5 Natural Toxin-Free Deodorants That Actually Work
Looking for a natural, safe, and effective toxin-free deodorant? Here are 5 good ones to try…
Although a number of studies have been done on the use of antiperspirants and the incidence of breast cancer, results have been inconclusive. However, many people (including myself) opt to error on the side of caution, and have stopped using antiperspirants altogether. One of the major ingredients in antiperspirants that has caused alarm is aluminum, but commercial antiperspirants also contain quite a few other chemicals – any of which may easily absorb into your skin in the sensitive underarm area.
Fortunately, there are lots of natural deodorants on the market these days that are made without aluminum and other harmful chemical ingredients.
But how do you know which ones really work?
If you’re looking for a natural, toxin-free way to keep smelling fresh throughout your busy day, these tested and highly-reviewed options may fit the bill. (Keep in mind that natural deodorants don’t contain the strong chemical ingredients that most commercial deodorants do, so they may vary in effectiveness based on your body chemistry, and you may need to try a few to find what works best for you. The 5 below, however, have received excellent reviews from the majority of users.)
1.) Primal Pit Paste
It was a hard sell to get me really into a deodorant paste. It gets on your hands, you need to soften it with your fingers, and it makes the whole process just a little bit messier.
BUT Primal Pit Paste, among a few other gems, won me over. It has organic and natural ingredients with no aluminum, no parabens, no toxic chemicals, and the paste blends on the smoothest of any that I tried, which makes for easy application, and the scent stays put (even through a hot yoga class). Its baking soda ingredient neutralizes the bacteria that cause body odor. (NOTE: This product is now available in a stick format for $7 at Thrive Market, but I have not tested this version yet…)
Buy it: Primal Pit Paste, $11, Amazon.com
2. Meow Meow Tweet
Meow Meow Tweet’s stick deodorant comes in compostable, biodegradable packaging, and though pushing the stick up is a bit more challenging than in a typical plastic-packaged deodorant stick (arm-strength, ladies!) it rolls on smooth and has light, pleasant scents. I found this one to be an easy winner—the scent lasted, and the sweat was minimal. Plus it’s paraben free, sulfate free and extra points for that plastic-free packaging.
Buy it: Meow Meow Tweet Deodorant Stick, $18, Amazon.com
3.) Schmidt’s
You can find Schmidt’s from Target to your local grocery store, which is helpful. On top of that, they have different lines of deodorants based on need, from tea tree to a charcoal and magnesium-enriched version that packs a punch. Plant-based powders help absorb wetness without the use of aluminum. The charcoal scent was slightly masculine, but I liked it, and it was light enough that I wore it before and after my workouts and still felt fresh. Schmidt’s also comes in a variety of scents like jasmine, coconut pineapple and lavender.
Buy it: Schmidt’s Deodorant, from $15, Amazon.com
4.) Nubian Heritage
Whether or not you warm to Nubian Heritage deodorants will depend a lot on personal fragrance preferences because the scents are unconventional. I was a huge fan of the feel and smell of the aluminum-free natural Abyssinian Oil and Chia Seed deodorant with Amaranth Extract and Ginseng, and I also liked the African Black Soap deodorant, as well as Coconut & Papaya for everyday office use, but not for working out. When I tried running with the chia seed version, I found that it irritated my inner arm and wasn’t smooth enough for athletic use. But I loved the scents, the chia seed formula was rich and creamy, and the roll-on applicator was easy to use, so I would wear it for a non-workout day, or after a workout.
Buy it: Nubian Heritage Abyssinian Oil & Chia Seed, $9, Amazon.com
5.) Thinksport
These are the same people that make Amazon’s bestselling nontoxic facial sunscreen. And yes, now they make deodorant, too! All of their ingredients are top-rated by the EWG, and they are free of biologically harmful chemicals. I test drove the aloe & tea flower version on a few 3-mile runs, and found that though I had a mild sweat at the end, they did a great job of keeping my skin smelling good and free of strong body odor. I highly recommend picking up a pack of these.
Want more ideas? Check out the full list at RodalesOrganicLife.com…
What’s your favorite natural deodorant? Comment below and let us know what works for you!
