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The best natural deodorants are ones that keep you smelling fresh, are made with quality ingredients, and don’t irritate your sensitive underarm skin. The problem: some of them contain baking soda, which absorbs sweat — but can also cause a rash or irritation for some people. No thanks!
We asked an expert about why this goes down with these particular types of natural deodorants. “Baking soda has an alkaline pH,” explains Dr. Debra Jaliman, board-certified NYC dermatologist, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and author of Skin Rules: Trade Secrets from a Top New York Dermatologist. “A rash can be caused when the pH balance is thrown off.” If you’re part of the pH-sensitive set, looking for natural deodorants without baking soda may be the way to go.
But is it possible to find natural deodorants without baking soda that actually work to keep BO at bay, without making your pits feel like they’re on fire? Yes! Because luckily, more and more brands have launched natural deodorants that actually work, so finding one of the best natural deodorants that you can stick with is easier than ever. What gives a natural deodorant without baking soda its stay-dry power, you ask? Common substitutions for the sweat-absorbing ingredient include magnesium hydroxide powder, arrowroot powder, or corn starch.
Before you go forth on your natural deodorant-buying journey, though, it’s worth mentioning that baking soda isn’t the only ingredient that can cause irritation or an allergic reaction. Some people are allergic or sensitive to fragrance, parabens, alcohol, and other things, says Dr. Jaliman, so read labels carefully before you buy.
Whether you’re sensitive to baking soda or just looking to explore your natural deodorant options, you’ll love our list. From Millennial favorite Glossier to cult-favorite (and Martha Stewart-loved!) skincare brand Mario Badescu, you’ve got plenty of options to choose from. With skin-softening ingredients, sweat-absorbers (that aren’t baking soda), and lovely botanical scents, these best natural deodorants without baking soda are our all-time faves. Check them out — your pits (and your peers) will thank you!
A version of this story was originally published in September 2019.
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Nez
Image Credit: Nez Nez deodorants are formulated without aluminum salts, parabens, and baking soda, which is of course, amazing. But what really makes them stand above the rest is their the first deodorants that are customized for “every moment of your life.” For instance, they have specific deodorants made for intense workout seshes, nerve-wracking board meetings, and date nights. The packaging is super sleek and can easily fit in your bag, so you can carry it wherever you go.
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Glossier
Image Credit: Courtesy of Glossier. Millennial favorite Glossier’s deodorant isn’t just good for your pits — it’s made without baking soda, aluminum, and exfoliating acids that ca irritate skin — it’s also good for the environment, thanks to a refillable case. Plus, it’s available in three of Glossier’s signature scents (Sandstone, Glossier You, and Orange Blossom Neroli) as well a Unscented.
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Sol de Janeiro Rio Deo Aluminum-Free Deodorant Cheirosa 62
You may know Sol de Janeiro for its famed Brazilian Bum Bum cream, but the brand also makes an aluminum-free, baking soda-free deodorant that boasts the same amazing scent! Even better: the deodorant is refillable — so your pits will smell great and you’ll be making a more sustainable choice.
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Mario Badescu Deodorant
Image Credit: Mario Badescu. The cult-favorite French skincare brand recently made its foray into the world of natural deodorant—and an essential daily activity has never felt fancier. If you’re one to forget to put on deodorant (guilty as charged), you’ll never forget again once you try this luxe, baking soda-free deodorant. It swipes on with ease, isn’t sticky, and the nourishing botanicals condition underarms while neutralizing odors. It’s so good, I now consider it a staple in my morning self-care routine.
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Megababe – The Smoothie Deo
Megagbabe gained fans for its Rosy Pits deodorant, and now the brand has an expanded collection of pit products, including this version that’s fabulously fruity. Megababe The Smoothie Deo boasts fruit enzymes and the sweet scent of coconut, lime, and bilberry in the same beloved aluminum-free, baking soda-free, phthalate-free formula as the much-loved original.
