The Ultimate Non-Toxic Deodorant Guide
Written by Irina Webb
If you have just switched to a non-toxic deodorant, give it some time. Apparently, there is a detoxifying period during which your safe deodorant may not work at its full capacity. And if you are considering improving your deodorant routine but are not sure which deodorant to choose, this ultimate guide is for you.
When my husband experimented with non-toxic deodorants a few years ago, his criteria were straight to the point. The deodorant must go on well, smell good, and just work. Therefore, in this post, I will introduce to you the best options of natural deodorants that work, which you can also find in my IRLFY shop. By the time you read this post, I might have added some other options, so be sure to check out my shop.
What is not a safe deodorant
If you are a regular reader of this blog, you probably know that the only way to decide whether a product is safe is to look at its ingredients. Some popular brands of deodorants that I’m going to mention here cannot be called non-toxic and safe, and you are going to learn why. So, before discussing ingredients of a non-toxic deodorant, let’s talk about deodorants to avoid.
As I usually do in my guides to safe products, I have arranged deodorants into four categories – worst, bad, better, and best. This way you can make an informed decision with all the information at hand.
The worst deodorants
Let’s jump right into reading the ingredients.
Commonly, the ingredients that make some deodorants unsafe are aluminum, fragrance, and talc. In addition, some may contain cyclopentasiloxane and ethoxylated ingredients.
Let’s talk about each of them briefly.
Aluminum, fragrance, and talc
To begin, aluminum is associated with oxidative damage to cell membranes and may cause changes to the mobility of cells. Additionally, it is being investigated as a risk factor for breast cancer. A common example of this ingredient in a deodorant is Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex Gly. By the way, technically, an armpit product with aluminum is called antiperspirant deodorant.
Next is fragrance. The reason fragrance is unsafe is that quite often manufacturers don’t disclose its formulation, and we don’t know what ingredients it consists of. But it is something we would like to know because some of them are associated with allergies, endocrine disruption, and even cancer. As a result, a deodorant that contains fragrance is not a safe deodorant.
Then there is talc. What’s wrong with talc? Because of its possible contamination with asbestos fibers, it can pose risks for respiratory toxicity and cancer. Studies of personal use of talcum powder have had mixed results. However, there is a suggestion that the use of talc-based products in the genital area may increase the risk of ovarian cancer (source). In fact, there is currently litigation against Johnson & Johnson for failing to notify users of the cancer risk, and juries have awarded damages against J&J (source). So, a deodorant with talc is not a non-toxic deodorant.
Cyclopentasiloxane and ethoxylated ingredients
Let’s talk about cyclopentasiloxane. Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5) is the full chemical name of cyclopentasiloxane which may contain trace amounts of cyclotetrasiloxane (D4). Classified as an endocrine disruptor, it has a rating of 3 (with 10 as the most toxic) in the Skin Deep database. In addition, there is evidence in the European Union that it interferes with human hormone function and human fertility. Besides, its effect on the environment is rather controversial. You can find out how the controversy started in my post about cyclopentasiloxane safety.
Lastly, ethoxylated ingredients, such as PEGs and ingredient names ending with -eth and a number or the word polysorbate and a number, may contain residues of carcinogenic 1,4-dioxane.
Which antiperspirant deodorants are the worst?
The deodorants I included in this category are Old Spice Antiperspirant, and Arm & Hammer™ ULTRAMAX™ Solid Antiperspirant Deodorant. Additionally, I included Lady Speed Stick® INVISIBLE DRY® Antiperspirant Deodorant, and Teen Spirit. In my opinion, none of them would constitute a safe deodorant. Here is why.
As antiperspirants, all of them contain a form of aluminum, called Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex Gly. I have mentioned above why I don’t consider aluminum-containing products as a non-toxic deodorant. Regarding the other ingredients, here is what each of them has.
First, Old Spice antiperspirants have cyclopentasiloxane, talc, fragrance, and an ethoxylated ingredient, C20-40 pareth-10 (source). Even though it’s great that Old Spice discloses its fragrance ingredients, it is still not as safe as an ingredient. And in my post about the Old spice antiperspirant and deodorant you can learn why this is so.
Second, Arm & Hammer™ ULTRAMAX™ contains cyclopentasiloxane, talc, and fragrance in its scented versions (source).
Next, Lady Speed Stick® INVISIBLE DRY® has fragrance, as well as an ethoxylated ingredient, PEG-8 distearate (source).
Finally, Teen Spirit Antiperspirant Deodorant also has fragrance, and an ethoxylated ingredient PEG-8 distearate, which doesn’t make it a safe deodorant either (source).
The bad deodorants
This category includes Arbonne Deodorant #4112, Arm & Hammer™ Essentials™ Solid Deodorant, Bee Maternal Clean Bergamot Natural Deodorant, and Old Spice Deodorant.
Even though the deodorants in this category have no aluminum, they have some other concerns. For starters, all of them have fragrance, and in my opinion, a deodorant with fragrance is not a non-toxic deodorant. Whereas Arbonne #4112 and Arm & Hammer deodorants’ main concern is fragrance, the other two brands have additional issues.
