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The 20 Best Natural Deodorants That Actually Work

If you're ready to ditch all the extra ingredients but still smell fresh, these are the natural deodorants you should try.

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4 deodorants on colored backgrounds
via Amazon.com (3), via Sephora.com (1)

Natural deodorants are officially mainstream. Many Americans have moved away from harsh or questionable ingredients that can be found in many antiperspirants. One of the ingredients that people are wary of is aluminum. While aluminum on its own isn’t necessarily bad, it can cause irritation or other adverse effects in an antiperspirant.

A big part of that is due to how aluminum works. “When aluminum is exposed to sweat, it creates a gel that plugs the sweat glands and blocks sweat from reaching the skin’s surface, which is how it acts as an antiperspirant,” explains Jeannette Graf, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine. What a natural deodorant does instead is target the bacteria that’s in your armpits to neutralize the odor rather than stop the sweating. As annoying as sweat can be, it’s natural! (Though getting sweat stains out can be tricky.) Dr. Graf also points out that a natural deodorant is much gentler on skin, especially sensitive skin, and it’s far less likely to cause “adverse reactions like rashes and allergy flare-ups.”

Deodorant is just one piece of your skin-care routine that can also include the right face sunscreens, skin serums, face cleansers, and moisturizers. All of these can work together to give you healthy skin—especially if you’re using quality products or clean products. Ahead, find a selection of natural deodorants that actually work. No sweat.

Native Deodorant
via Amazon.com

Native Deodorant

Native’s natural deodorants are well-loved across the board—including by Amazon shoppers. With more than 35,000 five-star ratings, this gluten-free, aluminum-free, and paraben-free natural deodorant offers a lot to like, including multiple scents or even unscented if that’s what you prefer. The natural formula is made with tapioca starch to neutralize body odor and is designed to be strong enough for anyone. Plus, it’s cruelty-free.

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Lume Natural Deodorant
via Amazon.com

Lumē Natural Deodorant

A stick of Lumē Natural Deodorant is a bit of a splurge at almost $17 for a stick, but here’s why it’s worth it: It’s an aluminum-free natural deodorizer that you can use on your whole body. It comes in a variety of fresh scents (or unscented) and offers 72 hours of odor protection. Seriously.

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Surface Deep Anti Odorant Spray
via surfacedeep.com

Surface Deep Anti-Odorant Spray

Instead of masking odor, this next-generation clean deodorant uses fruit acids to neutralize odor-causing bacteria. It also lowers the skin’s pH, which tamps down bacterial growth, so it stops odor now and into the future. The spray formula is free of aluminum, alcohol, parabens, and baking soda—and comes in an earth-friendly recycleable glass bottle. Reviewers are saying “Shocked at the effectiveness!” “Life-Changing!” “I’m Hooked!” Also comes in travel-friendly single-use pads.

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Magsol Natural Deodorant With Magnesium
via Amazon.com

MagSol Magnesium Deodorant

Made for sensitive skin, MagSol’s natural deodorant is formulated without baking soda, aluminum, or sulfates. Instead, it’s made with magnesium, which sits on your skin and counteracts the bacteria that causes you to stink. Plus, the ingredient labels on MagSol’s deodorants are about as natural as it gets: sweet almond oil, beeswax, magnesium oxide, and essential oils.

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Jumby Beauty Way Cool Organic Deodorant
via Maisonette.com

Jumby Beauty Way Cool Natural Deodorant

Looking for a natural deodorant that’s made with organic ingredients? This “way cool” option is made with organic Melissa leaf and lemon oils to keep you smelling citrusy and fresh. Even better? The organic shea butter soothes fragile underarm skin—perfect for those who shave.

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Each & Every Natural Aluminum Free Deodorant Via Amazon
via Amazon.com

Each & Every Aluminum-Free Deodorant

Not only is Each & Every’s natural deodorizer a smooth, healthy deodorant, but it also comes in plant-based packaging. It’s another one that’s a bit of a splurge, at $15 for 2.5 ounces, but this deodorant is made with whole ingredients, carefully selected to be gentle on sensitive skin while repelling odors.

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Schmidt's Aluminum Free Natural Deodorant
via Amazon.com

Schmidt’s Charcoal & Magnesium Natural Deodorant

Designed with both men and women in mind, Schmidt’s aluminum-free deodorant is completely natural, right down to the fragrance, which is made from essential oils and will remind you of freshly fallen rain. Its deodorizing powers come from charcoal and magnesium, which work together to draw out odor-causing bacteria. Plus, this natural deodorant is vegan!

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Tom's Of Maine Long Lasting Deodorant
via Walmart.com

Tom’s of Maine Long Lasting Deodorant

You can’t go wrong with Tom’s of Maine Long Lasting Deodorant. Available in a few different scents and also available at drugstores, Tom’s has become synonymous with natural deodorizers. The natural deodorant is free of aluminum and parabens and is made with all naturally derived ingredients so you can feel good about putting it on your skin. It’s even Dr. Graf’s go-to pick!

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Kopari Natural Aluminum Free Coconut Deodorant
via Sephora.com

Kopari Natural Aluminum-Free Coconut Deodorant

Kopari’s is made with coconut and sage oils that not only neutralize odor but are gentle on skin. The sage oil in particular has moisturizing properties that will leave your skin soft and smooth, while the coconut oil works to counteract odors. And we have to say that it feels absolutely lightweight on the skin.

