Don’t sweat it – these natural deodorants will keep you fresh all day
During the stay-at-home season of the pandemic, I often forgot to apply antiperspirant or deodorant, which led me to discover that my armpits aren’t as sweaty as they used to be. And I’m not alone: a Mintel survey revealed that almost a third of us have been applying less deodorant, with a fifth of women not using it at all because of concerns that it’s not good for us. Over a third are interested in natural deodorants, and ones with minimal packaging that’s preferably plastic free.
What’s the difference between antiperspirants and deodorants?
Antiperspirants, as the name suggests, stop the body from perspiring. Deodorants stop odour from developing, so your armpits may be damp, but shouldn’t smell. Antiperspirants use aluminium, which blocks sweat glands, and when you try to scrub it off, you realise how tenaciously it clings to the skin. If you’re thinking about trying a natural deodorant, I don’t think there’s any need for the clay armpit masks that are currently trending on TikTok, amid claims that you need to ‘purge’ your pits to ease the transition, but giving your underarm skin a little TLC probably won’t go amiss.
Natural deodorants to try
Coming in a range of formats, from bars to balms, sprays to sticks, they generally contain a moisture-absorbing ingredient, such as tapioca starch, arrowroot or baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), plus essential oils that are antibacterial and/or smell good, too.
Earth Conscious Bare Bar in Jasmine & Rose
This paper-wrapped bar in a cardboard box (travel tin available for £2.99) contains arrowroot and Fairtrade-certified coconut oil as its base. It smelt divine, rubbed on easily, and worked well on one of the hottest late summer days.
(90g, £9)
Salt of the Earth Melon & Cucumber Deodorant Stick
This comes in a push-up tube made from post-consumer recycled plastic, that can be refilled (refills, £8.90). Its slightly powdery, solid form glides on well, thanks to a base that includes coconut oil and shea butter, plus tapioca starch and sodium bicarbonate. Other options are Lavender & Vanilla, Amber & Sandalwood, Vetiver & Citrus and Unscented, but Melon & Cucumber reminded me of a watermelon ice lolly that I loved when I worked in Japan.
(75g, £9.99)
In a recyclable glass bottle, with a non-aerosol pump spray, this has a lemony, limey fragrance, and after squirting it on it dries quickly.
(100ml, £10.50)
Both the Rose and Sage Mint roll-ons smell divine, and have a smooth, creamy texture that’s easily applied. Rose has perspiration-regulating Alchemilla (lady’s mantle), and suits sensitive skin, and Sage Mint has absorbent tapioca starch and astringent witch hazel and sage – and a slight tingling sensation initially.
(£13, 50ml)
L’Occitane Verveine Deodorant Balm
This silky-smooth cream in a tin smells citrussy-fresh and woody – which makes sense as ‘verveine’ means verbena. Its rich texture sank into the skin quickly, and withstood an extremely stressful day.
(50g, £17.50)
T’eo Solid Deodorant, from Lush
Looks like a bath bomb, decorated with blue cornflowers on a blue wax base, and, like a bath bomb, contains sodium bicarbonate, as well as cream of tartar. Its lovely, strong lemongrass scent perfumed my office while awaiting testing. Tingly when rubbed on to skin, it leaves a slight dusty effect, and did the job. It also wins the award for least packaging, coming wrapped in just paper.
(90g, £7)
Its active deodorising ingredient is zinc ricinoleate, derived from castor oil, while its woody, herby, earthy scent comes from a blend of essential oils including lavender, sandalwood, eucalyptus and tea tree. Its look is understated, with an elegant brown-glass bottle and pared-back labelling.
(50m, £23)
Malin+Goetz Eucalyptus Deodorant
If you prefer a clean, almost medicinal aroma for your underarms, this is for you, with eucalyptus essential oil and an extract of kaffir lime helping to neutralise odour, in recyclable polypropylene packaging. Having gone through a sweaty menopausal phase, Alyson swears by the Malin + Goetz Bergamot. (Also available at Cult Beauty)
(73g, £19)
And finally, I’d like to thank my partner for repeatedly sniffing my armpits before, during and after testing…
Adrienne Wyper is a health and lifestyle writer and regular TNMA contributor.
Discussion (12 Comments)
I’ve recently gone natural because I found my usual anti-perspirant/deodorant wasn’t working anymore. And it was Mr Typer Wyper (Adrienne’s partner) who did all the armpit-sniffing!
Shirley McAneny says:
An excellent self-care deodorant product is Fussy from a sustainable company. With plastic free refills and clean effective ingredients. The website is get fussy.com – worth taking a look.
Lesley Somerville says:
I tried Malin+Goetz and would not go back to regular anti-perspirants. It lasts ages, smells nice without being overpowering, leaves no residue and seems to work, in the sense that although I had to get used to feeling a bit damp in my pits, there was no odour and I just feel like it’s better for me all round.
Kudos to your partner!
I’m with you, Lesley. Malin + Goetz is expensive but it lasts such a long time, smells lovely and works a treat.
Mrs Tonia says:
I wear this one, the Eucalyptus one. Pricy but so worth it.
Space NK does a smaller travel size version which is less expensive but probably less good value for the quantity but useful for seeing if formulation and fragrance suits you.
I see Caudalie has also now produced something similar. Around £13. One to try perhaps.
Tatjana Bourgeois says:
I was saved early on! One of my former friends was a holistic woman from Germany who believed anti-perspirants were harmful. As a result, I have used some form of natural deodorants for the past 30 years (either a salt crystal, roll on, salt spray or solid stick). I am glad to hear that some companies, where possible, are thinking about the environmental impact of their product as well by re-thinking the use of plastic. I was recently introduced to a company in the US called NATIVE that will be introducing solid deodorant in a paper/ light cardboard that pushes up the product from the bottom. Hopefully other companies will follow suit.
I am also glad to report that after many years of convincing and cajoling, my son also started to use natural deodorant!Carolyn Triance says:
I get on well with Dr Organic’s Manuka Honey deodorant, available online or from Holland and Barretts. Ir is quite effective, natural, with a subtle and delicious honey smell.
Alex says:
I love Shmidt’s lime & Bergamot, which come in stick form or powder form in a small jar (the latter lasts for eons).
Jason’s is also wonderful…although I’d stay away from the Aloe Vera, which has an unfortunate, unpleasant smell.Amanda says:
Can I recommend Moo GooFresh Cream Deodorant? Although the packages is plastic it is recyclable. I find the deodorant really works for me, as I don’t sweat as much post menopause. The major ingredient is Milk of Magnesia.
Best wishes
AmandaAdrienne Wyper says:
Hi Amanda, Interesting to hear that you don’t sweat as much now – me too. I tried to find reports of research on this phenomenon, but none appears to have been done…
Useful article here. Thanks for your suggestions Adrienne. I definitely don’t sweat as much as previously. Never had heavy perspiration but did use anti-perspiration deodorants. Malin Eucalyptus one works well for me and I like the fragrance. I’d highly recommend it.
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What a star Mr TNMA is! At 63 I don’t glow/perspire/sweat like I used to either. (Legs and armpits not as gorilla like either). I will definitely try these out as my regular nuclear aluminium anti-perspirant often gives me a sore, red rash. Not a good look!