By the way, on Instagram I was told by one of Arbonne’s consultants that their fragrance is made of essential oils only. I emailed them on March 15, 2020 and asked for a full list of ingredients. If I hear back, I will be happy to update this information.
Bee Maternal Clean Bergamot Natural
First of all, the fragrance in Bee Maternal Clean Bergamot Natural Deodorant is listed as “naturally-derived (phthalate-free)” (source). However, we still do not know what the ingredients are. Please, read my post about natural fragrance to draw your own conclusion about its safety.
In addition to fragrance, the Bee Maternal Clean Bergamot Natural Deodorant has optiphen, which is a preservative (source).
First of all, optiphen is not a name that the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel (the “CIR”) uses. The CIR is a trade association that reviews the safety of cosmetic ingredients. You can access its reports here. So, if you type ‘Optiphen’ in their database, nothing will come up. That’s because optiphen is a trade name. In other words, it is a name sellers of cosmetic ingredients go by. Lotioncrafter is one of them and on the product page, they disclose that it has phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol. I am not concerned about caprylyl glycol, but I do have some concerns about phenoxyethanol. You can read more about it in my Phenoxyethanol in Skin Care: Consider This! post.
Old Spice
The deodorants of this brand not only have fragrance but also artificial dyes, such as Blue 1, Violet 2, and Green 6 (source). They may contain residues of heavy metals and petroleum-based carcinogenic contaminants such as PAHs. You can learn more about dyes in cosmetic products in my post called Heavy Metals in Makeup.
I wish Old Spice didn’t have colorants in their deodorants because they are not vital for the product at all. Please, read my post about Old Spice antiperspirant and deodorant to decide whether it is a safe deodorant for you.
What constitutes a non-toxic deodorant
The deodorant brands that I consider safe enough to belong in the categories of “better” and “best” are as follows.
The better non-toxic deodorants
Native (ingredients), Kaia Naturals (ingredients), Crystal (ingredients), and Schmidt’s (ingredients) are in this group.
Because there are so many safe deodorant choices in the market right now, we can be very picky. So, one of the main reasons these did not make it to the Best list is that the plant oils and extracts were not organic.
Keep in mind that some formulations of Native and Schmidt have natural fragrance, which is a mixture of undisclosed ingredients. Also, the term “natural” is not defined and regulated. On my blog, I do not recommend any products that have natural fragrance unless they send me a full list of ingredients. Thus, read ingredients and choose the formulations of Native and Schmidt that are either unscented or scented with essential oils only.
The best non-toxic deodorants
I am happy to share with you the best non-toxic deodorant options.
Some of the best brands are Pretty Frank, Primally Pure, Earth Mama, Pure Haven, and Meow Meow Tweet.
Let’s look at their ingredients to see why I put all of them into the best category.
Pretty Frank
Pretty Frank Activated Charcoal Seaside deodorant: Magnesium Hydroxide, Organic Arrowroot Powder, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Shea Butter, Candelilla Wax, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Activated Charcoal, Lavender Essential Oil, Palmarosa Essential Oil, Lemon Essential Oil, Juniper Berry Essential Oil.
As an example, I listed the ingredients of their activated charcoal deodorant. However, they have a great number of formulations with charcoal or magnesium or baking soda or zinc. They come in sticks or jars.
Pretty Frank has a special place in my heart. When I wanted my husband to stop using Old Spice, he challenged me to find him a toxic-free deodorant that performs as well as Old Spice antiperspirant. After he tried many products, he chose Pretty Frank as the best performing deodorant. (And my husband sweats a lot.) Back then, they were called Primal Pit Paste.
Some of the essential oils are not organic, which is not ideal, but this keeps the cost of the product down. Given that essential oils are used in very small amounts, I consider it a safe deodorant. And they carry unscented deodorants as well.
Meow Meow Tweet
Meow Meow Tweet Rose Geranium: *Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, *Maranta Esculenta (Arrowroot) Powder, Magnesium Hydroxide, *Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, *Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Fruit Butter, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax, *Cymbopogon Martini (Palmarosa) Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens (Rose Geranium) Oil. *Certified Organic
They carry a lot of different scents and come both with baking soda and without. Their deodorants come in sticks and jars. Jars are made of glass and the stick packaging is biodegradable. I love that. Even though I still use some products that are packaged in plastic, everything else being equal, I choose plastic-free products.
Finally, if you have sensitive skin, you might want to choose Meow Meow Tweet safe deodorant cream. Rubbing action can be a cause of irritation.
To see all Meow Meow Tweet non-toxic deodorant options, please head over here.
Primally Pure
Interestingly, they have classified their deodorants into anti-inflammatory, balancing, healing, rejuvenating, cleansing, and soothing (unscented).
There is something irresistible about lemongrass that I love. So, I use their lemongrass formulation that belongs in their rejuvenating category.
