No one wants smelly underarms. Luckily, natural deodorants are a fix.
In the past, most traditional deodorant sticks contained aluminum. Rumors about aluminum were prevalent, as the ingredient was believed to be linked to breast cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and kidney failure. Although health experts have since deemed these allegations false, nowadays, beauty consumers are more conscious of what they apply to their bodies, and conventional antiperspirants are no longer the only option.
From sticks to roll-ons to sprays, there are plenty of natural alternatives out there to keep you smelling and feeling fresh now that the clean beauty industry is more mainstream. Our top natural deodorant picks feature clean scents and organic ingredients, so that you can prevent and solve underarm body odor the natural way.
Best all-natural deodorants overview
- Best overall: NATIVE Deodorant
- Best budget: Arm & Hammer Essentials Deodorant
- Best roll-on: Ursa Major Hoppin’ Fresh Deodorant
- Best cream: PiperWai Natural Deodorant Cream
- Best without baking soda: Dove 0% Aluminum Deodorant Stick Cucumber and Green Tea
- Best wipes: Megababe Rosy Pits Deodorant Wipes
- Best brightening: Kosas Chemistry Deodorant
- Best soothing: Schmidt’s Deodorant Stick
- Best unscented: Tom’s of Maine Long-Lasting Natural Deodorant
- Best spray: EO Tea Tree Certified Organic Deodorant Spray
How we chose the best all-natural deodorants
To compile this list, we researched manufacturer specifications, including ingredients, product type, texture, and more, to create a short list of the top all-natural deodorants. Then, we combed through detailed product descriptions, ratings, and reviews to find the best all-natural deodorants for each category.
Our picks for the best all-natural deodorants
Our first pick doesn’t need much of an introduction, as the brand has become a household name over the years. The added baking soda (one of 10 ingredients) has odor-neutralizing properties, which explains how this deodorant stick can offer all-day odor protection. Most all-natural deodorants are aluminum-free, but this formula is also free of parabens, phthalates, and talc. It’s even vegan-friendly and cruelty-free, which is a plus for individuals that prefer plant-based products.
NATIVE’s regular deodorant is undeniably a consumer fave. It shouldn’t leave you feeling greasy upon application. However, a few reviewers complained about it leaving a grainy and sticky feel. Considering that it’s a natural deodorant with a rather potent formula, some first-time users may experience initial irritation while getting used to it.
Size: 2.65 oz | Type: Stick | Scent: Coconut & vanilla, sea salt & cedar, buttercream & french vanilla, and more
This extremely affordable pick is formulated to combat and absorb BO with each use. Apply it daily and enjoy 24-hour odor protection thanks to its pure baking soda content. This deodorant goes on easily before dissolving into your skin, and the natural plant extract-derived scents waste no time masking unpleasant odors.
Upon application, the Arm & Hammer deodorant might leave an undesirable sticky feeling. This is likely because it’s free of aluminum, paraben, colorants, and animal-derived products. However, it shouldn’t leave a white residue, which is a nice trade-off.
While the goal of deodorant use is to smell and feel fresh, natural deodorants take some time to adapt to if you usually use conventional antiperspirants. As a result, using this one may initially cause you to sweat more as your body adjusts to the formula.
Size: 2.5 oz | Type: Stick | Scent: Rosemary lavender
Skip the smelly armpits and freshen up instantly with this clean, crisp roll-on deodorant. It’s made with odor-eliminating baking soda, excess moisture-absorbing kaolin, and soothing aloe. The scent perfectly blends peppermint, rosemary, and eucalyptus for a pleasing aroma.
Different from your typical deodorant stick, the roll-on glides effortlessly onto the skin and has a naturally cooling effect. It also shouldn’t leave any marks on your clothes since it’s stainproof.
Prepare to splurge a little if you decide on this aluminum-free deodorant. Otherwise, you might want to opt for a less expensive option.
Size: 2.6 oz | Type: Roll-on | Scent: Mint & eucalyptus
Cream-based deodorants are just as beneficial as stick and roll-on formats. This natural deodorant cream from PiperWai melts into your skin and offers long-lasting odor protection, primarily due to the formula’s activated charcoal and coconut oil.
Applying a deodorant cream requires more effort since you have to apply it with your fingers, so don’t be surprised if things get a little messy when using this product. This cream also has very particular storage instructions — the brand recommends tucking it away in a dry room with moderate temperatures to maintain its consistency.
It doesn’t quite win us over in the smell category, so you may want to avoid taking a big whiff of it. Nevertheless, we absolutely love that it’s a unisex formula.
Size: 1.7 oz | Type: Cream | Scent: Activated charcoal
This deodorant stick comes from the globally popular hygiene brand Dove. By design, it provides long-lasting freshness to your underarms with 48-hour odor protection. The gentle formula is made with a cool cucumber and green tea scent, a dynamic blend that not only moisturizes and softens the skin but also keeps you smelling lovely.
This deodorant is advertised as alcohol-free, but that’s questionable, considering its listed ingredient contents include benzyl alcohol. However, unlike many other natural deodorants, this pick is also baking soda-free.
Size: 1.13 oz | Type: Stick | Scent: Cucumber & green tea
On-the-go toiletries are crucial to your overall hygiene routine, especially if you’re physically active or tend to sweat a lot while out and about.
