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Strenuous workouts can help you burn calories, tone muscles, and increase your strength and stamina. Of course, they also tend to make you sweat. Following vigorous physical activity, you'll want to apply some under-arm deodorant to make yourself more presentable to the non-athletes in your life.
Sooner or later, many athletes tire of the sweat gland-clogging nature of mainstream deodorants, which use aluminum and other ingredients to actually stop your perspiration. Natural deodorants provide a great alternative, allowing you to eliminate odors without tampering with your body's key processes. (See also natural soaps, as well as kids' deodorants.)
So what's the best natural deodorant? We tried several of the top options and came up with a set of recommendations based on category. Here are some of the prime contenders, as chosen by the ACTIVE Reviews Team.
Why Trust Us?
ACTIVE.com's editorial team relies on the knowledge and experience of fitness and wellness experts including competitive athletes, coaches, physical therapists, nutritionists, and certified trainers. This helps us ensure the products we feature are of the highest standard. Collectively, the team has spent countless hours researching equipment, gear, and recovery tools in order to create the most accurate, authentic content for our readers. Customer satisfaction is also a key part of our review process, which is why we only feature products that are highly rated. More importantly, each member of our team is a fitness enthusiast. Fitness may be our job, but it is also our passion. Therefore, we strive to bring you products that we trust and would personally use.
The Best Natural Deodorant - Our Top Picks
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- Best Overall Natural Deodorant: Native Deodorant
- Best Natural Deodorant for Women: Salt & Stone Natural Deodorant
- Best Natural Deodorant for Men: Hume Supernatural Natural Deodorant
- Best Natural Deodorant for Sensitive Skin: Each & Every Natural for Sensitive Skin
- Best Natural Deodorant Without Baking Soda: Schmidt's aluminum-free natural deodorant
- Best Natural Deodorant for Working Out: Ursa Major Natural Deodorant
- Best Smelling Natural Deodorant: Tom's of Maine Fresh Apricot
- Best Natural Deodorant for Smell: Lume Natural Solid Deodorant Stick
- Best Drugstore Natural Deodorant: Arm & Hammer Essential Natural Deodorant
- Best Natural Deodorant Spray: Deodorant Stone Crystal Mist
Best Overall Natural Deodorant - Native Deodorant
SPECS
- Type: Stick
- Scents: Classic, Coconut & Vanilla, Lavender & Rose, Cucumber & Mint, unscented
- Active ingredients: Baking soda, probiotics, shea butter, coconut oil
- Size: 2.65 oz.
Native Deodorant has long been one of the top names in the natural deodorant world, and it's not hard to see why: The aluminum- and parabens-free blend includes all naturally derived ingredients to help you feel light and fresh under your arms and to minimize any untoward odors. The solid deodorant stick has a smooth, easy-to-apply consistency, and there are a number of fresh scents to choose from. An outstanding pick for men and women alike, and our all-around choice for the best natural deodorant.
What We Like
- All naturally derived ingredients
- Smooth, easy-to-apply consistency
- Great scent options
What We Don't Like
- Can sometimes leave streaks after application
- Boasts 24-hour protection, but you may need to reapply, especially on a hot day
Best Natural Deodorant for Women - Salt & Stone Natural Deodorant
SPECS
- Type: Stick
- Scents: Santal, Eucalyptus & Sandalwood, Lavender & Sage
- Active ingredients: Probiotics, shea butter
- Size: 2.6 oz.
For women seeking the best natural deodorant stick, Salt & Stone Natural Deodorant is an exemplary option. It checks all the right boxes: It's cruelty-free, vegan, and doesn't come with aluminum or any other unsavory additives. It doesn't streak, and its protection truly can last for 24 hours or more. The scents are all subtle yet effective, and there’s even sea kelp extract included to nourish and anti-oxidize your skin. We highly recommend this natural deodorant for women seeking to take good care of their pits.
What We Like
- Nourishes and anti-oxidizes the skin
- Subtle yet effective scents
- Long-lasting protection
- Vegan, cruelty-free
What We Don't Like
- Higher price point
- No unscented option
BUY: Salt & Stone Natural Deodorant
Best Natural Deodorant for Men - Hume Supernatural Natural Deodorant
SPECS
- Type: Stick
- Scents: Coconut, Amber Woods, Out West, unscented
- Active ingredients: Probiotics, aloe
- Size: 2 oz.