Primally Pure Lemongrass Deodorant: Organic Arrowroot Powder, Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil*, Tallow from Grass-Fed Cows, Organic Beeswax, Baking Soda, Non-nano Zinc Oxide, White Kaolin Clay, Organic Lemongrass Essential Oil.
My only slight concern with Primally Pure is that clay may have trace amounts of naturally occurring lead. However, the company responded to me and said that the amount of clay is very small, which is true because clay is listed last among the ingredients.
I use it and consider it a safe deodorant.
You can use a discount code ReadLabels10 to get 10% off at checkout.
Please view their impressive non-toxic deodorant collection here.
Earth Mama
Earth Mama Bright Citrus Deodorant: Organic Coconut (Cocos Nucifera) Oil, Organic Corn (Zea Mays) Starch, Candelilla (Euphorbia Cerifera) Wax, Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate), Organic Beeswax (Cera Alba), Magnesium Hydroxide, Organic Arrowroot (Maranta Arundinacea) Powder, Organic Grapefruit (Citrus Grandis) Peel Oil, Tocopherol, Organic Tangerine (Citrus Reticulata Blanco) Peel Oil, Organic Calendula (Calendula Officinalis) Flower Extract.
I like the fact that Earth Mama is certified by NSF, which means it contains 70% or more certified organic ingredients. The remaining 30% of ingredients are on the NSF allowed list.
I have not heard about anyone’s personal experience with it yet. But if you have a baby and look for a safe baby wash, you might want to grab their deodorant as well. It is so time- and cost-effective to buy products in one place.
You can see all four formulations, including their unscented non-toxic deodorant, here.
Pure Haven
Pure Haven Non-Baking Soda Deodorant: Solanum Tuberosum (Potato) Starch, Cocos Nucifera Oil (Organic Coconut), Stearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Non-Nano Zinc Oxide, Mentha Piperita Oil (Organic Peppermint), Melaleuca Alternifolia Oil (Organic Tea Tree), Tocopherol (Non-Gmo).
This is a baking soda-free deodorant. Pure Haven also carries a safe deodorant with baking soda. I used and like the one with baking soda.
Speaking of the convenience of buying products in one place, I also love Pure Haven shampoo and conditioner and pre+probiotics hand cream.
The best non-toxic deodorant ingredients
So, what constitutes a safe deodorant?
First, botanical ingredients are organic, and non-botanical ingredients are safe.
Second, instead of aluminum and talc, a safe deodorant uses such natural ingredients as baking soda, magnesium, zinc, activated charcoal, arrowroot powder, potatoes starch, and the like.
Finally, their scent comes from essential oils only.
For my other favorites, visit my Shop, where you can find many non-toxic options, not only for deodorants but also for other body and household items.
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After reading this, I was drawn to try Primally Pure’s Anti-Inflammatory Charcoal deodorant. However, even with the IRLFY 10% discount, a 1.7oz (48g) stick with shipping to Europe would cost nearly €50(!). So, I might look for that one next time I am in the US. For now, I am happy with Ben & Anna’s line. Since they stopped making their Nordic Timber scent, I’ve been switching between Urban Black and Persian Lime. Sells for about €7 per 40gr stick with recyclable cardboard packaging. Ingredients example:
Sodium Bicarbonate, Zea Mays Starch, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter*, Cocos Nucifera Oil*, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil*, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol*, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Rhus Verniciflua Peel Cera, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Shorea Robusta Resin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil*, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract*, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract*, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Reticulata Peel Oil, Cymbopogon Flexuosus Herb Oil, Limonene**, Citral**, Linalool**, Geraniol**.
* From certified organic farming.
** Natural essential oils.
First of all, I Appreciate all your work!
Secondly, I found a deodorant that finally works for me and doesn’t make me feel uncomfortable. It’s NOW brand deodorant surprisingly.
Any ingredients in here that are alarming?
“Ingredients: Cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, cetearyl alcohol, zinc oxide, cetearyl alcohol & cetearyl glucoside, rosa damascena (rose) absolute, tocopherol (natural vitamin E)(soy), cananga odorata (ylang ylang extra) flower oil, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (vitamin C), natural hinokitiol.
This product is free of harmful forms of aluminum, talc, parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, petrolatum, propylene glycol, silicones, artificial colors and fragrances.”
Thank you for your feedback! We appreciate it a lot! There seem to be no alarming ingredients in the presented list.
Hi Irina,
Thank you for doing all this great work I truly appreciate it . I’m from Canada and there is a brand from Alberta called Rockey mountain soap company which is a clean brand. I honestly love their deodorant and hope it is a clean one any chance to get your thoughts and review on it?
Hi, Kristina: I can review this product for a very small fee: https://ireadlabelsforyou.com/services/ingredient-review/ How does it sound? ~Irina
Thanks for the research! Quick question — is this deodorant okay?
I have two potential concerns for it. 1) Propanediol is an ingredient. You say to other commenters that this can irritate the skin, but to one person you say that is it actually okay. What is your current opinion on this ingredient? 2) “Botanical Fragrance Blend” is an ingredient. Seems undefined to me. Thoughts?
