One of the simplest, easiest ways to incorporate a more eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyle is to slowly swap out your most-used hygiene and body care essentials. Deodorant is a common everyday product, but switching your go-to deodorant stick can sometimes come with doubt–does a natural, aluminum-free deodorant actually work to keep me smelling fresh all day long?
Switching to a natural, non-toxic deodorant is a worthwhile swap that doesn’t have to come with compromise. We’re here to help you find the best natural deodorant stick that works for your skin type, with the all natural, paraben and plastic free properties you’re looking for in a traditional deodorant stick.
When shopping for the best natural deodorant, it’s important to remember the main difference between deodorant and anti-perspirant. Traditionally, most companies use the terms interchangeably, but once you start looking at labels more closely, you’ll notice they’re usually combined into some kind of deodorant/antiperspirant hybrid. However, they have very specific functions and formulas to target their respective benefits.
Let’s get into the difference between the two, before diving into your options for the best aluminum-free deodorant for you.
Deodorant vs Antiperspirant: What’s the Difference?
The names of these two popular, everyday products help allude to their primary functions.
Antiperspirants are designed to reduce sweating.
Deodorants are primarily intended to address and reduce body odor, rather than stopping or blocking perspiration.
It’s important to remember this distinction when shopping for a new deodorant stick–just because it doesn’t stop sweating (a normal, human function) does not mean it’s not working! Controlling underarm odor with fragrance and active ingredients is a deodorant’s primary goal.
Why Choose an Aluminum-Free Deodorant?
There are several reasons someone might choose to switch to a natural and aluminum-free deodorant vs a traditional deodorant stick. For many, it comes down to preferring natural ingredients in their personal care products.
It’s also important to understand why aluminum is used in traditional underarm products: various forms of aluminum compounds are generally the active ingredients used to interact with your body’s natural sweat glands to reduce the amount of sweat that comes to the surface. This reaction reduces underarm sweat.
Choosing an aluminum-free underarm product simply comes down to deciding on a different approach to your health and hygiene–focusing on controlling the odor associated with sweating, instead of controlling the sweat itself.
Does an Aluminum-Free Deodorant Prevent Sweat?
The short answer is no, an aluminum-free deodorant’s main goal is to reduce odor naturally, and its goal is not sweat prevention. If you want to reduce or prevent sweating on your underarms, you will need to look specifically for an anti-perspirant.
What to Look for in a Natural Deodorant Stick
There are many eco-friendly, natural labels that are associated with many deodorant sticks out there. Aluminum-free only tells you one thing, but if you’re looking for no aluminum, chances are you’re also looking for the best natural deodorant stick to be plastic free, paraben free, and non-toxic as well.
Natural and Non-Toxic Ingredients
Aluminum isn’t the only ingredient many want to avoid in their personal care products. In general, choosing a natural deodorant means avoiding many other types of toxic ingredients and instead, a product that uses natural plant compounds and oils to achieve similar results. When looking for a “natural” deodorant, be sure to check the ingredients for yourself!
Paraben-Free Formulas
Parabens are synthetic preservatives commonly used in personal care products. Common parabens are methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and ethylparaben. When looking for a natural deodorant, be sure you don’t see these on the ingredient list.
Phthalate-Free Formulation
Phthalates are petroleum-based chemicals used in a variety of products, including some personal care products. They can help soften plastics and bind fragrances to products such as perfumes, deodorants, and creams, but on the negative side, they have been found to disrupt the endocrine system, which can cause reproductive damage, hormonal imbalances, infertility, mood changes, metabolism changes, and more.
Plastic Free Packaging
Ingredients aren’t the only thing to consider when choosing a more sustainable, natural deodorant. Traditional deodorant sticks are often packaged in plastic, but lower-waste packaging options utilize paperboard tubes or refillable containers to reduce single-use plastic.
Keep in mind that just because a deodorant is aluminum-free, does not necessarily mean it is plastic free, so look out for a plastic-free label on the deodorant stick as well.
How to Choose the Best Natural Deodorant for Your Needs
EarthHero has a large selection of deodorant stick products that are gentle on the skin and kind to the planet. When choosing an all-natural deodorant, keep the following in mind:
Natural Deodorant Sticks are Convenient
Deodorant sticks are the most common application option for deodorant in general, because they are quick, convenient, and travel well. Simply swipe, and you’re on your way to smelling amazing! Deodorant sticks are also often packaged in compostable and recyclable materials like paper, making them an eco-friendly and convenient option.
Scent Preferences
While choosing a natural, eco-friendly deodorant in and of itself can be an easy decision, choosing your favorite scent can be the real challenge! Luckily, mother nature has provided us with so many beautiful, natural scents that can be used to naturally fragrance deodorant.
When shopping for a natural deodorant, you’ll notice a trend: scents that lean into earthy, herbal, and floral notes, commonly found in nature.
Four Aluminum-Free Deodorant Sticks to Try
Now that you’re well-versed in the realm of aluminum free, natural ingredients let’s talk about some natural and plastic-free deodorant stick options!
ZWS Natural Deodorant
If plastic-free packaging and aluminum-free formulation is high on your list, ZeroWasteStore's Natural Deodorant is worth picking up! The long-lasting odor prevention formula uses naturally derived ingredients including shea butter, jojoba oil, coconut oil, arrowroot powder, and vitamin E packaged in a 100% plastic-free paper tube. An extra bonus: each 2.6-ounce stick provides 30% more product than many other similar deodorants.
Choose between Bright & Fresh or Earthy & Grounded, depending on whether you prefer a cleaner or more herbal scent profile.
Zero Waste Deodorant Stick - Meow Meow Tweet
Meow Meow Tweet's Zero Waste Deodorant Stick is a good option for shoppers who want a vegan, organic, paper-packaged deodorant with a creamy, balm-like texture. The aluminum-free formula features natural ingredients like baking soda, magnesium, and arrowroot to help absorb moisture and control odor.
It comes in two distinct scents: Eucalyptus Lemon for something bright and invigorating or Lavender Bergamot for a softer, more sophisticated scent.
Pit Stop Natural Deodorant
If you’re scent-forward and looking for a wide variety of options, then you’ll want to check out Pit Stop’s Natural Deodorants.
Pit Stop offers four deodorant stick scent options: Bergamot & Lime, Orange Patchouli, Tea Tree & Lavender, and Lemongrass & Peppermint. Its aluminum-free formula features beeswax, baking soda, and organic essential oils. Packaged in a biodegradable push-up tube with 100% compostable packaging, it’s particularly appealing to shoppers who want to minimize packaging waste while still having several fragrance profiles to choose from.
Paper Cosmetics Deodorant
Another scent-forward option, Paper Cosmetics stick deodorants are inspired by nature’s natural fragrance. You can find warm, woodsy options like Coastal Forests (Cedarwood & Cypress) or ocean-inspired scents like The Deep Blue (Sea Grass & Plumeria).
Paper Cosmetics stands out for shoppers looking for a vegan, organic, and plastic-free deodorant with a wide variety of unique scents–perfect to switch out for the seasons. Its aluminum and paraben-free formulas come in biodegradable, recyclable paper tubes and are made with plant-based ingredients.
Stick to Aluminum-Free Deodorant
There isn't one best natural deodorant for everyone. Your preferred scent, texture, ingredients, skin sensitivities, and packaging priorities can all influence which formula works best for you. However, sticking with a natural,non-toxic deodorant with sustainable packaging is the answer if you’re looking for a health and earth conscious deodorant stick.
