The Best Clean Deodorants For Every Scent Preference
Photo by Rawan Yasser on Unsplash
If you’ve ever wanted to switch to a “clean” deodorant, now is an ideal time to find the one that’s right for you. After all, you have the perfect excuse to stand 6 feet away from others while you find a new deodorant that is a good fit!
Why would you want to switch to a clean deodorant? Maybe you are intrigued by the variety of delicious scents and formulas offered by clean deodorant brands. Or perhaps you are concerned about the allegations that some ingredients commonly found in regular deodorants and antiperspirants such as aluminum can cause health issues.
In regards to the latter, Penn Medicine, a major multi-hospital health system headquartered in Philadelphia, shares, “The American Cancer Society found claims linking breast cancer and deodorants do not have a solid scientific grounding and the National Kidney Foundation cautions only people with extremely weak kidney functions about the health risks of using antiperspirant.”
Whatever your reasons for wanting to switch to a clean deodorant, there are plenty of highly effective options available. Here are some of our top clean deodorant picks:
TRY THESE NATURAL DEODORANTS
Kopari
Our Pick: Coconut Deodorant ($14)
Kopari’s famous Coconut Deodorant is formulated with antimicrobial organic coconut oil, odor-reducing sage oil, and a 100% plant-based active that kills bacteria. I just love the way this deodorant smells and that it glides on so easily. Part of finding the right deodorant is finding one that smells good on you, and this is one deodorant that I have smelled on others as well and have been a big fan of all around.
This deodorant is free from aluminum, baking soda, parabens, phthalates, and silicone. It’s also non-allergenic and dermatologist-tested. So far I’ve only tried the coconut, but it’s also available in a range of scents including Gardenia and Tropical scent.
Available at sephora.com, nordstrom.com and kopari.com
Humble Brands
Our Pick: Moroccan Rose ($10)
Not only do these deodorants have super cute packaging, but they come in a variety of unique and delightful scents. I’ve had the chance to sample Geranium & Vetiver, Sweet Orange and Cinnamon, and Moroccan Rose. While they all are lovely (Sweet Orange & Cinnamon is a cozy scent that is great for fall and Geranium and Vetiver is a fresh, earthy garden scent), I have a weakness for rose-scented products and the Moroccan Rose is my favorite so far. That might change if I ever try Palo Santo & Frankincense, which also sounds like an amazing combination. Seriously, Humble has the perfect deodorant scent for everyone!
Humble deodorants feature a formula that starts with four clean, high-quality, and sustainably sourced ingredients: fractionated coconut oil, non-GMO corn starch, beeswax, and baking soda. For the scented products, they add high-quality essential oils. The deodorants are 100% cruelty-free and Humble is a partner with sustainable initiative 1% for the Planet.
Available at humblebrands.com
Taos AER
Our Pick: AER Lavender Myrrh ($19)
This gel-to-powder clean deodorant features a concentrated formula that harnesses the power of potent plant actives and mineral powders—including organic tapioca, non-GMO cornstarch, a small amount of natural baking soda, and pure essential oils. These ingredients work together to effectively neutralize odor-causing bacteria and absorb excess moisture. Uniquely designed without water, this silky gel glides on smoothly and dries down immediately to a soft powder with no sticky residue.
Taos AER clean deodorant contains plant-derived, organic, minimally processed ingredients and is formulated without aluminum, parabens, sulfates, propylene glycol, and synthetic fragrance. All products are certified cruelty-free and created using ethical practices.
Available at taosaer.com and credobeatuy.com
type: A
This sweat-activated formula releases throughout the day for long-lasting protection. The Innovator is one of the latest deodorant releases from type:A and it features two powerful ingredients: activated charcoal and spirulina. These ingredients work together to absorb toxins and protect against odor and wetness for high-performance that even new users to aluminum-free deodorant can count on.
I’ve had the chance to try type: A’s The Visionary in the past and ever since it’s been one of my regular go-to natural deodorants. The unique packaging is a little different from most other deodorants—it comes in a tube and squeezes out in a soothing cream. It’s gentle, effective, and I’ve never had any issues with stains left on my clothes.
Available at typeadeodorant.com
Schmidt’s
Our Pick: Cedarwood + Juniper ($10)
Schmidt’s is a natural personal care brand started by Jaime Schmidt in 2010 because she felt frustrated with the lack of effective natural products in the marketplace. Schmidt began making natural products in her Portland kitchen and after thousands of hours of research and hundreds of recipes later, her ideal deodorant formula was born.
This warm and woodsy vegan deodorant is made from plant and mineral-based ingredients such as coconut oil, magnesium, and shea butter. It’s free of aluminum, propylene glycol, artificial fragrance parabens, and phthalates.