Its ingredients are as follows: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (Aloe Juice, Water/Aqua), Propanediol (Corn Derived), Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Sodium Stearate (Coconut Derived), Silica, Carrageenan (Seaweed Derived), Stearyl Behenate (Coconut Derived), Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon Peel Oil), Inulin (Artichoke Derived), Saccharomyces Ferment, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide (Sugar Derived), Yeast Beta Glucan, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Usnea Barbata (Lichen) Extract, Valeriana Officinalis Root Extract (Valerian), Hydrastis Canadensis (Goldenseal) Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract (And) Water (Aqua) (And) Glycerin, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract (Goji Berry), Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract (Noni Juice), Calendula Officinalis (Calendula) Flower Extract, Vanilla Planifolia (Vanilla) Oil, Botanical Fragrance Blend.
Thank you for your help!!
You can ask unlimited questions like that in the Savvy Consumer Circle. I think you will love it there. ~Irina
thanks for the work you pit into these lists irina!! happened to sumble on your website and doing some digging now. it’s a lot to take it , but i’m hoping it will be worth it for knowing lifetime of safe products 🙂
Hi Irina – thank you for all this info! I especially appreciate you including a deodorant like Meow Meow Tweet for those of us who strive to avoid plastic whenever possible. Eco Roots has good products, too. Please keep up the great work and please please please highlight products that are plastic free whenever you can! Thank you!!!
You are very welcome! It is nice to hear from you, Melissa! ~Irina
Any chance you have checked out Native? Would love to know your take on the ingredients. It works really well. Only one that has worked for me.
As much as I love the idea of natural deodorant, none of them actually make a difference for me. Especially during the summer months, my sweat would be out of control. I’ve always had issues with over-sweating throughout my life. A few months ago I read an article about different deodorants and junglejuice was listed. I was hesitant to stray away from the norm but I knew I needed a deodorant with an extra kick to it. I’ll tell you this stuff is amazing. It stays on even after my outdoor workouts in the summer heat! Now I can work all day and then run to happy hour with the girls without feeling self-conscious the entire time. It’s worth a look into for sure.
Great! Thanks for the code too!
Have you tried mamasuds deodorant? Ingredients: : organic coconut oil, organic beeswax pastilles, organic corn starch or arrowroot, sodium bicarbonate, essential oils of tea tree and organic sweet orange. Does it look good? Thanks!
It looks like a good one! Use the code IRLFY10 to receive 10% off storewide. ~Irina
Hi! Thanks for the recommendations. I’ve been looking into native and myro deodorants! Are those good??
Thank you so much for this list Irina, it is so helpful. I am trying to switch to natural deodorant for myself, but I am struggling to convince the hubs. We live and work in the Middle East and it gets hot as hell here and the humidity is THROUGH the roof high almost the whole summer long, so he says he needs to keep his BO under control otherwise he will seriously stink so bad…. Will look into these, but I/m afraid that if it doesn’t withstand heat of up to 62 Degrees Celsius with 100 percent Humidity he won’t even consider it… 🙁 Do you use any deodorant and if so, which ones do you like? x
I do not use any deodorant but maybe I should. 🙂 ~Irina
🙂 I am really liking Lavanila Healthy Deodorant in Vanilla Coconut but I am also going to be trying out Schmidt’s Natural Deodorant to see how it compares. Have you heard of the Agent Nateur Holi(stick) deodorant? Want to try that one out as well. Will keep you posted. xxx
Do you have an opinion on witch hazel?
I have no problem with witch hazel.
Between my daughter and I, we need unscented, coconut and grapefruit free. Even natural smells give me a migraine, even if on someone else. She is allergic to the other two ingredients. I have wondered about the Lafe’s product but I think the first ingredient knocks it off your list. She likes a stick. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Lafe’s
Ingredients:
Propanediol, Glycerin, Water, Sodium Stearate, Zinc Ricinoleate, Silica, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Polyglyceryl-3 Caprate, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment, Sucrose Cocoate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract*, Coriandrum Sativum (Coriander) Extract*, Allantoin
Hi, Sandy:
Actually, propanediol is okay. However, I am not sure about Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Extract as it may contain hidden ingredients, including even triclosan. (source) As them for MSDS of Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Extract to see its ingredients. My understanding that pure Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Extract is not enough to act as a broad spectrum preservative and this is what this product needs. ~Irina
Do you specifically recommend the thyme/lemongrass scent? Or is that the one that Bill tried? I would veer toward the lavender scent, and am wondering if you picked the thyme scent specifically for ingredients or efficacy.
