The Best Natural Deodorants for Women That Really Do Work
If I’m being honest, I was a bit sceptical about whether or not the best natural deodorants could compete with traditional versions when it came to scent and sweat prevention. But, I’m pleased to report that these natural alternatives have come on leaps and bounds, with an influx of new, exciting and innovative launches within the category.
Instead of using lab-made chemicals to stop you from sweating, natural deodorants use anti-microbial ingredients like tea tree oil and lemon to keep the bacteria that can lead to body odour at bay, and essential oils to leave you smelling fresh.
Why should you switch to natural deodorant?
Your choice of deodorant is entirely down to personal preference, but over the years there has been a shift towards more natural options. Natural deodorants are free from aluminium, a metal compound used in most traditional deodorants to plug the pores and prevent you from sweating. Some previous studies have pointed towards a link between deodorants that contain aluminium and cancer, and although these claims aren’t confirmed and have since been disputed by experts, many still prefer to give them a wide berth. People are also becoming more interested in more natural options across all elements of beauty, from body care to skincare.
The best natural deodorants – tried and tested by a skin expert
Still on the fence about whether a natural deodorant is for you? Having put these through their paces over months of testing, I can say that these are the best natural deodorants out there. So if you do want to give one a go, make it one of these:
AKT The Deodorant Balm £21.00
AKT is the brainchild of two West End performers who wanted to find a solution to the antiperspirant deodorants that were staining their clothes night after night and not giving them the sophisticated scent options they wanted. Their Deodorant Balm uses sodium bicarbonate and zinc oxide to neutralise odours, plus diatomaceous earth and arrowroot to help the formula dry onto your skin and soak up sweat. If you’re someone who finds that the skin under their armpits becomes irritated quite quickly (especially if you shave), then you’ll also be pleased to know there is vitamin E, shea butter and calendula to soothe and moisturise the skin. You can apply it with your fingers, which feels a bit strange initially, or splash out on the fancy applicator tool that looks (for want of a better description) like a gua sha. I’d recommend investing in The Assistant Tool, which helps you to get every drop of deodorant out of the tube and can also be used on hand creams and things as well. It’s currently available in five different scents, as well as one fragrance-free option.
Wild Refillable Natural Deodorant £12.99
What do you normally do when you finish a deodorant? It’s not a trick question – you put it in the bin, right? Wild were one of the first brands to look to change this disposable mindset, with a natural deodorant system made up of packaging that’s either reusable, compostable or biodegradable. For example, the refill is made from bamboo pulp. Initially, you’ll need to buy a case, but the brand claims that every time you refill your case you’ll stop 30 grams of plastic going into landfill – and, even better, they’re cheaper than starting again. You won’t find aluminium salts, parabens or sulphates within this formula, and, instead, it relies on essential oils and sodium bicarbonate to control odour. It felt nice on my skin, not too sticky, and moisturising rather than stripping. There are lots of different scents to choose from, from pomegranate and pink peppercorn to wild jasmine & mandarin blossom.
Modern Botany Natural Deodorant £27.00
Once you get over the fact that it feels odd to spritz on your deodorant like a face mist, this is a really brilliant product. It has a very fresh, clean aroma thanks to a blend of 11 essential oils including witch hazel, sandalwood and lemon tea tree, which gives you peace of mind that you’re not going to end up ponging by 12pm. It’s refreshing, cooling, dries quickly and is incredibly effective, making it one of my top choices for during the summer months. A word of warning though – don’t use it after shaving or you’ll end up stinging. Just keep in mind that too that because of the high essential oil content, it’s not considered suitable for use during pregnancy or when breastfeeding. There’s a common misconception that just because something is natural, it comes with no risks attached, but these ingredients can be just as potent as anything made in a lab.
Proverb Lifefuelled Skincare Refillable Deodorant £15.00 (Use code FIONA20 for 20% discount)
A bit like Wild, you need to buy a starter set from Proverb initially to get a refillable case that you can top up going forward, making it another good choice for the eco-conscious shopper. What sets this apart is that the formula is available in three different strengths. There’s active, for those who are prone to sweating and lead a busy lifestyle, core for those who don’t sweat too much and sensitive for young deodorant users or anyone who has delicate skin. I’d recommend anyone new to natural deodorant to start with active, as I think you’ll be really impressed by just how well it works. I tried the Lemongrass & Myrtle version and it smelt divine – fresh, uplifting and clean. The plant-based waxes allow the stick format to glide effortlessly over your armpits, so it’s easy to get a good coating of product, and also keep them smooth and soft.
Nécessarie The Deodorant Gel £18.00
One of Nécessarie’s unique selling points is that they put a lot of emphasis on fragrance-free products (like this deodorant) to cater for those whose skin is too sensitive to tolerate fragrance, as well as anyone who finds scent offputting or headache-inducing. In this deodorant, you’ll find alpha-hydroxy acids and niacinamide, and while it might sound a bit strange to use skincare ingredients in a deodorant, there is logic behind it. Both of these ingredients are good at helping to smooth skin texture, reduce pigmentation and avoid odours, which are three reasons why people were using The Ordinary’s Glycolic Acid on their armpits – something I wouldn’t advise. This is a much better option. If you’re super sweaty, you’ll probably find that this isn’t enough for you, but it works brilliantly for working from home days or during the colder months. There’s no aluminium, baking soda, parabens or PEGs in the formula either.
Caudalie Vinofresh Natural Stick Decodrant £14.00
I’m a big fan of Caudalie skincare, so was keen to see if they could deliver a natural deodorant too. The first thing that struck me was (as you’d probably expect from Caudalie) the beautiful scent, which is a blend of organic grape water and eucalyptus. I can’t imagine that anyone wouldn’t want to smell like this. The stick format means it’s easy and intuitive to use, while the natural ingredients make it suitable for sensitive skin as well as anyone pregnant or breastfeeding. Instead of aluminium, it uses prebiotics to feed the good bacteria so that they thrive over the bad, eliminating one of the key causes of body odour. It absorbed nice and quickly into my skin and left it feeling moisturised.
Malin + Goetz Eucalyptus Deodorant £13.00
If (like me) you love fresh, spa-like scents, this eucalyptus-scented natural deodorant will be your winner. It’s more than simply a clarity-boosting, energy-lifting fragrance though, and is also known for its antibacterial and antiseptic properties, making it the perfect choice for preventing bacteria from building up beneath the arms. What I liked most about this is that it absorbs quickly, so I didn’t need to wait around for it to dry before getting dressed, and it didn’t leave any tell-tale white marks or residue on my clothes. It also feels very cooling, as well as hydrating, which is particularly welcome if the skin on your armpits is aggravated. The only downside is that I found that during the summer it started to melt, so best to store it somewhere cool if possible – or keep this as your winter deodorant.
Thank You For Reading
I hope you have enjoyed this blog, please let me know if you need any help with your skin.
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Bye for now,
Fiona x
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