11 Natural & Non-Toxic Deodorant Brands
Deodorant is something that most of us use daily. It quickly becomes a part of our morning routine that we don’t think twice about.
The question is, should we be thinking about it? Is deodorant bad for us, and bad for the environment?
This guide explores harmful ingredients in deodorants, natural alternatives, the environmental impacts, and some sustainable deodorant brands to love.
This post does contain some affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase The Honest Consumer may receive a commission. Our commission is at no additional cost to you.
Is Deodorant Toxic?
There have been a lot of articles in recent times about the dangers of standard deodorant and antiperspirant, as well as the damage it can cause to our health.
Some suggest that because most breast cancer occurs in the upper quadrant, near the armpit, harmful chemicals and ingredients found in deodorants might increase risk of breast cancer.
The main thing to remember is that none of this has been scientifically proven yet. Currently there is no conclusive evidence one way or another. The reality is that most scientists don’t believe that the ingredients in deodorant can penetrate the surface of the skin – and if they can then not in high enough quantities to cause cancer.
Does this mean that deodorant is safe? Well, no. Even the fact that scientists need to research this shows that a natural route is probably better. It’s always going to be kinder to our skin, and no one really wants to be rubbing these ingredients onto their armpits, right?
What's the difference between antiperspirants and deodorants?
Healthline reports that deodorants are formulated to eliminate armpit odor but not perspiration whereas the active ingredients in antiperspirants usually include aluminum-based compounds that temporarily block sweat pores.
Blocking sweat pores reduces the amount of perspiration that reaches your skin. The aluminum-based compounds in antiperspirants keep sweat from getting to the surface of the skin by blocking the sweat glands. But is this safe?
What Harmful Ingredients Are in Antiperspirant & Deodorant?
There are a number of ingredients in deodorant that are potentially harmful. Let’s take a look at a few ingredients that are found in conventional products, so the next time you're reading ingredient labels you know what to look for.
Aluminum. This is generally only found in antiperspirant, not deodorants. Aluminum prevents you from sweating by blocking the pores, and should never enter the body. It’s been reported that without sweating, excess minerals travel to the kidneys and urine, potentially forming kidney stones. High quantities of Aluminum metal have been linked to Alzheimer’s disease, and it can also affect estrogen production. Be wary of antiperspirants with aluminum.
Parabens. These are preservatives that are found in a lot of skin care products and cosmetics. What we’re not normally told about is that certain types can interfere with the regulation of hormones – particularly estrogen. Changes in estrogen levels has been linked to breast cancer.
Triclosan. This chemical is classed as a pesticide, and yet it is found in most commercial deodorants. It’s used to kill off any bacteria in the product, yet now, most of us have it at detectable levels in our bodies. Triclosan is also massively damaging to our wildlife and waterways when it washes down our drains – and can even create chloroform when mixed with water.
Phthalates. This is what makes your cosmetics stick. It’s particularly used to get fragrances to on the skin. Phthalates can interfere with testosterone regulation – which is just as important for women as it is for men as it plays a massive role in energy levels.
The Environmental Impacts of Deodorant
We’ve already discussed how triclosan can affect our waterways, but deodorants and antiperspirants can be damaging to our environment by other means as well. Yet even if you’ve only ever used a deodorant stick, the packaging itself is nearly impossible to recycle.
Most contains two different types of plastic, which means recycling companies can’t do anything with it. How many deodorants do you go through a year? Each time you finish one, the packaging will end up in a landfill.
Tips When Shopping for Toxin-Free Deodorant
Whether you put much store in the potential health effects of traditional deodorant – after all, nothing been conclusively proven – the fact remains that for the environment alone, you should consider switching what deodorant you use.
All-natural products are the key to buying non-toxic deodorants. You don’t want to buy paraben-free deodorant only to find that the fragrance used has phthalates.
In addition to this, if you are shopping for eco-friendly deodorants, look at their packaging. What it is stored in, and how it is shipped. Compostable packaging is a great option for the environment, but don’t forget about refillable cases as well. Both will reduce landfill waste.
