Switching to natural products has become a popular trend, and natural deodorants reliable for body and I’ve happily made changes to my hair care, makeup, and cleaning supplies natural base products . However, when it came to deodorants, I felt hesitant. Natural deodorant seemed like a challenge worth exploring, especially since many of us are becoming more conscious of what we put on our bodies. As a registered dietitian, I often advise clients to be cautious about toxins and endocrine disruptors found in health and beauty products. So, I decided to embark on a journey to find a natural deodorant that actually works.
Understanding the Difference: Antiperspirants vs. Deodorants
Before diving into my natural deodorant testing, it’s crucial to clarify the difference between antiperspirants and deodorants. Antiperspirants are designed to prevent sweating, while deodorants aim to mask or eliminate body odor. For someone like me, who sweats profusely, especially during the warm summer months, I was looking for a product that would keep me both dry and smelling fresh.
It’s hard to forget those awkward middle school moments when a classmate would have sweat stains under their arms. Trust me; nobody wants to relive that. I also have to admit that I’ve been a loyal user of Secret Clinical Strength deodorant for years, making the switch to a natural alternative a daunting task.
Why Natural Deodorants?
Many people, especially those trying to conceive or those with conditions like PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and hormonal imbalances, are encouraged to steer clear of harmful chemicals. Natural deodorants typically contain fewer synthetic ingredients and rely on natural components to combat odor. But do they really work? That was the question I sought to answer.
In my quest, I purchased five different natural deodorant products, planning to test each one for a week. I wanted to evaluate how they performed in various situations, such as at work, during workouts, and even while lounging at home. I also learned from Schmidt’s, a popular natural deodorant brand, that my armpits might need time to “detox” from the chemical-laden products I was used to. Who knew there was such a thing as armpit detoxing?
The Natural Deodorants I Tested
To find the best natural deodorants, I sought recommendations from friends and social media influencers. Most of my selections were men’s scents since I prefer stronger fragrances over floral or powdery options. With one exception, all products were in stick form, as I find tubs of deodorant inconvenient.
Here are the natural deodorants I tried:
- Primal Pit Paste – Lavender
- Tom’s Antiperspirant Deodorant – North Woods
- Schmidt’s Mineral Enriched Natural Deodorant – Charcoal + Magnesium
- Native Deodorant – Citrus & Herbal Musk
- PiperWai Activated Charcoal Deodorant
Testing the Deodorants
Over the course of five weeks, I put these natural deodorants through their paces. I wore each one for a week, assessing them based on several criteria, including ease of application, scent, dryness, odor control, and overall effectiveness. Here’s how they stacked up:
1. Primal Pit Paste – Lavender
Ingredients: Arrowroot, coconut oil, shea butter, sodium bicarbonate, and lavender oil.
Cost: $11.85 on Amazon
Ease of Application: 3/5
Although this deodorant comes in a stick, its texture is somewhat gritty and sticky. I often found clumps left under my arms, which was quite off-putting.
Scent: 4/5
Lavender is a classic scent that is generally pleasant. This one did not disappoint.
Dryness: 1/5
This deodorant did not perform well in keeping my underarms dry. While I didn’t experience excessive sweat, I felt a heavy layer of product that didn’t seem to absorb well.
Odor Control: 5/5
Despite the product’s shortcomings in terms of dryness, I didn’t notice any unpleasant odors throughout the day.
EWG Score: 1
This product is as non-toxic as it gets, making it an appealing choice for those looking to avoid chemicals.
Overall Rating: 2/5
Unfortunately, I had to give up on this deodorant after just one day of use. The sticky feeling was just too uncomfortable.
2. Tom’s Antiperspirant Deodorant – North Woods
Ingredients: Aluminum chlorohydrate, palm kernel oil, stearyl alcohol, and natural fragrance.
Cost: $4.99 at my local grocery store
Ease of Application: 5/5
This deodorant applied like a typical stick, making it easy to use.
