Don’t Sweat It—We Found 18 Natural Deodorants That Actually Work (2024)

Byrdie Tip

Like any major change, there’s going to be a transition period when moving from an antiperspirant to a natural deodorant; experts refer to this as a detox period. “As your body starts to flush out the barrier that built up from traditional antiperspirants, you may notice more sweat and odor,” says Emily Koko, a former assistant buyer for Credo Beauty. Duranski notes that this can last up to four weeks. But it will get better so ride it out, and then start testing different formulas, until you find the one that works best with your body chemistry, advises Koko.

Our Top Picks

Active Ingredients: Coconut and sage oils, coconut water, saccharomyces ferment | Size: 2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Byrdie editors have tried pretty much every natural deodorant, but few come close to rivaling this universally-beloved favorite. It relies largely on coconut oil (which is naturally antibacterial and antimicrobial), as well as sage oil, for odor protection that’s on par with that of antiperspirants. Also nice: It comes in four scents plus an unscented version. A word to the wise: Because of the coconut oil in the formula, it can get melty and runny if it gets too hot, so keep it in a cool spot.

Active Ingredients: Baking soda, coriander fruit oil | Size: 2.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

A box of Arm & Hammer is one of the most inexpensive ways to freshen up your fridge, and it turns out the brand has your underarm needs covered, too. You get not one but two sticks for less than the price of your morning latte, not to mention excellent wetness absorption and a nice selection of scents. But don’t take our word for it alone—there are pages of five-star reviews on Amazon about this deodorant, especially from those who experience excess sweating. Some complain about it being a little drying, though.

Active Ingredients: Coconut oil, baking soda | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This deodorant is chic, chic, chic with a capital C. Everything from the minimalistic black and white packaging to the scent (derived from eucalyptus and lavender oils) screams sophistication. It’s made from food-grade ingredients, including organic coconut oil, avocado butter, and beeswax, alongside healing essential oils that soothe sensitive skin while keeping you smelling super fresh. It truly defies every stereotype that comes to mind when you think of natural deodorant, making it a luxurious treat worth every penny—particularly given how well it works.

Active Ingredients: Mineral salts | Size: 4.3 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Looking for a minimal ingredient list? How about just one ingredient? That’s right, uno—you’ll only find natural mineral salts in this deodorant stone. It leaves an invisible barrier on the skin that protects you from bacteria-creating odors without leaving any stains, stickiness, or residue. One stone is guaranteed to last you at least a year. It’s also unscented—ideal if you’re opposed to fragrance in your products.

Active Ingredients: Mandelic and lactic acids | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This natural deodorant gel is a favorite at Byrdie HQ. The formula is everything you would want from your deodorant: effective ingredients that work together seamlessly to block out odor without using aluminum, parabens, and synthetic fragrances. It also dries clear and helps keep bumpy bits and ingrown hairs at bay by adding mandelic and lactic acids and niacinamide. Panthenol and chamomile flower extract also soothe irritation and sensitive skin. We’re partial to the fresh eucalyptus scent, but there’s a fragrance-free option available should you prefer that.

Active Ingredients: Kaolin clay, baking soda, activated charcoal, shea butter, coconut oil | Size: 2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Paste deodorants are polarizing—think of them as the cilantro of the natural beauty world. (A weird analogy, we know, but just go with it.) If you can get behind the application process, which requires a scoop and a smear, pick up this guy. Both experts we spoke to are big fans. “It’s chock-full of moisture-absorbing ingredients, such as kaolin clay, arrowroot powder, magnesium, and baking soda to keep you dry, plus activated charcoal to remove impurities, says Koko. Duranski loves it, too, lauding it for its “supreme odor protection.” You might have to practice your application technique, though, as it can be messy—especially if you’re new to using paste deodorants.

