These are the 9 best non-toxic deodorants that actually work! These deodorants are all aluminum free, fragrance free, paraben free and phthalate free and made with safe, healthy ingredients.
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Issues with deodorants:
Most of us use deodorant every day to help us smell nice and prevent unwanted body odour. However when we apply deodorant, the ingredients don't just stay on the surface of the skin, many of the ingredients get absorbed through our skin, into our blood stream and can thus impact our internal organs. This would be fine if all the ingredients used in deodorants were good for our health, but unfortunately, many conventional deodorants can contain ingredients that can have negative health effects.
Some of the ingredients used in conventional deodorant are also bad for the environment. That's why it's so important to choose non toxic deodorants, natural deodorants, or organic deodorants, which are both good for our health, and good for the environment. And to help you find the best non toxic deodorant brands and organic deodorants I am sharing a round up of my favourite brands that offer non toxic deodorants.
In order to complete this review, over the years I have tested over 30 different natural and non-toxic deodorants, some that worked really well, and some that didn't work for me at all. Here I will provide my honest opinions based on my own experience and testing. All of the deodorants in this round up are aluminum-free deodorant that are free of artificial fragrances, made without harsh chemicals or toxic ingredients and formulated with clean ingredients.
The good news is that even though it took me a long time to try so may deodorants, I found so many great options for you to choose from!
The Best Non-Toxic Deodorant Brands
Primally Pure Deodorant
My favourite non-toxic deodorant is the Primally Pure deodorant. This deodorant is made with all natural ingredients, is paraben free and is only scented with essential oils and contains no artificial or synthetic fragrances.
This natural deodorant comes in many different scents including lavender, blue tansy, charcoal, geranium, lemongrass, tea tree and unscented. My favourite scents are the lavender and blue tansy. And if you are sensitive to baking soda or have sensitive skin, their baking soda free options are a great choice.
Features: It's made with all natural ingredients, is paraben free, and only scented with natural essential oils. Rated a 1 on the EWG skin deep database.
Size: 2.5 ounces or 1.7 ounces
Price: $16 for 1.7 oz or $22 for 2.5 oz (USD)
Why I love it:
- It works really well and smells really nice.
- Doesn't stain clothing.
- I love the variety of scent options.
- This deodorant has been independently tested for PFAS and found to be negative!
Cons:
- Is more expensive than some of the other deodorants in this review.
- Not available in drug stores or grocery stores.
- No sustainable or refillable packaging.
- If you live in Canada like me the duty fees can be really high.
Routine Deodorant
Routine is a deodorant brand that is locally produced in Calgary where I live, so of course, I had to include them!
Routine is an all-natural deodorant that comes in glass jars or sticks. The glass jars are refillable so they are great for the environment as they don't produce any waste.
Routine deodorant comes in over 20 different scents so no matter what smells you like you are sure to find a formula you like. They also offer vegan deodorant options, deodorants with activated charcoal, prebiotics and deodorants without baking soda if you are prone to skin irritation.
Size: 50 grams (stick or jar)
Price: $28 - $42
Pros:
- Has the most scent options of any of the deodorants in this review.
- Sustainable and refillable packaging.
- Many positive reviews online. Despite that, this deodorant didn't work as well for me as the Primally Pure deodorants, but every body is different so you would need to test it for yourself.
- Available for me to buy locally which helps cut down on transportation and shipping costs and lessens the environmental impact.
Cons:
- More expensive than some of the others in this review.
- I found the jar deodorant or deodorant cream to be messy to work with and prefer the stick options.
BeNat All Natural Deodorant
The BeNat All Natural Deodorant is a great clean deodorant option. It is aluminum free and plastic free and made with all natural ingredients. It is formulated without parabens, phthalates, or talc. This deodorant is scented with essential oils and has long lasting odor protection. It's formulated for men, women and teens and is more affordable compared to some other deodorants in this list.
Features: gluten free, cruelty free, eco-friendly and biodegradable.
