Natural deodorants have risen in popularity in recent years as more people choose to abandon traditional deodorants largely because they often contain aluminum, which has been anecdotally linked to cancer and Alzheimer’s disease (currently, no compelling evidence supports the link). Many find the topic of natural deodorant intimidating. I’ve had my own experiences searching for the “perfect” one, often feeling disappointed that I gave up and returned to my regular deodorant. Initially, I didn’t know much about the differences between natural and traditional deodorants, but over time, I discovered several that I genuinely liked. Patience is key when figuring out what works best. “It may take a few weeks to adjust to the switch of natural deodorants,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Carly J. Roman, M.D.
With so many options available now, finding the right one for you can feel daunting. Since I’ve been there, I decided to test several of the most popular, uniquely formulated natural deodorants. I focused heavily on odor protection (I’m not the sweatiest person, so I manage without an antiperspirant). Odor protection is where natural deodorants often face the most skepticism, so I took this task seriously to determine which natural deodorants I found the most effective.
Our Top Picks Best Overall: $13 Best Budget: $16 Best Gel: $13 Best Long-Lasting: $26 Best Cream: SALE $19 $16 Best Odor Control: $17 Best Cologne/Perfume Substitute: $24 Best Transfer-Proof: $14 Best Sweat Control: $14 Best Scented: $20
Best Overall
Native Deodorant
Type: Solid | Active Ingredients: Baking Soda, coconut oil, shea butter | Size: 2.65 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Anyone who’s tried natural deodorants has likely heard of Native. They’re known for accessible deodorants in a variety of scents. The Regular Deodorant stick prevents odor and moisture with baking soda and tapioca starch. I chose the eucalyptus & mint scent, which took me back to the old Bath & Body Works fragrance. It’s a solid stick like traditional deodorant but without the clumps and residue.
The scent diminished after a few hours, but I stayed odor-free for more than eight hours, even during outdoor activities—I never had to reapply. At the end of the day, I could still smell traces of it. It seriously outperformed my expectations, and any skepticism I had about natural deodorants vanished.
Best Budget
Arm & Hammer Essentials Solid Deodorant
Type: Solid | Active Ingredients: Baking Soda, natural plant extracts | Size: 2.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This deodorant relies on baking soda to absorb sweat and neutralize odor-causing bacteria. I tried the unscented version, but there are five fragranced options. The clear, creamy stick applies smoothly with a few swipes. It takes a moment to absorb but doesn’t become flaky or sticky, nor does it leave behind greasy, stain-causing residue (to the relief of my favorite T-shirts).
Despite not being a traditional aluminum-based antiperspirant, it did help maintain some dryness. I didn’t sweat through my shirt for most of the day, and it kept odor at bay for about five hours before I felt the need to reapply. Additionally, my body odor never became intense. It even held up during my hour-long gym sessions. Neutralization is this deodorant’s superpower. It’s not for anyone sensitive to baking soda, but if you don’t mind that ingredient, the reasonable price makes it worth a try.
Best Gel
Billie AHA Deodorant
Type: Gel | Active Ingredients: AHAs, coconut oil, shea butter | Size: 2.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Admittedly, I haven’t used many gel deodorants before, so I was curious and excited to try the Billie AHA Deodorant. I was intrigued by its inclusion of alpha hydroxy acids, which help prevent the bacterial growth that causes odor. It uses lactic acid (as part of a multi-acid blend) to gently exfoliate underarm skin, keeping the area soft and smooth. It comes in three scents: Tidel Rose, Lavender Milk, and Botanic Air. I’m a lavender guy, so I picked Lavender Milk. It’s a very subtle skin scent that doesn’t project or last long.
Despite the lack of fragrance longevity, it kept me odor-free for up to six hours, even during late summer in NYC. The clear gel formula does leave some sticky residue, so I was careful not to overapply. Surprisingly, it didn’t stain my shirt. After a gym session, I felt the need to shower and reapply. But I’d say this is to be expected from your average natural deodorant. Besides the stickiness, I was impressed. I am officially an AHA deodorant convert.
Best Long-Lasting
Corpus Natural Deodorant
Type: Solid | Active Ingredients: Diatomaceous Earth, tapioca starch, shea butter | Size: 2.6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
After reading great reviews, I looked forward to trying the Corpus Deodorant Stick. It’s another formula that uses baking soda, a known deodorizer. It also contains tapioca starch to absorb sweat and diatomaceous earth to help neutralize odors. It comes in six different fragrances; I tried the scent Third Rose (rose, sandalwood, and cedar). Each fragrance is made with natural essential oils; no synthetics here.
