harmed in the process.
If you’re looking for an effective, natural deodorant that fits your eco-friendly lifestyle, EcoRoots Zero Waste Deodorant is definitely worth checking out. By using it, you can feel great knowing that your zero-waste lifestyle doesn’t have to mean sacrificing effectiveness or quality.
And, because you’re shopping with EcoRoots, you can be confident that the shipping mailers will be just as eco-friendly as the deodorant.
EcoRoots ship everything 100% plastic-free. It only uses recyclable & compostable materials (including paper tape, cardboard, and packing paper to ensure your order arrives in perfect condition.
✔ 100% Organic Natural Ingredients
✔ Zero-Waste
✔ Reusable & Recyclable Tin
Ingredients: Cocos Nucifera Oil*, Sodium Bicarbonate, Zea Mays Starch, Cera Alba, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Citrus Limon Fruit Oil, Limonene**, Pogostemon Cablin Oil, Hypericum Perforatum Flower Extract, Citral**, Linalool**, Geraniol** *Biological, **Component of essential oils.
They Say: Finally! A 100% natural, certified organic deodorant, free of plastic packaging. The Forever Fresh scent has a refreshing scent of pure citrus fruit oils and herbs contains no synthetic substances or aluminum. Better for you, and better for the planet. Each deodorant has a combination of beeswax and coconut oil which has a soothing and hydrating effect on the skin. Corn starch powder, among other things, make the deodorant easy to spread and velvety to your skin.
We Say: I was in two minds about which category to put this deodorant in. It’s definitely solid. However, it melts slightly in warmer temperatures and has a creamy texture.
Categorization issues aside, this is a seriously good plastic-free natural deodorant manufactured in The Netherlands.
The reusable and recyclable metal tin makes this deodorant perfect for throwing in an overnight bag or suitcase when traveling.
Ingredients: Sodium bicarbonate; Maranta arundinacea root powder (arrowroot powder); Butyrospermum parkii butter (organic shea butter); Hydrogenated soy bean oil (soy wax); Cocos nucifera oil (organic coconut oil); Citrus paradisi peel oil (Grapefruit essential oil); Mentha piperita oil (peppermint essential oil); d-Limonene^ (^occurs naturally in essential oils).
They Say: As with all Battle Green products, our deodorant balm is vegan friendly and cruelty-free. It also contains none of the harmful ingredients found in many commercial deodorants and antiperspirants such as aluminium, parabens, or synthetic colours and fragrances.
We Say: Hailing from Wales, UK (the country of my birth), Battle Green produces an impressive range of zero-waste & eco-friendly products.
I’m just concentrating on their deodorant for this article. However, I’ll be back to try some of their other products in the future.
In their sales pitch, Battle Green says that this deodorant will not stop you from sweating but will make you smell nice and kill odors.
I understand why they say this. No truly natural deodorant can stop sweating like an aluminum-heavy antiperspirant. However, I think they’re doing themselves down a bit.
I did not sweat any more with this deodorant than with any of the others in this article. Maybe I’m just blessed with dryer-than-average pits! ????
Shipping to the U.S. is free on all orders over $35 and takes around 7-10 days.
Also, Etsy uses carbon offsets to negate emissions from delivery and packaging on all Battle Green purchases.
Ingredients: Tapioca Starch, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Water, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Sodium Bicarbonate, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Tocopherol, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Magnesium Hydroxide, Activated Charcoal, Essential Oils: Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Eucalyptus Radiata Leaf/Stem Oil, Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Peel Oil, Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Oil, Cymbopogon Citratus (Lemongrass) Leaf Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Leaf Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil.
They Say: Been trying natural deodorants but haven’t found “the one” yet? Hi. We’re the one. PiperWai's original Natural Deodorant Cream has a creamy paste-like consistency that you rub in with your hands. Our activated charcoal deodorant is formulated with clean ingredients that melt into your armpits, absorb moisture and provide long-lasting odor protection.