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Ursa Major Hoppin' Fresh Deodorant
via Ulta.com

Ursa Major Hoppin’ Fresh Deodorant

Ursa Major has a unique paraben-free formula that’s made with hops to neutralize odors. It’s a naturally cooling, healthy deodorant that soaks up underarm moisture (thanks to the kaolin) while getting rid of any unpleasant smells. Plus, it’s made to be moisturizing and soothing. This pick is trending for a reason.

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Milk Makeup Cooling Water Natural Deodorant
Via Sephora.com

Milk Makeup Cooling Water Natural Deodorant

Popular makeup brand Milk created a natural, unscented deodorant designed to be used by men and women. It’s vegan and gluten-free and is made with kaolin clay to absorb sweat and caffeine and seawater to freshen up your underarms. Be warned, though: This is a small bottle at one ounce.

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Lavanila deodorant
via Amazon.com

Lavanila The Healthy Deodorant

The aluminum-free, vegan formula of Lavanila has a clean, fresh scent that’s appealing without being overwhelming. Made with completely plant-based ingredients, this healthy deodorant glides on smooth and lasts for hours. You can also find it in lavender and sport luxe scents.

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Green Tidings Natural Lavender Deodorant
via Amazon.com

Green Tidings Natural Lavender Deodorant

If you’re looking for something more extra strength, Green Tidings’ natural deodorant is designed to really tackle sweaty, stinky armpits. The lavender scent and non-toxic, paraben-free formula combine to keep armpits fresh.

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Oars + Alps Aluminum Free Deodorant
via Amazon.com

Oars + Alps Aluminum Free Deodorant

Alcohol-free, gluten-free, vegan deodorant Oars + Alps is strong enough to handle the amount of sweat and bacteria that men produce. It goes on clear so you don’t have to worry about getting white marks on your clothes. And it comes in a handy three-pack, so shop once and be done.

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Viking Revolution Store Natural Deodorant For Men
via Amazon.com

Viking Revolution Store Natural Deodorant for Men

This two-pack of natural deodorant has an extremely manly name and is made with tea tree oil. The ingredient not only helps neutralize odors but also is a great essential oil for skin health. Plus, this deodorant is free of toxic aluminum and parabens.

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Nakd. Thai Crystal Deodorant Stone
via Amazon.com

nakd. Thai Crystal Deodorant Stone

While this natural deodorant stone works for anyone, we find it particularly appealing for teens—and because it’s important to take care of skin from a young age. It’s an aluminum-free unscented deodorant stone that’ll tackle adolescent sweat with mineral salt. It should be applied on clean and wet underarms for best results and works up to 24 hours.

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Megababe Rosy Pits Daily Deodorant
via Ulta.com

Megababe Rosy Pits Daily Deodorant

Free of alcohol and aluminum, the Megababe Rosy Pits Daily Deodorant uses natural ingredients like sage and green tea to target sweat and odors. A great option for teens who want to neutralize bacteria in their armpits, this little deodorant stick leaves a rose-scented layer behind. The packaging is cute, too.

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Kosasport Chemistry Aha Serum Deodorant
via Sephora.com

Kosasport Chemistry AHA Serum Deodorant

We love the fresh scent of the Kosasport deodorant. It’s a healthy deodorant made without numerous problematic ingredients, like parabens and phthalates. It’s made with AHA to help with discoloration. Plus, aloe vera and hyaluronic acid, which are both skin care ingredients that smooth and moisturize your skin—because even your armpits need love.

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Crystal Mineral Deodorant Spray Via Amazon Ecomm
via amazon.com

CRYSTAL Mineral Deodorant Spray

Trade aluminum and other potentially toxic or irritating ingredients for mineral salts in this fragrance-free, invisible, non-staining, non-sticky spray that blocks odor before it starts. The CRYSTAL Mineral Deodorant Spray works better than most mainstream deodorants, according to our testers. Amazon reviewer Kate writes: “…Not only has it kept me mostly dry, but there is zero odor. I mean none. I have even worked out.” The spray, which earned a Clean Label Project Purity award, comes in unscented, Lavender and White Tea, Vanilla and Jasmine, Chamomile and Green Tea, and Pomegranate.

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Hume Supernatural Deodorant

Hume Supernatural

Aluminum-free, plant-based, goes on clear and actually fights sweat, stains and odor? Sign us up! As a bonus, this cruelty-free formula is made with skin-loving ingredients, including prickly pear, with antioxidants and phytonutrients to nourish skin, plus cactus flower and coconut keep the underarms smooth and soft. And it’s made without parabens, phthalates, sulfates, baking soda and talc. Desert Bloom, the brand’s most popular scent, has sold out four times in the last four months.

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Source:

  • Jeannette Graf, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine

Hedy Phillips
Hedy Phillips is a lifestyle writer covering beauty, shopping and pop culture. She devotes 99% of her time to snuggling with her cats and 100% of her money to following Harry Styles around on tour. She's always on the lookout for another slice of New York pizza, and she's never met a Starbucks drink she doesn't like.