17 best natural deodorants that will actually work

Natural deodorants have a bad rep, and the first wave of formulas arguably deserved it for one simple reality – they didn’t work.

Plenty of people tempted by natural deodorants have avoided making the switch thanks to their unfortunate reputation, but thanks to an influx of new, sophisticated formulas and oh-so-chic refillable packaging, eco-deodorants are fast becoming a shelfie must-have as well as a reliable self-care staple.

Unlike traditional antiperspirants, natural deos don’t contain the aluminium salts traditionally used in antiperspirants to plug sweat glands and reduce sweating.

That said, aside from the fact that sweating is a natural bodily function (that’s essential for flushing out toxins), aluminium has been accused of being linked to breast cancer and Alzheimer’s Disease. It’s important to note that scientists say there’s very little evidence to support this, however, more people are swaying towards formulas that avoid aluminium altogether. Hey, why not if the formulas can deliver without it?

There’s one thing to clear up, though. Without the use of aluminium, natural deodorants won’t make us sweat less. Instead they work by neutralising the smell. “Natural deodorant will allow you to sweat, but it will prevent you from smelling,” says Matt Kennedy, co-founder of Fussy, the world’s first refillable, probiotic deodorant. “Sweat itself doesn’t smell, it’s the bacteria that grows on perspiration that creates a bad odour.”

Fussy’s range of chic, refillable pebble-shaped deodorants calls upon a pH balanced blend of antimicrobial and antibacterial ingredients, an all-natural odour-eating probiotic and deliciously scented essential oils to keep you smelling fresh for 24 hours. “We worked with a fragrance house to get a range of really refined, sophisticated scents that you would usually expect from a perfume,” says co-founder Eddie Fisher. “We tested Fussy on over 200 armpits and can safely say, it works.”

Not only that, but many eco deodorants are doing their bit to help reduce plastic pollution within the beauty and personal care sector. “We first noticed the huge amounts of single-use plastic in our bathroom cabinets and thought there had to be a better way,” says Matt. “We created plastic-free compostable refills made from waste sugar cane. When you’ve finished it, you can literally throw it into your garden and it will decompose entirely in four months.”

Do natural deodorants work?

GLAMOUR Deputy Beauty Editor Elle Turner puts them to the test…
I’ve been going au natural for the past few weeks and I have to say – it’s been fine! Granted I’ve been pretty stationary compared to the mad dash into work that normally works up a sweat. The main difference is, my armpits feel slightly more slippery. But since I’m mostly sitting at my laptop or strolling to the fridge, it meets my needs, without the chemicals I usually swipe on.

As for which natural deodorant is best for you, from Aurelia’s sell-out creamy solution, to Aesop’s cutting-edge oily formula, there’s no shortage of clean, effective deodorants to provide you with long-lasting freshness. To save you sweating the small stuff, we’ve gone ahead and done the dirty work and rounded the best.

Here are the best natural deodorants, that each got the GLAMOUR seal of approval…