Curious about switching to aluminum-free deodorant but unsure whether you can find natural deodorants that actually work? This is the post for you.
Now, here’s the deal. I am not cute about sweat. Don’t give me that nonsense about “I don’t sweat, I sparkle.” Nope.
“Sparkle” doesn’t drip off your face and puddle onto your yoga mat. It doesn’t begin to run down your temples after just minimal exertion. These are things sweat does.
And it happens to me more than most people. More than my husband, even.
So let’s just say that I am a harsh judge of deodorant. When I say I’ve found natural deodorants that actually work, I will not lead you astray.
I started testing out aluminum-free deodorants about two years ago, abandoning the Degree Shower Fresh I’d used since high school for the world of more natural remedies. These are the four types I’ve tried in that time frame. I used each stick completely, and these are my honest, unbiased thoughts on whether these natural deodorants work. No one is paying me to say anything about these. (Though a heads up that Amazon links are affiliate. If you purchase through those links, I make a small commission at no extra cost to you.)
Why switch to natural deodorant?
First, let’s set the record straight. There is no definitive evidence that aluminum used in antiperspirant has estrogenic effects, causes breast cancer, or increases risk of Alzheimer’s. The first viral studies claiming that aluminum builds up in the lymph nodes, creating a backlog of toxins that cannot be released by sweating, have been largely debunked. Sweat glands aren’t connected to lymph nodes, and the notion of significant amounts “toxins” leaving the body in any way other than the liver and kidneys is not legit.
If you’re still worried about the slim possibility of aluminum having health risks, by all means, steer clear.
But there are other reasons to switch to an aluminum-free deodorant, too.
As someone with crazy sensitive skin and a bent towards more natural products, I find the other ingredients in natural deodorant a little more palatable.
I also have found that switching to natural deodorant has (over time!) made things less damp and smelly. My sweat glands don’t freak out the moment they aren’t covered in aluminum. Sweat, while sometimes annoying, is also purposeful. I feel better knowing that my body is doing the thing it was designed to do.
Also? Aluminum is what causes those yellow marks on your shirts. Making the switch will help eliminate those!
You might also want to check out:
- How to Create a Skincare Routine that Works
- A (Mostly) Natural Skincare Routine for Sensitive, Acne-Prone Skin
- How to Motivate Yourself to Work Out
But natural deodorants have never worked for me before!
So here’s the thing. Natural deodorants can work, even for you. But you do need to know that you’re probably going to be a little extra stanky when you switch from an antiperspirant to a natural deodorant. While there isn’t scientific proof of a “detox” phase, it’s anecdotally a thing. In theory, the bacteria that cause odor – and have been suppressed by your antiperspirant – run a little rampant at first, and it takes a while for your body to level off.
When you make the switch, you’re gonna sweat a little more. It might smell a little funky. It will last two to three weeks, and then you’ll be okay. Doing a clay or charcoal armpit mask might help, as will carrying backup deodorant with you. (P.S. Now, if you’re still going to be home much of the time, would be a perfect time to start!)
Also, everyone’s body chemistry is different. That deodorant that everyone raved about? It might not work for you. (This was the case for me, as you’ll see!)
All that said, if you’re curious about one sweaty person’s experience with aluminum-free deodorant, here’s my natural deodorant comparison!
Which natural deodorants actually work? My comparison of Schmidt’s, Megababe, Kopari, and Type A.
Schmidt’s
This deodorant was my gateway into the world of natural deodorants. The Bergamot and Lime scent was better than literally everything else in the Target deodorant aisle, so I gave it a go. And it was okay. This deodorant didn’t convince me to sprint back to conventional antiperspirants, but it wasn’t my favorite either.
The smell was my absolute favorite part of Schmidt’s deodorant. It also mostly eliminated stink, and it worked okay for the first half of the day. But around mid-afternoon, I would often find that I was starting to feel damp and a little funky. To be fair, this was the first natural deodorant I tried, so it may just have been the adjusting period. But I also started carrying extra deodorant in my work bag as backup. Not ideal. This one also was a little chalky; it needed to be held up against my armpit for a few seconds before it would glide.
