By Sarah Han and Jamie Ballard
If just the thought of swapping out your go-to antiperspirant for one of the best natural deodorants makes you perspire, take a breath. Antiperspirants, which are classified as over-the-counter drugs, inhibit a normal bodily function — in other words, the formation of sweat — using their active ingredient, aluminum salts, says David Bank, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Westchester County, NY, and the founder and director of The Center for Dermatology, Cosmetic & Laser Surgery. Auto Air Freshener
On the other hand, natural deodorants are typically made without aluminum. As such, their main function is to minimize body odor and to keep you smelling fresh for hours with bacteria-sopping ingredients, including familiar favorites like baking soda.
So, yes, you may still sweat a bit after swiping on your favorite aluminum-free formula (because, again, deodorant doesn't equal antiperspirant), but no, you shouldn't smell sour after going green. Besides, a little musk is 100% normal. “Patients often think that if they have body odor they might be unwell, or that they might be perceived as having poor hygiene," Rosemarie Ingleton, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist, previously told Allure. But in reality, she told us that body odor is simply a result of skin bacteria mixing with sweat.
To prove it, we've rounded up the best natural deodorants that you should consider adding to your skin-care routine.
All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Why It's Worth It: Some natural deodorants are too harsh for sensitive skin because of their ingredients (e.g. baking soda), but the Native Deodorant has won an impressive four Allure Readers' Choice Awards — the latest in 2023 — because it's packed with coconut oil and shea butter, antioxidants that keep the underarms moisturized, and tapioca starch to keep them dry all day long. The brand releases seasonal scents — we're big fans of Honey & Saguaro right now — but Coconut & Vanilla is a constant favorite that will sings in Taylor Swift voice never go out of style.
Editor Tip: This long-lasting deodorant also comes in a spray that dries upon contact and lends sweet smells (and vibes) to everywhere you want 'em — not just your armpits.
Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, shea butter, baking soda, magnesium hydroxide, ozokerite | Fragrance-Free: Yes, there is an unscented option
Why It's Worth It: By Rosie Jane Calm the F*ck Down Deodorant won a 2022 Best of Beauty Award in the clean beauty category, and for good reason. The spray formula makes reapplication a breeze and doesn't leave streaks on your clothes. White residue, who? Lavender, neroli, chamomile, and yuzu essential oils create an irresistible combo you'll be reaching for without even thinking — like your favorite perfume before you rush out the door. Editor Tip: This compact bottle is easy to take on the go if you need a refresh.
Key Ingredients: Witch hazel water, lavender oil, citrus neroli oil, chamomile oil, yuzu oil | Fragrance-Free: No
Why It's Worth It: Made with luxurious, powdery-floral notes of lily of the valley, Moroccan jasmine, and sandalwood, you might mistake Donna Karan's Cashmere Mist Deodorant for a fragrance. Don't be fooled because this deodorant, which now comes in an aluminum-free formula, deploys corn starch, magnesium hydroxide, and coconut oil to keep your underarms feeling dry and fresh all day.
Editor Tip: Trust us (and tons of reviewers): This feels and smells far more luxurious than your standard drugstore deodorant.
Key Ingredients: Corn starch, magnesium hydroxide, synthetic wax, silica, coconut oil | Fragrance-Free: No
Why It's Worth It: Coming by way of France is Caudalie's Vinofresh Natural Aluminum-Free Deodorant. The buttery formula swipes on without blocking pores or leaving any residue, including stickiness or white cast). It relies chiefly on organic prebiotic grape water, which hydrates the sensitive underarm skin, and eucalyptus, which leaves a minty-cool sensation once applied.
Editor Tip: If you've been the victim of deodorant stains on your favorite top, it's time to switch to a clear formula like this one.
