Blu Atlas vs. Native: Battle of the Natural Deodorants
Whether you’re breaking a sweat from an intense cardio session or from double-fisting a bag of chips and a tub of ice cream during your late-night TV marathon, the right deodorant goes a long way toward protecting you (and others) from bad BO.
As you sweat out your favorite weekend munchies, it’s essential to absorb and lock up sweat and bacteria that cause bad odors. Natural deodorants have been sweeping the self-care industry in recent years. People are rushing to replace toxic, harmful beauty products with new “clean beauty” items. But the debate is hot and heavy on what product works best for your pits.
Today we’re hosting the ultimate throwdown of the two reigning champions in the House of Natural Deodorant. Who has what it takes to win the gold?
If you’re interested in the natural, clean deodorant scene, you’ll know that numerous options are on the market. At the end of the day, using natural deodorant is healthy for your body and your pits. The new clean formulas battle funky odors without using harsh drying chemicals or materials that clog pores.
You don’t have to take our word for it, though. Today we’ll share real reviews with opinions on the two competing natural deodorants. Hear firsthand accounts from men and women who made the switch to Blu Atlas or Native deodorant.
Only one deo can wear the crown. Will it be the industry standard, Native, or the record-breaking start-up, Blu Atlas?
Blu Atlas Deodorant
Ready to get into the nitty-gritty details of Blu Atlas Deodorant? We cover everything you need to know about the odor blocker, including critical questions like whether the scent lasts all day and whether the deodorant is sticky.
Packaging
There’s a lot to love about the Blu Atlas packaging. The deodorant comes in a sleek round tube, making application easy and fun. The screw top means you don’t have to worry about losing the lid at home or while traveling. Simply unscrew the cap and screw it back on after each application.
Block print guides you through the application process and the ingredient list. With simple, appealing packaging, its unisex vibe appeals to men, women and teenage boppers.
Ingredients
Premium skincare and hair care are at the heart of the Blu Atlas brand. That shines through in all of their vegan, cruelty-free products, which are 100% free from phthalates, sulfates, parabens and synthetic fragrances.
Blu Atlas Deodorant is a treasure trove of first-class ingredients that help your pits stay fresh all day long. Want a clear picture of everything that’s in the deo? Simply look at the back of the tube for the easy-to-read ingredient list.
Keeping things simple, the clean brand uses three key ingredients in the natural deodorant. Volcanic ash (bentonite) works its way into the pores to absorb excess sweat, oil and impurities on the skin. The natural ingredient acts as a protective barrier for the skin to prevent irritation. Bamboo stem extract is a powerful antibiotic, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory substance that deals with inflammation, irritation, sweat and dark spots. Horsetail extract is a potent soothing treatment for this sensitive area. Its natural anti-inflammatory properties keep the pits irritation-free.
Clean, vegan ingredients provide the underarms with a soothing treatment that keeps unwanted odors and sweat at bay.
Scent
Whether you’re interested in the Classic, Coconut Apricot or Fragrance Free option, there’s a lot to love about the scents. Today we’re providing an in-depth assessment of the Classic Deodorant from Blu Atlas.
But for folks interested in Coconut Apricot, the ingredient list is the same, except the tube offers a lightly tropical, refreshing all-day scent. Fragrance Free is the best option for anyone with dry or sensitive skin.
Swipe on the Classic Deodorant for an earthy, herbaceous fragrance. The fragrance lingers from the first swipe until the end of the day. While everyone’s experience is a bit different, we noticed that the scent is almost gone by bedtime, but that doesn’t mean the odor-fighting ingredients have disappeared.
Reviewers like Gary W. share: “To know you’re starting your day off feeling and smelling fresh thanks to a powerful deodorant is all you can ever ask for in a product.”
Quite frankly, we agree. Blu Atlas Deodorant leaves your pits smelling fresh, and you don’t have to worry about funky odors.
Texture
Because Blu Atlas uses a unique blend of skin-safe ingredients, the deodorant formula differs slightly from your average pit stick.