Available at shop.schmidts.com and Amazon.com
Merci Handy
Our Pick: Hello Sunshine ($12)
Merci Handy is fun and whimsical beauty collection and their clean deodorant is “designed for the unicorn athletes who spend their days hurdling rainbows and sprinting through shooting stars.” This clean deodorant is vegan, cruelty-free, and free from aluminum. It’s also formulated without alcohol or parabens. The transparent formula goes on clear and fights against bad odors while nourishing your skin. Hello Sunshine’s scent recalls summer holidays with exotic and vanilla touches for the sweet feel of vacation and sun-kissed skin.
Available at us.mercihandy.com and ulta.com
Bevel
Our Pick: Aluminum-Free Deodorant
This deodorant from Bevel, a men’s personal care collection, is clinically proven to fight odor for up to 48 hours with a clump and residue-free solid aluminum-free formula that goes on clear. It penetrates coarse and curly hairs, leaving you with a moisture boost from natural coconut oil and shea butter.
Available at getbevel.com
Crystal Deodorant
Our Pick: Mountain Fresh ($9)
The newest Crystal mineral-enriched deodorant is Mountain Fresh, which features a clean, unisex scent that is light yet sophisticated. It elevates aromas like jasmine, oakmoss, lemon, and cedar wood. This new natural deodorant is enriched with minerals and provides odor protection without harsh chemicals, while gently gliding on smooth. This deodorant is made without aluminum chloride, parabens, phthalates, and artificial fragrance.
Available at Amazon.com
Oars + Alps
Our Pick: Aspen Air ($14)
Oars + Alps is a natural skincare brand that creates “no-nonsense products without any harmful ingredients.” This natural deodorant uses cornstarch to absorb odors, while botanicals nourish the skin and mask body odor. I’ve had the chance to try Aspen Air and it glides on smooth with a clean, fresh scent featuring notes of cedarwood, pine, citrus, and wildflowers. While Oars + Alps was created as a men’s collection, this deodorant is great for anyone and I will be adding it to my personal deodorant lineup.
Freedom Deodorant
Our Pick: Sensitive Unscented
Freedom is an all-natural body care line of deodorants, deodorant sprays, and sanitizers. The brand’s gentle, all-natural deodorant is formulated with coconut oil and shea butter for softer, smoother skin along with natural clays and powders to keep your underarms clean, dry, and odor-free. Choose from a wide variety of scents or go for this unscented version if you are extra sensitive.
Available at freedomdeodorants.com and Amazon.com
Tom’s of Maine
Our Pick: Fresh Apple Scent
Tom’s of Maine Prebiotic Natural Deodorant includes the prebiotic ingredient xylitol, which helps support the good bacteria and crowd out the bad. This deodorant is free from aluminum, parabens, and artificial fragrances. I haven’t tried Tom’s of Maine natural deodorant, but I have friends that use it and like it. On the Tom’s of Maine site, this Fresh Apple Scent was highly recommended—93% of reviewers say that they would recommend it to a friend.
Available at tomsofmaine.com
Madame Lemy
Our Pick: Rose ($35)
Luxury deodorant is a thing and this one is glamorous! Madame Lemy is a luxurious, highly-curated collection of vegan, all-natural powder puff-applied deodorants. All Madame Lemy products are hypoallergenic, vegan, and cruelty-free (Leaping Bunny certified), The silky-smooth powder formula is also free of aluminum, parabens, phthalates, and artificial fragrances.
Classic rose is a scent that has been used for centuries as a natural fragrance. In this formula, Madame Lemy uses real rose petals and essential oils to create a rich rose scent.
Available at madamelemy.com
Skylar
Our Pick: Capri ($12)
Skylar is a brand of natural perfumes and personal care products. Their clean, vegan, plant-based deodorant contains green tea leaf extract and sage leaf extract—two powerful antioxidants that fend off bacteria-causing odor. Their formula contains coconut oil to help moisturize underarms, creating a unique, silky smooth application with no residue or white marks. The deodorant is also free of baking soda and aluminum.
I’ve had a chance to try Capri, and it glides on smooth and easy. I just love the citrusy scent with notes that include grapefruit, blood orange, and neroli. It will instantly transport you to a carefree summer day!
Available at skylar.com
ATTITUDE
Our Pick: White Tea Leaves
Attitude is a Canadian-based EWG-verified company that offers sustainable body and household products. Their “attitude” is simple—clean products, less plastic, and more trees. All products are 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and eco-conscious.
Attitude’s deodorants are aluminum-free and formulated with plant and mineral-based ingredients for optimum performance. They come in cardboard tube packaging (fully biodegradable) and in scents including White Tea, Red Vine, Orange, Lemon, and Unscented.
Clean Age
Our Pick: Fresh ($12.99)
Clean Age offers clean products in recyclable packaging, made specifically for ages 9-18, including tips on how to help them develop lifelong healthy habits. The brand was founded by twelve-year-old Cana Peters and her mom.
Clean Age's clean deodorant is aluminum-free and baking soda-free to prevent irritation on sensitive skin. The formulation is smooth and sheer with packaging that is 100% recyclable with 82% less plastic than typical deodorant packaging. The formula solves two of the major drawbacks of traditional natural deodorant: it works all day and it does not rub off on clothing.
