As we all shift towards more considered, thoughtful, and environmentally conscious ways of living, it is important to consider the impact – on ourselves and the planet – of the items we use every day.
A good eco-friendly deodorant is essential!
Conventional deodorants and antiperspirants contain a host of undesirable ingredients (think aluminum, synthetic fragrances, parabens, phthalates, sulfates, preservatives, synthetic dyes, and fragrances) and generally come packaged in excessive amounts of plastic.
Numerous products come from well-known brands that conduct animal testing, engage in unethical labor practices, and don’t responsibly source materials.
We use it daily – consider the impact of your choice of deodorant over a lifetime!?
Thankfully, there are now some truly sustainable and ethical brands making highly-effective natural deodorants!
And, today, we’re looking at some of the best eco-friendly deodorants for you to try!
Our selection includes vegan, cruelty-free, organic, and zero-waste deodorants, that smell amazing, and are made by genuinely ethical and eco-conscious brands!
Let’s dive right in!
The Best Eco-Friendly Deodorants
Here is our shortlist of the best natural, ethical, zero-waste, and eco-friendly deodorants:
- Best Fragrance-Free, Vegan, Cream Deodorant: No Pong
- Best Long-Lasting Deodorant: Plantish
- Best Ethical and Fair-Trade Deodorant: Kurtis
- Best Naked Deodorant Bar: No Tox Life
- Best Probiotic Deodorant: Native
- Best Zero-Waste Deodorant: Meow Meow Tweet
- Best Organic Deodorant Cream: Little Seed Farm
- Best Essential Oil-Free Deodorant: Booda Organics
- Best for Natural Deodorant for Sensitive Skin: Ben & Anna
- Best Handmade Eco-friendly Deodorant: Bai-li
- Best Magnesium-Based Spray Deodorant: Dirty Hippie Cosmetics
- Best Extra Strength Natural Deodorant: Woohoo
- Best Certified Cruelty-Free & Vegan Deodorant: Natural Deodorant Co
We have reviewed each of these eco-friendly deodorants in more detail below, but first, let’s take a look at how we selected the best brands, and what we were looking for:
How We Selected the Best Eco-Friendly Deodorant Brands
When you’re looking for a great eco-friendly deodorant, there are several things to consider. First and foremost, it needs to really work! It also needs to be safe and non-irritating for your skin.
Additionally, we value supporting brands and products that are eco-friendly, zero-waste, and ethically, socially, and environmentally responsible.
As an individual consumer, every cent you spend is a vote for the kind of products you want on the market and the kind of businesses you want in your economy!
So, with that in mind, these are the things we looked for when choosing the brands to review:
- Effective and backed by genuine user reviews
- Simple, safe, and mainly natural ingredients
- Aluminum, Paraben and Phthalate Free
- Options with and without sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) which is a base/alkaline that can be very irritating for sensitive skin, so many prefer options without it
- Responsible packaging, including plastic-free, zero-waste, refillable, biodegradable and compostable, or fully recyclable packaging
- Vegan and Cruelty-free
- Eco-friendly, ethical, and socially responsible brands that are transparent about their sustainability efforts
Based on the criteria above, we found some great eco-friendly deodorants and selected the best ones to review!
Here is our selection:
13 Eco-Friendly Deodorants that Really Work & Smell Great
1. No Pong – Fragrance-Free Vegan Deodorant
No Pong is an Australian brand of eco-friendly deodorants that are all-natural, zero-waste, and certified cruelty-free.
Their deodorants are all completely free of plastic, synthetics, aluminum, triclosan, parabens, and palm oil, and they have options with and without sodium bicarbonate.
All their products are cruelty-free but not all are vegan, as some contain beeswax.
No Pong’s Fragrance-Free Vegan Deodorant is made with natural plant oils and resins, corn starch, magnesium, and sodium bicarbonate. It comes in a reusable and recyclable metal tin.
The formula is made to be light, easily absorbed, and provide lasting freshness by creating an environment where the bacteria that cause body odor cannot survive.