When applying this deodorant, it’s best to do it before getting dressed. Blu Atlas’ formula is a revolutionary hybrid solid-gel. It’s not a gel, but it’s also not a solid deodorant like popular drugstore brands Old Spice and Degree. After application, your pits may feel a bit wet or sticky for a few minutes. We recommend allowing the deodorant to dry before getting dressed, as clothing may rub off the natural deodorant.
It only takes a few minutes for the odor blocker to dry, though. This means it’s still an excellent pick for men and women who are always in a rush in the morning.
Many users of the deodorant note that they enjoy the slick solid-gel and that the “sticky texture” helps soothe stressed-out pits and calms down the skin. One wearer of the deodorant, Shawn F., shares: “It soothes my skin and makes me smell great, what’s not to love?”
Longevity
Wondering how long the odor-squashing powers last? With a long-lasting scent, you don’t have to worry about reapplication – unless you hit the gym and power-lift the weight of three small children.
Blue Atlas’ deodorant typically lasts 10 to 12 hours. During these 10 to 12 hours, there is a strong scent. After the scent wears off, the ingredients still block unwanted odors and help manage sweat production.
The longevity of the deodorant really depends on your unique lifestyle, body and environment. Some folks get a long-lasting 24 hours from the deo, while others live a more active, sweaty lifestyle and may need to reapply at the end of their work day.
Expect a 12- to 18-hour window of odor-blocking deodorant if you live a moderately active lifestyle.
Staining
Are you worried about staining your favorite work shirt? There’s nothing to fret about with the solid-gel deodorant from Blu Atlas. While the deodorant does need a bit of time to soak into the skin, it doesn’t stain clothes.
We tested the deodorant on a few different types of fabrics and colors and didn’t experience any unwanted stains or streaks. The gel is translucent and absorbs into the skin without residue.
Effectiveness
One thing many men and women are concerned about when it comes to natural deodorant is its effectiveness. Natural deos are often looked down upon and seen as ineffective products that don’t keep out bad BO. But that’s simply not true with modern formulas.
Natural deodorants can be just as effective as those with artificial chemicals. As Troy R. says: “Really Effective Natural Deodorant: You always think natural means it probably won’t work, but this deo has really blown me away.”
Price
While Blu Atlas Deodorant has a slightly higher price point than Native deodorants, we think it’s worth it. Blu Atlas is a premium men’s skincare and hair-care brand that uses high-quality ingredients. Because the unique, clean formulas use premium ingredients, it increases the cost – just a smidge.
Men and women who swipe the deodorant on their pits every morning rave about the effectiveness of the product. One reviewer, Paul, shares that “it is a little expensive, but it’s worth it.”
Whenever you’re shopping online, also keep shipping costs in mind. To get the most bang for your buck, buy multiple products at a time to lower the cost of shipping.
Sensitive Skin
Dealing with sensitive skin is no joke. Natural deodorants often cause breakouts or irritation and don’t work well for sensitive skin. That’s why Blu Atlas went aluminum- and baking-soda-free.
Baking soda is a common irritant for sensitive skin. It can cause a rash, inflammation, redness, dryness, bumps and other types of inflammation. Folks with sensitive skin have given the Blu Atlas stick their seal of approval, and reviewers like James B. say: “This is a great stick for anyone with sensitive skin.”
Why do so many natural deodorant brands use baking soda in their products? Baking soda is a natural ingredient that turns your underarms into an alkaline environment, which means it prevents bacteria from growing. Sweat and bacteria cause that unwanted bad BO and funky odors.
However, baking soda acts as a natural disruptor, throwing the skin’s natural barrier and pH levels into chaos. While it is a natural ingredient, it over-exfoliates the underarm area and can cause extreme irritation, leading to dryness, redness and flaky skin.
Sensitive underarms need a natural deodorant like Blu Atlas. It’s free from common irritants and materials that could disrupt the delicate microbiome of your pits.
What’s the Public Opinion on Blu Atlas Deodorant?