Active Ingredients: Activated charcoal, salicylic acid | Size: 2.3 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Rather than using baking soda, which can be irritating for some, this relies on activated charcoal to help remove impurities and neutralize odors, says Koko. It’s part of the reason it’s a choice for those with sensitive skin (because irritation under your arms is really the pits). There’s also a spring-like floral scent to this formula, which is derived from natural fragrance only. But be warned that it can leave a faint residue behind.

Active Ingredients: Diatomaceous earth, Saccharomyces ferment | Size: 2.6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

“Corpus uses naturally derived enzymes to balance bacteria and odor, and this has the most lovely scent,” says Koko. Credit the perfect balance of cedar, white musk, and jasmine that make this smell more like a perfume than a natural deodorant—and that’s just the Cedar Flora scent. Other options include Santalum (a blend of sandalwood, cedarwood, and amber), California (sea salt, bergamot, musk, and jasmine), Neroli (orange blossom, neroli, and bergamot) and many more. It’s another great pick for sensitive skin since it uses tapioca starch rather than baking soda.

Active Ingredients: Mineral salts | Size: 2.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

From the brand that invented the OG crystal deodorant, this hydrating deodorant stick is infused with magnesium to keep body odor at bay alongside an ultra-hydrating base of coconut oil, cocoa seed butter, and shea butter to keep your pits soft and smooth. The real winner here, however, is the scent: The cucumber and mint fragrance is so refreshing, plus it’s naturally derived using essential oils and extracts. The brand also offers a few other unisex scents, such as sea salt and sage, charcoal and tea, and lavender and rosemary. If we’re being super picky, it can leave a temporary stain on the skin, depending on how much you apply.

Active Ingredients: Baking soda, kaolin clay, aloe vera | Size: 2.6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This cooling natural deodorant will keep you feeling fresh through hot yoga or the sweatiest of spin classes; credit the addition of peppermint and eucalyptus. It’s also cooling upon application, making it great to use post-workout. Koko also gives it bonus points for delivering all-day protection and the inclusion of soothing aloe to hydrate the underarms. You’ll also find moisture-absorbing kaolin clay, odor-busting baking soda, and hops on its ingredients list. Our one complaint is that it does dry out in its pot over time.

Active Ingredients: Arrowroot powder, tapioca powder, kaolin | Size: 2.2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This option from Nala allows you to not only pick the scent of your deodorant but also select your preferred level of odor protection. There are three different scents to choose from—plus an unscented option—and the option to select between sensitive (which is baking soda-free), regular, or extra strength. When it comes to natural deodorant, one size does not fit all, so this is a great way to mix and match to determine what your body needs.

Active Ingredients: Arrowroot powder, baking soda, coconut oil | Size: 3.3 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The founder of this brand started by making this formula in her kitchen, but now it’s one of the biggest natural deodorant players in the mass market, with a legit following. That’s largely due to the nongreasy, nonsticky texture, not to mention the unique scents. There are over 20 different ones, all of which smell great but are never cloying and are completely unisex. It’s not the smoothest of deodorants to apply, but it’s worth it for the staying power. (Bonus: there's also a line of Schmidt's deodorant for sensitive skin, with similarly unisex scents.)

Active Ingredients: Coconut oil, baking soda | Size: 2.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Baking soda can sometimes get a bad rap in the natural deodorant world, and admittedly, yes, it can be an irritating ingredient for some. That being said, it’s also one of the best odor- and wetness-absorbing options out there, so if your skin can tolerate it, go for it. This is a formula that uses only three other ingredients—cornstarch, fractionated coconut oil, and beeswax. It’s one of Duranski’s top picks, and she also raves about the affordable price point. Some reviewers do warn that it can temporarily stain the skin, so apply it with care if you’re wearing something revealing.

