The 10 Best Natural Deodorants In 2023

Sweating goes hand in hand with pretty much any form of exercise, from marathon training to a good workout at the gym.

But while perspiring has its benefits, it’s not so great when underarm bacteria start producing a funky odor and leave you feeling less than fresh!

Deodorant, of course, is the answer, but the fact that many of the best-known products contain ingredients like aluminum and talc can be problematic for some.

Although these ingredients have never been scientifically proven to be harmful to human health, many of us choose to avoid them in our toiletries and seek out ‘clean’ alternatives instead.

So this article is devoted to the best natural deodorants on the market right now, free from aluminum and formulated with ingredients like shea butter and essential oils to keep you moisturized and smelling fresh.

Before we get to my top ten, though, let’s take a look at the key difference between regular antiperspirants and the best natural deodorants.

How Natural Deodorants Differ from Antiperspirants

If you’ve ever considered using a natural deodorant before, you may have been deterred by the common view that they just don’t work.

The truth, however, is that they DO work, but not in the way you might expect.

Regular antiperspirants are designed to stop you from sweating – that’s actually the role of the aluminum they contain.

In contrast, natural deodorants are designed to stop you from smelling bad by destroying odor-causing bacteria, but most do little to prevent perspiration.

This means that you’ll still sweat when using them, but you’ll smell fresh and clean.

That being said, some natural deodorants do contain additional, clean ingredients to help absorb moisture, and I’ve included these in my roundup below.

Tip for Switching to a Natural Deodorant

If you’re switching from a regular antiperspirant to a natural deodorant, experts recommend using it from 2 to 4 weeks before deciding on whether it works for you.

That’s because it takes time for your body to adjust to the new ingredients, making them seem less effective initially.

Allowing for this ‘trial’ period also gives your body a chance to detox and rid itself of any impurities left on the skin.

The 10 Best Natural Deodorants

#1. Best Natural Deodorant for the Gym:
Aesop Deodorant

Type: Spray, Size: 1.62 oz

Pros	Cons
Suitable for all skin types	Very expensive
Bottle is made from a minimum of 97% recycled plastics	Scent fades fairly quickly
Vegan

Packaged in a handy bottle that will fit easily into your gym bag and simple to reapply on the go, this was my favorite deodorant to take with me to training sessions.

Containing vetiver root, zinc, and coriander seeds, it has an intriguingly woody, earthy aroma that works well for both men and women.

If you’re not keen on spray deodorants, then check out Aesop’s roll-on version instead.

#2. Best Natural Deodorant for Women:

Megababe Rosy Pits

Type: Stick, Size: 2.6 oz

Pros	Cons
Easy to apply	May irritate sensitive skin
Glides on clear
Fresh, light scent

Made with cornstarch to absorb moisture and leave you feeling dry, Rosy Pits has a truly lovely, floral aroma – and I’m not usually a fan of rose-scented toiletries!

It has a water-based formula so it glides on smoothly, and it’s free from baking soda – so there’s no white residue to ruin your LBD!

It’s very effective, too, with willow bark, oatmeal, and amino acids to keep your skin healthy, plus plant-based enzymes and extracts to eliminate odor-causing bacteria.

#3. Best Unisex Natural Deodorant:

Caudalie Vinofresh

Type: Stick, Size: 1.7 oz

Pros	Cons
Clear – won’t mark clothing	Needs reapplying fairly often
Gentle on sensitive skin	No drying effect
Won’t clog pores

I loved the cooling sensation I got from Caudalie’s Vinofresh, the best natural deodorant for women and men.

It comes from the eucalyptus, which also provides long-lasting odor control and a fresh, light scent.

What’s more, its formula contains grape water, a natural prebiotic that has a soothing, hydrating effect on the skin.

#4. Best Natural Deodorant for a Dry Feel:

Aurelia London Botanical Cream

Type: Cream, Size: 1.7 oz

Pros	Cons
Won’t stain your clothing	Expensive
Vegan	A little messy to apply
Made with sustainably sourced ingredients

This cream features 3 key ingredients – kaolin, to absorb perspiration; shea butter to moisturize your skin and keep it supple; and peppermint oil to eliminate odor-causing bacteria and add a nice, fresh scent.

You need to use your fingers to transfer it to your skin and rub it in, at which point it takes on a powdery texture that absorbs perspiration.

Whilst this made it the most tricky to apply of all the deodorants I tried, I was impressed with the results, as it left me feeling noticeably less sweaty than some of its competitors!