Real Blu Atlas reviews reveal that many users searching for a natural, aluminum-free, baking-soda-free deodorant test out a few brands before switching to Blu Atlas.
Many note that they wish they had found Blu Atlas Deodorant sooner, so they didn’t waste money on other natural deodorants that didn’t work for their pits. One reviewer shares: “I have tried Schmidt’s and Native and Tom’s deodorants. This one [Blu Atlas] works best. It worked the first time I used it.”
While no natural deodorant will work for every pit, Blu Atlas has cracked the code on what makes an effective BO fighter with clean, premium ingredients. Glenn F. states: “This is the best deodorant I’ve used in a long time, and I was pretty happy with Native for a while. Made the switch, and I’m glad I did!”
Native Deodorant
Let’s get into the ingredients, packaging, scent and more for Native Deodorant. We’ll answer all of your questions and share what it’s like to use the natural deo stick.
Packaging
Native Sea Salt & Cedar comes in a classic deodorant stick that makes application easy. It’s shaped to your underarm area, so simply pull off the lid and swipe the deo onto your pits.
White packaging gives Native deodorant a clean vibe and matches the tone of the natural deodorant. The brand doesn’t waste space on gimmicks but just shares any need-to-know information with users.
Ingredients
With every swipe of natural Native deodorant, you get an aluminum-free, phthalate-free and talc-free formula.
Native uses naturally derived ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, baking soda and magnesium hydroxide to soothe the pits and create a protective barrier against bacteria and sweat.
Sweat and bacteria team up to create the funky body odors that emanate from your pits when left untreated. When making the switch to a natural deodorant, people often find it takes time for their underarms to adjust to the new clean ingredients. Native’s ingredients work exceptionally well for your pits, and the fragrance helps give you a lasting scent.
Coconut oil uses natural fatty acids and vitamins to soothe and nourish the skin. Magnesium hydroxide and baking soda are the main fighters of odor-causing bacteria. Shea butter helps soothe any irritation while ensuring your underarms stay hydrated.
While the ingredient list is impressive, and the deodorant works well for many underarms, you should know that the formula uses baking soda to tackle sweat and odor. Baking soda is a known irritant for men, women and teens with sensitive or dehydrated skin.
Scent
Native has been producing and formulating deodorants and other self-care products for nearly a decade. This gave the brand plenty of time to develop different scents to please everyone in the family.
Native’s Regular Deodorant line currently offers 22 scents. Today we’re reviewing one of Native’s most popular scents, Sea Salt & Cedar, which is woodsy and earthy, and is the closest to the Blu Atlas Deodorant Classic. Sea Salt & Cedar is a mild-smelling, fresh scent that envelops your pits.
The scent of cedar woods clings to your pits all day, with the fresh scent of sea salt rounding out the aroma. Toward the end of the day, the fragrance disappears and smells more like soap, but your pits remain free from funky body odors.
Another popular scent option from Native is Coconut & Vanilla, which is a cool, calm crowd-pleaser. Natural deo converts like Diana M. say they are “very pleased. No irritation, nice scents, great service!”
Texture
Native’s Regular and Sensitive Deodorants are weightless invisible solids. Like popular drugstore deodorants, they glide on smoothly and rapidly absorb into the skin.
Because the invisible solid penetrates the skin quickly, you can apply it after getting dressed. You only need to be on the lookout for white streaks on your shirt or top.
Many natural deo experts prefer the invisible solid application because the goopy texture of gel deodorants can be off-putting.
Longevity
When buying a natural deodorant, the longevity of the scent and keeping bad body odors covered are the most important things. You might be able to guess that because Native deodorants are a massive hit with most households, the deodorant offers long-lasting coverage.
When applied after showering, Native deodorant should last all day. Baking soda and magnesium hydroxide keep out unwanted odors and kill sweat and bacteria, allowing the scent to shine through.
Each stick has a unique fragrance. But keep in mind that Native is a natural deodorant, and the fragrance will fade toward the end of the day. That doesn’t mean you’ll lose sweat and odor-blocking coverage, but the scent will certainly be lighter.