Since I tried this one, Schmidt’s has come out with tons of different formulations, so there might now be better options out there.
- Cost: $9.99 for 3.25 oz
- Free of: aluminum, baking soda free versions available
- Pros: Multiple great scents, budget-friendly, widely available
- Cons: Feels chalky, didn’t last all day
- Best for: Convenience shoppers on a budget who aren’t excessive sweaters
Megababe Daily Deodorant
Megababe was founded by Katie Sturino, a popular blogger and influencer who wanted to solve the uncomfortable problems real women face (like boob sweat and thigh chafing). One of Megababe’s most popular products is their aluminum-free deodorant. It was popular enough that the original scent, Rosy Pits, quickly sold out after its launch. Since then, its popularity has only grown. Three more scents have been added, and it’s now available at Target!
There are multiple things I love about Megababe’s deodorant. It glides on relatively smoothly, without lots of tugging, but it’s not goopy and doesn’t stain clothes. The scent doesn’t last very long – you’re not going to lift your arms mid-day and get a whiff of any perfume – but it’s fantastic while being applied. I’ve tried both Rosy Pits and Sunny Pits and have been a huge fan of both. It also works! The Daily Deodorant successfully prevents both embarrassing wet marks or icky odors. The scent absorption of this one does fade a little at the end of a tough workout, but for normal daily use, it’s 100% adequate. It also has not caused any irritation whatsoever. If you’re nervous about switching from conventional deodorants, this is a fantastic pick!
- Cost: $13.99 for 2.67 oz
- Free of: aluminum, baking soda
- Pros: Solid wetness and scent prevention, no irritation
- Cons: Scent fades, not as strong for sweaty workouts
- Best for: Everyday use by someone who likes everything but the aluminum in conventional deodorants
Kopari
This is one of the first natural deodorants that I heard beauty bloggers rave about. And it’s a logical choice for anyone who’s reluctant to give up their Secret. It glides on extra smooth, causes no irritation, and smells like the beach.
Ultimately, though, Kopari didn’t quite work for me. It did a decent job of reducing wetness, but I did find myself a little stanky by the end of the day. Often I would reapply it before bed so I didn’t have to smell myself if I threw an arm over my head. I also found this one to be almost too smooth. It took a minute to feel dry, and I was more worried about getting it on my clothes.
- Cost: $14.00 for 2.0 oz
- Free of: aluminum, baking soda
- Pros: Smells good, smooth glide, no irritation
- Cons: Not as powerful
- Best for: Anyone who’s not ultra sweaty or stinky and likes the smell of coconut
Type A
I’m always drawn in with words like “sweat-activated technology” – especially when starting down the sweat-fest that is a DC summer.
And Type A really did live up to its claims! In terms of wetness and odor prevention, Type A was the best I’d tried – I even wore it through training for a half marathon and did not smell (more than one would expect after 9-mile runs, anyway).
I had just a few complaints with this one. The Crisp Clean Citron scent, while delightful, did leave me with some underarm irritation, especially after shaving. Switching to the unscented version was not as fun, but it did help a bit. This one also is more of a paste than traditional stick formulations. I had to apply it without a shirt on and wait for it to set before getting dressed. It was not the end of the world, but it could be occasionally inconvenient. I also had an issue with the top of one tube popping off. It was impossible to reattach, so I ended up just using my fingers to smear the deodorant around. A few other reviews mentioned this and that Type A had replaced the product for free, so keep that in mind if it happens to you.
- Cost: $9.99 for 2.82 oz
- Free of: aluminum
- Pros: Prevents wetness and stink, even through intense workouts!
- Cons: Scented version caused irritation, messier application
- Best for: Serious sweaters who can handle a little inconvenience
Which natural deodorants work best for me?
And the winner is…Megababe Daily Deodorant! I can honestly say that both Megababe and Type A truly qualify as natural deodorants that work. Ultimately, though, I went back to Megababe because it was easier to use and caused no irritation whatsoever. Sunny Pits is currently my deodorant of choice!
Any other amazing natural deodorants out there? Which ones did I miss?
Which natural deodorants actually work for you? Tell me everything in the comments, or find me @annaleighsaxton on Instagram!