Scent: 5/5
The North Woods scent was very appealing and brought back memories of my college days.
Dryness: 4/5
While it wasn’t quite as effective as Secret Clinical Strength, it still kept me relatively dry throughout the day.
Odor Control: 5/5
I was impressed that the fragrance remained even after a long day of activity.
EWG Score: 1 or 3 (Not clearly listed)
This product contains aluminum, which may be a concern for some users. However, Tom’s claims to responsibly source its aluminum.
Overall Rating: 4/5
I found this product surprisingly effective, making it a suitable transitional option if you’re looking to reduce chemical exposure without completely giving up on efficacy.
3. Schmidt’s Mineral Enriched Natural Deodorant – Charcoal + Magnesium
Ingredients: Arrowroot, coconut oil, shea butter, baking soda, activated charcoal, and magnesium hydroxide.
Cost: $9.99 at schmidtsnaturals.com
Ease of Application: 4/5
The stick form made for a smooth and dry application, which I appreciated.
Scent: 3/5
This deodorant had a clean, fresh scent, though it wasn’t particularly memorable.
Dryness: 5/5
Schmidt’s kept me completely dry throughout the day, a feat I was not expecting from a natural product.
Odor Control: 5/5
It effectively prevented any odor, even after a rigorous workout.
EWG Score: Not Rated
Though it wasn’t in the EWG database, the ingredients seemed to align with clean, natural standards.
Overall Rating: 5/5
I was genuinely surprised by how well this deodorant performed. It felt like a regular deodorant without the harmful chemicals, and I will definitely purchase it again.
4. Native Deodorant – Citrus & Herbal Musk
Ingredients: Caprylic triglyceride, arrowroot, baking soda, shea butter, and beeswax.
Cost: $12.00
Ease of Application: 4/5
This stick applied dry but felt slightly scratchy at times.
Scent: 4/5
I enjoyed the Citrus & Herbal Musk scent. It was refreshing without being overpowering.
Dryness: 4/5
While it kept me mostly dry, it didn’t quite match Schmidt’s performance.
Odor Control: 5/5
No signs of odor, even after a busy day filled with activities.
EWG Score: Not Rated
Like Schmidt’s, it wasn’t listed in the EWG database, but it appeared to be made from clean ingredients.
Overall Rating: 4/5
This product was effective, but it didn’t surpass Schmidt’s, and it was also pricier. It’s worth considering if you prefer a unique scent, but I’d personally opt for Schmidt’s.
5. PiperWai Activated Charcoal Deodorant
Ingredients: Tapioca starch, coconut oil, shea butter, baking soda, and essential oils.
Cost: $12.99 at Amazon
Ease of Application: 0/5
This deodorant came in a tub, which I found very inconvenient. Applying it required getting both hands dirty.
Scent: 1/5
The scent was overwhelmingly menthol, akin to Ben Gay. Not my cup of tea.
Dryness: 1/5
I began sweating even before I finished applying it, which was a red flag.
Odor Control: 3/5
While I didn’t smell bad, the menthol scent lingered all day, which was not pleasant.
EWG Score: 2
The product was rated poorly due to its unspecified oils, although the EWG still considered it a safer option.
Overall Rating: 1/5
This was by far my least favorite. I don’t understand the hype surrounding it, and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.
conclusion
After testing these five natural deodorants, I can confidently say that natural doesn’t always mean ineffective. My top choice was Schmidt’s Mineral Enriched Natural Deodorant, which performed just as well as, if not better than, conventional deodorants. It kept me dry and odor-free throughout my daily activities, and I loved that it was made from clean ingredients.
Tom’s Antiperspirant Deodorant also surprised me with its effectiveness and pleasant scent, making it a great transitional product for those seeking to reduce their chemical exposure.
While natural deodorants may require some adjustment, they can be both effective and pleasant to use. If you’re considering making the switch, I encourage you to try a few different brands to find one that works best for you. Happy deodorant hunting!