Susan, you can pick any scent you prefer. Yes, for you I would choose lavender. 🙂 ~Irina
Meow meow, I like it! But I prefer the magnesium oil, my daughter doesn’t like the smell and it is not stick…I’ll buy for her the vanilla nourish organic , it looks great! , I’m trying my husband use the magnesium oil !!! I don’t like the potassium alum too , is a natural mineral salt that molecules are to large to be absorbed by your skin but you are right … It is aluminum 🙂
Thank you Irina
Thank you Irina, My husband and daughter can not use the baking soda deodorant because it produce rash, my husband is really happy with the THAI CRYSTAL, and my daughter loves the TEA TREE SENSITIVE SKIN DEODORANT STICK ( SCHMIDT’S) ,is not organic but better that the one she liked it , and I’m using the magnesium oil (magnesium flakes dissolved in distilled water), after 2 weeks of using it I don’t smell after I take a shower at night and don’t use nothing 🙂
It is hard to say what Thai Crystal is made of. It just says mineral salts. Have you seen baking soda-free option in my list? It is nice to hear from you, Rocio! ~Irina
We went through this, and I highly recommend Piper Wai. It was the one that finally got him hooked. Founded by someone who had a family member struggle with breast cancer.
What about a salt stick? Like Crystal?
There is Potassium Alum in it, which a form of aluminum, is supposed to be safe but it is aluminum nevertheless. ~Irina
I use Penny Lane Organics Natural Deoderant in Pink Grapefruit. The company advises it is safe for breastfeeding, made locally, and “so natural you could eat it”.
I’m happy with this product, but will check out your list for my hubby.
Thanks
What about Nature deodorant? Also looked at Arm and Hammer naturals.
Hi! How about Green Beaver deodorant? I use the rose one.
Hi, Estella: I chose deodorants made with organic ingredients with the exception of baking soda of course. Green Beaver contains propanediol that is a synthetic ingredient linked with skin irritation according to the Skin Deep Database. ~Irina
Just use Sodium Bicarbonate (pure baking soda),I’m a man and do sports every day, I’ve used it for 5 years. It’s very cheap and works better than any deodorant I’ve every used. You dont smell all day plus it doesn’t harm your clothes or leave any stains. Just dab a little (very little) after a shower. Or you can put in a spray bottle and mix with water. Saves the plant too becuase you’re not using all those plastic packaging etc.
This is great, if it works for you. Some people tell me that baking soda irritates their armpits. ~Irina
I love Korina deodorant. It’s pretty new on the market and works wonders for not only me but my husband. It’s made with natural ingredients. Handmade in San Francisco. My fave scent is Cedar and Tea Tree. You can purchase online, they have a storefront on their website. https://www.korinanaturals.com
I had to stop using baking soda deodorants because they gave me a rash. After about a month, all non toxic deodorants I’ve tried stop working and I would smell funky after a few hours. I started using lemon juice as a deodorant and it works better than anything I’ve tried. I apply once a day and don’t smell, even in the Florida heat. Hope this helps someone else!
Irina, I am trying Milk and Honey cream deodorant and it really works for me. I don’t have to refresh it during the day and I don’t smell bad by the end of the day. I live in a very humid state and have been giving it a work out lately and am very impressed. Let me know what you think. https://milkandhoney.com/products/cream-deodorant-blend-no20 Plus, you can get in on Amazon.
Here are the ingredients: INGREDIENTS: Organic Virgin Coconut (Cocos nucifera) Oil, Organic Shea (Butyrospermum parkii) Fruit Butter, Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate), Organic Arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea) Root Powder, Organic Beeswax, Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia) Oil.
Thank you, Ginny! The deodorant looks good! ~Irina
Curious to see if you’ve heard of Every Man Jack? I’m trying to find a non-toxic deodorant that my husband is willing to switch to… here’s the ingredient list for their unscented deodorant:
Aqua/Water/Eau, Propanediol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Sodium Stearate, Witch Hazel Distillate, Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton) Extract, Calendula Extract*, Myrrh Gum Extract, Alpine Lichen Extract, Grapefruit Seed Extract, Chamomile Extract*, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate. *Certified Organic
Would appreciate to hear your thoughts.
Thanks!
Lil
Hi Lil: it is not bad but not as good as the ones I picked. 🙂 Propanediol may irritate the skin. And I am not sure what preservative they use. If it is Grapefruit Seed Extract then there might be contaminants. ~Irina
Thanks you two for doing all this work for us! I have tried a few non-toxic products and they either don’t work for me or I am going through the period of shedding toxins that you mentioned. Can’t wait to try some of these! YEAH!
Irina, thank you so much for all your research and giving us your time, efforts and advice. I wish I had found you about 2 years ago, with all the research I have done on natural products. I have tried Face Naturals Lavendar deodorant, it’s a bit crumbly, but it goes on without being sticky or wet. Here’s their website http://facenaturals.com/product/lavender-deodorant-stick/. Also, I had a comment on male vs. female deodorant. So, males have hair under their arms which I think makes a big difference in what deodorant works for them, most women shave their underarms, so the deodorant goes on and behaves differently. While I appreciate you testing the deodorants on your hubby and his feedback, I am interested in a natural deodorant that is for a woman and smells nice. I don’t mind sweating as long as I smell nice while I’m doing it, if you know what I mean. Would it be possible to create a list “just for women” of natural deodorants? Thanks for all you do for us.
I use Primal Pit Paste unscented. Been using it for awhile now and it works very well for me. Thrive Market is the least expensive place I have come across to buy it.