Guys tend to work up a sweat no matter what they're doing, whether it's pumping iron at the gym or simply doing odd jobs around the house. The Hume Supernatural Natural Deodorant is our top pick for dudes, offering odor prevention and moisture control without the need for aluminum, nor even for potential irritants like baking soda. The scents are all suitably masculine, and the smooth consistency ensures that your deodorant goes on easily and without streaks.
What We Like
- Smooth consistency
- Not much streaking
- Controls odors and moisture
- No baking soda
What We Don't Like
- Smaller-sized stick
- Higher price point
BUY: Hume Supernatural Natural Deodorant
Best Natural Deodorant for Sensitive Skin - Each & Every Natural for Sensitive Skin
SPECS
- Type: Stick
- Scents: More than 10 options, including unscented
- Active ingredients: Essential oils
- Size: 2.5 oz. per stick (two-pack)
Many natural deodorants are made with baking soda, which is an effective means of odor control, but may also be tough on dry or sensitive skin. As an alternative, consider Each & Every Natural for Sensitive Skin, which uses soothing essential oils to deodorize. This product gives you more than 10 scents to choose from (including an unscented option) and offers long-lasting protection based on the simplest, gentlest natural ingredients.
What We Like
- Lots of scents to choose from
- Very gentle on the skin
- No baking soda
- Long-lasting
What We Don't Like
- You may have some residue after application
- Higher price point
BUY: Each & Every Natural for Sensitive Skin
Best Natural Deodorant Without Baking Soda - Schmidt's Aluminum-Free Natural Deodorant
SPECS
- Type: Stick
- Scents: Fresh, Hemp Seed Oil & Patchouli, Hemp Seed Oil & Rose, Hemp Seed Oil & Sage, Jasmine Tea, Herbal, Rose & Vanilla, Rose & Black Pepper, Citrus, Patchouli & Hops
- Active ingredients: Charcoal, magnesium, essential oils
- Size: 3.25 oz.
Schmidt's Aluminum Free Natural Deodorant is another great product for those who have a sensitivity to baking soda or who simply want to avoid the risk of their underarm becoming too dry or flakey. Formulated with charcoal, magnesium, and essential oils, this deodorant provides effective odor control without serious risk of irritation. It's pretty potent, too, requiring just one or two swipes to achieve fairly long-lasting protection.
What We Like
- Lots of scents to choose from
- Very gentle on the skin
- No baking soda
- Large-sized stick with a modest price point
- Vegan and cruelty-free
What We Don't Like
- Not everyone will like the hemp oil scents
- Consistency can be a bit crumbly
BUY: Schmidt's Aluminum-Free Natural Deodorant
Best Natural Deodorant for Working Out - Ursa Major Natural Deodorant
SPECS
- Type: Stick
- Scents: Hoppin' Fresh
- Active ingredients: Hops
- Size: 2.6 oz.
Looking for a deodorant that will allow you to control your odor throughout your workout? The Ursa Major Natural Deodorant product is a favorite among athletes and trainers, and it's not hard to see why. This deodorant relies on natural hops to eliminate odors, along with more than 20 other ingredients to help keep your armpits feeling fresh and clean. While there's just one scent available, it provides a whiff of freshness that will make you far more tolerable to your workout buddies!
What We Like
- All natural and non-toxic ingredients
- Non-staining
- A single stick will last several months
What We Don't Like
- Just 1 scent
- Higher price point
BUY: Ursa Major Natural Deodorant
Best Smelling Natural Deodorant - Tom's of Maine Fresh Apricot
SPECS
- Type: Stick
- Scents: Apricot, Wild Lavender, unscented
- Active ingredients: Hops
- Size: 2.25 oz. per stick (3-pack)
Tom's of Maine is one of the longest-running and best-known natural deodorants, so it makes sense that this would be the product to perfect its scent. We're partial to the revitalizing Apricot option, though Wild Lavender is a close second. No matter which scent you choose, you'll get an effective, hops-based, aluminum-free deodorant that goes on smooth and provides long-lasting odor relief. This product is vegan and made without any testing on animals.
What We Like
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Great, natural scents
- 3-pack offers an excellent value
What We Don't Like
- Boasts 24-hour protection, but you may need to reapply
- Having a few more scent options would be great
BUY: Tom's of Maine Fresh Apricot
Best Natural Deodorant for Smell - Lume Natural Solid Deodorant Stick
SPECS
- Type: Stick
- Scents: Coconut Crush, Lavender Sage, Rose, Silver Spruce, unscented
- Active ingredients: N/A
- Size: 2.6 oz.