Staining
Due to its invisible solid formula, you don’t have to worry too much about staining your clothes with Native’s deo sticks. While we wouldn’t suggest getting cocky and applying the natural deodorant while wearing a black shirt, it’s safe to apply while wearing clothes, as long as you give it time to absorb into your underarms. That being said, the best way to apply any type of deodorant is to swipe it on and allow it to dry into your pits before getting dressed.
Price
Native deodorant offers an affordable natural deodorant for men and women, which is why so many people flock to it. Native has become a household brand, which may be due to the excellent price point, easy return options and free shipping on orders over $10.
Finding an affordable natural deodorant can be tricky. This is why so many people purchase Native products and never stray. The brand also offers a subscribe-and-save feature like Blu Atlas. Loyal customers can save 15% with each order.
Native also offers a unique “bundle and save” opportunity. You can build your own deodorant pack by choosing three deodorants from the Classic, Limited Edition or Sensitive Scents. By purchasing three deodorants, you’ll save 17% on your purchase. If you know you love Native deodorant, that’s a great deal!
What’s the Public Opinion on Native Deodorant?
When it comes to Native Deodorant like Sea Salt & Cedar, there’s a lot to love. A review from Juliahna says: “I’ve used so many deodorants (prescription, male deodorants, u name it!) because I sweat a lot, and this clean natural deodorant is by far a game changer. Simply the best!”
That just about sums up the public opinion on Native’s natural deodorants. It’s a crowd-pleasing product that tackles sweat, bacteria and body odor in a healthy way. The only downside to the stick is that you may have to reapply after a busy work day, as the scent doesn’t linger for more than 24 hours.
The Final Verdict: Blu Atlas vs. Native
Blu Atlas and Native deodorants have so many great features that it was tricky to pick just one as the winner of the natural deodorant battle.
But when we looked at all the aspects, including ingredients and customer reviews, the winner of the natural deodorant battle was clear: It is Blu Atlas Deodorant. While Native’s formula is great, Blu Atlas wins the award as the best natural deodorant because of its premium characteristics.
The Blu Atlas formula is superior because it’s free from baking soda, aluminum, phthalates and parabens. That makes it an irritation-free natural deo that offers odor-blocking powers. Another key feature of the Blu Atlas formula is the solid gel texture. It won’t stain your clothes, and as long as you give it extra time to dry, there shouldn’t be any residue left behind.
Some folks prefer a non-gel formula, though, and like to stick close to the traditional form of deodorant. Native’s deodorant options work best for men and women who prefer the standard deo stick. But if you haven’t tried it yet, we recommend testing out the king of natural deo, Blu Atlas Deodorant.
Complete Your Grooming Routine with Blu Atlas
Blu Atlas has other award-winning products to complete your morning rituals. Find products to boost the appearance of the skin, hair and body in one easy spot.
Want to elevate your skincare routine? Start with Blu Atlas’ Exfoliating Scrub and Face Cleanser, then follow it up with Vitamin C Serum, Face Mask and Face Moisturizer to seal in all the incredible moisturizing benefits.
If you’re a guy with a lot of hair and are looking for the best products to shave, try out the premium Beard Oil, Shave Cream and Aftershave.
The clean, effective brand also has all the “traditional” products you use during your morning shower. Choose from their elevated Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash and Body Lotion to get healthier hair and skin.
What’s everyone’s favorite thing about Blu Atlas? They use naturally derived ingredients that make taking care of your skin and hair a fun daily activity.
Native: More Products From the Brand
Native makes more than just Deodorant. With a line of clean products for the skin, hair and body, you can suds up with their Body Wash or incorporate their Scalp Refreshing 2 in 1 Shampoo & Conditioner.
All Native products are made with simple ingredients that treat the skin and body with a soothing, clean treatment. While Native’s natural deodorant is their best product, we also applaud their Face Sunscreen, which protects against UVA and UVB rays.
McClatchy newsroom and editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content.
