When they first came into the world, even the best natural deodorants reeked of issues. They weren’t particularly easy to use, nor were they able to keep you smelling fresh until the end of the day. But through years of research, cosmetic chemists kept chugging along until they found formulas that are just as good as the other deodorants you know and love.
A quick refresher on the difference between antiperspirants and natural deodorants: Antiperspirants use aluminum to “plug” your sweat glands, which prevents your body from producing sweat. Natural deodorants (also known as aluminum-free deodorants) on the other hand contain no aluminum, so you still sweat, but the formula works to mask or neutralize the smell of body odor. That’s because sweat itself doesn’t actually smell. “It’s the bacteria that grows on sweat that causes odor,” says Katie Sturino, founder of Megababe.
Still, nobody wants to take a chance on switching to natural deodorant only to have it melt down at the most inopportune time—which is why we called on Glamour staffers to sweat the problem for you. We tested dozens of options to narrow down which aluminum-free deodorants hold up to their claims. Here are the best natural deodorants for women to shop right now.
I’m something of a natural-deodorant savant, if you will. I’ve tried nearly every one since the first-generation versions came out years ago. The first thing I noticed about the Dove 0% Aluminum Deodorant is that it didn’t sting. Some natural deodorants contain baking soda to absorb sweat, which can be irritating, while others use alcohol, which can burn a little if you have any nicks or abrasions from shaving. But Dove has neither. I also liked that while the stick is white, the creamy formula disappears once it’s on your skin—a plus come summer. And I’m impressed by how good the deodorizing is. Unless I’m doing hot yoga, it’s one of the best options I’ve tried. It seems Glamour readers think so too, considering it won a Beauty Award in our Readers’ Choice category. —Deanna Pai, beauty contributor
Megababe has garnered somewhat of a cult following due to its Instagram-friendly packaging and destigmatization of the less cute aspects of beauty (boob sweat and thigh chafing included). And the products really work. I’m usually not a fan of aluminum-free deodorants—I find them sticky and ineffective—but this one does the trick. It keeps B.O. at bay, is comfortable to wear, and doesn’t leave white streaks on my clothes. Plus, its slight citrus scent smells amazing but isn’t too overwhelming. No wonder the brand’s original scent, Rosy Pits, had a 13,000-person waiting list at one point.
While testing for the Glamour Beauty Awards, I put this aluminum- and paraben-free deodorant to every sweaty test I could think of and it passed with flying colors. Not only are there several scents to choose from, but the cute cartridge is refillable, which is why it won for Best Sustainable Deodorant. Trust me, you’ll be obsessed with it.
Not only is this natural deodorant incredibly chic, but it also dries instantly, leaving zero residue behind. I would totally forget I was wearing it except for the fact that my pits smell like fresh eucalyptus and not B.O.
The fresh, gorgeous rose scent on this natural deodorant is unparalleled. It completely blocks out any hint of odor, making for whiffs that smell more like an English garden than your grandmother’s perfume.
Behold: A totally different approach to natural deodorant. Instead of simply masking the smell of sweat, this aluminum-free deodorant targets the bacteria that causes B.O. with a blend of alpha hydroxy acids that offer key antimicrobial properties. It also comes with a few other perks, like brightening dark underarms, which can result from friction over time. And it also reduces the chances of ingrown hairs, since the acid blend does what acid does best and exfoliates. Bonus: It also goes on with a roller ball so it’s easy to use. It’s a new staple in my summer routine.
I won’t lie, I swear by deodorants with clinical protection (read chemicals). As someone who stress-sweats at the drop of a hat, I need all the help I can get to keep the funk at bay. However, I was pleasantly surprised by Freedom’s natural deodorant and deodorant spray. I used the deodorant before my Pilates class and used the spray as a refresher afterward—not a side-eye in sight!
8. Crystal Body Deodorant Stick
When I was in high school, my Cool Aunt™ sat me down on the edge of the bed and handed me a crystal. No, we didn’t talk about chakras, but we did talk about chlorohydrate as she shared this “body stick” with me—a 100% natural mineral salt “crystal” deodorant. I’d just had a breakout under my arms due to a skin reaction, so this product was an actual salve for me. It took me about a year to go through one full stick! Over the years I’ve repurchased it on and off (at a mere $7 for a year’s supply, the price per wear doesn’t exist). The best parts? This deodorant doesn’t have a hint of a scent and it never leaves a stain. The one downside? You need to moisten it before use, which can make for an awkward application if you’re out and about and nowhere near a faucet.
To be honest, I picked this deodorant because I liked the packaging. (Yes, I’m that millennial.) I was pleasantly surprised, though, by how much I liked the light, floral white-tea scent. The downside? It has a tacky, sticky texture when applying that took some getting used to. But the deodorant held up against 90-plus-degree weather, so that’s a win in my book.
This deodorant represents all of my aesthetic goals and dreams. It’s minimal in its design and ingredient list, and it smells phenomenal—seriously, if N° Green came in a rollerball, I’d buy it. The stick applies light, clear, and (word to the wise) a bit sticky. I wouldn’t necessarily wear it to the gym, but it works just fine for a Sunday at home—and if nothing else, it’ll up your shelf game.
There’s nothing quite like enduring a hectic morning commute in the dead of winter only to find your layers on layers have resulted in a bit of a sweat-induced situation once you reach the office. That’s why I was nervous to stray from my usual form of B.O. protection. But I have to say the Native Coconut & Vanilla Deodorant was a pleasant surprise. I ended up smelling like a tropical vacation and didn’t need to reapply—although I wish the consistency wasn’t so rough. But at least it’s not sticky!
My boyfriend is obsessed with Malin + Goetz, and I understand the hype. I stole this eucalyptus deodorant from him when I was in a pinch, and I got hooked on the scent. It’s super refreshing but not overwhelming, and the consistency isn’t sticky, unlike other natural options.
I love Ursa Major because it feels fresh and clean like regular deodorant and has a pretty decent price point, leaves absolutely no residue, creates no weird-colored sweat. I recommend it to anyone who tells me they’re thinking about going natural. It works great.
I’ve forever been turned off by aluminum-free deodorants because I just can’t get past the scent of most. They’re either too earthy or smell like a pungent essential oil. Which is why I thought I’d hate the lavender scent of this one. Shocker: It’s honestly pleasant and not overpowering in the least. The formula is safe for expectant mothers or those breastfeeding, of which I’m neither, but it works just as well regardless. It doesn’t really help with wetness—since again, it’s a natural formula—but the smell holds up for hours.
I’m a little skeptical about all things CBD—it seems that it’s in everything these days. But this natural deodorant did its job. While it wasn’t as long-lasting as synthetic options, I felt covered the days I was wearing it and had to reapply only a few times. And for an aluminum-free deodorant, this has a subtle scent and relatively long-lasting wear. That being said, jury is still out on whether we need CBD in our deodorants; maybe this is just a good formula.
