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Whether you’re baking in the summer sun or bundled up under layers of Uniqlo Heattech and puffer coats to get you through the winter, there’s always the slight chance that unwanted B.O. could creep in and ruin your mood. Regardless of the weather, swiping on a healthy amount of aluminum-free deodorant is a must. There are a lot of myths about what’s best for your underarms that have divided the beauty community for a while. On the one hand, the common misconception is that aluminum-free deodorants are less effective than the alternatives. On the other, there is the myth that using some of your favorite antiperspirants can cause health issues, such as breast cancer, though according to the American Cancer Society, there is no strong, conclusive evidence to support that claim.
While neither side of this great deodorant divide is necessarily right or wrong, a good deodorant shouldn't require strong chemicals to prevent unwanted smells. Since our underarms already go through so much, from shaving to waxing to sweating and more, opting for a more natural formula is a healthier, gentler way to go. Nonetheless, the goal of deodorant is to keep your underarms smelling and feeling fresh. So, we searched the internet, scrolled through hundreds of reviews, and even called upon experts to find 15 of the best aluminum-free deodorants for you to try. See our list below.
If your goal is to smell delicious from dusk until dawn, this deodorant will get it done. It also comes in a myriad of other scents, so you can find the one that speaks to you. You'll be amazed at how long the scent lasts.
An Amazon reviewer says: “I don't think I’ve ever written an Amazon review before but it's rare that I'm this happy with a purchase and I had to give credit for how psyched I am with this deodorant.”
When people hear "aluminum-free," they instantly think of smelly pits. Who said you have to ruin your perfectly layered scent combo when using aluminum-free deodorants? Add Saltair's Natural Deodorant to your lineup, and you'll instantly become a convert. This deodorant is packed with skin-loving ingredients, like salicylic acid, to properly treat your pits and keep odor away.
A Saltair reviewer said: “To preface, I've tried about a dozen different natural deodorants of every brand with every ingredient imaginable - baking soda, magnesium, charcoal, arrowroot powder, the list goes on. Every single one gave me a HORRIBLE rash within about a week or two. The last one I tried landed me at the dermatologist needing prescription ointment. This is the first one I've tried that I've had absolutely no reaction to. I sweat a little, but definitely not as much as I expected. More importantly, I do not smell. I live in Texas and just tested this deodorant at an outdoor event yesterday (101 degrees in Houston), and that's the reason I'm writing this review. I didn't smell. I honestly couldn't believe it.”
For a completely invisible formula, this eucalyptus-scented deodorant stays away from alcohol and harsh chemicals, but still battles body odor all day long.
An Amazon reviewer says: “It's genuinely a struggle to find effective deodorant that does not cause a reaction, and this one absolutely has done IT!”
From the makers of your favorite face masks, this plastic-free deodorant actually absorbs sweat instead of only masking it. It also has a clear formula, so you won't look down and see white streaks on all your clothing ever again.
An Evolvetogether reviewer says: “I love this all natural product as well as the packaging. No chemicals. Nice and light. Amazing.”
Even the strongest B.O. can't be detected when you have this deodorant on. With nine different scents, including unscented, you can find the perfect one that matches your perfume.
An Amazon reviewer says: “I put this on in the morning and it lasts all day, no problems. I don't sweat as much, so it's effective as an antiperspirant, at least for me. I was impressed that at the end of the day I wouldn't feel gross and notice my armpits smelling.”
Infused with a blend of coconut, jojoba, lavender oils and shea butter this product ensures a comfortable wear. Using baking powder and essential minerals like magnesium this deodorant also offers powerful odor protection and absorption.
An Amazon reviewer says: “I have tried many different brands of non-aluminum deodorant, and most either smell off or stop working within a few hours. Dr Teal's is the first one that actually works, literally will last an extra day and still work, plus it smells nice without any perfumes. Excellent product, would highly recommend this.”
For people with extremely sensitive skin, this deodorant is free of all the irritants present in traditional formulas; it doesn't contain any dyes, scents, clays, or minerals. Instead, you'll be left with only the good stuff and pleasant-smelling underarms.
An Amazon reviewer says: “I find it gives all day odor-free protection with zero irritation.”