Active Ingredients: Magnesium carbonate, lavender oil | Size: 2.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Variety is the spice of life, which is why we appreciate that this brand offers nine different scents in a range of sophisticated pairings—think juniper mint and green tea. But the choices don’t stop there. You can also choose between sets of three full-size or four- or eight-count minis and buy just once or sign up for an easy subscription model. Plus, the formula is so clean that it’s even verified by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), an organization that monitors ingredient safety. Like many natural deodorants, though, it can leave a bit of a residue.

Active Ingredients: Tapioca starch | Size: 1.41 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

British natural deodorant brand Wild is vegan, environmentally friendly, and slightly addictive. The idea is that you buy a starter bundle comprising a metal case and deodorant refill in a scent of your choosing. You can either buy the deodorant refill as a one-off or sign up for a subscription where you’ll be sent a bundle of three at a frequency that suits you (if you’re using it daily, every 12-14 weeks is advised). If you have particularly sensitive armpits, try Wild’s baking soda-free range. We can report it’s gentle but effective—in fact, one of our editors hasn’t looked back since discovering it five years ago. “Natural deodorants have never really passed my stink test. Within one day of application this product kept me feeling dry and smell-free through a sweaty workout and humid commute on the NYC subway,” he said.

Active Ingredients: Mandelic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, gluconolactone | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Just when you think you know what natural deodorants are all about, here comes Billie with a revolutionary new formula. This breathable liquid gel contains a 5% multi-acid blend that actually adjusts the pH level of your underarms, preventing odor-causing bacteria from growing in the first place. And because alpha-hydroxy acids are known for their exfoliating prowess, the deodorant also helps prevent ingrown hairs from shaving, leaving your pits clear and smooth. It comes in three light, airy scents and dries completely transparent—no streaks in sight.

Active Ingredients: Willow bark extract, niacinamide, radish root ferment | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Speaking of ingrown hairs, these pesky blockages occur when the hair grows backward and gets trapped underneath the skin, leading to inflammation and (sometimes) even infection. It’s common anywhere you shave or wax—your underarms being a perfect example. This deodorant from Fur aspires to reduce ingrown hairs with willow bark extract, a form of salicylic acid that penetrates the hair follicles and exfoliates dead skin cell buildup. On top of that, it boasts niacinamide to help fade underarm hyperpigmentation and even out skin tone, as well as probiotic radish root ferment to tackle BO-causing bacteria. The water-based formula glides on easily and smells dreamy—like the woods after rainfall—but it does take a while to dry completely, so give yourself some time before getting dressed.

Active Ingredients: Mandelic acid, arrowroot powder, shea butter | Size: 2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

To keep your pits in tip-top shape, stock up on Drunk Elephant’s Sweet Pitti Deodorant Cream. It’s formulated with a skin-friendly pH of 4.0 and packed with silky moisturizers, including plant oils, marula, and shea butter, keeping your skin smooth and soft. If you’re wondering how this deodorant holds up in terms of fighting sweat and odor, the answer is very well. It contains mandelic acid (a gentle AHA) to eliminate bacteria and super-absorbent arrowroot powder to keep your underarms dry all day.

FAQ

• How long does it take to adjust to natural deodorant?

  Experts agree it can take up to four weeks—or 30 days—to flush out the ingredients in your traditional antiperspirant. There is an adjustment period for your body to adjust to the switch and for the natural deodorant to block odors effectively.

• Do I need to detox my armpits before using a natural deodorant?

  Some people swear by it. It's generally thought that aluminum is absorbed into the skin, though in very low amounts. Popular armpit detox recipes include exfoliating with a scrub and then applying a mixture of ingredients such as apple cider vinegar and witch hazel to cleanse the armpits.

• What happens to the body when you start using natural deodorant?

  Traditional deodorants use ingredients such as aluminum to stop sweat, so when you switch to a more natural alternative, you may find it takes a bit of time for your body to detox from what you’ve been blocking. As such, expect some initial itching, possibly even a rash, and slight body odor. For some people, this lasts just a couple of weeks, while for others, it may be slightly longer. Either way, it might be best to start the process in winter rather than the height of summer.