No Pong Customer Review Score: n/a
Ingredients: Coconut Oil, Magnesium Hydroxide, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Sodium Bicarbonate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, D-Alpha-Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Rhus Verniciflua Peel Cera/Rhus Succedanea Fruit Cera, Shorea Robusta Resin, Glycine Soja (Soybean) (No Pong is Palm Oil Free)
Price: $8.95 (USD)
Where to Buy: No Pong
2. Plantish – Zero-Waste Rose & Citrus Deodorant Stick
Based in Canada, Plantish offers a better way to live without plastic, with a wide range of sustainable, zero-waste personal care, home, and kitchen products that are better for your health and the planet. Their products are all made from plant-based materials like bamboo, cork, and wool felt, which are sustainable and biodegradable. Plus, their products perform better than plastic alternatives.
Their Zero Waste Deodorant Stick is made with natural ingredients that are safe for you and the environment and is designed to keep you smelling fresher, for longer. The magnesium hydroxide helps to fight odor-causing bacteria, the shea butter provides moisture and protection, and the arrowroot powder helps to keep you dry. Plus, the rose and grapefruit essential oils provide a light but refreshing scent.
Plantish Customer Review Score: 5/5
Ingredients: Magnesium Hydroxide, Arrowroot Powder (maranta arudinacea), Shea Butter (butyrospermum parkii), Coconut Oil (cocos nucifera oil), Rice Bran Wax (oryza sativa bran wax), Coconut Triglycerides (caprylic/capric triglycerides), Candelilla Wax (euphoria cerifera wax), Vitamin E (tocopherols), Rose Geranium Essential Oil (pelargonium graveolens oil), Pink Grapefruit Essential Oil (citrus paradisi peel oil) and Kaolin Clay (kaolin)
Price: $18.50 (CAN)
Where to Buy: Plantish
3. Kutis – Lavender & Geranium Plastic-Free Vegan Deodorant
Kurtis is a brand from the UK, which makes natural, eco-friendly deodorants and skincare. Their products are mainly vegan and always cruelty-free.
Kurtis only uses ingredients that have been responsibly sourced, and most are certified organic and fair trade. All their products are preservative-free and contain no fillers or stabilizers.
Kurtis’ Lavender & Geranium Plastic-Free Vegan Deodorant is handmade in Wales and comes in a 100% biodegradable paperboard push-up tube.
The formula is aluminum-free and contains sodium bicarbonate, arrowroot powder, coconut oil, and organic essential oils. Kurtis make both vegan and non-vegan natural deodorants, but their vegan options include Lavender & Geranium, Grapefruit & Mandarin, and an Unscented one.
Amazon Customer Review Score: 4/5
Ingredients: Maranta Arundinacea (Arrowroot) Powder, Sodium Bicarbonate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil**, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Butter**, Helianthus Annuus (sunflower) Wax, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens (Geranium) Oil, Citral*, Geraniol*, Citronellol*, Limonene*, Linalool*. (Key: **Organic Ingredient, *Naturally occurring components in essential oils)
Price: £6.50
Where to Buy: Amazon (UK) │Kurtis Skincare UK
4. No Tox Life – Desert Rose & Citrus Extra Strength Zero-Waste Deodorant
No Tox Life is a small mother-daughter business based in Austin, Texas. Their vegan, cruelty-free, and eco-friendly products have become well-known internationally, especially their zero-waste Dish Blocks and natural zero-waste deodorants.
No Tox Life uses only natural ingredients that are verified as non-toxic, and all their products are vegan and cruelty-free. Most of their ingredients are organic, and all are sustainably sourced. No Tox Life sells most of its products naked or packaged in paper. They ship 100% plastic-free.
Their Desert Rose & Citrus Zero-Waste Deodorant is an ‘extra strength’ formula for odor control, which is free of aluminum, sodium bicarbonate, and parabens. Instead, it contains natural enzymes to combat odor-causing bacteria and tapioca starch to absorb moisture. It comes packaging-free and needs to be kept in an airtight container.
No Tox Life Customer Review Score: 5/5
Ingredients: Bamboo extract powder, Aloe vera juice (organic), Tapioca starch (modified), Natural enzymes, Dipropylene glycol, Golden Jojoba wax, Silica microspheres (mineral-derived), Sodium stearate, Allantoin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbic Acid, Cyclomethicone, pure essential oils, phthalate-free premium aroma isolates.
Price: $7.98 – $14.98
Where to Buy: No Tox Life
5. Native – Cucumber & Mint Plastic-Free Vegan Deodorant
Native (owned by P&G) is an American brand of natural personal care products. They make soaps, shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste, and, of course, deodorant.
