NATURAL deodorants have come a long way in recent years, and with the rise of clean beauty, more people are turning to products that are kinder on the skin (and the planet).
The best natural deodorants are those that are just as effective as non-natural options, as if there's one beauty item that we need to work, it's our deodorant.
Why are natural deodorants popular? The gentle formulas are free from chemicals such as aluminium, making them far less irritating to the .
Most natural deodorants also come in recycled and refillable packaging, minimising single-use plastic found in other options on the market.
Sustainable often comes at a higher price point, but there are now plenty of affordable options to consider, including deodorant subscriptions that save you cash over time.
From Wild to Fussy and Mitchum, we've tried and tested some of the top-rated natural deodorants to see if they're really worth buying.
Best natural deodorants at a glance
- Best overall: Fussy deodorant, £12
- Best subscription: Wild deodorant, £12
- Best luxury: Akt Deodrant Balm Starter Set, £32
- Best budget: Salt of the Earth Natural Deodorant, £7.49
How I tested
Natural deodorants had not been something I'd considered in the past, as I had the common misconception that they don't really work.
Taking the plunge for the first time, I put the deodorants through their paces, applying them before a day of work and before the gym.
The most important thing to note before switching up your routine is that you need to expect to sweat.
Natural deodorants aren't an antiperspirant (which prevents sweating), so they work to neutralise odour rather than preventing it.
It can take the body up to four weeks to adjust to the change, so be prepared to sweat more (and maybe smell a bit) for the initial period.
Best natural deodorants
Fussy Natural Deodorant
Fussy Natural Deodorant, from £12
Pros: Prevents odour all day, refillable case, doesn't leave white marks, option to subscribe to refills, mini travel versions available
Cons: Balm texture that doesn't glide easily, spills over edge of the case
Rating: 9/10
Fussy's natural deodorant gained popularity after the founder's appeared on Dragon's Den in 2022, securing a joint investment Peter Jones and Deborah Meaden.
The name Fussy comes from the brand's promise of sustainable products that don't skip the quality, and I can confirm it lives up to its claims.
Fussy's deodorant is the one that left me feeling fresh for the longest, and despite its balm texture, I was never left with the dreaded white marks.
Shoppers can either make a one-off purchase or subscribe to get refills every three months (which works out as the best value for money).
The refillable case is made from recycled plastic so it really is natural from the inside out, and I love that it's thin enough to slip into my handbag.
Read my full .
Refillable? Yes Aluminium free? Yes, Suitable for sensitive skin? Yes, Subscription available? Yes
Wild Natural Deodorant
Wild Natural Deodorant, £12
Pros: Refillable case, doesn't leave white marks, range of fresh scents, option to subscribe to refills, mini travel versions available
Cons: Can spill over edge if not careful
Rating: 8.5/10
Probably the first brand that springs to mind when thinking of natural deodorant, Wild has been one of the most popular choices since its official launch in 2020.
Wild focuses on creating products that minimise the ‘throwaway culture', and has since also released a lip balm, a body wash and a hand wash.
There's a great selection of fresh scents to choose from, and the creamy texture feels nice on the skin.
Similarly to Fussy, it didn't leave me with any white marks, and the slim design made it handy for popping in my handbag for any top-ups throughout the day.
Refillable? Yes Aluminium free? Yes, Suitable for sensitive skin? Yes, Subscription available? Yes
Glossier Deodorant
Glossier Deodorant, £18
Pros: Texture feels nice on the skin, four scent options, refillable
Cons: Expensive, wish scent was slightly stronger
Rating: 8.5/10
Cult beauty brand Glossier launched its deodorant back in 2023, an aluminium-free and vegan roll-on with four scent options (including unscented).
The star of the show is the You scent inspired by the popular Glossier You perfume, although it doesn't resemble the scent as much as I had hoped.
There's definitely a hint of the You perfume in there, but it would have been great for scent layering if it was slightly stronger.
That being said, I love the lightweight texture of the deodorant – and even when I applied it with my clothes already on, it didn't leave a white cast or any sticky residue.
As for the packaging, it feels super sturdy and there;s no risk of any product spilling over the edges, so it's one I feel comfortable packing on trips.
Refillable? Yes Aluminium free? Yes, Suitable for sensitive skin? Yes, Subscription available? No
Akt Deodorant Balm
Akt Deodorant Balm Starter Set, £32
Pros: Feels luxurious, comes with an applicator, no product goes to waste, range of scent options, great for travelling
Cons: Expensive, unlikely to use on rushed days
Rating: 8/10
If you want something as simple as applying deodorant to feel like a self-care ritual, AKT is the product missing from your routine.