It’s a solid stick that applies like butter and absorbs into the skin with no flaky residue or buildup. The scent lasts about four hours, but I was most impressed by its eight hours of odor protection. I felt fresh and neutral throughout the day without needing to reapply, which is especially reassuring in humid weather.
Best Cream
Curie Deodorant Stick
$16 at Amazon
Type: Cream Stick | Active Ingredients: Baking Soda, arrowroot powder, coconut oil | Size: 2.65 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Curie is known for its clean deodorant, which I’d say is formulated to stand up to traditional deodorant. It uses baking soda and arrowroot powder for moisture and odor protection. Ingredients like coconut oil and shea butter keep the armpit hydrated and moisturized. It comes in five scents, including an unscented version. I tried Coconut Nectar, a sweet, soft, and fresh scent.
This white solid stick turns to a cream-like texture as you apply it. It feels moisturizing without clumping or leaving buildup. The scent peaked within the first four hours but continued to linger throughout the day. It kept me odor-free for eight hours, even in the city. Though I did sweat (it’s not an antiperspirant), I never sweated through my shirt. I left the stick at home and still felt fresh well into the evening hours.
Best Odor Control
Drunk Elephant Deodorant Cream
Type: Cream | Active Ingredients: Mandelic Acid, marula oil, shea butter | Size: 2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Drunk Elephant is known for its best-selling skin care products, so it’s no surprise they’ve created a natural deodorant that puts skin care at the forefront. It’s formulated without baking soda, essential oils, or fragrances. Instead, it uses mandelic acid and arrowroot powder (sweat-absorbing and bacteria-fighting powerhouses), while marula oil and shea butter soothe and moisturize underarm skin.
The liquid cream texture was a little messy at first, but once I got the hang of it, I could apply it without incident (or stains on my clothes). It kept me fresh and odor-free for up to six hours during humid weather. After that, I reapplied, as I could feel the deodorant becoming less effective over time. I’d say this is a good deodorant for days when I’m running errands or going to the gym. It’s not the most longest-lasting, but it gets the job done.
Best Cologne/Perfume Substitute
Evolvetogether Natural Deodorant
Type: Solid | Active Ingredients: Arrowroot Powder, bamboo powder, coconut oil | Size: 2.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
I'm aware of evolvetogether for its hydrating hand cream and locale-inspired scents, but I hadn’t tried the natural deodorant before. The formula includes advanced enzymes (from fermented sugarcane) to neutralize odors and tapioca starch to absorb sweat and wetness. It comes in four signature scents: Monaco, Taormina, Tulum, and Havana. I chose Havana, which includes notes of vetiver, cardamom, and cedarwood.
The creamy solid stick applied smoothly without clumps, residue, or stains, and just two swipes fully coated my armpits. The scent didn’t last particularly long (although it did on Ally Hirschlag, Byrdie’s associate editorial director), but it neutralized odor for about five hours. It’s great if you’re looking for a deodorant with subtle, complex notes, like a perfume or cologne.
Best Transfer-Proof
Megababe The Smoothie Deo
Type: Solid | Active Ingredients: Fruit Enzymes, charcoal, coconut oil | Size: 2.6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Megababe addresses common body care issues like chafing and body acne. The Smoothie Deo is designed to prevent body odor and improve underarm skin. It uses fruit enzymes to balance pH and reduce odor-causing bacteria. Jojoba and sunflower seed oils soothe and nourish underarms; I never object to smoother underarms.
I enjoyed the soft fruity scent of bilberry, lemon, and orange (though I wish it lasted longer). It’s a creamy solid stick that applies white but absorbs into a clear, stain-free cream. My underarms felt hydrated all day, but the odor protection lasted only about five hours. I reapplied to ward off any incoming body odor. The formula improves with wear, though, so I think it’s worth the effort.
Best Sweat Control
Oars + Alps Natural Deodorant
$12 at Amazon
Type: Solid | Active Ingredients: Aloe Vera, cornstarch, coconut oil | Size: 2.6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
I thought Oars + Alps was just another natural deodorant stick, but it was so much more. The straightforward ingredients include cornstarch instead of baking soda, aloe vera, and vegan glycerin for moisture. I chose California Coast, an ocean-inspired citrus scent. I wondered how effectively it would prevent odor without the typical natural deodorizing ingredients.
