Do Natural Deodorants Really Work?
By Shannon Farrell
(Photo: Deborah Jaffe)
Your deodorant is a year-round staple, but when summer hits it becomes all the more essential.
Still, this could be the perfect time to try something new, because natural options have come a long way. Some of these eco-friendly finds last up to eight hours and they won’t leave those dreaded white stains.
Best of all, we’ve done the legwork for you by testing the latest natural deodorants on the market. Check out our 10 favorites that really worked—trust us, you won’t be disappointed with the switch.
Natural deodorants may not prevent you from sweating, but Fig+Yarrow Underarm Lotion ($22) does reduce excessive perspiration with a blend of sage and witch hazel, both of which are astringents. “They won’t stop you from sweating, but they can help shrink and constrict body tissue to keep the area dry,” says Dr. Lin. Aloe naturally fights bacteria, keeping skin smooth and odor-free. Apply like you would any body lotion and it absorbs just as quickly.
Korres Equisetum 24h Deodorant ($19) is a roll-on—an application you’re likely far more familiar with—but doesn’t have any pore-clogging chemicals. Grass-like plant equisetum, which works as an astringent, is used instead to keep sweat to a minimum. When we tried it, we only had to reapply once after a long trip on the NYC subway—in the middle of a heat wave.
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Meow Meow Tweet Deodorant Cream ($14) utilizes DIY favorite baking soda (because what doesn’t it help with, honestly) to help keep skin dry. Shea butter and organic plant oils moisturize the delicate underarm skin, helping to prevent unwanted razor burn. With a sweet lavender scent, we were tempted to rub it just about everywhere.
“There are so many fantastic natural ingredients that can keep you smelling sweet, like baking soda, corn starch or tapioca powder,” says Villafranco. So she decided to include all three in her Osmia Organics Deodorant Cream ($12). To apply, we just dabbed a small amount of cream between our two index fingers and rubbed on each underarm.
Dr. Hauschka Sage Deodorant ($24) roll-on has a fresh citrus scent that blocks odor all day without overpowering. The sweet (but strong) smell lasted from day to night, but became less intense after just 30 minutes of wear.
Dr. Lin swears by eucalyptus, the main ingredient in Malin+Goetz Eucalyptus Deodorant. It does it all—working as an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent. (We only had to reapply once throughout a pretty grueling day!) And the scent is unisex, so any man in your life will love it, too.
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Schmidt’s Ylang-Ylang + Calendula Deodorant ($9) really hooked us with its rich floral fragrance—it was the boldest of the bunch! Bonus: It also applied smoother than most (you like that little brush?!) and had a less gritty, more creamy consistency.
The lemon peel oil in Lavanilla Laboratories The Healthy Deodorant ($14) kills odor-causing bacteria (thanks to its citric acid) while leaving skin hydrated. If you’re ever in a pinch? You can actually use plain old lemons, says Dr. Ginger Southall, a wellness expert and author of The Rainbow Juice Cleanse “Simply slice an organic lemon in half, squeeze it a bit to extract some juice, pat it under each arm, air dry and go!”
Lavender and peppermint add a soft fragrance while the tea tree oil in Soapwalla’s Deodorant Cream ($14) works as a deodorant just as it does in acne spot treatments—by staving off bacteria in a natural, non-irritating way. “Essential oils last longer than other alcohol-based fragrances for extended effectiveness—on average, up to eight hours,” says Dr. Lin—and that tea tree smell is fresh. It applied fairly smoothly and absorbed instantly.
Piper Wai Natural Deodorant ($12) is a charcoal cream that applies completely clear—consider your deodorant stains now officially obsolete. “Activated charcoal can absorb up to a thousand times its own weight in moisture,” says Dr. Lin. “This porous substance makes it the perfect ingredient for deodorants to soak up oils and smell.”
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