Do you feel like your BO is especially pungent? If so, may we recommend Lume Natural Solid Deodorant Stick? Made with all-natural ingredients and without any baking soda or aluminum, this is one of the most powerful odor fighters we've come across. It comes in a handful of fresh scents and works well not just under your arm, but on your feet, around your private area, and anywhere else you need a fresh spritz.
What We Like
- Whole-body odor control
- Refreshing scents
- No baking soda
- Long-lasting
What We Don't Like
- Higher price point
- You'll go through a stick pretty quickly
BUY: Lume Natural Solid Deodorant Stick
Best Drugstore Natural Deodorant - Arm & Hammer Essential Natural Deodorant
SPECS
- Type: Stick
- Scents: Unscented
- Active ingredients: Baking soda
- Size: 2.5 oz. per stick (10-pack)
It's possible to get a decent natural deodorant even at your local pharmacy. Case in point? Arm & Hammer Essential Natural Deodorant, an affordable and easy-to-find option for effective, aluminum-free odor control. While the presence of baking soda may be a no-go for those with sensitive skin, you can't beat the price point nor the fresh, clean feeling that this stick provides.
What We Like
- Great value
- Plant-based ingredients
- Fragrance-free
What We Don't Like
- Not the best bet if you have sensitive skin
- Not the best option if you want something scented
BUY: Arm & Hammer Essential Natural Deodorant
Best Natural Deodorant Spray - Deodorant Stone Crystal Mist
SPECS
- Type: Spray
- Scents: Unscented
- Active ingredients: Mineral salt
- Size: 8 oz. per spray (4-pack)
Made with just mineral salt and water, the Deodorant Stone Crystal Mist spray is about as basic as you can get. It's not quite as potent an odor-fighter as other options, but it definitely offers a nice, clean feel to your underarms. This four-pack will last you a while, providing a simple way to spray your pits clean after any workout session.
What We Like
- Minimal ingredient list
- Great value
- No artificial ingredients
- Fragrance-free
What We Don't Like
- Not the most powerful odor eliminator
- Not the best option if you want something scented
BUY: Deodorant Stone Crystal Mist
What to Look For in an All-Natural Deodorant
Scent
One of the first considerations to make when shopping for deodorant is how it's going to smell. This is a matter of personal preference. Do you like your deodorant to have a floral scent? An earthy aroma? One thing to keep in mind is that fragrance can be an irritant, so be sure you choose carefully.
Longevity
Another consideration is longevity. To be frank, natural deodorants just can't compete with the 24-hour coverage you'll get with a non-natural one. You'll likely need to reapply your natural deodorant a time or two throughout the day, especially if you work out and generate a real sweat.
Ingredients
When comparing natural deodorants, you'll find a wide range of ingredients to keep you smelling fresh and clean. Baking soda is one of the most common and effective options, but it can also cause irritation to dry or sensitive skin. Alternative ingredients include arrowroot and magnesium.
Application
Do you prefer to apply your deodorant in stick, spray, or cream form? Again, this is really a question of personal preference, though we'll note that creams tend to be the messiest, and both creams and sticks can potentially leave streaks on your clothing.
FAQs About Natural Deodorants
How long do you smell after switching to natural deodorant?
Switching from an artificial antiperspirant to a natural deodorant will usually involve a “detox” period, where your armpits will probably smell a bit pungent. You can expect this detox to last anywhere from two to four weeks.
Do you sweat more with natural deodorant?
Natural deodorants are not antiperspirants; they do not contain aluminum, which is the ingredient that other deodorants use to block your sweat glands. So, switching to a natural deodorant does mean that your body will sweat without any encumbrance.
Does switching to natural deodorant have side effects?
While there are no "side effects" per se, you may temporarily notice that your pits are a little smellier, as the bacteria level on your skin rebalances. With time, your odor will subside, and you may even find that you stink less than you did when you used a non-natural deodorant.
How to Be Healthy | Best All-Natural Soap | Best Natural Toothpaste | Best Organic Mattresses | Best Natural Laundry Detergent | Best All-Natural Deodorant | Best Natural Sleep Aids | Best Non-alcoholic Wine | Best Yoga Mats | Best Coffee Beans