Size: 3 ounces
Price: $12.99 USD
Pros:
- I love that it is eco-friendly and biodegradable.
- It's one of the more affordable natural deodorants on the market.
- It comes in a variety of scents - my favorite is the lavender and geranium option.
- They offer baking soda free formulas for those with sensitives or who experience irritation with baking soda.
- The small size makes it great for travelling.
Cons:
- Some reviewers have complained about the deodorant giving them a rash. I did not experience this but it is something to be aware of.
- The push mechanisms on the tube does not work very well. It requires a lot of force to use and many people have complained that it broke when they used it. This is the main reason it isn't my top choice.
- The formula doesn't spread very easily so I found I had to rub it in after applying.
Earth Mama Deodorant
Earth Mama makes many great natural products including a clean deodorant. The Earth Mama deodorant is made with baking soda and magnesium yet is still great for those with sensitive skin. It is formulated especially for sensitive skin, pregnancy, and breastfeeding.
Features: dermatologist tested and cruelty-free. Rated a 1 on the EWG skin deep database.
Size: 2.65 ounces or 75 grams
Price: $12.99
Pros:
- Comes in many different scent options - my favourites are the Calming Lavender and Bright Citrus.
- Made with Eco Smart packaging.
Cons:
- Some people who are sensitive to baking soda have experienced a rash with this deodorant (I did not personally).
- The deodorant is pretty solid so it takes some effort to apply it.
- The reviews for this deodorant are mixed - some people find it very effective, while others don't. I personally didn't find this deodorant to work as well as some of the others in this review.
Schmidt's Deodorant
Schmidt's is another very popular deodorant brand that is easily found in most drug stores and grocery stores. In fact, they were one of the first natural deodorant brands and have been making natural deodorant since 2010!
Schmidt's award winning deodorant comes in many different scents and they also have a sensitive skin formula as well. They use essential oils to scent their deodorants meaning that they are free from synthetic fragrances.
Features: Made with all natural ingredients and plant based ingredients. Vegan and cruelty free. Rated a 1 on the EWG skin deep database.
Size: 2.6 ounces or 75 grams
Price: $9.99 USD
Pros:
- The most affordable option in this review.
- Easily found at drug stores and grocery stores.
Cons:
- I personally didn't find that this one worked as well for me, but it has many positive reviews online so it does work well for many others.
- No sustainable or eco-friendly packaging.
- I found that it can stain clothing.
Humble
Humble is a natural skincare brand which I just heard of recently. They make a few different personal care products, including natural deodorant sticks.
Features: the deodorant containers are made from recycled plastic (75% PCR). Rated a 1 on the EWG skin deep database. Cruelty free.
Size: 2.5 ounces or 70 grams
Price: $13.99 USD
Pros:
- Comes in many different scent options. I haven't had a chance to try all of them but of the ones I have tried I really liked the Mountain Lavender and Rosemary and Mint.
- I found that this deodorant works quite well.
- It's made with just 4 ingredients which is hard to do.
Cons:
- Comes in plastic packaging.
- Does contain baking soda so some people find it irritating (I did not).
- It can leave stains on white clothing.
Primal Pit Paste
Primal Pit Paste is another brand of natural deodorant that is now owned and sold by Pretty Frank. This deodorant has been on the market for over ten years and has great reviews online. It is made with natural ingredients and comes in a variety of scents.
Features: cruelty-free, vegan, gluten-free, and made without GMOs. They offer baking soda free options for those with sensitive skin.
Size: 2 ounces or 56 grams
Price: $14.99 USD
Pros:
- I love the smell of this one! The coconut vanilla and lavender scents are my favorite.
- Comes in a variety of scent options.
- Comes in sustainable packaging.
Cons:
- Shipping to Canada where I live can be expensive and it's getting harder and harder to find places that will ship it to me so for that reason it isn't in my top 3 (If you live in the US it will be easy for you to order).
