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By Adrian Clark and Jessie Atkinson
Make the switch to one of GQ's best natural deodorants for a grooming solution that's kind to your both your body odour and the planet
Forget (almost) everything you know about natural deodorants. Yes, once they might have been the reserve of half-heartedly groomed types that wouldn't look out of place in Manson's family camp. But look, they've changed: today's formulas actually work.
In modern parlance, a natural deodorant not only refers to the chemical-free makeup of the stick or spray itself but often also to the environmental preoccupations of the packaging. Many of our favourite picks do far more than just the bare minimum (that is, limiting the amount you sweat while keeping your pits smelling neutral). Plenty are also dedicated to sustainability, offering a single-purchase case into which refills can be slotted.
Just as moisturisers, exfoliants and other such grooming essentials have become more and more free from the chemicals that have filled them for so long, so too have deodorants gotten the detox treatment. That many of these options also cut down on harmful compounds as well as plastic consumption is only a (very big) bonus…and we promise that none of these products will make you smell like Charles Manson. Sold? Great. Before we jump into the main list, here are some of our top picks.
As is the case with many new breakthroughs in grooming and beauty products, it may take another few decades for us to fully understand the differences between natural and non-natural formulations. We can, however, be quite certain of a few things. For one, the absence of parabens is certainly a positive: at their best, parabens can cause irritation and allergies, while at their worst, they are suspected to contribute to cancers. It's also been suggested that aluminium can contribute to cancer and kidney conditions, though these studies are less conclusive. Despite the uncertainty, we know for sure that putting natural ingredients on your skin — shea butter, for example, or aloe vera — is better for you than the manmade equivalent. Besides, even if it turns out not to be healthier for you, natural deos are certainly healthier for the planet.
We're a sweaty bunch at GQ, mostly owing to our jam-packed schedules. It's a curse, but there is an upside: namely, we're the perfect specimens to test out which natural deodorants actually work. Chief compiler of this list, Adrian Clark has decades of experience in the grooming world, with products as diverse as deos and LED face masks. That means he knows what all of those confusing-sounding ingredients do and if a product does what it claims to. He's tried and liked every deodorant on this list so rest assured that they have at least worked on one kind of armpit.
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
This fuss-free grooming brand from across the Channel is a one-stop shop for high-performance products at give-it-a-go prices. According to Horace, this is “the deodorant you and your shirts have been waiting for.” Using 95.2 per cent ingredients of natural origin, it approaches personal hygiene and anti-stain technology with equal measures of importance. Its fragrance is light, botanical and aromatic, featuring herbaceous essential oils. Suitable for all skin types and a bestseller for the brand, the odour-busting natural solution is also free from any aluminium, parabens and alcohol.
Fussy, both by name and by nature, is fastidious in its attention to detail. Having spent 18 months with a leading microbiologist, it launched as a refillable subscription-service business model that allows you to choose the colour of your case and customise it with compostable deodorant refills in five scents (citrus, floral, tropical, mint fresh and an unscented variant). Cruelty-free, aluminium-free and plant-based, it’s not all style over substance either: offering 24 hours of comfortable protection, it's been formulated using a minimal amount of ingredients plus some antioxidants, such as vitamin C. Sunflower wax, coconut oil and shea butter have a soothing effect, while active ingredients such as magnesium hydroxide and baking soda neutralise the odour-causing bacteria and absorb the excess moisture.
Dermatologically-tested, vegan-friendly and loaded up with organic and natural ingredients, Ecooking’s new and improved deodorant roll-on is both deeply moisturising and gentle on the skin. With a citrus, violet and white pepper-infused fragrance, it actively removes and absorbs the odour molecules created during bacterial degradation of sweat, and is gentle enough for use after shaving, if you're in a rush. Formulated with cucumber extract (which soothes) and glycerin (a vegetable moisturiser derived from coconut), it provides optimal hydration by adding and binding moisture with a skin-softening effect.
Offering one of the world’s most comprehensive ranges of skin-friendly deodorant formats, Salt Of The Earth sets the benchmark in all-natural personal hygiene. Its pump spray variant, which is without any aluminium chlorohydrate or parabens, delivers long-lasting, effective protection and is both vegan and cruelty-free. Formulated with natural mineral salts — potassium alum is the key ingredient — it creates an invisible antibacterial layer over the skin’s surface that helps control the growth of odour-causing bacteria and allows the skin to breathe. Enriched with magnesium oil and soothing aloe vera, it is also kind to sensitive armpits. With a botanical aroma of ocean notes, melon, citrus and coconut it leaves no white marks on clothes and absorbs rapidly without a trace.