Key Ingredients: Organic grape water, organic eucalyptus, mineral oil, citric acid, sodium benzoate | Fragrance-Free: No, but free of synthetic fragrance
Why It's Worth It: Deodorant sticks are just not for your pits. Lume's Whole Body Deodorant is meant to be applied anywhere you want it to go — including, but not limited to, armpits, private areas, underboobs, belly buttons, butt cracks, tummy folds, feet, and the list goes on. Choose from yummy scents like Clean Tangerine (pictured here), Toasted Coconut, Fresh Alpine, and Lavender Sage — but, if none of those float your float, there's also an Unscented option.
Editor Tip: Headed on a run or to an intense workout class? Rub a little bit of this between your thighs to prevent chafing and thank us later. Key Ingredients: Corn starch, arrowroot powder, mandelic acid, caffeine, fragrance | Fragrance-Free: Yes, unscented option available
Why It's Worth It: This refreshing deodorant is made with kaolin clay, which effectively absorbs moisture – no sweaty underarms here. It's also made with baking soda and hops, both of which help neutralize odors. The texture is smooth, not gritty as you might expect for a baking soda and clay product, and reviewers love the fresh, unisex scent. Editor Tip: Because it's formulated with peppermint and eucalyptus, Ursa Major's Hoppin' Fresh Deodorant has a cooling effect when you swipe it on your pits. The smell is refreshing and uplifting, so you'll look forward to putting it on in the A.M. Key Ingredients: Kaolin clay, hops, aloe vera, baking soda, eucalyptus | Fragrance-Free: No
Why It's Worth It: Evolvetogether's plant-based Natural Deodorant smells like a heavenly rose garden, spiked with notes of oud, patchouli, and mandarin. But that's not the only reason it earned itself a 2023 Best of Beauty Award. Tapioca starch is the main sweat- and moisture-absorbing agent while hydrating glycerin and vitamin B5 smooth pits and curb irritation. As far as odor is concerned, DeoPlex, which is made up of sugarcane-derived fermented enyzmes, won't let that ruin your day. Editor Tip: The brand suggests doing an "underarm detox" for one to two weeks before using by exfoliating daily with a natural fiber scrubber and going bare (no antiperspirant or deodorant) to remove buildup from your pores.
Key Ingredients: Tapioca starch, glycerin, vitamin B5, deoplex, citric acid | Fragrance-Free: No
Why It's Worth It: Kosas's Chemistry AHA Serum Deodorant goes the extra mile and does more than simply mask odors. A blend of alpha hydroxy acids (shikimic, mandelic, and lactic) gently exfoliates your underarms, both brightening those regions and preventing ingrown hairs from sprouting. They also lower the pH in those regions, so less odor-causing bacteria can take up residence in the first place. The cooling rollerball applicator is especially soothing for hot summer days and workouts.
Editor Tip: There are three versions of the roll-on deodorant to choose from: Fragrance Free (for those sensitive to scents), Serene Clean (a spa-like scent pictured above), and Beachy Clean (for tropical vibes).
Key Ingredients: Mandelic acid, shikimic acid, lactic acid, hyaluronic acid, citric acid | Fragrance-Free: Yes, available in fragrance-free and scented options
Why It's Worth It: This gel deodorant is designed specifically for people with sensitive skin. It has gentle ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe, saccharomyces ferment, and seaweed and kelp extracts. What it doesn't have is aluminum, a common irritant. The gel texture may take some getting used to if you've never used a deodorant like this, but we think you won't want to go back to your old drugstore pick once you've gotten a whiff of this.
Editor Tip: If you can't get enough of these deodorant scents like Santal & Vetiver or Bergamot & Hinoki, they're also available as candles.
Key Ingredients: Spirulina, hyaluronic acid, tapioca starch, magnesium hydroxide, sodium bicarbonate | Fragrance-Free: No
Why It's Worth It: This compact deodorant glides on oh-so smoothly on your skin, but that's not the only reason why Dove's 0% Aluminum Cucumber & Green Tea Refillable Deodorant is an Allure Best of Beauty Award winner. This aluminum-free deodorant contains calming, hydrating cucumber and antioxidant-rich green tea to help you feel (and smell) fresh throughout the day. Its hydrating formula provides odor protection for a full 48 hours, and it's compact enough to pop in your bag.
