I Was a Natural Deodorant Skeptic. These 12 Proved Me Wrong.

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From body washes to lotions to fragrances, there are a bunch of ways to craft a signature scent. But all of those things mean nothing if you don’t start with a good deodorant. Especially with the humidity that comes as we transition from summer to fall, keeping your underarms smelling fresh is an absolute must. And, if you are on the hunt for a new deodorant, a more natural alternative might be worth considering. Natural deodorants are formulated without any harsh chemicals or irritants to keep the skin under your arms feeling calm and smelling good. Contrary to the popular belief that aluminum-free options are less effective than standard antiperspirants, natural options are actually just as helpful at fending off unwanted odors. “Natural deodorants are often made of naturally-derived ingredients that are safe for external body parts,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. DiAnne Davis. “These ingredients are still effective at neutralizing the bacteria that can cause body odor to develop in certain parts of the body.”

As a self-identified fragrance enthusiast, I’ll be honest, I was skeptical at first. But with so many brands introducing natural deodorizers and friends switching to aluminum-free options, it was only right that I gave them a try. And luckily, I’ve been pleasantly surprised. Choosing a deodorant is a personal experience that varies based on specific needs and conditions, and finding the right one takes some trial and error. So, to make the journey a bit easier, we gathered a list of 12 of the best natural deodorants. See our selects below.

Natural Deodorant

Hyaluronic acid and seaweed extract are ingredients you hope to see in your facial skin-care products because of their hydrating, nourishing properties. So having them in your deodorant is an obvious win. Made with probiotics to neutralize odor, this deodorant boasts 48-hour protection with notes of sandalwood, amber, and vetiver.

Salt and Stone Rating: 4.7/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “I love the Salt and Stone body wash and always get compliments when I use it, so it was only right to try the deodorant. It smells exactly the same and actually kept me smelling good throughout the day with no worries about sweaty odors.”—Tasha Nicole Smith, beauty assistant

Size: 2.6 oz

Worry-Free Natural Deodorant

A blend of oils and sea salt come together to create this natural deodorant with notes of cedar and vanilla. Perfect for sensitive skin, this formula is designed to moisturize your underarms without any irritation.

Each and Every rating: 4.7/5 stars

An Each and Every reviewer says: “This is the best deoderant [sic]that I've ever used! It works amazing all day! I never stink! It doesnt irritate my skin or stain my clothes. I would recommend to everyone!”

Size: 2.5 oz

Vanilla + Citrus Deodorant

This deodorant was designed to work with your body chemistry to fight off body odor. Anti-inflammatory ingredients like tallow and coconut oil nourish the skin, while arrowroot powder helps to treat and soothe skin ailments, leaving a light aroma of vanilla, citrus, and sandalwood.

Primally Pure rating: 4.7/5 stars

A Primally Pure reviewer says: “Love how sweet this smells and it stays all day, goes on smoothly. With the ingredients being so clean it actually is good for my skin.”

Size: 1.7 oz

Axilla Orb Natural Deodorant

To truly get the best out of your deodorant, you want to find one that actively fights off bad odors, not just masks them. This unique deodorant dispenses as a smooth milky consistency, which features a “deo-tox” mimicking muscle relaxant that helps prevent excessive sweating, creating a sort of demi-perspirant.

Tronque rating: 5/5 stars

An ELLE Editor says: “The skin-ification of beauty is popping up everywhere. And I love it. Rarely did I ever pay attention to how moisturized the skin under my arms was but this line brings the favorite parts of my skin care to my pits. It feels soft and smooth when I apply it.” —Tasha Nicole Smith, beauty assistant

Size: 1.7 oz

Hoppin’ Fresh Deodorant

A whopping 25 all-natural ingredients come together to make this non-staining deodorant. Aloe vera soothes and moisturizes the skin while peppermint, eucalyptus, and rosemary oils leave a fresh long-lasting scent. When switching over to this formula from antiperspirant, it is recommended to give your body a few weeks to adjust for the most noticeable results.

Amazon rating: 3.8/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “This is my favorite deodorant ever! It smells good, you don’t sweat it off, it’s smooth and it dries quickly. I haven’t had any reactions to it when I apply it and it lasts all day!”

Size: 1.65 oz

Roll-On Natural Deodorant

This woodsy citrus scent uses grapefruit extract, sandalwood, lavender, and rosemary to nourish and protect even the most sensitive skin. It uses aloe and vegetable glycerin to keep the skin dry and prevent allergic reactions.

Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “The scent is light and pleasant, it staves off smell for 24-30 hours, even in hot weather. It also dries fast, and is non-irritating. Worth every penny.”

Size: 3 oz

0% Aluminum Deodorant

Dove has long been known for its wide range of antiperspirants. This aluminum-free stick deodorant is made without baking soda or harsh chemicals to easily glide onto the skin without any irritation. It also has a light cucumber scent.

Target rating: 4.3/5 stars

A Target reviewer says: “This deodorant goes on so smooth and smells great! I’m not one that gets super sweaty, however, it does a great job of keeping me from having any kind of body odor. I love that it’s aluminum free!”

Size: 2.6 oz

Hug Me Probiotic Deodorant

There’s no better feeling than getting a hug from someone who smells amazing. Blume knows this best with their probiotic deodorant. Made with coconut and jojoba oil, this deodorant gives you the confidence to embrace without the fear of unwanted odors.

Blume rating: 4.4/5 stars

A Blume reviewer says: “Best deodorant! I only have to apply once where with other brands I have to reapply a couple times a day. Can’t have a hot girl summer with stinky pits. This is great and it’s good for you too.”

Size: 2.6 oz

Chemistry AHA Serum Deodorant

For athletes, the last thing you want to be worried about when you’re in the middle of your sport is sweaty, smelly underarms. The Kosas Sport deodorant blends notes of jasmine, orange flower, and vanilla for a beachy scent as hyaluronic acid and AHAs exfoliate and moisturize the skin for smooth, fresh underarms.

Sephora rating: 3.9/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer says: “I’ve struggled to find a deodorant that works for me. This one is reliable and doesn’t irritate my sensitive underarms at all. I’ve tried many brands on my journey to find an aluminum-free product; this is the best one I’ve found.”

Size: 2.3 oz

Desert Bloom Deodorant

For a plant-based option, Hume used botanical extracts, prebiotics, and probiotics to stop odor in its tracks. Smelly pits don’t stand a chance against the neroli and sweet citrus scent of this aluminum-free option.

Hume Supernatural rating: 4.9/5 stars

A Hume Supernatural reviewer says: “I have really sensitive skins so finding hygiene products that don’t irritate my skin is a challenge but this deodorant has very clean ingredients that don’t bother me at all. Even when I’m working out this deodorant works wonders. Absolutely love it!”

Size: 2 oz

Aluminum-Free Vegan Deodorant

Charcoal is popular for its ability to draw out toxins and odors. This deodorant is no different. With natural ingredients, including magnesium, this deodorant aims to give you 24-hour odor protection.

Schmidt’s rating: 4.7/5 stars

A Schmidt’s reviewer says: “This is great everyday deodorant for at work. It smells fresh and natural. I use a ‘not so natural’ aerosol deodorant on extra hot and active days. Schmidt’s is just my go to for a less toxic every day option.”

Size: 2.6 oz

The Deodorant Gel

If you are looking to experiment with different textures, this gel deodorant is a good place to start. This formula is made with niacinamides to strengthen the skin’s barrier and chamomile extract for a calming and comforting application.

Sephora rating: 3.9/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer says: “After using this product daily for a little over a month, I can say that it works pretty well! I have noticed that my underarms are not as dark, and the scent is very natural and light.”

Size: 1.7 oz

How do natural deodorants work without the added chemicals?

“It’s important to remember that ‘natural deodorants’ are not antiperspirants, which means they won’t stop you from sweating. But they’re designed specifically to help combat odor-causing bacteria on the skin,” Dr. Davis says. “Consumers should seek products that do more than mask odors and contain ingredients that help neutralize odor-causing bacteria on the skin. Consumers should always apply their deodorant on clean and dry skin for the best results.”

Should certain skin types avoid natural deodorants?

Whether you deal with dry, oily, or sensitive skin, it’s important to make sure whatever deodorant you choose works for your specific needs. “Different skin types might come with different sensitivities to certain ingredients. But the good news is that there are more gentle offerings that are free of ingredients that might cause irritation on the skin,” Dr. Davis says.

Meet The Experts

Dr. DiAnne Davis is a board-certifired dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon.

Why Trust ELLE Beauty?

As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE.com editors spoke with dermatologists about the absolute best natural deodorants. The authors personally tested a number of these products and scoured reviews for the top-rated products on the market.

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