This gel formula prevents odors, brightens dark underarms, and soothes any bumps or irritation. If you suffer from chronic ingrown hairs, this deodorant is the antidote.
A Sephora reviewer says: “This deodorant is a game-changer. I have searched everywhere for a deodorant that doesn't irritate and darken my armpits. After the first application the skin just outside of my armpits was silky smooth like a baby’s bottom! I also see the skin lightening in the areas I applied. Finally found one product to combat perspiration, skin discoloration and maintain my skin's natural texture.”
If you've been using Dove deodorant for years, it's time to give it an upgrade. This three-pack doesn't contain alcohol or aluminum but promises to leave your underarms smelling like jasmine and coconut for up to 24 hours. Sounds like a dream to me.
An Amazon reviewer says: “Very smooth, great protection and lasts a long time.”
Made with seaweed extract and hyaluronic acid, this deodorant is moisturizing to give you 24 hour sweat protection without drying out your skin. And the scent of neroli and basil with added notes of eucalyptus and lavender leave you smelling fresh all day.
An Amazon reviewer says: “I have found this natural deodorant to be the best one so far. I think the smell is luxurious and it withstands workouts and the daily grind.”
Nourian recommends looking for a deodorant with clean ingredients, which is key to ensuring your pores won’t clog. This deodorant never uses aluminum, alcohol, or baking soda. But it does use incredible natural ingredients and prebiotics that fades body odor over time.
An Amazon reviewer says: “Awesome deodorant, I typically get itchy and hate wearing it but this feels like it's not even there which I love. Smells great.”
This refillable deodorant is so beautiful that you'll want to display it in a prime location. With three incredible scents to choose from, it covers unwanted smells, hydrates and soothes the underarms, and absorbs any excess moisture throughout the day.
A Beautycounter reviewer says: “FINALLY! A deodorant that is all the things and more. It smells amazing, works like a boss and goes on clean with zero residue. Totally worth it!”
Unwanted smells and irritation are some of the most common underarm complaints. This deodorant works against those two common woes by using corn starch, healthy butters, and non-irritating scents to make your pits smell like a bouquet of roses.
An Ulta reviewer says: “Great purchase. I have a sensitivity to baking soda, which is in most aluminum free deodorants. No sensitivity to Megababe Rosy Pits.”
This deodorant treats your underarms the way you treat your skin: with AHA acids to brighten and de-odorize, hyaluronic acid to impart moisture to the skin, and aloe vera juice to soothe any irritation.
An ELLE contributor says: “Natural deodorants don’t normally work that well for me since I tend to be sweaty, but the one thing I really like about the Kosas Sport Chemistry is how gentle and cooling it is on the skin. My skin is super sensitive, especially after I shave, and I appreciate that this aloe- and hyaluronic acid-infused formula went on so smoothly and caused zero irritation. What’s more, even on more humid days, the formula never pilled.”
This product treats your skin instead of covering up unpleasant scents. You'll be amazed at how soft your underarms feel after using this a few times.
An Ulta reviewer says: “This is expensive BUT one stick has lasted me over a year!! I think it smells great and works great!!”
Dr. Karan Lal is a celebrity dermatologist and director of pediatric dermatology and cosmetic surgery at Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Brian Nourian is the co-founder of Le Jolie Medi Spa.
“Aluminum salts are used to plug up the sweat glands in antiperspirants to reduce sweating,” says dermatologist Dr. Karan Lal. For a long time, there were concerns that aluminum in beauty products could be linked to breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. However, according to Dr. Lal, that link has yet to be proven. Generally speaking, antiperspirants–products formulated to reduce sweat–are more likely to contain aluminum than deodorants, which are created to mask the scent of sweat.
Even though it's still unclear if aluminum-free deodorants are much healthier for you, gentle formulas for deodorants are usually a better choice for anyone with sensitive skin. Our underarms go through a lot–shaving or waxing, constant chafing, etc—so formulas with gentle, clean ingredients reduce the risk of irritation.
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE editors and contributors tested a few top-rated aluminum-free deodorants. They also pored over reviews for dozens of others, evaluating each on their features and customer feedback.
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