Deodorants are good. Nobody wants to walk around with smelly pits, so yeah, everyone opts for deodorants. While being helpful, deodorants can also be problematic as some of them contain toxic substances which are bad for the environment and humans. Zero-waste deodorants, which are made of natural, non-toxic chemicals, are now increasingly sought after due to the growing popularity of clean beauty and zero-waste living.
What Are Natural Deodorants?
Natural deodorants are deodorants made of natural ingredients such as coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, corn starch, arrowroot powder, etc., which are non-toxic and mild to keep you smelling good and fresh. Although some of the ingredients can help reduce sweating, keeping it to a minimum, natural deodorants are not antiperspirants and do not work to combat sweating.
Why Zero-waste Natural Deodorants?
The need to switch to natural deodorants stems from the fact that some regular deodorants contain many toxic substances like parabens and phthalate, which have long-term negative effects on the body. Some individuals are also sensitive to some ingredients found in regular deodorants, which could cause allergic reactions. Natural deodorants do not contain harmful and toxic substances. On the other hand, environmental and ethical implications are also to consider. Since the bulk of conventional deodorants is packaged in plastic which is bad for the environment, zero-waste natural deodorants are packaged in eco-friendly, waste-free, and sustainable ways. These deodorants also feature organic, natural, and vegan ingredients and do not carry out testing on animals (cruelty-free).
Zero-waste Natural Deodorants
Due to consumer demand, brands have formulated deodorants with natural, organic ingredients in zero-waste packaging to reduce plastic waste in the environment. Below are 23 zero-waste natural deodorants suitable for all genders.
Ethique: Ethique’s solid zero-waste natural deodorant comes in bars and sticks, equal to two 100ml bottles or roll-ons. They are cruelty-free and are made with sustainably sourced ingredients, baking soda, aluminum, and palm oil. Despite not being an antiperspirant, 96% of reviewers have found Ethique’s solid deodorant to be effective at reducing the feeling of sweat. Ethique’s deodorants are marketed at $13 and come in scented or unscented varieties.
Pit Putty Natural Deodorants: Pit Putty zero-waste natural deodorants are handmade in the UK with natural ingredients and are free from aluminum oxides and other harsh chemicals. They are 100% vegan and are available in different scents. Pit Putty natural deodorant sticks go for £9.99, while those packaged in recyclable tins go for £8.99.
Zero Waste Path: Zero Waste Path is a zero-waste store in the UK. Their zero-waste natural deodorant is of two types; grapefruit + lemon grass and lavender + tea tree, all made with arrowroot powder, coconut oil, shea butter, and baking soda. They cost £6.50 and are vegan and cruelty-free. Zero Waste Path natural deodorants are handmade and are packaged in 100% tinplate tine with a brown paper label and synthetic glue. The tin can be reused or recycled.
Bai-li: Bai-li is on a mission to increase the popularity of plastic-free deodorants. This natural deodorant is made of coconut oil, shea butter, arrowroot starch, magnesium hydroxide, candelilla wax, essential oils, jojoba oil, and shelf-stable probiotics. It is gentle on the skin and works to block odor actively. Bai-li deodorants are scented – lavender + peppermint, eucalyptus + rosemary, lemon + bergamot, cedarwood + sweet orange – or unscented. They are packaged in cardboard push-up tubes with sugarcane labels and shipped in 100% recyclable padded mailers throughout the US. At $15, a tube can last 1-3 months, depending on usage. A subscription deal is available.
Long Wknd: Long Wknd natural deodorant is safe for sensitive skin and contains anti-bacterial ingredients derived from nature, as well as plant-based ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and grape seed oil to naturally protect your pits. The deodorant costs $14 and is free of aluminum, plastic, parabens, and synthetic fragrances, offering odor protection without clogging your pores.
Bottle None:Bottle None natural deodorants use natural ingredients to kill the bacteria that cause odor. They are of three types; Citrus Deodorant made with zinc, baking soda, and essential oil to eliminate odor. Earth Deodorant is the strongest formula consisting of bentonite clay for extra detox benefits. And Blossom Deodorant is baking soda free and made with magnesium powder and zinc to eliminate bacteria. All the deodorants come in fully compostable packaging, costing $22.
Native: Native deodorants are aluminum and paraben-free, as well as vegan & cruelty-free. This natural deodorant is effective in odor protection and has a non-greasy feel on application, keeping you feeling dry all day long. Native deodorants are made with coconut oil, shea butter, baking soda, and magnesium hydroxide, with different formulations available for sensitive skin. Native also has a variety of scents you can choose from. The new and improved packaging is zero waste as it is made of paperboard. It goes for $13.
Primal Life Organics: Primal Life Organics’ natural deodorant sticks are formulated with bentonite clay, hemp seed oil, zinc oxide, magnesium, coconut oil, and arrowroot powder to help fight odor and keep you dry all day. They are baking soda-free and are packaged in a biodegradable, eco-friendly cardboard container, lasting 1 to 3 months, depending on the size. These deodorants are priced from $10 – $18.
Paper Cosmetics: PĀPR deodorants are made from natural, vegan, and safe ingredients, with essential oils used in place of artificial fragrance. They contain no aluminum, parabens, or sulfate and are packaged in biodegradable packaging. PĀPR deodorants are priced at $16, and a subscription package is available.