Think Magnesium Deodorant
Think makes amazing, high performing natural products and the Think Magnesium Deodorant is no exception. It is a non-toxic deodorant that is infused with coconut oil to help soften the skin and it has many positive reviews online.
Features: Produced in the USA. is EWG verified. Made with organic ingredients.
Size: 2.65 ounces or 75 grams
Price: $8.49 USD
Pros:
- One of the most affordable options in this roundup.
- Comes in a variety of scent options.
Cons:
- This deodorant has been sold out for a while online now so I am not sure if they are discontinuing it or when it will be back in stock.
Attitude deodorant
This is the most recent clean deodorant that I have tried and I am pleased to report that I really like it. Attitude makes many different non-toxic and safe personal care products, including safe deodorant. Their deodorant is one of the most affordable deodorants on the market and Attitude products are easy to find in drug stores and grocery stores including Walmart.
Features: EWG verified. Non-plastic packaging. Vegan. Dermatologist tested. Made with natural ingredients.
Size: 3 ounces
Price: $11.95 USD
Pros:
- It comes in a wide variety of scent options including unscented - my favorite scents are the Lemon Leaves and Tea Leaves.
- Sustainable and biodegradable packaging.
- One of the most affordable natural deodorants in this list.
- It spreads easily.
Cons:
- I found that it can stain clothing, especially white clothing.
- The tube can be difficult to use and push up. Some people have even found the containers to get bent in the process (I did not find this personally) but I didn't find the tube hard to use.
Brands I can't recommend:
In my mission to find an effective non-toxic deodorant I tried so many brands that just did not work well for me at all. In total I think I tried about 30 different ones. I found that they did not work well for preventing odours and I smelled so bad, so I would not personally recommend them. Some of these deodorants include:
- Tom's of Maine deodorant
- Jason deodorant
- Desert Essence deodorant
- Making my own - I hated doing this! I found it messy and cumbersome and could never get the formula right.
- Green Beaver deodorant
- Crystal deodorants - I tried a few and didn't like any of them.
Also note that this review has been updated as of 2024. I had previously recommended a few other brands which I no longer do due to further research into the ingredients. As well, I had previously included Each & Every deodorant which I really like in terms of smell and performance, but it has since tested positive for indications of PFAS chemicals so as of now I can no longer recommend it.
Tips for switching to a non-toxic deodorant:
If you are ready to make the switch to a non-toxic deodorant, here are a few tips to help you with the transition:
1. Expect a transition period
When you first switch your deodorant it may take a few days or weeks for your body to adjust. At first, you may even be more sweaty and have a stronger odor. Give your body a couple weeks to adjust to the new formula. One thing that can help with the transition phase is doing armpit detoxes a couple times a week with a charcoal mask.
2. You may need to try more than one product
Every body is different, so a natural deodorant that works well for another person may not work well for you. It may take you a few tries to find the right formula for your body.
Ingredients to avoid in deodorant:
Of course I couldn't review every deodorant on the market, so if you are out shopping for clean deodorants here is a list of some of the more common ingredients to watch for and avoid in traditional deodorants. This is not a complete list of harmful ingredients but it is a great place to start. For a more complete list be sure to read my post, Deodorant Health Risks. You can also download my free handout on ingredients to avoid in skincare and cosmetics below.
Aluminum
Aluminum used in antiperspirants can clog pores and hinder the body’s natural detoxification process (sweating is a way that your body releases toxins, so do don’t want to block this process).
The other concern is that long term exposure to aluminum from deodorant can lead to accumulation of aluminum in breast tissue, which may increase your risk of breast cancer. There are a couple ways that aluminum can do this:
- Aluminum build up can lead to alterations in DNA which can lead to cancer development.
- Aluminum can also interfere with estrogen receptors, and estrogen has a well established role in the development of breast cancer.
Whether or not aluminum in antiperspirants can actually lead to breast cancer is still not clear, as there have been very few studies examining this issue directly, and of the studies that have been done, there have been conflicting results with some showing an increased risk, and others not.
