Natural Deodorants: Do They Really Work?

After my girls started wearing deodorant, I began thinking about the products we were using and the ingredients used. What I read was alarming, and it didn’t take long for me to decide we would switch to natural deodorants.

In case you, too, are not aware, aluminum is the active ingredient used in conventional deodorants to protect against perspiration. But it is also a known neurotoxin linked to breast cancer and Dementia.

I have used Dove deodorant for as long as I could remember and have been very happy with it. I’ve also been blissfully unaware that every single day I was applying traces of aluminum to my skin and upping my chances of not only Dementia (that runs in my family) but breast cancer, too (which also runs in my family).

Once I learned of this connection, I could no longer, in good conscience, continue to let myself or my girls apply these brands to our biggest organ: our skin.

The desire to rid us of harmful products sent me on the hunt for a natural deodorant that works.

Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, you can read my full disclosure here or look for more information at the bottom of this post.

Natural Deodorant Review #1

PiperWai

PiperWai Natural Deodorant was the first one I found to really work. I heard about it on Shark Tank and ordered one that night.

It comes in a 2 oz glass jar, which I originally worried was too small, but it lasted a good two to three months. You really don’t need a lot so a little goes a long way.

It took a bit to get used to since I’ve never applied a cream deodorant before but I found adding a drop of water helps spread it easier. They now have a stick version of their deodorant if you prefer that to the cream one but I have not tried it yet.

From the first use, I loved the smell and loved that it actually worked. Ha! I did find, however, that on days when I would be outside a lot, it was better to apply more for better protection.

The ingredient list also put my mind at ease, especially with the many essential oils included. (I love essential oils so that was a plus in my book!)

Overall, this was a great find and one I still buy for one of my daughters who has an irritation with baking soda.

Natural Deodorant Review #2

Schmidt's

Schmidt’s just came out with a natural deodorant line and it was cheaper than Piper Wai, so I decided to give it a go.

Their Charcoal + Magnesium was the first one I tried and was in love from the first day! It’s slightly more expensive than their other scents but I think it provides slightly better protection.

The only cons I found compared to Piper Wai were it has baking soda which can cause irritation and it does not contain any essential oils. But it does smell good and it does what it says. It is also cheaper than Piper Wai by a few dollars and can be found in Walmart and other retailers.

Schmidt’s natural deodorants have over a dozen scented formulas to choose from, even ones created for men and teens.

If you prefer a scented one, you can do what I do and use the scented ones for everyday use and the magnesium one for days when you know you will need better protection.

Natural Deodorant Review #3

Jason

This is by far the cheapest natural deodorant I have tried but it is also the least effective. But it smells really nice and is perfect for our youngest who is just starting out on her deodorant journey.

I do really like how smooth it goes on and it feels great on my skin. I have actually applied it first to my skin then added another one for added protection and that has worked really well.

Jason has lots of scents you can try and you can find them in most retailers, as well.

Natural Deodorant Review #4

Lume

This is the newest brand I have tried and it is different than the others in that you can use it on other parts of your body. Which is really nice for those hot days when you need a little extra protection to stay fresh. They also offer wipes and soaps on their website so you have all the fresh protection you need.

They offer their items in bundles to save on cost, which I like because their items are the most expensive of all the brands I’ve tried so far.

Lume’s natural deodorants come in both tubes and sticks but each dispenses as a cream. A little goes a long way so if you are using yours as just a deodorant under your arms, it will last you a good while. They also claim 72-hour protection but I have never gone that long between applications. Maybe one day I will?

If you want to give them a try for yourself, purchase through this link and you’ll be automatically entered to win a free Lume product every week.

NATURAL DEODORANT TIPS

• When you switch to a natural deodorant you will need to give yourself several days for your underarms to detox. Some people try a natural deodorant and decide it doesn’t work without giving their bodies time to detox first.

• Sometimes natural deodorants can be stiffer than conventional ones; just add a drop or two of water before applying to help it go on smoother.

• Try a sample before committing to a full-size purchase if you are worried you might not like it.

• Less can be more when it comes to natural deodorants. Your skin needs to absorb the deodorant in order for it to work effectively.

• Most natural deodorants are not antiperspirants so expect to still sweat, which your body needs to do. But some formulas do help with this if it worries you so check with each scent beforehand to see which one provides the best protection.

I hope this natural deodorant review helps you navigate through all the options out there. I am still trying new ones and will update the post as I find ones I like. Remember, healthy living doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Switching to a natural deodorant is the perfect baby step to take in the right direction. 

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, but if I am recommending an item in my post, it is only because I have used it myself or have done enough research on the product to feel it is a good fit for my readers.