7 Natural Deodorants That Actually Stop the Stink

We'll admit that deodorant isn't the sexiest beauty product — but it's one of the most essential parts of any getting-ready routine. The only problem? Most traditional antiperspirants are full of questionable ingredients. Thankfully, natural deodorant is a clean-beauty option that will keep you feeling fresh and smelling good throughout the day — and it's having a major moment right now. TikToks about natural deodorants have amassed more than 97.5 million views, and thousands of people are discussing the topic on Reddit.

With all of the hype around natural deodorant, we researched and spent almost 2 months testing a slew of products to help you discover the ones that deserve all the hype. We also tapped two of our favorite doctors to debunk myths and misconceptions about natural deodorants.

Best Natural Deodorants

What Is a Natural Deodorant?

The Food and Drug Administration doesn't regulate natural cosmetic products, so standards will vary across companies. For some, it may be that their product is aluminum-free, or they only use organic, locally sourced ingredients. Regardless of how brands define natural, dermatologists say natural deodorants contain odor-eliminating and antimicrobial ingredients like baking soda, corn starch, activated charcoal, arrowroot powder, essential oils, and shea butter. They also come in various formulations like gel, roll-on, cream, spray, and solid.

“Natural deodorants are great for people who do not want to use chemical deodorants and prefer a more natural fragrance. The downside is that they’re not as effective as reducing and preventing sweating from your armpits,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Karan Lal, M.D., of Schweiger Dermatology Group.

While some traditional deodorants pride themselves on providing 24-7 coverage, Lal and fellow board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hadley King, M.D., agree that natural deodorants don't offer a crazy amount of odor-eliminating protection. But if it's any consolation, they say that's because they don't form a plug in the eccrine sweat ducts — which is kind of gross to think about, especially when there are questionable ingredients involved.

Is Aluminum Safe to Use?

Aluminum is known for controlling and reducing sweat production, so it's a key component of antiperspirants. However, rumors have circulated that aluminum causes health problems, which prompted many people to switch from antiperspirants to natural deodorants. But if aluminum is found in such a readily available product, does that mean it's safe to use?

“There has been a concern in the media that aluminum may be linked to Alzheimer’s disease and breast cancer, but at this time, we have no evidence to support those claims,” says Lal. King and the American Cancer Society also agree that there is very little scientific evidence to support the rumors.

Although the negative claims about aluminum are just unsupported rumors, there are still plenty of reasons to use natural deodorant:

• It can be better for sensitive skin
• Natural deodorants are free of parabens
• They use natural, recognizable ingredients

Because of the rising natural-deodorant trend, there are so many options available that it can be hard to find ones that actually work. So, we took it upon ourselves to test the most popular brands and determine the best natural deodorant to add to your daily routine.

How We Tested

Each natural deodorant in this story went through a meticulous testing process. Over 6 weeks, our team swiped on more than 20 natural deodorants, and we can confidently say these nine recommendations are 100% worth your money.

To ensure they satisfy their claims, we wore these natural deodorants everywhere, including the office, gym, and even on dates. Testers shared feedback on all characteristics of the deodorant, including odor protection, scent, residue, texture, price, and overall quality.

Here are nine natural deodorants that are editor-approved and guaranteed to help you finally eliminate stinky pits without potential health risks.