The brand was founded by two West End performers in need of a deodorant that could keep up with their intense schedules, and it was tested by their cast mates for three years before its launch.
Everything about the small but mighty tube left me pleasantly surprised, from the incredible scent to the nourishing texture.
It starts as a balm, before transforming into an invisible powder as it's rubbed into the skin, so there's no risk of any product transferring.
The consistency is lightweight enough to feel like you're not wearing any deodorant at all, and while I still felt myself sweating throughout the day, it eliminated any odour.
The starter kit comes with an gua sha inspired applicator for that extra touch of luxury, and while I wouldn't be reaching for the applicator daily, it's nice for those days where you have a bit of extra time.
Also included in the AKT starter pack is the small key (which I was confused by at first), but it pops in the top of the tube to ensure you get every drop of product out for zero waste.
Refillable? No Aluminium free? Yes, Suitable for sensitive skin? Yes, Subscription available? No
Salt of the Earth Natural Deodorant
Salt of the Earth Natural Deodorant, £7.49 at Amazon
Pros: Gel consistency feels refreshing, refillable, affordable, packaging made from recycled plastic, feels gentle on the skin
Cons: Need to top up throughout the day, takes a couple of minutes to dry
Rating: 7/10
If you're new to the world of natural deodorants, Salt of the Earth is a great starting point.
While most naturally-derived options have a white cream texture, this roll-on has a clear gel consistency similar to other traditional deodorants (great for preventing white marks).
The deodorant feels gentle and refreshing on the underarms, although I did find myself waiting a few minutes after applying for it to dry on the skin.
I did need to top-up once or twice throughout the day but generally I was left feeling fresh —so it's a great budget option with no subscription strings attached.
Made from recycled plastic, the bottle can be bought alone or alongside a refill (which tops up the deodorant seven times).
Refillable? Yes Aluminium free? Yes, Suitable for sensitive skin? Yes, Subscription available? No
Mitchum Natural Power Gel Cream Gel Deodorant
Mitchum Natural Power Gel Cream Gel Deodorant, £5 at Boots
Pros: Lovely scent, affordable, glides on the skin nicely
Cons: Leaves white marks on clothes, didn't prevent odour as well as others
Rating: 4/10
Before testing natural deodorants, Mitchum had been my ride-or-die for years.
I was excited to see if the natural powder version could live up to my expectations, but I was left disappointed.
I absolutely loved the fresh lime and eucalyptus scent and how cream comes through the holes to minimises wasted product (it also glides nicely on the skin).
We were off to a good start, but things started to go wrong after applying the product.
Pretty heavy white marks were left on my clothing, my biggest bugbear when it comes to deodorants.
The product is marketed as neutralising odor naturally by using botanical oil extracts, but I found myself smelling far more than usual.
It's also worth noting that while Mitchum's roll-on deodorant is free from aluminium, it isn't 100% natural.
Overall, it's a cheap alternative with a lovely scent, but it's not one I'll be reaching for again.
Refillable? No Aluminium free? Yes, Suitable for sensitive skin? Yes, Subscription available? No
Are natural deodorants better for you?
Natural deodorants are free from harsh chemicals and aluminium (which blocks the sweat ducts), which is why natural alternatives neutralise sweat rather than stopping it.
The idea that non-natural deodorant causes cancer has previously debunked by scientists, however, the gentle formula of natural deodorants is still kinder on the skin (particularly those with sensitive skin).
Fussy vs Wild deodorant
Fussy and Wild are two of the best known natural deodorant brands on the market, both with very similar values.
The two brands use natural ingredients and packaging, and both can be bought as a one-off purchase or as a subscription.
Similarities between Fussy and Wild
- Natural and aluminium-free
- Refillable
- Option to subscribe for top-ups
- Recyclable packaging
- Roll-on sticks
Differences between Fussy and Wild
- Fussy deodorant has solid texture that avoids any mess
- Wild has a wider range of scent options
- Fussy deodorant is easier to refill
Are natural deodorants antiperspirants?
No. Natural deodorants work to neutralise odour rather than blocking the sweat glands (which is what an antiperspirant does).
For that reason, most people will find themselves sweating more with a natural deodorant, as the focus is on controlling the odour rather than preventing sweat entirely.