Their Cucumber & Mint Plastic-Free Vegan Deodorant comes in a 100% plastic-free paperboard tube. It is also vegan (although the sensitive versions do contain beeswax), cruelty-free, and made with naturally derived ingredients, that are mainly plant-based.
It is made with sodium bicarbonate, tapioca starch, probiotics, and magnesium hydroxide to reduce odors and keep you feeling dry, without impeding your natural sweating. It contains no aluminum, phthalates, or talc, and no synthetic fragrances.
Native Customer Review Score: 4.2/5
Ingredients: Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Baking Soda, Tapioca Starch, Probiotics, Ozokerite, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Magnesium Hydroxide, Cyclodextrin, Glucose.
Price: $13.00
6. Meow Meow Tweet – Cedar Spruce Baking Soda Free Deodorant Stick
Meow Meow Tweet us a US brand of handmade, ethical, vegan, eco-friendly, and low-waste personal care products. As a company, they have some impressive green credentials – certified climate neutral, plastic negative, and cruelty-free. They also use certified organic, non-GMO ingredients, and their packaging is either fully compostable or zero-waste and closed-loop.
Meow Meow Tweet’s Cedar Spruce Baking Soda Free Deodorant Stick is great for sensitive skin and formulated with a blend of oils, waxes, and essential oils to be gentle and nourishing. It also contains arrowroot powder to absorb moisture and magnesium hydroxide to limit any odors. The formula contains no Palm Oil, Gluten, or Aluminum.
Earth Hero Customer Review Score: 4.1/5
Ingredients: *+cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, *maranta esculenta (arrowroot) powder, magnesium hydroxide, *+theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter, *+butyrospermum parkii (shea) fruit butter, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed wax, *cedrus atlantica (cedarwood) oil, *picea mariana (spruce) oil, *vetiveria zizanoides (vetiver) oil (Key: *certified organic / +fair trade)
Price: $14.00
Where to Buy: Meow Meow Tweet │Earth Hero
7. Little Seed Farm – Organic Jasmine & Green Tea All-Natural Deodorant Cream
Little Seed Farm is a brand of all-natural skincare and personal care products from Tennessee. Their products are made with certified cruelty-free, organic ingredients that are responsibly sourced.
All their packaging is zero-waste, widely recyclable, or compostable. They use 100% solar power to process and manufacture all of their products.
Little Seed Farm’s Organic Jasmine & Green Tea All-Natural Deodorant Cream comes in a glass jar with an aluminum lid, and a wooden applicator. The ingredients are mainly plant-based, except for their organic beeswax. It contains no sodium bicarbonate, aluminum, synthetic colors, or fragrances.
Amazon Customer Review Score: 4.6/5
Ingredients: Organic Arrowroot Powder, Food Grade Magnesium Hydroxide, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Beeswax, Organic Vegetable Glycerine (non-GMO & Kosher), Organic Jasmine Oil, Organic Green Tea Leaf Extract, Activated Charcoal Powder
Price: $11.99
Where to Buy: Amazon│ Little Seed Farm
8. Booda Organics – Booda Butter Cream Deodorant
Booda Organics is based in Washington and makes a small range of all-natural, organic, non-GMO, vegan, and cruelty-free skincare and soaps.
Their products are handmade in small batches, using only certified organic ingredients. Booda Organics’ Booda Butter Cream Deodorant is vegan, cruelty-free, certified organic and contains no aluminum, alcohol, parabens, phthalates, sulfates, propylene glycol, soy, gluten, or synthetic fragrances.
The Booda Butter five-ingredient formula contains sodium bicarbonate and tapioca flour, to combat odors and keep you feeling dry, and organic oils to moisturize and protect your skin. It comes in a reusable and recyclable glass jar, with a metal lid.
Booda Organics Customer Review Score: 5/5
Ingredients: Pure Baking Soda, Shea Butter*, Organic Tapioca Flour, Virgin Coconut Oil* & Cocoa Butter* (*Certified Organic & Fair Trade).
Price: $7.95
Where to Buy: Booda Organics
9. Ben & Anna – Japanese Cherry Blossom Sensitive Deodorant Stick
Ben & Anna is a German brand that makes all-natural, certified organic, vegan and cruelty-free bath and body products. They do not use plastic in their packaging and carefully source all their ingredients from responsible, certified organic suppliers.
