So you’re trying natural beauty products? That’s great. The problem is, you might be scared to try one of the swaps you need most: a natural deodorant.
Commercial deodorants can be loaded with harmful chemicals and endocrine disrupting ingredients that have no business on our bodies (especially not so close to our breasts). The trouble is, of course, that risking a smelly, sweaty workout class or meeting while wearing the wrong deodorant — clean or no — just isn’t worth it for some of us.
In 2019, we hit up readers to ask which products actually worked for you and we got a ton of responses. We’ve added four more products that have launched since that we think are worth it too…
Corpus | Corpus is one of our favorite new natural deodorants for everyday use. Impossibly chic, the long-lasting water-based formula is made with natural enzymes and plant extracts, and made without synthetics and harmful chemicals. Pretty packaging aside, the real draw is the sophisticated natural fragrance blends, which basically double as perfume. Our favorites are Green (bergamot, pink lemon, orange blossom, cardamom) and Santalum ( sandalwood, sandalwood root, Texas cedarwood, amber).
Hume Supernatural DeodOrant | We love this plant-based deodorant for the formula of probiotics and prebiotics to support the skin’s natural microbiome. Plus, the mineral-rich formula includes plant botanicals to fight odor. With 7 scent options, there’s something that suits every body.
Lavanilla | A reader favorite. This award-winning, aluminum-free deodorant smells fresh in a way that sparks instant nostalgia. Each one features soothing essential oils blend that fight odor effectively while soothing, conditioning, and nourishing the delicate skin under our arms. It’s formulated to be non-irritating, allergy-tested, and does not contain aluminum, mineral oils, or synthetic fragrances.
Agent Nateur HOLI(STICK) | This chic, long-lasting deodorant is made with food-grade ingredients. The formula includes raw organic honey, lavender and eucalyptus, avocado butter and other soothing natural oils. And, yes, it really works.
Native | Made without aluminum, parabens, phthalates, and talc, this natural deodorant works surprisingly well for high-intensity activities. Also a TCM reader fave.
Kopari | This natural coconut deodorant glides on clear and smells amazing. The good fats from coconuts nourish skin. Coconut oil contain lauric acid which is antibacterial and antimicrobial, meaning it helps fight inflammation and keep redness at bay.
BEAUTYCOUNTER | Aptly named The Clean Deo, this new aluminum-free deodorant does double duty by neutralizing odor and absorbing sweat. Non-GMO cornstarch and baking soda do the heavy lifting to keep you dry, while coconut oil and shea butter keep skin soft. We love the refillable packaging.
Schmidt’s | This mineral enriched natural deodorant contains activated charcoal, which helps soaks up moisture and draw out and eliminate smell-inducing toxins. The addition of magnesium helps the body produce protective enzymes and antioxidants that help neutralize bacteria.
Salt & Stone | This natural deodorant has become a cult fave not only for its chic packaging that looks great on any vanity, but for its subtle scents that are perfect for everyday wear. The best-selling formula is made without aluminum, alcohol, parabens, or phthalates.
Blume | Blume deodorant contains probiotic that helps fight odor by balancing out the bacteria that cause it. It works for 24-hours without harmful chemicals, which is a major win in the natural deodorant department.
I am here to tell you Agent Nateur WORKS. I’ve used green deo for over ten years now (I’ve tried lots of different kinds), and this is the first one that hasn’t failed on me on the days I don’t shower. I’ve used both the sensitive skin formula and the Shiva Rose version — they smell amazing and make you smell amazing too. They are also expensive, and I am not normally about expensive personal care products because you can usually find more affordable versions that works just as well (as far a body care goes, I use good soap from Whole Foods and those big bottles of EO lotion and that’s it) but I splurge on this because it is such a good, effective product and I really haven’t found anything better (also, did I mention how good it smells?)
Kopari has dirty ingredients, be better Chalkboard. Do you guys do research?
This is a list of reader picks. We find Kopari to be super clean, but we’re curious about your insights if you would like to share!
I use Schmidt’s Charcoal & Magnesium deodorant. I LOVE IT. It is literally the only deodorant that allows me to be 100% confident that I don’t stink! I am 35 and I have been wearing deodorant for more than two decades now and nothing has worked for me until this very specific deodorant. I must say I tried the Lime scent and it didn’t work for me so I’m sticking with the Charcoal one. My only issue with it is that my pits get wet, but that’s understandable because it’s not an anti-perspirant. Also, it does darken the armpits of my clothing because it contains oils. I have accepted that fault in exchange for odor free pits!
I’m surprised Lumé wasn’t on the list! I have tried many natural deodorants, including at least three of the ones listed above, and NONE of them hold up as well as Lumé. I’m a hot sleeper, and Lumé is the only natural deodorant I’ve tried that leaves me totally unstinky in the morning. I will say I’ve found its only good for about 24 hours without showering, especially that just running-around-weak-sweat. But it last my whole day, overnight, and morning Zumba class, which is enough for me!!
Well I’ll gladly point out the ingredients which are DEFINITELY dirty.
This is the Kopari Coconut Oil Deodorant INCI:
propylene glycol*water/aqua/eausodium stearatepropanediolsaccharomyces ferment filtratefragrance (parfum)caprylyl/capryl glucosidesodium caproyl/lauroyl lactyl lactatesilicaethylhexylglycerinpolyglyceryl-5 oleatesodium cocoyl glutamateglyceryl caprylatetriethyl citratecocos nucifera (coconut) liquid endospermsalvia officinalis (sage) oilglycerincocos nucifera (coconut) fruit juiceglyceryl lauratecocos nucifera (coconut) oil**sodium anisatecitric acid
Apart from the fact that fragrance *parfum( is on the fifth place of the ingredients list *which is indeed high, Glyceryl Laurate is an ingredient which can be problematic if used in products intended for use around the eyes due to increased risk of absorption. Following the same logic, absorption could be problematic when you apply deodorant over lymphatic nodes. But I personally think it is low enough on the ingredient list not to be considered a huge red flag. Beige flag maybe. Perfume would be a slight red flag so in al honesty, nothing too extreme but I can find slightly better options on the market.
I’ve tried 7 out of 10 of these products, but I have very sensitive skin and I still needed something more minimal. If these products don’t work for you, I highly recommend Real Purity roll-on deodorant. It’s made for people with eczema so it’s super simple, but anlso all-day, summer-time-sweating effective.
Not a list of clean deodorants – Kopari, Salt and Stone, Hume, they all use artificial synthetic fragrance. As a clean deodorant fan, I am annoyed that companies can claim NATURAL deodorant when they use synthetic fragrance. It is one of if not the most important ingredient to avoid in the underarm. If I was the editor here, I would not allow these brands into a round up of “Natural Deodorants”. While maybe the Allures of the world get a pass, I do expect chalk board to be critical of this.