#5. Best Natural Deodorant for Healthy Skin:

Nécessaire The Deodorant Gel

Type: Gel, Size: 1.7 oz

Pros	Cons
Smooth roller ball for easy application	Feels slightly tacky
No white residue	May sting irritated/damaged skin
Fresh eucalyptus scent

Available in fragrance-free and scented versions, this deodorant was designed with skincare in mind and contains 5% AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) to block odors, prevent shaving bumps, and treat discoloration.

Other ingredients include niacinamide – a form of vitamin B3 that helps build proteins in the skin and retain moisture – and chamomile extract for its soothing, comforting properties.

Certified vegan, it is attractively packaged, too, in a recyclable glass bottle.

#6. Best Natural Deodorant with an Amazing Scent:

Sol de Janeiro Rio Deo

Type: Stick, Size: 2 oz

Pros	Cons
Soothes underarm irritation	Tends to clump a little under your arms
Long-lasting scent
Glides on smoothly

I’ve always loved the smell of Sol de Janeiro’s Brazilian Bum Bum Cream so it was cool to discover that the brand’s natural deodorant has exactly the same scent – an irresistible combination of pistachio, salted caramel, vanilla, and sandalwood.

It’s also made with citric acid ester to neutralize bacteria; papaya enzyme to help even your skin tone and avoid ingrown hairs; and tapioca starch to help soak up sweat and keep you dry.

What’s more, you can buy a refill instead of a brand-new deodorant every time you run out, saving up to 58% plastic.

#7. Best Natural Deodorant on a Budget:

Dove 0% Aluminum Cucumber and Green Tea Deodorant

Type: Stick, Size: 1.13 oz

Pros	Cons
Contains glycerin for smooth application	Lid pops open easily making it hard to travel with
Moisturizing	Stick breaks if you apply too hard
Eco-friendly

From a familiar skincare brand, this aluminum-free deodorant comes in five different scents.

This one was my favorite – there’s just something so fresh about the aroma of cucumbers that I really enjoyed wearing it throughout the day!

I also love that it’s refillable – this starter set contains a durable stainless steel case – designed to last for life – and a deodorant refill, so it’s good for the environment as well as your pocket.

#8. Best Natural Deodorant for Men:

Tom’s of Maine

Type: Stick, Size: 2.8 oz

Pros	Cons
Good value for money	Leaves a slight residue
Non-irritating formula
Vegan

This comes in three cool outdoor scents – Mountain Spring, Deep Forest, and North Woods – all of which are pleasant and refreshing.

It goes on smoothly and does a great job of neutralizing odors throughout the day, although you may find you need to reapply it a little more frequently than the 24 hours promised!

What’s more, this is a brand you can feel good buying from, with 10% of its annual profits going to children’s charities.

#9. Best His ‘N Hers Natural Deodorant:

Salt & Stone

Type: Stick, Size: 2.6 oz

Pros	Cons
Easy, smooth application	Needs reapplying fairly often
Kind to sensitive skin	May mark clothing
Light, fresh scents	Leaky containers

Enriched with seaweed extract and hyaluronic acid to retain moisture, these deodorants from Salt and Stone are also rich in probiotics to balance the skin’s microbiome and keep bacteria at healthy levels.

The packaging has a high-quality look and feel, but something I noticed is that it leaks essential oils from the point at which you twist up the stick, making it less than ideal for popping into your bag for a trip to the gym.

Nevertheless, I loved the subtle fragrance and found the product great for neutralizing odors during regular activity.

#10. Best Natural Deodorant Overall:

 Native Deodorant

Type: Stick, Size: 2.65 oz

Pros	Cons
Great for all skin types	Can be clumpy on unshaven armpits
Long-lasting odor protection
Good value for money

The coconut and vanilla fragrance of this excellent deodorant from Native is every bit as wonderful as it sounds, although there are other options available if you want to switch things up.

But what really blew me away was the almost perfect combination of ingredients – probiotics to control levels of odor-causing bacteria; coconut oil and shea butter to keep your armpits silky smooth; and tapioca to absorb perspiration to keep you dry.

Its non-greasy formula keeps on working for hours and won’t leave a residue to mark your clothes.

The best Natural Deodorants: Key Takeaways

Natural deodorants are free from ingredients like aluminum and talc and are designed to neutralize odors.

They may not inhibit sweating in the way that antiperspirants do, but are formulated with clean ingredients to help you stay fresh.

I hope you’ve found this guide useful in choosing a product that will work well for you.