Ben & Anna’s Japanese Cherry Blossom Sensitive Deodorant Stick is aluminum-free and sodium bicarbonate-free, which makes it a good choice for anyone with sensitive skin. The formula contains a blend of essential oils that give it a unique fragrance (there are three different options to choose from if this one is too floral for you). The packaging is paperboard, which can be composted or recycled.
Ethical Superstore Customer Review Score: 4/5
Ingredients: Talc, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Zea Mays Starch, Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Zinc Ricinoleate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Rhus Succedanea Fruit Cera, Shorea Robusta Resin, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Rhus Verniciflua Peel Cera, Glyceryl Caprylate, Magnesium Chloride, Citrus Limon Fruit Oil, Parfum, Limonene, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Citral, Linalool, Geraniol, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
Price: £10.95
Where to Buy: Ethical Superstore │ Ben & Anna
10. Bai-li – Organic Lemon & Bergamot Deodorant
Bai-li is a small brand from Los Angeles and their deodorants were developed in the founder’s kitchen, where she made her own natural deodorant – that actually worked and didn’t irritate her sensitive skin.
Bai-li deodorants are handmade in small quantities, with all-natural, vegan, and cruelty-free ingredients, many of which are certified organic. The packaging is 100% plastic-free paperboard, with sugarcane labels and all their shipping mailers are 100% recycled.
The Organic Lemon & Bergamot Deodorant does not contain aluminum or sodium bicarbonate and is made with magnesium hydroxide and probiotics instead. It also contains arrowroot starch and a blend of wax, oils, and essential oils.
The Waste Less Shop Customer Review Score: 4.5/5
Ingredients: *coconut oil, *shea butter, *arrowroot starch, magnesium hydroxide, candelilla wax, essential oils, *jojoba oil & shelf-stable probiotics (*certified organic)
Price: $16.00
Where to Buy: The Waste Less Shop │Bai-li
11. Dirty Hippie Cosmetics – Toxin-Free Spray on Deodorant
Dirty Hippie Cosmetics is a family business from Bemboka NSW, Australia, that makes a lovely range of all-natural, organic, vegan, cruelty-free, and zero-waste cosmetics and skincare.
They use ingredients that are ethically sourced and many are fair trade and organic certified. All their products are produced in a facility powered by green energy. Products are packaged in sustainable materials like glass, tin, or paper. They use recycled paper for their shipping and offer refills and empty container returns too.
Dirty Hippie’s Toxin-Free Spray on Deodorant is a Magnesium Sulphate based formula, that contains no alcohol, no aluminum, no sodium bicarbonate, and no synthetics of any kind.
Etsy Customer Review Score: 5/5
Ingredients: Demineralised water, Witch hazel extract*, Magnesium Sulphate, Tea Tree Extract, Natural Vitamin E, Jojoba Carrier Oil*, Essential Oils. (Certified Organic*)
Price: $14.25
Where to Buy: Esty │Dirty Hippie Cosmetics
12. Woohoo – Tux Extra Strength All-Natural Deodorant Paste
Woohoo is an Australian brand that makes natural, vegan, cruelty-free, zero-waste deodorants and skincare.
All their products are handmade, using only natural ingredients, many of which are certified organic. Woohoo is also certified cruelty-free and vegan, plastic negative, and members of 1% for the Planet.
Woohoo’s Tux Extra Strength All-Natural Deodorant Paste is aluminum-free comes in a reusable, recyclable tin. It contains sodium bicarbonate to neutralize odors, and tapioca starch and diatomaceous earth clay to absorb moisture. The fragrance is sweet, spicy, and woody, from a blend of organic essential oils.
Whooho Customer Review Score: 5/5
Ingredients: Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Tapioca Starch, Sodium Bicarbonate, Solum Diatomeae (Diatomaceous Earth) Clay, Isoamyl Laurate, Triethyl Citrate, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera (Candelilla) Wax, Zinc Oxide, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil – bergapten free, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Cedrus Atlantica Wood (Cedarwood Atlas) Oil, Pogostemon Cablin (Patchouli) Oil (*Certified Organic Ingredient)
Price: $16.95
Where to Buy: Woohoo Body
13. The Natural Deodorant Co – Grapefruit & Mint Clean Deodorant Balm
The Natural Deodorant Co is a UK brand, that is certified cruelty-free and vegan. All their products are made with 100% natural ingredients and contain no preservatives, alcohol, artificial fragrances, or palm oil.
