Last Updated: December 29, 2022

The 7 best natural deodorants that actually work.

WRITTEN BY Grove Collaborative • 14 min read

Ah, natural deodorants vs. antiperspirants — the great debate of our time. Natural deodorants protect against odor by using naturally derived ingredients, while antiperspirants protect against odor but also help control sweat by using aluminum. The main reason many people prefer a natural deodorant over an antiperspirant is because they're not only made with naturally derived ingredients, but they're also aluminum-free, making them a healthier option. The chemicals in antiperspirants may soak into your skin while you wear it, which makes antiperspirants a little bit scary when you think about it..


The issue some of us have when we switch from an antiperspirant to a natural deodorant is the smell (pee-yew). Some people feel natural deodorants don’t stop their stench as much as they’d hope they would. But, never fear, Grove is here — we’ve got you covered (even when you’re a little sweaty) with a rundown of the best natural deodorants that actually work.


This list of products was determined by ratings and reviews from Grove members.

1. Peach Refillable Deodorant

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A deodorant starter kit with a refillable Forever Deodorant Case and clean, vegan Cucumber Sage deodorant stick refill, clinically proven to protect against odor for up to 48 hours.

Scent: Cucumber Sage

  • IN THIS 100% PLASTIC-FREE KIT
    Cucumber Sage Deodorant Refill Stick: Aluminum-free formula made with arrowroot powder and magnesium to help …
(120)
1 x deodorant stick refill, 1 x deodorant case
$21.99
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2. Tom's of Maine Coconut Lavender Natural Strength Plastic-Free Deodorant

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Working out? Hot flashes? Warm weather? Keep your pits smelling fresh with the wonderful scent of Coconut Lavender Natural Strength Plastic-Free Deodorant. This aluminum-free deodorant is built for 48-hour odor protection, without harmful ingredients for your skin. Plus, it comes in 100% plastic-free packaging, which means this deodorant’s plastic …

(73)
2 OZ
$5.49
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3. Tom's of Maine Rugged Coast Natural Strength Plastic Free Deodorant

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The best men's natural deodorants provide odor protection throughout the day. Tom's of Maine Rugged Coast Natural Strength Plastic Free Deodorant is made for 48-hour protection. Enjoy the rugged scent of the Maine coastline with a fresh feeling that’s long-lasting. This aluminum-free deodorant for men — formulated without artificial fragrances or …

(28)
2 OZ
$6.49
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4. Schmidt's Deodorant Stick-Charcoal Magnesium

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You know charcoal is supposed to have superabsorbent properties, so why not tackle sweaty pits with it? Schmidt's Deodorant Stick, Charcoal Magnesium is a product of pure ingenuity. While charcoal sucks up sweat, magnesium and other naturally derived ingredients like arrowroot and coconut oil neutralize odors and hydrate your skin. Schmidt's …

(140)
3.25 oz
$12.99
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5. Schmidt's Schmidt's Natural Deodorant for Sensitive Skin

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Schmidt's Natural Deodorant for Sensitive Skin goes on easy and fights hard against body odor. This plant-based formula uses ingredients like coconut, tea tree oil, jojoba oil, arrowroot, and essential oils to keep you smelling fresh all day long. Schmidt's deodorant for sensitive skin uses magnesium instead of aluminum to help combat odors without …

(244)
3.25 oz
$8.49
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6. Ursa Major Sublime Sage Spray Deodorant

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A woodsy spritz you’ll love to bits

This refreshing herbal deodorant neutralizes odor-producing bacteria with a powerful blend of plants, minerals, and enzymes, keeping you feeling fresh and confident all day long. The lightweight, on-the-go natural spray deodorant delivers long-lasting protection with the sublime scent of sage, geranium, …
(35)
1.79 Oz
$20
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7. Oars + Alps Natural Deodorant

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Change your personal care routine for the better with this Oars + Alps Natural Deodorant. This natural deodorant stick is aluminum-, alcohol-, glycols-, triclosan-, paraben-, phthalate-, sulfate-, and talc-free. It’s made with natural ingredients that fight against odor-causing bacteria, and because there’s no alcohol or aluminum, you won’t get …

(72)
2.6 oz
$14
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FAQs

Does natural deodorant work?

Of course, it does — otherwise there’d be no point to it. To find a natural deodorant that works for you, read our list of natural deodorants above, focusing on natural scents and options that make sense for you and your household.


Here’s the thing you should know about natural deodorants before you switch from an antiperspirant — it can take your body up to a whole month before it properly adjusts to using a natural alternative for your pits. Next, be prepared for the extra sweating and body moisture that you’ll have during the transition process. Again, that’s due to the fact that your body was previously used to using an antiperspirant that contained chemicals like aluminum to control sweat and stop your body’s natural sweating activity. Think of it this way, when your body starts using a natural deodorant, it's basically detoxing from other products you've used before.


What is natural deodorant typically made from?

Naturally, natural deodorants are made from Mother Nature’s goodness — ingredients that come from Earth. Here are three biggies you can usually find in a natural deodorant that works:


Ingredients with antibacterial or disinfectant properties such as:


  • Coconut oil
  • Tea tree oil

Essential oils such as:


  • Lavender
  • Sandalwood
  • Citrus

Naturally absorbent ingredients such as:


  • Baking soda
  • Arrowroot
  • Cornstarch

Something interesting about most natural products, including natural deodorant for women and natural deodorant for men, is that if you have the time, the funds for ingredients, and a little elbow grease, you can actually make your own eco-friendly DIY deodorant at home. If you’re one of the more adventurous people who want to try making it on your own at home, try repurposing a candle jar once your candle has burned out to store your DIY natural deodorant in.


Thankfully for those of us who would rather spend our time doing anything other than making paste for our pits, we can just choose an option off of this list of the best natural deodorants and get it delivered right to our door in our monthly Grove box. (Gotta love your Grove box, right?)


Does natural deodorant clog pores?

Truthfully, natural deodorant can clog pores, but each reaction to a deodorant depends on the person and the ingredients used in the product. Natural deodorants that use coconut oil as their base to neutralize odor can sometimes clog pores and cause a reaction, and, when that happens, it’s really the pits. (Cue the armpit pimples and, sometimes, even cysts — no, thank you!)

Don’t worry though, here’s a little advice for our friends with sensitive skin who are choosing a natural deodorant for the first time — check the ingredients list for the following if you’re seeing these problems:


  • Pesky pimples and/or cysts: These can be the handy work of coconut oil — it can occasionally block the opening of hair follicles, and blocked pores equal bacteria buildup, which is when you’ll start to see pimples.
  • Rashes: Chances are if you’re seeing red, irritated rashes, you have baking soda to thank. Look for deodorants without baking soda next time.

Remember not to be intimidated by natural deodorants if it takes you some time to find one that works well for you — just keep trying! We highly recommend using this list to find a natural deodorant that works best.


What is Grove Collaborative?

At Grove, we take the guesswork out of which products are good for you and your home. Every product meets strict standards for being nontoxic, effective, sustainable, and cruelty-free. Once you find products you love, we ship to your home on a flexible, monthly schedule.


If you're ready to make the transition to natural cleaning, beauty, and household products, shop Grove Collaborative's natural products for the eco-friendly tools to tackle the job.

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