Are natural deodorants better for you? We tried some of the best ones that eliminate body odour
In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift towards embracing natural and clean beauty products, and one area that has witnessed significant growth is natural deodorants. These products have gained popularity as people seek alternatives to traditional deodorants and antiperspirants that often contain synthetic ingredients that can be harmful to our skin.
I embarked on this journey last year when I discovered that my deodorant was causing a terrible rash in my armpit area and needed to make a change fast. After clinical visits and recommendations from experts (no thanks to Web MD who just said I was going to die), I decided to give natural deodorants a try.
How are natural deodorants different from regular deodorants?
Natural deodorants are formulated with natural ingredients, such as plant extracts, essential oils, and minerals. Unlike conventional deodorants that often contain aluminium compounds to block sweat glands and prevent perspiration, natural deodorants neutralise odour and promote freshness without interfering with the body's natural sweating process – because sweating is normal!
What to look out for in a good natural deodorant
Aluminium-Free: One of the primary distinctions is the absence of aluminium. While aluminium-based deodorants block sweat ducts to minimise perspiration, natural alternatives focus on odour control through ingredients like baking soda*, cornstarch, or arrowroot powder.
*While baking soda creates an alkaline environment in your pits that inhibits bacteria, it can be harsh on the skin. It's fairly common to develop a rash when using deodorants that rely on baking soda.
Gentle and Sensitive: Natural deodorants are often gentler on the skin, making them an ideal choice for those with sensitive skin. They are free from harsh chemicals like parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances that may cause irritation.
Chemical-Free: Natural deodorants offer a chemical-free alternative, allowing individuals to maintain personal hygiene without exposing their skin to potentially harmful substances.
Environmentally Friendly: Many natural deodorant brands prioritise eco-friendly packaging and sustainable practices, catering to environmentally conscious consumers.
Scent Variety: Natural deodorants come in various scents derived from essential oils, providing users with a pleasant and subtle fragrance without the overpowering synthetic smells often associated with conventional deodorants. Some of them are fragrance-free too for ultra-sensitive skin as essential oils can be harsh for some.
What to expect when first trying natural deodorants
As you’re transitioning to lesser chemicals and more natural ingredients, your skin might react at first, whether it’s initial BO or a bit of irritatation. Let your pits get used to it unless the problems persist. Another thing to note is that most natural deodorants are not anti-perspirants (again, sweating is normal!) so when it gets warmer, you will still have sweaty pits.
1. Megababe Rosy Pits Daily Deodorant, $37.24
When I think of my dream armpits (everyone should visualise this), I think of all-day freshness despite the weather and Megababe’s Rosy Pits delivers. The scent is lovely (it’s roses BTW – but not the grandma kind), it glides on smoothly and comfortably and works well in humid weather like ours. It keeps the BO at bay for most of the day but y’know if it’s 9pm and you start smelling something… well good things can’t last forever.
2. Salt & Stone Santal & Vetiver Natural Deodorant Gel, $33
Want to smell expensive? This is your top choice. The gel formulation has a nice feel to it, compared to the other version of this deodorant. Other scents in the range are also green and botanical so if you like natural scents, this one is for you. The scent holds for quite some time (I could still smell vetiver on myself towards the end of the day), Salt & Stone is pretty effective in keeping away body odour for a long time.
3. Schmidt's Aluminum Free Natural Deodorant, Bergamot and Lime, $29.64
For something budget-friendly and effective, Schmidt’s deodorants are effective with eliminating odours in warm weather climates – but texturally, it might not be the best as the formulation is not gel-like like the others on this list but it sure keeps the pits dry.
4. Native Deodorant, From $21.69
Similar to Schmidt’s, this is a drier deodorant which uses baking soda as the active ingredient. It also comes in a range of lovely scents like Sea Salt & Cedar, Cucumber & Lime, Rose & Lavender and more. The scents are also light and natural – it doesn’t last long though, but it still does its job in fighting body BO.
5. Humble Deodorant Stick, Palo Santo & Frankincense, $28.74
Smell fresh all day with Humble. While it is a dry deodorant, it’s also not an anti-perspirant so expect sweaty pits if it gets warmer – but that doesn’t mean the return of BO. Humble also comes in a variety of scents but personally, the Palo Santo one is my favourite because of its floral-woody scent.
6. Corpus Natural Deodorant Stick, California, $39
One look at it and you know it’s going to be expensive. Well, it is on the pricey side but the range of scents is very natural and green. California has a very coastal fragrance with notes of sea salt, bergamot and white musk. Other popular ones include the more floral Third Rose and the herbaceous The Botanist. The initial scent tapers off after a while but it does a good job masking body odour.
Honourable mentions:
Corpore Sano Deodorant Crystal Stick, Aloe Vera, $22.55
If you don’t care for scents and just want a simple fix for BO, a crystal deodorant would do. But it is quite of an experience. The “crystal” part is dry so you have to dampen the tip before gliding it on your pits.
Got some money to spare? This ultra-luxurious deodorant makes you smell like you’re fresh out of a natural spring all day. Herbaceous and fresh the scent stays with you long – but head’s up, it does feel a little wet all the time in the pits.