Your husband’s commentary is hilarious. It would be great if you could do a review exclusively of fragrance-free deodorants. A lot of people have allergies to scent, and would like to find something that is powerful without a smell.
This is a really good idea, Mae! Thanks! ~Irina
Great info.
I’ve used straight baking soda + water everyday for 3 years and it works beautifully.
While I’ve never tried any of the above products before, I gave up on “natural” deodorants because they never really worked well. May have to try the Primal Pit Paste.
I want to add that for me, removing aluminum from my daily routine and diet has been the most significant health adjustment I have ever made in my life. More significant then any dietary adjustment, work out routines, etc. Aluminum abstinence has cured multiple conditions that my doctor said I would live with for the rest of my life. It took many years of research and experimenting. Always happy to see information like this free for the public to read!
Thanks.
Have used Meow Meow Tweet Grapefruit and Soapwalla’s deodorants for years. Both fab. Soapwalla has won several awards and is sold in europe now. Home grown in Brooklyn by Rachel Winard who developed it due to lupus. http://www.Soapwalla.com. btw, I have no financial stake in either company just love the products. Best and Non toxic Fresh Pits to All – Charlie in NJ
The best informative thing I’ve ever read. I’ve been wondering if Dr. Organic deodorant is safe/non-toxic?
Thank yoy sooooo much for your great products review 😄
Can you post a list of ingredients?
Hi Irina,
Didn’t know that about tea tree oil – interesting! Thanks for the tip.
Harriet
Hi Irina,
Thank you so much for this fantastic resource.
I have found (what I hope is) an excellent natural deodorant called Soapwalla. Have you any comments on it?
The only thing is that the baking soda it contains can make my under arms red and itchy if I use it every day, so I still use my old deodorant one or two days a week. Do you recommend any that don’t contain baking soda? I noticed a few on your list, however they did not score well.
Thanks again
Harriet
Thank you, Harriet. Soapwalla looks pretty good to me, except that tree oil can be irritating at higher concentrations. ~Irina
Cheap bottle of Walmart brand milk of magnesia works great! Apply with cottonball and let dry a minute before getting dressed.
how about the Ava Anderson nontoxic products.. anyone use them? they seem to be expensive?
Has anyone tried the Soothe Greece or any natural deodorant from In Love with Bodycare? The website is http://www.inlovewithbodycare.com. They have some really good reviews.
Anyone have a suggestion for converting my 12 year old son who loves his Old Spice swagger scent. Do any of the above mentioned have some kind of masculine scent or something close?
Hi Karin: thank you for such a good question. Unfortunately, I have not found an organic deodorant with masculine scent. One option would be to go for scent-free deodorant and try to explain to him the potential harms of artificial fragrance. I know it is not easy to teach something like that to a 12 year old. If he likes science, you could construct a simple scientific test to show the harms of artificial fragrance.
my husband has been using Tom’s of Maine men’s deodorant, it smells masculine … ingredients might not be perfect, but better than Old Spice.
they have 4 manly scents
http://www.tomsofmaine.com/product-details/mens-long-lasting-wide-stick-deo
I have been using Schmidt’s deodorant for a few years now and they have a cedarwood and juniper scent that is masculine:
Schmidt’s Natural Deodorant – Cedarwood + Juniper Jar https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B7UL2XQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_3Z.nxbDA1Q1T6
Do you find that pit paste or Ava deodorants leave residue on your clothes? Most natural paste/bar products I’ve tried stained my clothes and the stickiness of them caused terrible chaffing, while the crystal ones just didn’t work. Dr. haushka deodorant irritated my skin. I’ve tried 8 or 9 brands but gave up and went back to regular antiperspirant.
I have to agree! I is my favorite, and the only safe one I found that can withstand the crossFit test!
Thanks for the tip on Primal Pit Paste, got the Thyme & Lemongrass and like it even better than what I was using (Truly’s). Love the stick and the scent seems to help a lot with odor. True test is always the heat and humidity.
So I have made an amazing personal discovery (Other people knew it long before me). All you need to put under your arms is baking soda mixed with water, or the liquid, gel, or cream,of your choice. It works better than any commercial product I’ve ever used, and is dirt cheap. And by the way, no baking SODA, has aluminum. Its a confusion with baking POWDER, which often does. See crunchybetty.com for reference. And, the best kind to get is Bob’s Red Mill. Did a little research. The kind of baking soda arm and hammer makes, is chemically made. The kind that Bob’s makes, is literally just mined from the ground, nothing else. Its amazing. If I don’t take a shower till the 2nd day, the baking soda STILL works! Can be a little messy, but I think I just need to perfect the details.
Thank you for sharing! I have a strong suspicion that with a few versatile things such as baking soda, vinegar, and coconut oil, we can clean our houses and make all kinds of personal care and beauty products. 🙂
Thank you for the information. Made the switch from anti-antiperspirant to deos a few months back. I am using Crystal Essence Lavender & White tea. It works very well for me. Can you give any feedback as to what you think? Have you tried it? I appreciate your input.
