There is such a thing as natural and non-toxic deodorants and, fortunately, they are not that hard to find nowadays. If you’re transitioning to a green beauty routine, deodorant is the first beauty item you should put on your priority list. A European research group finally found the link between aluminum salts and breast cancer (you can read all about it here.) Aluminum compounds are present in virtually every synthetic deodorant commercially available and, to me, that’s a good enough reason to make the switch to a natural deodorant.
Switching from a commercial formula to a natural deodorant is a process that takes a few weeks. Please note that natural deodorants won’t clog your pores as aluminum does, and thus won’t stop you from sweating, but will rather attack the bacteria that cause your sweat to stink. Also, you’ll find that not all natural deodorants are created equally. For some reason, and depending on your pH and how you sweat, some of them might work for you better than others.
Please note that by natural deodorant I mean any formula that is made using only natural ingredients, as Mother Nature intended them to be, and a handful of naturally-derived ingredients. A commercial deodorant with a flower illustration and some hip marketing verbiage doesn’t qualify as natural, as it will very likely be yet another greenwashing attempt. Please make sure to check the ingredients, and if you are unsure don’t hesitate to use the EWG app to understand what is in the formula.
Finding the right natural deodorant for you will take a bit of patience, but to help you get started I’ve personally tested three natural and aluminum-free deodorants by Erbaviva, Rustic Maka and Dr. Hauschka to jumpstart your green adventure. Believe me, your pits will thank you for reading this article!
The liquid organic deodorant: Erbaviva
Erbaviva is an organic brand made in the USA that uses high-quality natural ingredients to concoct all sorts of body and bath formulas. I tested Erbaviva Lemon Sage organic liquid deodorant and I couldn’t be more surprised–this stuff really works!
Erbaviva’s USDA-certified organic formula mixes organic grain alcohol with organic extracts of sage, lemon, tea tree, and patchouli essential oils. As the alcohol evaporates quickly, all that’s left behind is a refreshing burst of green goodness that was able to fight odor for 8+ hours in my case. Mind you, I’ve tested all sorts of natural liquid deodorants over the past few years (being a beauty reporter has its perks), and none of them compare to the effectiveness of Erbaviva. Plus, the scent is unisex so it’s a great way to save space in your Manhattanite teeny tiny bathroom by having a product that you both can use.
The +: This formula is so effective and gentle that you can use it to deodorize your yoga mat or that carpet that stinks. Plus, the product size is a generous 3.5 fl oz that lasts quite a while (in my case, way over a month.)
The -: As it contains organic grain alcohol, it is best to wait a few hours to use it after you shave your armpits with a razor.
Full ingredient list: *Alcohol, *citrus limon (lemon) peel oil, *salvia officinalis (sage) oil, *melaleauca alternifolia (tea tree) leaf oil, *pogostemon cablin oil (*denotes a certified organic ingredient)
Erbaviva Lemon Sage Organic Deodorant. Price: $26. Available at Erbaviva’s website.
The solid stick: Pachy by Rustic Maka
To me, the most convenient natural deodorant format is the stick. Portable, discreet, and easy to use, it is great to carry with me in my purse and reapply during the day. This time, I decided to test the Pachy Sweet Lemonade natural deodorant by Rustic Maka. With a formula so clean that you could literally eat it (not that I recommend it, mind you), it promised to be a gentle solution for my very dry armpits thanks to its high content in hydrating coconut oil and shea butter. And oh boy, did it deliver on its promises!
After using it for a full month, I can honestly say that my very sensitive armpits loved having a bit of coconut oil goodness to jumpstart the day. I have used it straight after removing my unwanted hair with a razor, and despite the fact that the formula includes baking soda, I didn’t feel the very familiar burning sensation that accompanies my beauty rituals. Nada. Not to mention that this deodorant was strong enough to last over 6 hours even after the especially sweaty morning commutes with my winter coat and snow gear. I like to carry a mini size of this deodorant in my purse to reapply it in the afternoon, and I’m good to go for the rest of my day!
The +: The all-natural and vegan formula delivers on its promises, the scent is divine, and my armpits are more hydrated than ever. You can laugh at me if you want, but itchy armpits equal a grumpy Bea. Happy armpits make me a better person! Plus, this deodorant is extremely budget-friendly.
The -: This formula is a bit trickier to use as you need to let it melt on your armpit for a few seconds so you can apply it smoothly. Plus, as the formula has tapioca powder, it can stain your clothes if you don’t let it dry thoroughly (by the way, kudos to the guys at Root Maka because they are very transparent about this.) To avoid stains in your clothes, apply the deodorant while you’re still wearing your PJs, go wash your teeth, and then get dressed. Fortunately, the formula is all-natural and any unwanted stain washes very well on a regular cycle (yes, it happened to me a couple of times that I didn’t pay attention!)
Pachy Sweet Lemonade natural deodorant by Rustic Maka. Price: $9.95. Available at Rustic Maka’s website.
Full ingredient list: Manihot Esculenta (Tapioca) Powder*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Fruit*, Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda), Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Zinc Ricinoleate, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Bambusa Arundinacea (Bamboo) Stem Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil. (*denotes a certified organic ingredient)
The roll-on formula: Rose Deodorant by Dr. Hauschka
{Image Source: Into The Gloss}
If you prefer a roll-on formula, you shouldn’t miss the famous Rose Deodorant by Dr. Hauschka. Extremely gentle for those pits that might not like the baking soda present in many natural deodorants, this aluminium-free formula is surprisingly effective even on hot days. Certified Organic by both Natrue and BDIH (two of the most prestigious organic seals in Europe), to me it is the second easiest formula to use because it dries up in no time and leaves no white residues behind.
Also, the ingredient list is very impressive: Zinc ricinoleate naturally manages odor. Lady’s mantle extract helps to gently balance skin perspiration. Rose essential oil and jojoba oil have a moisturizing, softening effect on skin. Rose water offers an elegant, delicate fragrance. Tapioca starch helps absorb moisture. All in all, this deodorant has stayed put on my skin for 6+ hours, and in my case it offers a full day coverage with only one additional application in the afternoon in especially hectic days.
The +: This is the best natural deodorant for sensitive gals. Extremely gentle on sensitive pits as it has no baking soda. Plus, this formula uses very gentle essential oils that have a high degree of tolerance on sensitive skin.
The -: It is a bit on the pricier side, and although I appreciate their use of a glass container, it can become a bit heavy to carry around in my purse.
Dr. Hauschka Rose Deodorant. Price: $24. Available at Dr. Hauschka’s website.
Full ingredient list: Water (Aqua), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Alcohol, Manihot Utilissima (Tapioca) Starch, Glycerin, Zinc Ricinoleate, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Glyceryl Caprylate, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Fragrance (Parfum), Citronellol*, Linalool*, Geraniol*, Eugenol*, Limonene*, Farnesol*, Citral*, Benzyl Alcohol*, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Hectorite, Xanthan Gum. (*Component of natural essential oils)
Have you made the switch to a natural deodorant? What is your favorite brand?
Disclosure level 1: The author received NO compensation to write this post. The author received a sample of some of the products featured for editorial consideration. Receiving a sample didn’t influence the decision to feature a brand nor the opinions expressed by the author. All links provided in the article are for information only and are not part of any affiliate marketing program.
Love this deodorant! Thank you for sharing.
My pleasure! I hope this article inspires more people to switch to a natural deodorant. There are so many options out there that there's a healthier alternative for everybody!