We Say: Spotting a bit of a pattern here? Yep...I REALLY do love PiperWai stuff!
This is a no-brainer choice as my favorite cream natural deodorant because it’s essentially just a cream version of the PiperWai solid natural deodorant I use daily.
Both products perform and smell the same, but I find the solid version slightly easier to use.
Apart from the application method, the main difference is that the cream is baking soda free. Making it a good choice for those with sensitive skin/pits.
Another difference is the packaging. This natural cream deodorant comes in a tub made from Ocean Waste Plastic (OWP).
By using OWP, PiperWai is helping clean plastic from our oceans and prevent new plastic from entering them.
OWP also produces around 60% fewer CO2 emissions and 85% less energy compared to virgin plastic.
Ingredients: *manihot esculenta (arrowroot) powder, magnesium hydroxide, *+cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, *+butyrospermum parkii (shea) fruit butter, *simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil *certified organic +fair trade
They Say: We've created a baking soda free deodorant cream that is as gentle as it is effective. Nourishing plant oils and butters soothe and condition the underarm skin, and a potent blend of essential oils keeps you smelling fresh throughout the day. The scent is a slightly coconutey and the texture is creamy cake frosting.
We Say: Just like my overall favorite natural deodorant brand, PiperWai, Meow Meow tweet also gets two entries in this article. For two reasons:
Mrs. M uses the unscented version because it has a small list of natural ingredients.
This baking soda free deodorant is perfect for those with sensitive skin.
Mrs. M swears by it as “the perfect deodorant to calm razor burn and keep me smelling cute all day on days when I’ve shaved my armpits”.
✔ Recyclable/Reusable Glass Jar
✔ Great for Sensitive Skin
✔ Palm Oil Free
Ingredients: Coconut Oil (Cocos nucifera)*, Arrowroot Powder (Maranta arundinacea)*, Magnesium Hydroxide (AKA Milk of Magnesia), Beeswax (Cera alba), Essential Oil of Basil (Ocimum basilicum)*, Essential Oil of Vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides)* *Organic
They Say: Made with coconut oil, arrowroot powder, and minimal essentials oils, this deodorant cream is baking-soda free and will keep you stank free while respecting your delicate skin. Fat and The Moon Deodorant is easy to apply, has a light texture, and won’t leave those chalky white streaks on your black clothes.
We Say: Made in California in small batches; this is a seriously powerful (yet gentle) deodorant.
A little goes a long way with this.
I also loved that no white streaks were left on my favorite plain black T’s I use for working out.
Fat And The Moon is a woman-owned company with a really quirky sense of humor.
Everything they make is handmade to order, so low stock can sometimes be an issue.
If you decide that this deodorant cream is the one for you, I would recommend buying two. Then, when you’ve finished the first one, order one. That way, you should never run out. Even if you have to wait a week or two for a restock.
The plastic-free glass jars used for this deodorant cream are high-quality and can be repurposed as storage jars, etc.
Ingredients: Demineralised water, Witch hazel extract*, Magnesium Sulphate, Tea Tree extract, Natural Vitamin E, Jojoba Carrier Oil*, Essential Oils. (Certified Organic*)
They Say: Our Aluminium free, Magnesium based spray on deodorants have been especially developed for hippies with sensitive skin. Tea Tree extract provides awesome protection against bacterial based odours - will keep you fresh all day long. Magnesium has been employed to help avoid a variety of skin irritations. It contains high level anti-inflammatory properties. Witchhazel extraction 14% alcohol added to help control bad bacteria growth in moist, underarm area.
We Say: So. Cards on the table. I only really tested this deodorant because I loved the name.
However, it turned out the be the best natural spray deodorant I tested.
The list of ingredients is reassuringly short, and the smell of the ‘Fresh’ option I tested is fantastic. A real gym bag essential!
The liquid is contained in a recycled brown glass bottle and is shipped using compostable recycled paper.