These biodegradable wipes effectively wipe away bad odors to relieve you of funky-smelling armpits. They’re the perfect companion for lunch-break workouts and long-hour plane rides.
The deodorant wipes will leave your underarms with a soft and soothing feel, thanks to the moisturizing coconut water, vitamin E, and sage ingredients. However, you can’t flush them down the toilet, which may cause inconvenience if there are no trash cans in sight.
Size: 18 wipes | Type: Individual wipes | Scent: A coconut and sage blend
Most deodorants do a swell job of eradicating BO, but the clinically and allergy-tested Kosas Chemistry Deodorant offers a lot more than that.
This AHA-spiked deodorant is a secret weapon for brighter and even-toned underarms. It targets underarm dullness and discoloration while softening the skin with its exfoliating properties. On top of that, it’s a fast-drying formula that shouldn’t stain your clothes.
Depending on which scent you choose, this deodorant may not smell the best, so try another product if you prioritize scent over function. You’ll also want to allow the formula to air dry to avoid irritation or the development of film-like residue.
Size: 2.4 fl oz | Type: Roll-on | Scent: Serene clean, fragrance-free, or beachy clean
This Schmidt’s Deodorant Stick is formulated to soothe your underarms while neutralizing bad odors. Primarily made with natural plants and minerals, it gently works to freshen up poor hygiene with long-lasting odor protection that lasts up to 48 hours.
The deodorant also comes in a variety of flavorful scents, from lavender and sage to rose and vanilla. It’s free of artificial fragrances and aluminum salts, making it a clean formula. As a word of caution, this deodorant might not have the same effect on certain skin types and may irritate more sensitive skin.
Size: 2.65 oz | Type: Stick | Scent: Lavender & sage, bergamot & lime, rose & vanilla, and more
Whether you’re allergic to fragrances or prefer a scent-free deodorant, Tom’s of Maine is an excellent pick. The formula has zero artificial fragrances and preservatives, and it consists of mostly naturally sourced and derived ingredients (like soothing organic aloe leaf juice). Although unscented, it’s reliable in terms of odor protection, offering up to 24-hour coverage.
One downside is the stickiness you might experience after applying this deodorant to your skin.
Size: 2.25 oz | Type: Stick | Scent: Unscented
Deodorizing sprays are another ideal choice for on-the-go hygiene. Unlike sticks and roll-ons, you simply spray the formula directly on your armpits for instant odor protection. Tea tree oil leads the ingredient lineup, which has a pleasantly potent smell and freshening feel. It’s just one of the many scents available for this uber-clean natural deodorant formula.
Other nourishing ingredients include odor-eliminating organic alcohol made from sugar cane extract. While the essential oils do a swell job of masking bad odors, this spray may wear off rather quickly, requiring recurring application throughout the day.
Size: 4 fl oz | Type: Spray | Scent: Tea tree, french lavender, citrus, and more
Start fresh, finish fresh
Good underarm hygiene doesn’t take much effort. All you need is the right deodorant products to keep yourself smelling and feeling clean. Our best overall pick is NATIVE’s deodorant because the well-known brand offers a clean formula with a pleasant smell and 24-hour odor protection.
The other listed natural deodorants are ideal alternatives for targeting specific problems (like skin discoloration) or trying something other than the traditional deodorant stick, like a roll-on or spray. Choose the deodorant that sounds like the best fit for your needs, or try them all.
How to pick the right all-natural deodorant for you
What exactly are you looking for in an all-natural deodorant? These formulas are made available in various forms and ingredient blends. Think of the following factors when narrowing your selection.
Ingredients
- Aluminum. Most all-natural deodorants purposely leave out this ingredient to minimize the presence of unnatural ingredients.
- Baking soda. This is a beneficial ingredient if you want a natural deodorant that works most effectively in blocking bad odors. However, baking soda may be absent in certain natural deodorant products, however. Other odor-neutralizing ingredients, including activated charcoal, are suitable replacements in this case.
- Natural scents. Scents from natural deodorants are typically derived from essential oils and plant-based fragrances, including lavender and sage.
Formats
- Stick. This happens to be the most popular deodorant type on the market. Traditional sticks are solid formulas with a wax-like feel when applied. They’re meant to provide odor protection while also controlling sweat/perspiration from your underarms.
- Roll-on. Similar to roll-on lip balms, this deodorant type glides easily onto the skin with gentle strokes.
- Spray. Sprays may wear off more quickly than others, but they’re a great on-the-go companion for hygiene touch-ups throughout the day.
- Wipes. Similar to sprays, wipes are perfect for freshening up while out and about.
Texture
- Gel. Gel-based formulas have their pros and cons. You don’t have to worry about white residue with this clear substance, but the application may leave you with a sticky feel.
- Solid. Solid deodorants are most likely to stain. However, you may find that this texture feels the most comfortable out of the two.
FAQ
What’s the healthiest natural deodorant?
Natural deodorants that generally consist of clean ingredients are typically the healthiest. Clean deodorant formulas are usually those free from aluminum, parabens, phthalates, and talc.
What’s the best natural deodorant that actually works?
You can’t go wrong with NATIVE’s deodorant, as it’s one of the cleanest formulas on this list and reliable in providing all-day odor protection.
What’s the safest underarm deodorant?
The safest deodorant for you is one that doesn’t cause an allergic reaction. It’s best to determine this on a case-by-case basis, as everyone has their own sets of allergens.