The dome stick makes application easy; the deodorant goes on clear with no residue. Despite the scent fading quickly, I stayed odor-free for eight hours. I did sweat a little, but not enough to stain my shirt—a huge win. I didn’t have to pack it on or reapply, and I felt secure all day. So, regarding sweat control, this natural deodorant stands on its own.
Best Scented
Salt & Stone Natural Deodorant
$19 at Amazon
Type: Solid | Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, shea butter, probiotics | Size: 2.6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
At first glance, I didn’t expect much from Salt & Stone’s natural deodorant. It seemed standard enough. The formula includes probiotics and hyaluronic acid to keep armpits moisturized, while baking soda and tapioca starch absorb odor and moisture. It comes in four scents—I chose Black Rose & OUD, a warm musky floral—more reminiscent of perfume than deodorant.
I was genuinely impressed with how well it performed. The creamy stick applied smoothly without clumps or residue, and it kept odor away all day and into the evening. No reapplication was necessary. The scent’s longevity was top-tier—I found I couldn’t stop sniffing. The addictive rose and oud scent lasted into the next morning. I can see this becoming my go-to deodorant for the scent alone.
What to Look for in a Natural Deodorant
- Active Ingredients: If you’re looking for a natural deodorant to mainly neutralize odor, look for ingredients like sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). Magnesium hydroxide and zinc oxide are also effective alternatives for sensitive skin, as they mitigate odor without irritating the skin, as sodium bicarbonate sometimes can.
- Moisture Absorption: Natural deodorants manage moisture through ingredients like arrowroot powder and tapioca powder. This can be beneficial for people who sweat more heavily or lead active lifestyles.
- Probiotics & Essential Oils: Probiotics can help balance the skin’s microbiome, while essential oils, such as tea tree and lavender, have antibacterial properties that target odor-causing bacteria. However, essential oils can be irritating, especially on sensitive skin, so we advise patch testing first.
How I Tested Natural Deodorants
Over six weeks, I tested 10 natural deodorants, wearing each for at least eight hours on multiple occasions. During this period, I evaluated how well each product managed odor and sweat during daily activities and more intense situations like workouts. I also considered scent, texture, transfer resistance, and longevity to offer a comprehensive review of each deodorant's performance.
FAQ
- What are the biggest benefits of natural deodorant?
Natural deodorants don’t use aluminum, which is commonly found in traditional deodorants to block sweat glands. Many people choose to avoid this ingredient because it has been anecdotally linked to cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. However, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rosemarie Ingleton, M.D., FAAD, says, "There is no evidence to suggest that traditional antiperspirants and deodorants are bad for your health." She suggests those with sensitive skin choose fragrance-free options. "Essential oils can irritate your skin just like synthetic fragrances," Dr. Ingleton explains.
- Can natural deodorants mitigate odor and sweat as well as traditional deodorants?
"Natural deodorants can mitigate odor but do not control sweating," says Dr. Ingleton. Traditional antiperspirants contain aluminum, which blocks sweat glands, while natural deodorants rely on ingredients like arrowroot powder and tapioca powder to absorb moisture. While these ingredients can offer some sweat protection, they don’t provide the same level of sweat control as traditional deodorants.
- How often do you need to reapply natural deodorant?
"This depends on the person and the product," says Dr. Ingleton. For some, reapplying natural deodorant once a day might be sufficient, while others may need to reapply more often, especially after periods of activity. I suggest carrying deodorant with you for easy reapplication, particularly if you’re out for extended periods.
Why Trust Byrdie
Saleam Singleton is a freelance beauty and grooming writer and editor with expertise in product testing and reviews. He specializes in men’s skincare, hair care, body care, and grooming and has contributed to Byrdie, AskMen, Brides, and Fatherly. Saleam has tested several natural deodorants, evaluating their performance based on real-world experiences.
For this article, Singleton interviewed board-certified dermatologists Dr. Carly J. Roman, M.D., and Dr. Rosemarie Ingleton, M.D., FAAD. Dr. Roman is a member of Modern Dermatology in the Pacific Northwest with an interest in acne, rosacea, hair loss, psoriasis, women’s skin health, Botox, and cosmetics. Dr. Ingleton resides in New York City and has over 25 years of experience. She is the Medical Director of Ingleton Dermatology and a respected authority in general and cosmetic dermatology. She specializes in adult acne, dermatologic surgery, and treating skin of color.
Edited by Ally Hirschlag