All Dirty Hippy products are handmade in Australia, so the shipping to the U.S. is relatively slow (3+ weeks) and expensive ($12.32).
You can return your empty bottles for a refill (hooray) but only if you live in Australia (boo).
Taking the potential shipping issues into account, I realize that Dirty Hippy won’t suit everyone.
However, if you’d rather have a natural spray deodorant (instead of solid or creams), and you can wait a few weeks for delivery, I recommend you give them a try.
They have a full range of incredible products, so why not treat yourself to a couple of other items to justify the delivery cost?
Regardless of whether you decide to buy natural deodorants or make your own, you should ideally detox your body before making the switch from traditional deodorants.
Traditional deodorants are full of nasty ingredients designed to block pores and stop you from sweating/smelling.
These nasties build up over time and you need to let them work themselves out of your body before going natural.
During the detox, it’s vital to avoid wearing all forms of deodorant.
This process usually takes between two and three weeks and you’ll almost definitely have to go through and phase of sweating and smelling more than you’d like to.
For this reason, it might be worth waiting for colder weather before starting your detox.
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a common ingredient in many natural deodorants due to its ability to kill odor-causing bacteria.
It’s natural but not organic.
If you have sensitive skin or want to go fully organic, you should look for baking soda free options, such as arrowroot powder.
Natural deodorants do not contain toxic chemicals to make them last years on the shelf or in your vanity cabinet.
So it’s not a product you should bulk buy too excessively.
I buy two at a time which lasts me around three months before I need to order again,
Shelf life varies from product to product. However, I’d say that most natural deodorants will stay at the peak of their powers for around six months.
The list of potentially harmful ingredients that go into some deodorants makes pretty scary reading.
All recommendations in this article are free from the following hidden dangers.
Aluminum is found in tons of antiperspirants and deodorants.
It prevents sweating by plugging the pores/ducts on the skin’s surface. This, in turn, stops the production of odor-causing bacteria.
Effective...but wholly unnatural!
Aluminum has been linked to breast cancer. While the research is contradictory (many say yes, many say no), do you really want to take the chance?
The following ingredients are also often found hidden in well-known deodorant brands.
While not necessarily harmful to human health, they’re animal-based, so you will need to look out for them if you’re fully vegan.
There is also a DIY option and the more adventurous of you might want to have a go at making your own deodorant from natural ingredients.
I’ve tested out some online recipes, and my favorite is as follows:
Deodorant masks body odor with fragrance and uses active ingredients to kill odor-causing bacteria. Antiperspirant stops you from sweating by using chemicals (aluminum salts, for example) to clog up your sweat glands.
I would technically class all of the products in the article as deodorants rather than antiperspirants (due to their lack of pore-clogging aluminum). However, they all do an admirable job at keeping sweat and stink at bay.
Dove has a range of aluminum-free deodorants called Dove 0% Aluminum.
Apple cider vinegar, like baking soda, kills the bacteria that cause stinky pits. So it stands to reason that adding it to your DIY recipe might be a good idea. I’ll add a few drops to my next DIY batch and report back with any significant findings.
Just when I think I’ve been asked every type of random question possible in my writing career...this unexpected beauty drops into my inbox! ???? Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a definitive answer to this question. If there are any Kardashian super fans out there who can help, please get in touch.
Plastic-packaged, chemical-ladened, mass-produced deodorants stink...but you don’t have to when you switch to natural deodorants.
Definitely go aluminum-free, and keep an eye on the baking soda content if you have sensitive skin.
You don’t need a list of ingredients longer than The Constitution of the United States to stay dry and sweet-smelling all day.
Have you made the switch to natural, organic, or refillable deodorant? How was the detox? Have I missed your favorite brand or DIY home hack? Drop me a line and let me know.
Our core values mean we always prioritize sustainability over profit. We carefully evaluate and personally test every product to ensure they meet our high standards. All products recommended in this article were tested in accordance with our Review Methodology.
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