Credit: Getty
Stylist Loves
12 best natural deodorants that are aluminium-free, eco-friendly and actually work
By Ava Welsing-Kitcher &Chloe Burcham
8 months ago
5 min read
Natural deodorants have a reputation for being weaker and unable to keep sweat at bay, but these tried-and-tested favourites work just as well as their aluminium-based counterparts.
Deodorant’s part of pretty much everyone’s daily routine, but a lot of us are reaching for the antiperspirant without knowing what’s inside the can. Let’s get things straight: antiperspirants and deodorants are two different things. The former usually uses aluminium salts to plug pores and stop sweating, while the latter simply disperses or covers up body odour. For that reason, many aluminium-free deodorants don’t help with sweating, but they do help stop bacteria from breaking down sweat and releasing body odour.
It turns out there’s a lot of steps behind creating an aluminium-free deodorant that’ll stop odour rather than simply masking it. “A number of different ingredients can help reduce sweating without stopping it completely,” explains Dr Simon Jackson, founder of botanical brand Modern Botany and creator of the first natural antiperspirant.
“Antibacterial essential oils like eucalyptus and lemon tea tree ward off bacteria, therefore eliminating odour. Astringents like witch hazel and tannins dry out the underarms and reduce pore size. Aluminium definitely isn’t necessary.”
You may also like
It’s time to accept that women don’t ‘glow’ – we sweat
I grew up using aluminium-free deodorants. After rebelling in university, I started using antiperspirants that would see me through a sweaty student union night to an 8am lecture, and my underarms turned dark grey.
It was bacteria reacting to the aluminium that my underarms weren’t used to, so I hastily returned to the aluminium-free life. I’ve finally found several deodorants and one antiperspirant that do work – and smell amazing.
Credit: Unsplash
If I’ve learned one thing after years of trialling different formulas, my number one tip is this: apply twice the amount that you would normally for best results, and keep one in your bag/at your desk to top up once or twice during the day. If you can wash your armpits twice a day too, even better. It’s a small change to your daily routine and seems like a pain, but it’s more than worth it.
Best natural deodorants
Nécessaire The Deodorant Gel
Formulated with 5% AHA, niacinamide, panthenol and chamomile flower extract, this fresh-feeling deodorant is free from baking soda, parabens, aluminium and PEGS. Clear and quick to dry, it helps reduce discolouration, improve skin texture and minimise the bumps of KP-prone skin for a smoother, healthier look.
Cowshed Deodorant Spray
It’s a little bit drippy after the first spray, but it seriously keeps odour away all day long – plus the blend of peppermint, lemongrass and aloe vera smells unbelievably fresh.
Aesop Deodorant Roll-On
This alcohol-free formula uses zinc, wasabi and sage leaf to combat bacteria with an earthy scent. Aesop’s classic brown glass protects the product inside from UV rays, lessening the use of preservatives.
L’Occitane Citrus Verbena Deodorant Stick
This sparkling, fresh scent is enough to make you quit aluminium for good. And while it doesn’t last as long as the others, you won’t mind whipping it out a couple of times a day thanks to the rustic lemon yellow packaging.
Aurelia Botanical Cream Deodorant
Freelance beauty editor Shannon Peter swears by this natural deodorant by Aurelia. “It takes a little while to get used to applying it with your hands, but honestly, it’s the best deodorant I’ve ever tried. It smells minty, herby and delicious and is just as powerful as its heavyweight drugstore equivalents.”
Sol de Janeiro Rio Deo Aluminum-Free Deodorant
Formulated with the much-loved Cheirosa ’62 fragrance, this aluminium and baking soda-free deodorant works to eliminate odour, soothe skin and fight ingrown hairs thanks to exfoliating papaya enzymes.
Shop Sol de Janeiro Rio Deo Aluminum-Free Deodorant at Harvey Nichols, £16
Modern Botany Deodorant
Modern Botany’s antiperspirant formula uses tannins (the stuff in red wine and tea that gives you a dry mouth) and witch hazel to simultaneously dry out your underarms, reduce pore size and carry the antibacterial essential oils straight to the site of action so they can ward off bacteria. Clever stuff.
Malin + Goetz Eucalyptus Deodorant
The eucalyptus in this is pretty potent in getting rid of bacteria (one slick at the end of the day sorts out any odour that’s built up) but it doesn’t smell too strong. It doesn’t feel sticky and weightlessly sinks straight into the skin.
The Natural Deodorant Co. Clean Deodorant Balm Orange + Bergamot
Posting on her Instagram Stories, Fearne Cotton captioned a picture of this deodorant: “I love this stuff!” If it’s good enough for her, then it’s good enough for us: free of parabens, palm oil and preservatives, it’s also cruelty-free and vegan. Plus, the packaging is fully recyclable and comes in tinier sizes for transporting. Tick, tick, tick.
PiperWai Natural Deodorant Jar
This is hands down the best natural deodorant I’ve ever tried. Don’t hate me, though – it’s only available in the US. They do ship to the UK, and trust me – it’s worth the customs charge. Either use a tiny scoop from the jar (which lasts you for most of a year) or use their stick version. The activated charcoal neutralises odour and moisture, and spreads across skin easily with a dry touch.
Agent Nateur holi(stick) No.3 Deodorant
With coconut oil, beeswax and avocado butter, you’d think this is a skin-soothing body butter, but sweat-absorbing baking soda and eucalyptus stop it from feeling greasy. Our underarms get shaved, scrubbed with harsh soap, and rub up against clothing all day, so the nourishing ingredients in this one work well as an overnight treatment that also keeps sweat under wraps.
Shop Agent Nateur holi(stick) No.3 Deodorant at Naturisimo, £23
Dr. Hauschka Sage and Mint Deodorant
There’s just something about mint that refreshes and awakens your skin and senses like nothing else. This liquid formula uses the herb to its full advantage, leaving a satisfying tingling sensation that feels like it’s cleaning you while leaving a subtle scent that lasts for hours.
Shop Dr. Hauschka Sage and Mint Deodorant at Naturisimo, £14
Image: Getty
Sign up for our edit of what to buy, see, read and do, and receive a free mini-mag of the top 5 fashion trends you’re sure to see in 2024.
By signing up you agree to occasionally receive offers and promotions from Stylist. Newsletters may contain online ads and content funded by carefully selected partners. Don’t worry, we’ll never share or sell your data. You can opt-out at any time. For more information read Stylist’s Privacy Policy
Thank you!
You’re now subscribed to all our newsletters. You can manage your subscriptions at any time from an email or from a MyStylist account.