Hi, Zubreha! Crystal Essence deodorant contains fragrance, a blend of undisclosed chemicals. Fragrance mixes have been associated with allergies, dermatitis, respiratory distress and potential effects on the reproductive system. So I do not recommend any products with fragrances unless the fragrances are essential oils. You might want to ask what the fragrance used in the deodorant is made of. Second, there is potassium alum in the product. Potassium Alum is a form of aluminum and it is controversial. Some believe that its skin absorption is so small that it is safe. Some believe that it breaks down to penetrate the skin. I prefer to use precautionary principle. Since I found organic deodorants without any controversy that work great, I do not see a reason to use something questionable. Another thing is that it would be good to know what the composition of mineral salts is. Thank you for asking the question! ~ Irina
Thank you so much Irina!! I truly appreciate your awesome response. Will search for the organic ones that you referred too. Once again thank you!
Irina, I have wondered about the Alum in Crystal deodorant for a long time. Thank you very much for this information.
I was introduced to Lavilin. Spent years tolerating deodorants that caused irritation to my armpits. Lavilin is great for sensitive skin. It’s hypoallergenic and unscented – the best!
Hi, Laurel: Thank you for your comment. Have you tried any of the deodorants that I recommend?
A lot of people, including myself, develop skin irritation from deodorants that contain baking soda due to the alkalinity. For those that do, try adding 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to one cup of water and apply to the underarms. Wait until dry and then apply deodorant.
Thank GOD for you! I’ve been searching for a good deodorant forever – and I ordered the Primal Pit paste – it does an awesome job. I’m so relieved to have something that is non-toxic and smells good. Thanks for this review!
Thank you for such lovely words! 🙂
I love http://www.amazon.com/lavera-47522-LAVERA-Sensitiv-Deodorant-Roll-On/dp/B004GWS4BA can you provide some feedback, if you have tried it? are the ingredients good? Based on what I saw I thought it was
thank you
Not as clean as the deodorants I recommend. For instance, Benzyl Benzoate is associated with allergies and contact dermatitis.
Is that the only potential harmful ingredient? Such a disappointment since I have great results with it
How long have you been using it?
I’ve gone through a few bottles of it
The reason I am asking is because some chemicals are sensitizers meaning that you may become allergic to them in time. Anyway, I highly recommend organic deodorants I found. I bet you will like them and you do not have to worry. Thanks!
its been two years. This one is organic as well. I will give the ones you recommend a try, too. Thank you
I’m curious to know why the ‘crystal’ is not listed here…it’s just natural salt…which is also good for bug bites and other remedies. No scent, unisex, and works really well….
I will look into it. Thank you, Alison.
just wondering if the ‘crystal’ deodorant ever came onto your radar. It seems innocuous enough, it’s just solid Salt. I use it and it works well.
Hi Alison, I’ve looked into crystal spray deodorant, and I do not recommend it. I know it is marketed as an innocuous product made with simple salt. However, crystal spray deodorant contains potassium alum, which is a form of aluminum. More about aluminum is in this post here. Thanks!
This was the solid, not the spray. but I”ll check to see if it contains it, if it does, I wonder if it’s just naturally occurring??? thank you.
Maybe. Although from my experience, companies do not normally disclose things they did not add intentionally. I did not talk to the company, just looked at the ingredients listed on the website, so I am not in the best position to make any conclusions. I did not feel like spending time as I found certified organic deodorants that even my husband likes. Please let us know what you find out.
So I”m looking at the packaging for the ‘crystal body deodarant’ stick, it says NO aluminum chlorohydrate. the only ingredient is potassium Alum (natural mineral salts)-which I guess is some form of aluminum. but doesn’t it just occurr naturally in this product which is just a stick of salt? then there is a pink breast cancer ribbon on it suggesting it’s safe to use. …it’s all so confusing isnt’ it.
Thank, Alison! I think whether aluminum is naturally occurring or produced in a lab should be secondary. We know now that naturally occurring substances such as lead, cadmium, aluminum, etc are toxic. The important question here is whether the aluminum used in this deodorant is absorbed through the skin in a quantity to make a negative impact on the body long-term. In general, we know that the skin absorbs substances put on it and the example of that is birth control patches. Also, there are no studies that would prove the safety of this form of aluminum, which means that if you practice precautionary principle, it is better to avoid it. Again, those tiny amounts here and there do add up. And how companies use pink ribbons is a controversial issue…
thank you-and I appreciate your time…and yes, ‘pink washing’ ‘green washing’ we agree…
I did not know that it is good for bug bites. Thank you very much.
Aubrey Deodorants The regular aubrey Line and the Mens line . Best prices are on vitacost
Thank you for your input! Will check it out.
Did you try Ava Anderson’s?
No, I did not. They were out and now it is back…
I second the use of Ava Anderson Nontoxic deodorant. It works on everybody I know and it is completely non-toxic. It gets a 0 on the EWG site. Check it out.