It might take a few tries to find an effective deodorant that for your body! So don't be discouraged if the first on isn't a keeper!
I personally try to use organic deodorants as part of my clean beauty routine! My skin is very sensitive and I've learned that using natural formulas helps with skin irritation. I have tried a number of the clean deodorants below including Corvus Botanical, Twinkle Apothecary, and Native. Even though I've found a few that work well fo me, I still love trying new deodorants and switching it up.
11 Eco-friendly Non-Toxic Deodorant Brands to Consider
It can be hard to know where to start when changing from a product you’ve used for years. That’s why we’ve put together a list of sustainable deodorants to try.
These are some of the best natural deodorants from brands that focus on eco-friendly packaging, organic and fair trade materials, and transparency within their supply chain while creating a high quality product.
While each of these brands have different formulas they are all a great choice when shopping for a natural option & will give consumers peace of mind.
EcoRoots Deodorant Cream
EcoRoots aluminum free deodorant cream features organic ingredients and comes in a cream in an eco-friendly glass jar or a deodorant stick in a cardboard tube.
Made with arrowroot powder, coconut oil, and unrefined shea butter, this deodorant cream is baking-soda-free and delicate to the skin. This deodorant is easy to apply and has a light creamy texture.
This deodorant cream is available in four options: Coconut Scent, Lavender Scent, Eucalyptus Mint Scent & Unscented. This zero waste deodorant is made in the. USA in small batches and features an affordable price point of $12.
The deodorant stick is made with similar organic ingredients. The stick comes in three different scents and can be purchased for around $16.
BY HUMANKIND: ETHICALLY MADE REFILLABLE DEODORANT
This refillable deodorant subscription service by Humankind is ‘so natural you can eat it’. More than this, the company is fighting to end plastic waste by ensuring that all of its packaging is either compostable, or easily recyclable – particularly its refill packages. Available in four scents, this eco-friendly deodorant works almost like traditional antiperspirants, only without any aluminum.
by Humankind deodorant is non-GMO, aluminum-free, paraben-free, vegan, gluten-free, and ethically-made. The different scents are crafted with essential oils. by Humankind also offsets 100% of their carbon footprint (including your order) by investing in strategic forest preservation projects.
by Humankind’s non-GMO deodorant can be purchased for $12+.
MEOW MEOW TWEET: HANDMADE ORGANIC DEODORANT
Who wouldn’t want their deodorant to be handmade? Well at Meow Meow Tweet, that’s exactly what you get. They only make products in small batches, by hand, from their New York micro factory.
With a selection of both deodorant creams and sticks, their packaging is either biodegradable or refillable.
Meow Meow Tweet has a range of unisex scents including tea tree, cedar spruce, lemon lavender, grapefruit, and fragrance-free version for consumers who prefer unscented.
For their deodorant cream, they even have a buy in Bulk option. Meow Meow Tweet deodorant is vegan, non-GMO, plastic free, palm oil free, Leaping Bunny Certified, and features certified organic and fair trade ingredients.
Meow Meow Tweet’s clean deodorant starts at $4.50
Native’s Plastic & Cruelty Free Deodorant
Native Deodorant is a BIPOC owned brand focused on creating natural deodorant. Native’s Deodorant’s naturally derived ingredients feature coconut oil, shea butter, baking soda, and more.
Native’s deodorant is Aluminum Free, Phthalate Free, and Talc Free. Native also has plastic free packaging which is great.
This is my personal go-to deodorant. It REALLY works. As someone who gets super sweaty in the summer, I can say in full confidence this is a natural deodorant that truly works. Select scents do have natural fragrance, so just choose your scent with that knowledge!
Native’s plastic free deodorant can be purchased for $15.
Primally Pure’s Organic Fair Trade Deodorant
Primally Pure’s non-toxic deodorants are made with simple, organic ingredients. They are formulated for sensitive skin, with a small amount of baking soda to keep the fresh smell. Not to mention, no aluminum, parabens, fragrance, triclosan, talc, propylene glycol, or anything artificial!