Born out of theatreland’s necessity for a hardworking and effective deodorant, AKT London has won countless awards with its pioneering and all-natural deo-balm range. Following a lot of outreach from customers (some people react badly to fragrance oils, even if they are natural), the brand’s founders have introduced AKT’s first unscented variant, SC.00 No Notes. Clinically-tested and approved for sensitive skin, the aluminium salt-free, vegan-friendly formula has been enriched with a blend of premium botanicals and a proprietary Deo Barrier Complex which actively keeps you feeling dry and confident throughout an active day. Presented in a plastic-free and completely recyclable tube, it is applied with fingers, absorbing instantly without leaving any residue or mess. With discounts to be had if you sign up for the subscription service (one tube lasts 2-3 months), the multi-tasking balm can also be used on feet, forehead or chest.
This botanical blend, which is free from any antiperspirants, is designed to protect and help soothe easily-irritated skin. A gel-textured roll-on deodorant with a fresh marine-like scent, it nourishes and conditions the delicate skin in the underarm area, is vegan-friendly and keeps unpleasant odours at bay. Infused with sage leaf water and sage oil (both of which provide antibacterial benefits), it uses sustainable upcycled barley to calm any aggravation, reduce redness and protect sensitive skin, too. An effective alternative to a harsh antiperspirants, it uses a blend of natural ingredients that neutralise odour-forming bacteria without clogging the pores or blocking the flow of sweat. Essentially, it offers long-lasting protection whilst allowing the skin to breathe.
This Essex-based trailblazer has something to suit any skin condition or lifestyle, with the most comprehensive collection of natural deodorants on the market. Vegan-friendly, suitable for all skin types and free from aluminium, mineral oil, alcohol and palm oil, the product is light, quickly absorbed and offers 24-hour protection. The combination of sodium bicarbonate, magnesium and clay soak up moisture and offer antibacterial protection, while coconut oil and shea butter soften the skin and help soothe any irritation. Made from 100 per cent natural ingredients and housed in a plastic-free jar, it has a refreshing orange and bergamot scent and is recommended for occasional use or when playing sport, rather than daily (as the sodium bicarbonate can take some getting used to). It is advised you buy a mini-pot first to see how you get on with it.
Cream deodorants are a tried and trusted solution for anyone who suffers with dry, cracked or sensitive pits. Applied with the fingertips to the delicate underarm area, they offer effective moisturising benefits. This cream deo uses an aluminium-free deodorising active that instantly soothes and purifies, with a stimulating scent of tea tree oil and lime. Vegan-friendly and enriched with hydrating shea butter and carefully selected extracts, it is both sulphate and paraben-free. Delivering intense freshness and reliable protection for 24 hours, it is easily absorbed without leaving any sticky residue. The dual-action personal hygiene saviour, in recyclable packaging, effectively does away with unpleasant sweat and odours while calming any irritation or discomfort.
Baz & Co is all about the active benefits of British grown herbs and plants, in particular basil. A hero ingredient across Chase’s 3-step skincare line for men, the herb is now also taking the leading role in the brand’s first all-natural spray deodorant. Bursting with antioxidants and boasting remarkable anti-fungal properties, this hero herb — which is proudly grown at the UK’s leading vertical farm — is the cornerstone of this deodorant’s effectiveness. Coupled with antioxidant, odour-eliminating witch hazel, it’s completely free from parabens, aluminium salts or any chemical nasties. Infused with the heady, masculine aroma of vetiver, the naturally-fresh odour protector is also kind to mother earth, coming packaged in a 100 per cent recyclable aluminium bottle.
Wild is a slick operation making refillable deodorants: the first of its kind to be 100 per cent compostable and biodegradable. A next-level deodorant that is kind to both your skin and the planet, it doesn’t clog the pores or disrupt the skin’s pH levels. Created using essential oils, the formula also contains sodium bicarbonate to help control odour as well as sunflower seed wax and shea butter to keep the skin nourished and moisturised. Vegan-friendly and available in a wide variety of scents – our favourite is the sandalwood and patchouli variant, which is reminiscent of balmy summer evenings.