Teens can choose between four light, gender-neutral scents: Unscented, Waves, Fresh, and Citrus. Each package comes with stickers so teens can customize the look of their deodorant (or keep their sibling from stealing it!)
Available at cleanage.com
Hello Products
Our Pick: Clean and Fresh Deodorant with Activated Charcoal ($6.99)
Featuring gender neutral, trend-driven, thoughtfully created formulas in 100% previously recycled packaging, these epic deodorants are fueled with sustainably sourced ingredients like tea tree oil, activated charcoal, and shea butter to provide all-day friendliness as they help diminish odor, soothe, and moisturize.
Available at Hello Products, Ulta and Amazon
Mabrook & Co.
Our Pick: Lemon & Rose Clean Deodorant ($16)
Lemon and Rose Clean Deodorant, Image courtesy of Mabrook & Co
Handcrafted in small batches, Mabrook & Co offers 100% natural and aluminum-free clean deodorant sticks in six fresh scents including: Detox (activated charcoal, clay, and magnesium), Eucalyptus & Spice, Lavender & Herb, Lemon & Rose, Sensitive (unscented and Baking Soda Free), and Vanilla & Mint. Formulated without parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, petrochemicals, aluminum or toxins, Mabrook & Co is cruelty-free and never tested on animals. Each full sized (3.17 oz) deodorant stick retails for $16 on Mabrookandco.com.
Available at Maboorandco.com
Honestly pHresh
Our Pick: Bombay Rose Roll-On Deodorant ($7.99)
Bombay Rose Naturally Effective Deodorant, image courtesy of pHresh
Honestly pHresh all-natural deodorant contains a unique formula featuring powerful minerals and a prebiotic that virtually eliminate odor-causing bacteria, while natural moisture-absorbers work quickly to keep you dry. Their 100% natural deodorants are long-lasting, pHresh-smelling, skin-soothing, cruelty-free, and vegan. They also contain absolutely no aluminum, parabens, phthalates, petroleum, glycol, gluten, GMOs or synthetic fragrances.
Available at honestlyphresh.com
Rocky Mountain Soap Company
Our Pick: Lavender Natural Deodorant ($9)
Rocky Mountain Soap Deodorants, courtesy of Rock Mountain Soap Company
Rocky Mountain Soap Company’s liquid crystal deodorants are made using potassium alum, a naturally-occurring salt that doesn’t clog your pores or pass into your bloodstream. They are 100% toxin-free, which keeps your pits fresh and your body clean.
Available at rockymountainsoap.com
Jesu Body
Our Pick: Natural Deodorant ($13)
Natural Deodorant, courtesy of Jusu Body
Jusu Body’s Natural Deodorant provides effective odor control with the light, soft scent of coconut. Instead of using propylene glycol (petroleum product) used in many deodorants to get a "glide" feeling, Jusu Body uses 100% natural ingredients. Minerals and probiotics neutralize odor-causing bacteria instead of aluminum hydroxideIt. This deodorant received a 0 score (the best possible score) on Think Dirty’s rating scale.
Primally Pure
Our Pick: Lemongrass Deodorant ($14)
Lemongrass Deodorant, courtesy of Primally Pure
The new and improved natural deodorant contains a small amount of baking soda (less than the original formula and a tad bit more than the sensitive formula) and is fortified with kaolin clay (powerful detoxifier) and non-nano zinc oxide (soothes irritation + combats odor). It also has a 0 rating (the best possible score) on Think Dirty’s rating scale.
Available at primallypure.com
Agent Nateur
Our Pick: Holi Stick N3 Deodorant ($21)
Holi(stick) N3 Deodorant, image courtesy of Agent Nateur
Agent Nateur products are created with non-gmo, pesticide-free, food-grade ingredients available in order to be safe for those with even the most sensitive skin.
Available at agentnateur.com
Ursa Major
Our Pick: Hoppin’ Fresh Deodorant ($18)
Ursa Major's deodorant eliminates odor-causing bacteria with a non-staining, 100% naturally-derived and toxin-free (no aluminum) formula. The formula includes 25 naturally-derived ingredients including odor-fighting hops, moisture-absorbing kaolin clay, and soothing aloe vera.
Available at Amazon.com
Soap-Walla
Our Pick: Sensitive Skin Deodorant Cream - Lavender Mint ($18)
Sensitive Skin Deodorant Cream, courtesy of Soap-Walla
Soap Walla deodorant contains club moss and charcoal to absorb excess moisture and naturally deodorize, while shea butter and jojoba soothe and soften delicate skin. It is aluminum free.
Available at soapwalla.com
[Images courtesy of brands]
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Lizzy Sherman is an award-winning digital content writer/editor. She has been a featured guest speaker at Cal State University Northridge, Digital LA and The National Association of Audience Marketing Professionals. When she's not writing, Lizzy enjoys yoga and playing guitar. Follow her on Instagram: @zillizy