Primally Pure has a wide range of unisex deodorant scents including tea tree, unscented, lavender, charcoal deodorant, and more.
Primally Pure’s deodorant can be purchased for $14-$16.
Key ingredients in Primally Pure’s organic deodorant include organic arrowroot powder, fair trade organic coconut oil, organic beeswax, fair trade rosemary oil, and other clean ingredients!
PUBLIC GOODS: UNISEX DEODORANT
Public Goods deodorant offers odor protection while feeling refreshed with natural ingredients. The crisp, subtle botanical scent is great for men and women. Public Goods deodorant is free from parabens, synthetic fragrance, sodium lauryl sulfates, phthalates and formaldehyde.
This deodorant is ethically made in the USA. This cruelty-free deodorant features a crisp, subtle botanical scent that is a great smell on a man or a woman.
Public Goods deodorant can be purchased for $5-$24 depending on the size.
CORVUS BOTANICALS: ZERO WASTE DEODORANT
Corvus Botanicals specializes in eco-friendly skin & self care products. Corvus Botanical Deodorant Cream is formulated to help regulate sweat and body odor. This small batch deodorant is a sensitive skin formula and baking soda free. Packaged in a reusable, travel friendly glass jar. Ditch the plastic tube and opt for this more eco-friendly alternative.
I personally love the Earth deodorant cream which features organic arrowroot powder, organic coconut oil, organic shea butter, zinc oxide, tea Tree, green tea matcha powder, and other organic ingredients.
Corvus Botanicals organic deodorant can be purchased for $14+.
TWINKLE APOTHECARY: NATURAL BIODEGRADABLE DEODORANT
A one-woman shop based in Oklahoma, making vegan, natural deodorant was where it all started for Twinkle Apothecary. Available in 4 one-note scents that smell great but don’t overpower, this deodorant comes in its own biodegradable push-up tube.
A zero-waste approach means you don’t even need to think about refills or recycling – just compost when you’re done!
Twinkle Apothecary’s deodorant can be purchased for $6+.
I’ve personally tried Twinkle Apothecary’s deodorant and love the way it feels on my skin.
FREEDOM DEODORANT: NATURAL DEODORANT FOR CHANGE
Freedom Deodorant is designed to last all day – no matter what you’re doing. With no aluminum, no parabens, and phthalate-free, it’s a completely non-toxic deodorant. In fact, in only contains six ingredients. Along with the six scents available this makes it easy to know exactly what you’re purchasing.
This brand was founded by a woman after her three friends were diagnosed with cancer, so it’s clear that Freedom is on a mission to create clean natural products. Due to the personal ties Freedom supports a few different Cancer charities/organizations that can be found on their website.
Freedom Deodorant can be purchased from $12-$17.
TIERRA AND LAVA: FAIR TRADE DEODORANT
Tierra and Lava really care about where the ingredients in their products come from, which is why they partner with farmers to ensure that every stage is ethical to both people, and to the environment. Certified Fair Trade, it’s time to get some kindness on your pits!
Their Copal and Lemongrass deodorant is a bestseller, and is made using the traditional Mayan tree-resin copal, prized for its anti-bacterial properties and sweet, smoky scent.
Tierra and Lava features low waste packaging with recyclable or compostable options. This deodorant brand also has baking soda free options. Their deodorants can be purchased for $22.
FAT AND THE MOON: MADE TO ORDER LOW WASTE DEODORANT
With a quirky style that stays true to their principles, Fat and the Moon has a great selection of deodorants.
From sensitive skin deodorant cream to ‘Bod Powder’ that can be used just about anywhere to stop you feeling sticky in the heat, each item is handmade to order and filled with only plant-based, organic, natural ingredients.
Fat and the Moon deodorant contains no phthalates, parabens, or sulfatess. Their organic deodorants can be purchased for $6+.
As research continues to develop and change in regard to the materials we are putting on our skin I encourage you to continue educating yourself on skin and body care products. Just being aware of ingredients is a great way to start creating better beauty routines.
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