They make several different zero-waste deodorants, with and without sodium bicarbonate, that are packaged in glass tubs with metal lids.
The Natural Deodorant Co’s Grapefruit & Mint Clean Deodorant Balm does contain sodium bicarbonate but it is aluminum-free and made with certified organic oils, essential oils, and shea butter. It also contains arrowroot powder and magnesium oxide for a little extra dryness and freshness.
The Kind Store Customer Review Score: 4.8/5
Ingredients: Maranta Arundinacea Root (Arrowroot Flour) Cocos Nucifera (Coconut Oil)*, Sodium Bicarbonate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Olea Europea (Olive Oil)* Magnesium Oxide, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil* (*certified organic)
Price: £10.42
Where to Buy: The Kind Store │ Natural Deodorant Co
DIY Eco-Friendly and Zero-Waste Deodorant Recipe
If you would like to make your own vegan, all-natural, eco-friendly, zero-waste deodorant at home… We have a great DIY recipe for you to try!
We love this recipe for homemade deodorant by Our Oily House. It does not contain sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) which is a base/alkaline that can be irritating for the sensitive skin under your arms.
Our Oily House provides a few different essential oil combinations you can try for different scents and beneficial properties you would like to focus on.
Watch the video by Our Oily House here (recipe and instructions below):
A note for vegans – this recipe contains beeswax but you can use candelilla wax as a vegan alternative that is just as effective.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons mango butter
- 2 tablespoons beeswax
- 5 drops vitamin E oil
- 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder
- Essential oils of choice, check out my favorite blends above
- Deodorant container (you can also use a glass jar or aluminum tin)
Instructions:
Use a double boiler (or a glass dish or smaller pot over a larger pot boiling water) to melt the beeswax/candelilla wax, mango butter, and coconut oil.
When it is fully melted, take it off the heat and add the essential oils, vitamin E oil, and the arrowroot powder. Combine the ingredients so that the oils are evenly distributed.
Store in an airtight container, like a glass jar or aluminum tin, or reuse an old stick deodorant container.
Tips to Store Your Eco-Friendly Deodorant:
Coconut oil melts at around 25°C/77°F so if your ambient temperatures are warmer than that, it is best to keep it somewhere cooler or in the fridge.
If you will be carrying it with you or traveling with it, make sure it is a tightly sealed, airtight container.
Final Thoughts on Selecting the Best Eco-friendly Deodorant for You
There are few things more personal than your choice of deodorant!
It’s something you use every single day, and something you buy many, many times over in your lifetime, which is why it’s important to find one that works for you and aligns with your values too.
Today, we have reviewed some of the best brands to try – brands that really work, smell great, and are made by ethical, sustainable, and socially responsible brands.
No matter what your needs or your most important values are, we’re confident that the perfect eco-friendly deodorant for you is on this list!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is eco-friendly deodorant also antiperspirant?
No. Antiperspirants contain aluminum, which soaks into and blocks pores, preventing perspiration from escaping and stops you sweating. Natural and eco-friendly deodorants, on the other hand, do not prevent you sweating. They do however contain ingredients that neutralize the odors, and absorb sweat to keep you feeling dry. Read the full review for more on how eco-friendly deodorants work and the best ones to try.
Are natural deodorants better for the environment?
Generally, yes. They contain 'natural' ingredients and generally do not contain preservatives, synthetic fragrances or dyes, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, ammonia or aluminum. Most are made with plant based ingredients like plant-oils and starches, and safer ingredients like baking soda or magnesium. Read the full review to learn more about the ingredients used to make eco-friendly deodorants.
Can I use a natural deodorant made with baking soda on sensitive skin?
No. Many aluminium-free deodorants contain baking soda (sodium bocarbonate), which a base/alkaline substance that many people react badly to. As a substance, it is very safe and used in many household applications, but on your skin it changes the skin's pH from mildly acidic to alkaline, which causes irritation that can be quite severe. If you have sensitive skin, it is recommended to do a patch test before using a deodorant with baking soda in it, or to use a baking soda -free alternative. Check out the full review for some great options to try.
References
Healthline: Baking Soda as a Deodorant: What Are the Benefits and Side Effects?
Healthline: Benefits and Risks of Deodorants vs. Antiperspirants
Medical News Today: Is There a Link Between Deodorant and Cancer?
National Cancer Institute: Antiperspirants/Deodorants and Breast Cancer