Suneeta London: Suneeta London natural deodorants contain no aluminum, glycol, or preservatives. They come in solid and powder form and are super effective, lasting all day. Depending on the weight, the deodorant powders are packaged in kraft paper bags at £5 – £14. In contrast, the solid-state ones are packaged in sustainable, biodegradable cardboard push-up containers and sold at £12.50. Generally, they are vegan, cruelty-free, and handmade.
No Tox Life: The zero-waste and aluminium-free deodorant cubes at No Tox Life are of two sizes; the 1 oz Round Puck which costs $8.98 and can last up to 2 – 4 months of regular use, and the 3.5 oz Large Cube, which costs $15.98 and lasts up to 6 – 12 months with regular use. In addition, No Tox Life also has an underarm detox bar which costs $4.98 to help you detox your pits while you are transitioning from aluminum-based antiperspirants to a natural deodorant.
Ben &Anna: Benn and Anna have organic, natural, vegan, cruelty, and plastic-free natural deodorants, which can be purchased as cream in tins or sticks at £6.95 – £7.95. It’s made with shea butter and soda, giving it its solid consistency.
Humble Brands: All Humble natural deodorants are made with only the cleanest and simplest all-natural ingredients. The deodorants are packaged in 100% biodegradable package and come in different scents – Palo Santo & frankincense, bergamot & ginger, Morrocan rose, patchouli & copal, and lavender. Humble deodorants also contain no aluminum, alcohol, dyes, parabens, or artificial fragrance and are sold at $12.99.
Helmm: Helmm deodorants are pit and planet friendly. They are of three types; Natural, which gives moderate odor protection, Sport which provides all-day odor protection, and Antiperspirant and deodorant combo, which fights sweat and odor. In addition, Helmm deodorant is the world’s first refillable deodorant, costing $18 – $65.
Cleo + Coco: Cleo and Coco feature a range of zero-waste natural deodorant bars made from a unique formulation of activated charcoal, plant-based powders, clay, and essential oils. The bars are wrapped in compostable grease-proof paper and packaged in an FSC-certified, recyclable paper box. Cleo and Coco bars are priced at $14 and contain no synthetic fragrance and aluminum.
Zero: Zero deodorant is an all-natural deodorant that attacks odor using oxygen. This aluminum, baking soda, parabens, and glycol-free deodorant is made of shea butter, essential oils, and oxygen. The oxygen embedded into the deodorant disrupts the activity of bacteria in your pits, eliminating body odor. They have a variety of scents and can be purchased at $7.95.
Bare Nature: Bare Nature natural deodorants are made with natural ingredients like coconut oil, cocoa, and mango seed butter to get rid of the odor and leave you feeling fresh. At $20, they last a minimum of 6+ months of usage and come in 3 scents – rosemary, tangerine, and lemongrass. The entire package is fully compostable, including the photodegradable labels printed on stone paper.
Cris’s Blends: Cris’s Blends features natural deodorant made with plant powders, clay, and minerals which work together to eliminate odor and gently absorb your wetness while allowing your body to sweat naturally. This natural deodorant is clean, vegan, cruelty and aluminum-free, and contains no synthetic fragrance or harsh/toxic chemicals. It is packaged in a push-up tube which is eco-friendly and compostable and sold at $11.99.
Wild: Wild natural deodorant is a unique plastic-free deodorant with compostable refills. It is made with a combination of premium natural ingredients to create the perfect formula for your underarm. The Wild refill case is reusable, and the deodorant is marketed at £15.
Edible Beauty: Edible Beauty’s deodorant block is sensitive skin friendly as it contains no bicarb. For AUD 16.00, you can get the unscented form or in different blends of coconut, lime, vanilla, and bergamot, all of which are made of magnesium hydroxide and zinc ricinoleate, and triethyl citrate, which works to prevent and neutralize odor-causing bacteria. It also contains organic coconut oil and cacao butter to provide all-day freshness. In addition, the packaging is zero-waste and plastic-free.
Tierra and Lava: For $22, Tierra and Lava zero-waste natural deodorant come in copal and lemongrass, Mayan black salt &ylangylang, and chamomile and neem scents. They’re formulated with key ingredients with anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that help eliminate armpit odor and bacteria without causing any harm. Tierra and Lava also have an armpit detox that preps skin to maximize the deodorant benefits.
Eco Roots: Eco Roots deodorant cream is made with arrowroot powder, coconut oil, and unrefined shea butter, packaged in a glass jar with a recyclable metal lid. They are handmade in small batches in Arizona and are available in four options: Coconut Scent, Lavender Scent, Eucalyptus Mint Scent & Unscented. Eco Roots deodorant cream is baking-soda-free with no essential oil added to it. It is sold for $14.
Meow Meow Tweet: Meow Meow Tweet’s Pits collection features a variety of natural deodorants – deodorant cream, stick, and baking soda-free (for sensitive skin) – all of which are sold for $4.50. They are made from a blend of plant and mineral ingredients and are packaged in biodegradable tubes and refillable glass jars. Meow Meow Tweet’s deodorant also comes in scented and unscented forms, with the deodorant sticks having a shelf life of three months from purchase.
While deodorants listed above are made with natural ingredients, be sure to check out all ingredients and do a test patch before applying to ensure you’re not allergic to any of the natural ingredients.