Editor Tip: Natural deodorants can be expensive, but this one is priced affordably. We'd recommend it if you're new to natural deodorants and aren't sure you want to spring for a pricey one just yet.
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, sodium stearate, stearic acid, benzyl alcohol, benzyl salicylate | Fragrance-Free: No
Why It's Worth It: Megababe's Rosy Pits Daily Deodorant is beloved by many Allure editors because it's as effective as it is adorably packaged. Infused with powerhouse ingredients like saccharomyces ferment filtrate, aloe vera, sage, green tea, and corn starch, the rose-scented deo works by preventing odor-inducing bacteria from forming on the skin.
Editor Tip: Sensitive skin crew, rejoice! It's free of aluminum, alcohol, phthalates, and other common irritants.
Key Ingredients: Corn starch, willow bark extract, green tea leaf extract, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, sage leaf extract | Fragrance-Free: No
Why It's Worth It: Watch out: Glossier's body-care collection is growing. The brand's debut baking soda-free Deodorant is available in four scents: Sandstone, Glossier You (yes, like the famous fragrance), Orange Blossom, and Unscented. In each scent lives superfruit elderberry extract and coconut oil to keep skin conditioned and odor at bay. Potato starch does some heavy lifting absorbing moisture, so your pits feel drier as the day goes by.
Editor Tip: The product page for this deodorant notes that if you’ve been using deodorants with aluminum, it may take up to four weeks for your armpits to adjust to an aluminum-free formula. That means you might experience excess sweating while your body adjusts, but don't stress – it's temporary!
Key Ingredients: Superfruit elderberry extract, coconut oil, potato starch, safflower seed oil, sage oil | Fragrance-Free: Yes, available in fragrance-free and scented options
Why It's Worth It: Necessaire's The Deodorant Gel goes on clear and won't stain your clothes, plus, the eucalyptus scent smells exactly like a five-star spa. The quick-drying formula goes on smoothly and doesn’t feel wet or slimy, as you might imagine, at all. The star ingredient in this roll-on deodorant is 5% alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), which gently exfoliates skin, minimizes odor, and smooths out bumps. Additionally, niacinamide strengthens the skin barrier and chamomile extract soothes any sensitive areas.
Editor Tip: In addition to deodorizing, it also evens out your skin tone and smooths visible bumps.
Key Ingredients: Mandelic acid, witch hazel water, lactic acid, niacinamide, glycerin | Fragrance-Free: Yes, available in fragrance-free and eucalyptus
Why It's Worth It: Sol de Janeiro Rio Deo is an aluminum-free deodorant that smells like the brand's iconic Brazilian Bum Bum Cream. This formula features citrus acid ester that prevents body odor, papaya enzymes to exfoliate, and tapioca starch that helps absorb excess moisture so pits stay dry all day.
Editor Tip: This can be used on any external body part where you want a little scent boost, like your bikini line, inner thighs, or even feet.
Key Ingredients: Citrus acid ester, papaya enzymes, tapioca starch, coconut oil, papaya seed oil | Fragrance-Free: No
Why It's Worth It: Consider dropping the 2022 Best of Beauty-winning Secret Aluminum Free Deodorant into your basket during your next drugstore run (online or IRL). This paraben- and talc-free formula comes in eight vibrant scents (like Real Coconut pictured here, and Cherry Blossom) that mask odor, even during the sweatiest workouts, for up to 48 hours.
Editor Tip: Thanks to coconut oil and castor oil, your pits stay soft and moisturized.
Room Deodorizer Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, magnesium hydroxide, mineral oil, hydrogenated castor oil, corn starch | Fragrance-Free: No