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Nécessaire The Deodorant Gel
Image Credit: Nécessaire Nécessaire’s The Deodorant Gel is a shopper favorite and it’s no surpise why. It has a clear and quick-dry formula that includes five percent AHA and niacinamide, which work together to eliminate odors. The deodorant also smooths skin, and reduces bumps and pesky discoloration that others add to.
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Milk + Honey Baking Soda-Free Deodorant No.09
Image Credit: Milk + Honey. With arrowroot powder and magnesium hydroxide, this deodorant was formulated to absorb sweat. As a bonus, the packaging is simply chic — who wouldn’t want this pretty bottle displayed on their countertop? Ingredients like cocoa seed butter and vitamin E moisturize, while the scent of lavender and tea tree oil will help you relax.
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Schmidt’s Aluminum Free Natural Deodorant
When shopping Schmidt’s, look for a “sensitive skin” label to know it’s free of baking soda or else you might end up with some irritation. We’re into the geranium scent, not only because of its bitey-yet-floral aroma but because it’s got jojoba seed oil and shea butter to add extra nourishment to skin. You can shop this and a variety of natural deos at Pharmapacks, where you can also pick up all your other drugstore essentials.
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Drunk Elephant Sweet Pitti Deodorant Cream
The adorable packaging is enough to make us go gaga over this clean deodorant. The product itself is made of lots of odor-absorbing and soothing goodies, like shea butter, arrowroot powder and mandelic acid. It’ll moisturize to perfection without causing irritation.
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Each & Every Deodorant
Image Credit: Each & Every. Each & Every natural deodorant boasts celebrity fans like Iskra Lawrence and Hannah Bronfman, and after trying it, we get why. This EWG-verified, vegan formula contains just six base ingredients — and aluminum, baking soda, parabens, and synthetic fragrance aren’t among them. But it’s what it does have that got us hooked: the glide-on formula is so super-silky, and the scents are amazing. With 12 different options (plus fragrance free), you’re sure to find one that suits your mood. (We’re loving the Coconut & Lime, a fresh and sophisticated take on tropical, and the Lavender & Lemon.) Plus, there are minis available, and the packaging is now made from carbon negative sugarcane.
Each & Every Natural Aluminum-Free Deodorant for Sensitive Skin with Essential Oils$20.00on Amazon.com
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Cleo+Coco Charcoal Deodorant
Image Credit: Cleo+Coco. Finally, a natural deodorant that glides on with ease and actually works so you don’t feel the urge to go back to your antiperspirant. This deo in a calming scent makes the daily activity feel more like a luxurious self-care moment than a necessity—you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. Cleo+Coco was founded by a mom who was inspired to create a safe, yet effective, deodorant because she couldn’t find anything she liked while pregnant. So this one has the official mom stamp of approval.
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Kopari Beauty Coconut Charcoal Deodorant
Image Credit: Kopari. This is one of the best natural deodorants thanks to the activated charcoal, which absorbs sweat without the need for baking soda. It’s also got a lovely coconut scent that’ll make you feel like you’re on a tropical vacation, even if you’re just staying at home. It goes on clear and it won’t leave a sticky residue behind. You can get it at Ulta Beauty and Amazon.
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Native Coconut & Vanilla (Sensitive) Deodorant
Image Credit: Native. Native is a brand we hear recommended again and again — Dr. Jaliman says she uses it herself! And its sensitive formulas are made sans baking soda. May we recommend the coconut vanilla, which smells a bit tropical and downright lovely? Since it’s also aluminum-free, it won’t stain your clothes. Yes, please.
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HATCH Mama Natural Fresh Mama Deodorant
Hatch’s formula is specifically crafted for sensitive and hormonal skin. The deodorant is packed with nourishing ingredients like arrorroot, coconut oil, and lactobacillus probiotic. It also has a warm scent that includes a blend of chamomile and Japanese citrus.
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Lume Solid Deodorant Stick
Invented by an OB/GYN, Lume can go on more than just your pits. You can use it just about anywhere (even down there)! It comes in five different scents that are hypoallergenic and is made with naturally derived ingredients you can feel good about putting on your skin. We’re partial to the Clean Tangerine.
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