Is there such a thing as non-toxic anti-perspirant? I know I should be avoiding anti-perspirant, but it’s one thing I haven’t been able to switch out of… 🙁
Will find a way to try some of these, though they don’t all ship to Canada!
Thanks
Hi Tiffany,
there is no such thing as non-toxic antiperspirant because what makes it antiperspirant is a toxic aluminum. If my husband was able to switch (he sweats a lot!), it will be easy for you.:) Do you have Amazon in Canada?
I use Ava Anderson Nontoxic deodorant. It works so good even after a long, hot, humid day working in the garden and around the yard. I come in drenched with sweat but surprisingly my pits don’t reek!!! Ava Anderson is committed to completely non-toxic products that REALLY work! No aluminum, no parabens, and no harmful chemicals in this deodorant. $13.95 for one 2.65 oz stick.
i have been using this and it’s great: http://primalpitpaste.com/
Thank you, Cindy!
I tried quite a few non-toxic deodorants but stopped looking when I discovered Primal Pit Paste. Don’t love the name, but love the product! By the way, I live in Phoenix and the high is supposed to be 108 today.
Thank you, Emi! Another vote for Primal Pit Paste!
Try Lavanilla! The only natural deodorant that’s ever worked for me…. And I’ve tried SSSOOOO MANY.
I will. Thank you for this great recommendation, Ruth!
Great post! I love Pure Pitz and Funk Butter, too! Both are great for men and women.
I use Pit Putty and LOVE it!!!! I’ve tried MANY different organic deodorants and they are not effective.
Hi Sandy, it is great to know that you love Bubble & Bee Pit Putty. It sounds like you did not have flaking issue my husband experienced. Is it true?
When I get towards the end of the container…(and I can be a bit rough)…it will break away from the the inside and fall out all together. But we live in a VERY warm place and mine is usually on the soft side. Maybe that’s why I don’t notice it flaking?
Pit paste by mountain rose herbs and luminance deodorant. They both work pretty well.
Bill tried Luminance but I think the concept of liquid deodorant did not sit well with him. How do you apply it? And by “pit paste by mountain rose” do you mean Primal Pit Paste, which is the same as the one Dr. Myrto Ashe had mentioned earlier? Please clarify. Thank you, Arlene! It is always nice to hear from you!
I use the luminance deodorant right out of the shower by spritzing some on my hands then applying to the pits. I was thinking of buying a roller bottle to put it in instead, but I’m not sure if that would introduce bacteria and make a mess of things. It works pretty well on a not too hot day for about 6 hrs I’d say, sometimes all day. When it fails (sometimes it fails pretty quick on really hot sweaty days), I use the bar version (with beeswax) of Primal Pit Paste (I don’t think it’s actually from Moutain Rose). It works amazingly. The only downside is that it can be a bit grainy, but if you let it sit in the pit for a few seconds, it softens. Once it’s on, it works basically the whole day. I like not wearing deodorant in general, which is why I use Pit Paste as a breakthrough only.
Hi Arlene, it is great to hear from you. You are right – Primal Pit Paste is not made by Mountain Rose. I got it for my husband and he will be providing his feedback on it soon. You are not the first person who likes the Luminance deodorant – it is good to know. Thank you!
Love this guide. My husband uses Piper Wai (paste or stick) and likes it. He used to make his own with baking soda, but started to get irritation, likely from an imbalance of EOs. Piper Wai worked for me for awhile, but then didn’t, so I switched to Moo Goo (liquid roll on), which is working well now. I’ve noticed I’ve had to switch during different phases of life – pre kids, during pregnancy, post pregnancy. Goes to show our bodies are different and it’s great to have a variety of safe choices to try out. Thank you Irina!
I use the Nourish fig deodorant and love the smell, but it’s grainy so not comfortable to apply. This wasn’t mentioned in the blog post above – just wondering if your husband experienced that too or if I just got a bad batch! Thanks!
Hi Clare! My husband did not feel any grainy texture. But he might not have as delicate skin as yours and he used other than fig scent. Do not know… You might want ask Nourish about that.
Try Ava Anderson deodorant. You won’t be disappointed.
Try Ava Anderson! It’s amazing best deodorant I’ve ever used regardless of non toxic but that sure is an amazing bonus!!!!
Thanks Irina, I have three boys, one of which is a teenager and the second close behind, so this is timely and important information for us. I see that Primal Pit Paste did not make your list. It has been working well for us, but I am not sure whether all the ingredients are optimal.
It first glance it looks good. I will see I can add it to the list. Thank you for your input!
Try For Pit’s Sake.
Thank you, Laura, for your input!
I used to sweat like crazy, and antiperspirant actually made it worse. I even got a prescription for some really strong Rx stuff. It kinda worked, but it was so painful to use .. probably because of all the nasty aluminum it was jamming into my pours. Then, I found this stuff and it’s changed my life: https://www.korinanaturals.com/product/natural-deodorant-cedar-tea-tree
I know that sounds like an overstatement, but going from wearing black literally every day to being able to wear light blue shirts in public. If your deodorant is not working for you, you gotta try this natural stuff!