Since aluminum isn't necessary to make an effective deodorant I typically recommend simply avoiding it because of the potential risks. There are many other safe ingredients you can choose instead.
Parabens
Parabens are preservatives found in many beauty and skincare. Parabens have weak estrogenic and anti-androgenic activity and can be hormone disruptors or endocrine disruptors. Parabens have been linked to breast cancer, skin cancer, decreased sperm counts and infertility.
Phthalates
Phthalates are used to help fragrances in products last longer.
Phthalates can also be included in a products fragrance formula so also be sure to avoid products with the terms fragrance, perfume or parfum in the ingredient lists.
Ethanolamines (DEA, TEA, MEA)
The European Commission and Health Canada prohibit the use of DEA in cosmetics and personal care products due to concerns regarding the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines. However, these chemicals are still allowed to be used in other countries.
There is also concern that these chemicals can negatively impact male fertility as in vitro studies have shown they impair sperm motility and viability. Animals studies also shown concering neurological effects.
To avoid ethanolamines, look for DEA, TEA and MEA when reading ingredient lists.
PEGS
PEG compounds are formed by condensing water and ethylene oxide. While PEG compounds themselves are usually safe for our health, they can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, which is a known carcinogen and because they are penetration enhancers, depending on what other ingredients are in the product, they can potentially make other toxic chemicals more harmful as well.
Talc
Talc is used in the personal care industry for many different reasons including to increase absorbency, as an anti-caking agent, bulking agent, and anti-slip agent. The problem with talc is that it can often be contaminated with asbestos which is a known carcinogen and can cause respiratory toxicity.
Fragrance
The issue with fragrances is that they are considered to be trade secrets, meaning that companies don't have to disclose the ingredients they use to make up their fragrances. The problem with this is that fragrances can be made with many different ingredients, including potentially harmful ingredients like endocrine disruptors such as phthalates and parabens. Avoid any deodorants with the word "fragrance", "perfume" or "parfum" in the ingredient list.
Propylene glycol
Propylene glycol can be irritating to the skin and can cause allergic reactions.
Frequently asked questions:
Dove’s deodorants and antiperspirants are not safe or non toxic. Moreover, some of their products contain aluminum which is a big no-no. And in fact, all of them contain fragrances (even the ones labelled as “fragrance free”). Fragrances often contain ingredients that are hormone disruptors. And can also have other negative health effects.
Baking soda itself isn't bad, but some people are sensitive to it. Baking soda is very alkaline with a pH of around 8.3, so when it's used in deodorant, especially in larger concentrations, a reaction can occur with your slightly acidic skin where you may develop a rash or redness.
Detoxing your armpits is where you mask your armpits using a charcoal mask or clay mask. In addition, this can help with the transition from switching from conventional deodorant to natural or non toxic deodorant.
Other health information you will like:
- Pregnancy Safe Deodorants
- The best non toxic mattress brands
- The best non toxic toothpastes
- The best non toxic period underwear
- Is there mercury in your mascara?
- Non toxic alternatives to botox
- Is mineral or chemical sunscreen better?
- How to choose safe cookware
- Are candles toxic?
- The best non toxic face masks
Since you made it this far we are basically best friends so be sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok and Facebook where I share even more recipes and healthy living tips!
Our expertise:
Dr. Erin Carter, MD, FRCPC, is a physician with board certifications in internal medicine and rheumatology. She is passionate about nutrition, environmental health and low toxicity living and has been doing research and publishing information in this area for years. She is also a self-trained chef and has been creating and publishing recipes since 2015. Her recipes have been featured on many different websites and online publications.
Sharon
Thank you for all your research. My favorite, not on the list, is Lone. I am not affiliated in anyway but after numerous years trying multiple brands, this tops my list.
Erin Carter
Oh great to know thank you! I will have to check out that brand too!
Shannon
Such an informative post! I will be updating my deodorant ASAP.