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Do natural deodorants actually work? We put them to the test

Photo credit: Natural deodorant
Photo credit: Natural deodorant

We all know by now that the au naturel way of life is usually best, so why not apply that logic to your underarms?

As with most natural products, they come at a price (a relatively hefty one!), but we’ve tried the best natural deodorants on the market to find the ones that will actually keep you smelling great all day long.

Want to get straight to it? Here are Cosmo’s top picks:

Is a natural deodorant better for you?

A traditional deodorant usually contains aluminium, which works as a plug to stop your pores from sweating. While there are some health myths out there that suggest aluminium increases your risk of disease, there’s no conclusive scientific evidence to support this.

Natural deodorants do have a load of benefits though, such as promoting the growth of immune-boosting bacteria - which let’s face it, we all need a bit of after 2020.

Most are also free from ingredients that cause skin to become dry - such as alcohol, parabens and phthalates - which you should try to avoid anyway if you suffer from razor burns or ingrown hairs.

How does switching to a natural deodorant affect your body?

Switching to a natural deodorant is a bit like cutting sugar out of your diet, you might experience a few crashes here and there but in the long run your body will thank you.

The natural deodorant will start by detoxing your armpits and clearing out any product build up and waste you might have accumulated. We won’t lie to you, this part won’t smell the best, but once you’ve adjusted (usually within a month), a natural deodorant will be just as effective as an antiperspirant. You just have to bear with it!

How we test

Our panel of 109 testers trialed natural deodorants over a period of two weeks. They assessed how easy each one was to use, their design, and their ability to neutralise odours and combat sweat.

Here's our their winners:

1. Best for detoxifying

GoBo Deodorant

This deo cuts through product build-up and odours to detoxify your pores (because yes, your underarm pores need some attention too!). The rollerball design makes for an easy and smooth application - no dragging on skin to see here - which testers found was totally mess-free. It did take longer than your average aerosol to dry but once it did it wasn’t sticky or greasy, and gave our panel a whiff-free day.

Key specs
Size:
50ml
Format:
Roll-on
Fragrance-free:
Yes
Vegan:
Yes
Cruelty-free:
Yes

2. Best for long-lasting protection

Dr. Hauschka Sage Mint Deodorant

Ideal for hot and sweaty days, this one cooled underarms as soon as it was applied, leaving them feeling hydrated. Our testers found no top-ups were needed throughout the day either, as it did such a great job at keeping them smelling fresh with just one swipe.

Key specs
Size:
50ml
Format:
Roll-on
Fragrance-free:
No
Vegan:
Yes
Cruelty-free:
Yes

3. Best for on the go

Green People Aloe Vera & Prebiotics Deodorant

Natural and 90% organic, this deodorant is packed with antibacterial aloe vera and prebiotics to soothe inflamed underarms and encourage healthy bacterial growth. It’s white t-shirt safe too, as testers didn’t spot any dreaded stains or discolouration on clothing. Our panel also liked how natural it felt on skin, and said its protection lasted throughout the day. The packaging is pretty diddy, so you can chuck it in your bag for afternoon top-ups too.

Key specs
Size: 75ml
Format: Roll-on
Fragrance-free: Yes
Vegan: Yes
Cruelty-free: Yes

4. Best natural deodorant bar

Lush T’eo Deodorant Bar

This bar comes with zero plastic packaging, so you can be sweat-free and eco-conscious. It wasn’t the smoothest when it came to application, as testers found it crumbled a bit, but it was speedy when it came to absorption and didn’t leave any pesky residue behind. Testers also found it kept them dry from morning till night, all while giving off a zesty citrus scent.

Key specs
Size:
50g
Format:
Solid bar
Fragrance-free:
No
Vegan:
Yes
Cruelty-free:
Yes

5. Best for dehydrated underarms

Weleda Woman Pomegranate 24hr Roll On Deodorant

Overdone it on waxing and shaving? Enriched with essential oils (which did make this one wetter than your average deodorant), our panel loved how fresh their underarms felt after use. They said it took a while to absorb though, which makes it great for dehydrated skin, but don’t use it in a rush!

Key specs
Size:
50ml
Format:
Roll-on
Fragrance-free:
No
Vegan:
Yes
Cruelty-free:
Yes

6. Best for sensitive skin

Dr Organic Aloe Vera Deodorant



Who said natural deodorants had to be expensive? This costs under £6 and did a great job at calming ultra-sensitive skin. It wasn’t at all sticky (because no one wants their underarms to feel like they're glued together) and kept three-quarters of our testers sweat-free throughout the day.

Key specs
Size: 50ml
Format: Roll-on
Fragrance-free: Yes
Vegan: Yes
Cruelty-free: Yes

7. Best natural spray deodorant

The Organic Pharmacy Deodorant Spray

Yes, it’s the most expensive on our list, but if you love the squeaky-clean feeling that a spray deodorant provides, this deo is your best bet. It’s formulated with all the good odour-neutralising essential oils - think lavender, rosemary and tea tree - to keep you smelling heavenly. Testers found they didn’t need any top-ups during the day, and said it stopped underarms getting clammy.

Key specs
Size:
50ml
Format:
Spray
Fragrance-free:
No
Vegan:
Yes
Cruelty-free:
Yes

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