My journey to the natural side began when I was looking to detox my pits, and although it took some trial and error, I’ve landed on the best natural deodorants that won’t melt away halfway through the day. Natural deodorants (or aluminum-free deodorants) rely on ingredients like baking soda to absorb moisture, and alpha-hydroxy-acids (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy-acids (BHAs) to neutralize the underarm bacteria that produces body odor. What they don’t offer: the sweat-fighting power of an antiperspirant (though dermatologists say your body will adjust to this over time), or ingredients like synthetic fragrances or phthalates.

After testing over a dozen deodorants, my top pick is Native Deodorant, because it absorbs moisture, it’s available at your local drugstore, has a long-lasting scent, and keeps the underarm area chafe-free. But, I also called on Glamour staffers, dermatologists, and editors to see which natural deodorants they trust.

The best natural deodorants, at a glance

How we picked the best natural deodorants

How we tested natural deodorants

We tested different types of natural deodorants including gel, sticks, sprays, and creams, and evaluated smell, longevity, and how well they held out throughout a day of activities, from attending a Florida beach wedding to sweating it out in a yoga class. We also looked for ingredients like AHAs and BHAs, which help kill bacteria, and sweat-absorbing ingredients such as baking soda to eliminate odor. We paid attention to how quickly they absorbed into the skin, whether they stained clothing, and most importantly, how we smelled after hours of wear. All of the deodorants we tested exceeded our expectations on these fronts, and more.

Jump to frequently asked questions

Best Overall: Native Coconut & Vanilla Deodorant

Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Native Deodorant

This gem comes highly recommended by Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary, who’s been wearing it every single day for the past three years. “I officially made the switch over and haven’t looked back since, thanks to this deodorant. Not only does it come in tons of scents (some limited-edition options have included Sugar Cookie and Dunkin’ Donuts Strawberry Donut), but it’s one of the most long-lasting natural deodorants I’ve ever tried. It took around a month for my body to fully adjust. I like that it has baking soda to absorb excess sweat. It lasts all day too—I’ll put it on around 8 a.m. before I leave for work and can still smell the scent by 8 p.m.. I also deal with dryness and sometimes eczema patches in my armpits (TMI)—this deo has never exacerbated or irritated my hot spots. The only knock I have is that it does in fact stain clothing, unfortunately, but everything else is a total 10/10, and I’d recommend it for anyone who’s looking for a new natural deodorant to try.”

Best for Sensitive Skin: Nécessaire The Deodorant

Nécessaire The Deodorant

Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Ncessaire Eucalyptus Deodorant

Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Nécessaire Eucalyptus Deodorant

This aluminum-free formula contains mandelic acid to gently exfoliate and prevent odor, and it works to help with ingrown hairs and texture. It’s a favorite of Margarita Lolis, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Hackensack, New Jersey: “It has niacinamide, which is a powerful antioxidant that strengthens the skin barrier by boosting hydration and has anti-inflammatory properties,” she says.

Glamour’s Kilkeary is also a massive fan of this deodorant because it’s super gentle. “I reach for this one when my skin is feeling particularly moody and dry. It has a warm and spicy scent that smells just as good as perfumes in my collection, and I like that it isn’t too sticky. Instead, it glides right on with little finesse and absorbs super quickly. I do wish this one controlled sweat a bit more (it doesn’t have baking soda to absorb extra moisture), but I really love that it’s totally noncomedogenic and doesn’t irritate or break me out,” she says.

Best for Odor: Kosas Chemistry AHA Serum Deodorant

Kosas Chemistry AHA Serum Deodorant

Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Kosas Chemistry AHA Serum Deodorant

Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Kosas Chemistry AHA Serum Deodorant

“I love this deodorant because it has AHAs, including mandelic and lactic acid, to help prevent overgrowth of odor causing bacteria. It will also simultaneously brighten the skin thanks to the exfoliating acids, which is a bonus for those with dark underarms. It’s formulated in a serum, so it’s extremely lightweight, dries fast, and hydrates thanks to hyaluronic acid,” says Dr. Lolis.

“If I’m ever going to a fancy event where I really need sweat protection, this is what I reach for,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary. “It truly does wonders to zap scent and keep me feeling fresh and clean throughout the day. Even though it doesn’t block sweat glands, the texture is quite refreshing upon application, and it also helps address discoloration, which is perfect if you’re worried about dark undertones in your underarm area when you’re wearing a tank top or headed to the beach. This one is my favorite for hot, sweaty days.”

Best Stain-Free: Salt & Stone Deodorant

Glamour commerce editor Jenifer Calle testing Salt  Stone Deodorant

Original photo from Jenifer Calle testing Salt & Stone Deodorant

If you’re on the hunt for an extra-strength stick that won’t stain your clothes, go with this aluminum-free pick. It has moisturizing seaweed extracts, shea butter, and probiotics that naturally neutralize odor. It also has hyaluronic acid to keep your skin hydrated and soft, plus luxurious fragrance notes of bergamot, saffron, cedar, and oud.

In our Salt & Stone review, Glamour senior beauty editor Ariana Yaptangco was impressed with its long-lasting power. “This natural deodorant does not budge throughout the day. There is some fading that occurs, especially when you sweat, but the scent is still solid by end of day and effectively masks odors. I used this deodorant the whole week of my vacation—through beach days, Pilates workouts, and bike rides—and was shocked at how well it held up.”

“I’ve been using this deodorant on and off for years now, and I always come back to it because it actually works. I even keep a spare in my work bag,” says Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle. “The moment I really knew it worked, though, was when I was out all day in humid 85-degree NYC summer weather and sweating everywhere, yet my pits stayed fresh.”

Best Long-Lasting: AKT Deodorant

Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing AKT Deodorant

Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing AKT Deodorant

Cream deodorant might not be your first choice, but hear us out. This long-lasting option is aluminum-free and contains a blend of shea butter, calendula oil, apricot kernel oil, and vitamin E to help soothe the underarms. Plus, it has a proprietary complex that works to absorb moisture and neutralize smells.

“I’ve never actually tried a deodorant cream before testing this one,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary, “and boy, was I surprised at how much I liked it. I always found this format to be a bit weird, like how much do you use, where do you rub off any excess, how’s the best way to apply them? But incorporating this one into my routine was actually so much easier than I anticipated. Simply take a dime-size amount and apply it to your underarms; it absorbs in a snap, and it’ll do the rest of the work for you. I wore this during a 14-hour day gallivanting through the Magic Kingdom at Disney World, and by the end of the day, I was still able to subtly smell the cedar and eucalyptus fragrance. It did a great job at keeping me sweat-free in this area (even when the day reached 85 degrees), and I didn’t even need to reapply before I headed out to dinner that night. I was thoroughly impressed.

Best Smelling: Phlur Vanilla Skin Natural Deodorant

Phlur Vanilla Skin Natural Deodorant

Phlur Vanilla Skin Natural Deodorant

Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Phlur Vanilla Skin Natural Deodorant

If you love smelling sweet, we recommend this natural deodorant stick that comes in an addictive vanilla scent. The formula itself contains salicylic acid, arrowroot powder and zinc to help absorb sweat and smells, and won’t irritate your pits.



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