Ed Currie and Andy Coxon met while performing in a show in the West End… eight shows a week, countless rehearsals and dancing under hot lights. Every deodorant they tried wasn’t cutting the mustard, so they decided to formulate an all-natural deodorising balm that would rise to the challenge. Three years in the making, AKT London’s vegan deodorants are hand-poured in the UK and balance efficacy with bespoke premium fragrances. Enriched with a blend of fragrant botanical ingredients and powered with a proprietary Deo-Barrier Complex (which offers around-the-clock protection from perspiration), it's free from any chemical nasties or aluminium, too.
Tough on B.O but gentle on the pits, the natural (and 90 per cent certified organic) Aloe Vera & Prebiotics deodorant roll-on is salvation for easily irritated, sensitive skin. Free from aluminium chlorohydrate, it’s powered by three key ingredients which work in synergy to keep underarms feeling fresh: prebiotics, zinc ricinoleate and natural mineral salt alum. Infused with pure essential oils, organic shea butter and nutrient-rich aloe vera to soothe and comfort, the vegan formulation is also free from any skin-drying alcohol and has a chamomile and sandalwood signature scent. Plus, all of Green People’s 75ml deodorants have now switched to 100 per cent PCR (post-consumer-recycled) packaging; in other words, they’re being made with repurposed plastic from recyclable bottles.
This invigorating natural roll-on deodorant is infused with eucalyptus, lemon and lime essential oils. Formulated with 89 per cent certified organic ingredients it is clinically proven to stop bad odour in its tracks and is aluminum-free. Designed to help naturally guard against bacteria and wetness, it offers 24-hour protection and dries without leaving any sticky residue. Anti-fungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, it's enriched with aloe leaf juice powder and is powered by cleansing shikimic acid, which exfoliates and helps deodorise while also boasting moisturising properties. Finely-ground bamboo powder helps stop wet patches from appearing, giving you the confidence to face the day. Its all-natural peppermint and citrus-based scent is like a breath of fresh air.
Foamie’s mood-enhancing and planet-friendly solid stick deodorant effectively neutralises bad odours for up to 48 hours without blocking natural sweat production, all whilst controlling the growth and activity of bacteria which causes BO. Formulated without any aluminium or alcohol, it's skin-friendly, vegan and compatible for sensitive pits. Using a patented active ingredient complex made from magnesium hydroxide and magnesium carbonate hydroxide (which is extracted from the Dead Sea), the dermatologically-tested formula is enriched with cocoa seed butter, shea butter and sunflower seed wax to enable a glide which is smooth and tug-free. Its fresh, floral scent is delivered through a special fragrance technology that gives a fresh feeling to the skin, too.
Founded by former professional snowboarder Nima Jalali, Salt & Stone uses green ingredients within its nutrient-rich, bioavailable formulations. Vegan-friendly and baking powder-free, the Californian brand’s award-winning, natural deodorant sticks glide on effortlessly without staining your clothes or leaving any sticky residue. Formula No2 is specifically designed for sensitive skin and is enriched with hyaluronic acid to condition and hydrate. Probiotics help neutralise odour, arrowroot powder absorbs unwanted moisture, and shea butter (which is rich in antioxidants) protects and soothes any irritation. Benefiting from a fragrant mix of bergamot and hinoki, the clear, “barely there” roll-on formula is presented in recyclable packaging made from 18 repurposed water bottles, which have been diverted from landfill.
Made with only seven ingredients, including nourishing coconut oil, shea butter and olive oil, Pitt Balm offers a 360-degree approach to planet-friendly personal hygiene. Highly concentrated, yet kind to the skin, all of the variants within the range are organic, free from aluminium salts, parabens and chemicals, and feature natural odour neutralisers that offer effective protection from morning ‘til night. Sustainably produced within the UK, the balm-textured deodorants are packaged in recyclable aluminium tins (a bit like something you would find a lip balm in), which are refillable, meaning they’re zero waste, too. Vegan-friendly and easy to apply, the on-the-go odour buster is available in five uplifting fragrances; Orange, Grapefruit, Lemon & Lime, Peppermint and its latest addition Bergamot & Black Pepper, as well as a variant which is fragrance-free. Available in a pack of two or four tins with four, six and eight-week subscription services available.
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