I’m not going to lie. I stink at a lot of things. Sports. Neatness. Burpees. Flying without panicking. Sports. Parallel parking. Also, sports.
I literally stink at all of these things. But I don’t literally stink, you know? And for that I can thank the natural deodorants on this list.
I have to admit that I’ve never been much of a sweat-er. For one thing, I’m usually cold. And I live a largely sedentary lifestyle. How much of a sweat can you work up flipping through magazines while drinking tea? But my non-sweating tendencies are also largely genetic. My mother and I once waited, in full hair and makeup and wedding party finery, in the Florida August noon sun for the limo during my sister’s wedding and we didn’t even have to powder our noses. So I come from a long line of non-sweaters.
Still, I do live in Florida and my life is always hectic, so I rely on a good, strong deodorant. Bonus points if it’s natural and smells fancy and the packaging is pretty. That’s why I created this list. But just to make sure these deodorants don’t just work for me, all five of these also received rave reviews, both online and from friends.
Changing from a conventional deodorant to an all-natural one can be tricky. One of the brands, EO, recommends a 30-day detox, and warns that odor may get a bit worse before it gets better. It’s part of the detox. I haven’t experienced this, but if you do, hang in there, because it’s only temporary!
So here, the 5 best natural deodorants.
1. EO Organic Deodorant Spray
I have loved this line for years! It’s chic, natural and affordable. What could be better? I buy the shampoos, conditioners and body wash (Lemon Verbena!) by the gallon, so I had high hopes for their organic deodorant spray, and it doesn’t disappoint. It’s light and refreshing and very effective, even for men. And it comes in multiple scents: Vetiver (a great unisex scent), Lavender, and Citrus (my choice!)
EO Organic Deodorant Spray in Citrus, $6.99, EOProducts.com
2. Lavanila The Healthy Deodorant
Lavanila won Allure’s Best of Beauty Award last year, and their products are the most elegant, and expensive, on this list. I have the Vanilla Lavender and I’m obsessed. The packaging is lovely, and it’s so gentle yet so effective. In my opinion, it doesn’t make you feel as dry as a conventional deodorant, but it’s also more moisturizing, and it really fights odor. I love the scent, which is light and not overpowering. Vanilla Grapefruit and Fresh Vanilla Lemon are next on my list to try!
3. Schmidt’s Natural Deodorant
This brand first came on my radar via Facebook, and I was intrigued. I love the fragrances and the packaging, and now that it’s available at Target, the accessibility. It’s also possibly the most effective deodorant I have tried, natural or otherwise. Unfortunately, the Lavender Sage proved to be irritating to my underarms, so next time I might have to try their fragrance free version. (I have had several friends try this with no irritation, and they have all loved it!)
4. Native Deodorant
Another chic option, Native has some of the most interesting scents around (Lavender Rose, Grapefruit Bergamot, Cucumber Mint, and their most popular, Coconut Vanilla). A dear friend, who describes herself as a “sweater”, raves about it: “I smell like the beach!” She loves that it leaves no white residue, and told me it kept her dry and even beat her longtime favorite. (Note: I have not tried Native yet, but I plan to take advantage of their free shipping and will update this when I try it out!) Oh, and they offer free returns if you don’t love it. How awesome is that?
5. DIY Pit Paste
My lovely friend Tasha, a naturalist and essential oil guru and curly hair maven, gave me this recipe, and swears it’s the only thing that works for her husband. Here’s the recipe:
6 tablespoons cornstarch (use a non-GMO variety)
2 tablespoons baking soda
3 tablespoons virgin coconut oil
15 drops doTERRA Lavender essential oil
15 drops doTERRA Melaleuca essential oil
10 drops doTERRA Lemongrass essential oil
10 drops doTERRA Rosemary essential oil
Mix the cornstarch, baking soda and essential oils in a bowl, and the add the coconut oil one tablespoon at a time. Store in covered container in a cool place. Apply with fingertips.
I hope this post has inspired you to ditch your conventional deodorant and go natural! Have you tried any of these? I’d love to hear what you think!
Nada Manley says
I LOVE it!
Carolyn Brooks says
I’ve been considering Lume