Top 5 All Natural Deodorants That Actually Work

I switched to all natural deodorant over 4 years ago and haven’t looked back. Don’t make the mistake I did and assume you can just stop using anti-perspirant, aluminum filled deodorant cold turkey with no consequences. Sure, you can just stop using that crappy deodorant for 4-6 weeks and let your armpits naturally detox, but you risk offending those around you during that time of no deo. You can also just immediately switch to using a natural deodorant, but most people report the natural deodorant not only doesn’t work (not knowing that it takes weeks to detox that aluminum and crap out of your armpits before natural deodorant will be effective) but it can also end up causing redness, irritation, and even more sweat socking your shirts than normal.

After much trial and error, the best way to detox your armpits from the chemical filled garbage you’ve been slapping on there for years is to actually use an armpit detox mask or make your own bentonite clay mask to help clean out your armpits quickly (usually less than a week) and ensure that your all natural deodorant will immediately be effective.

Once you’ve got those pits all cleaned out and ready to go, try one of the deodorants below. After testing over a dozen brands over a 3 year timespan, these are my top 5 picks that actually WORK!

1. LUME Deodorant

I heard a lot of hype about LUME and was eye-rolling really hard until I watched their ad. It was SO hilarious, I had to show it to my husband. He couldn’t help but laugh watching it too! He insisted we buy it and give it a try.

I decided to get the lavender and sage bundle and an additional unscented stick in case my husband didn’t like their classic scent. Their stick dispenser appears to be the same formula as the tube. You can apply the stick dispenser directly to your underarms or use your fingertips to swipe the dispensed cream off the top so you can put it… anywhere else you want it.

Both my husband and I took showers, applied the deodorant to our underarms. We decided to see if it really would hold up for 72 hours and didn’t shower until Wednesday night. We both compared pits, smelled each other, and much to our surprise it worked GREAT. My husband reported that one spot on one underarm was starting to smell like he missed a spot or perhaps it rubbed off completely in one spot. Both my underarms were perfect. We showered, reapplied, and waited another 3 days before showering (because we really wanted to put this stuff to the test) and we both had the same results. Mine still smelled perfectly fine, even after 30-45 mins of cardio every day. My husband still had one spot under his right armpit that was starting to smell. I told him to try reapplying a teeny drop to that one spot after 24-48 hours to see if that worked and it did.

The gentle, water-based formula doesn’t stain clothes or leave behind that white residue, unlike those deodorants that are heavily laden with coconut oil. Both my husband and I have had multiple shirts get ruined over the past few years from testing “all natural deodorants”.

We’re totally hooked on Lume deodorant and highly recommend it.

Get Lume deodorant on their website for $13.99.

2. Native Deodorant

Before becoming hooked on Lume, I used Native. What first attracted me to Native was discovering their Pumpkin Spice scent in the fall. I didn’t even care if the all natural deodorant worked, I literally bought it because it was Pumpkin Spice scented. Yup, that’s where I’m at. I love anything Pumpkin Spice flavored or scented or colored.

So besides the limited edition Pumpkin Spice one smelling fantastic, it actually worked pretty well too. It seemed to leave less residue on clothes than Schmidt’s and was less irritating on my skin than Schmidt’s non sensitive formula. The availability is similar to Schmidt’s as you can buy it at your local Target and it is just as effective in my experience.

Get Native on their website or at Target for $11.99.

3. Schmidt’s Natural Deodorant

I used Schmidt’s for longer than any other all natural deodorant. I’ve been through at least 4-5 containers of it and have a couple more in my bathroom because they made such addicting and delightful scents, I can’t help but buy another one when they come out with a new scent. Coconut Pineapple and their limited edition scent “Wave” from last year are my two favorites so far.

Their regular formula is too strong for me, but works great for my husband. It’s been his primary deodorant for almost two years since I convinced him to stop using nasty aluminum deodorant. His favorite scent is one of their limited edition Spruce & Spice. It’s similar to their limited edition “Oh Christmas Tree” but more manly smelling. I love it on him.

I have several containers of their regular formula and several sensitive ones. I found that I can’t use the regular formula, even very sparingly, if my armpits are shaved. Last winter I didn’t shave my armpits and was able to use it with no issues or irritation. However, on freshly shaven armpits, I found it to be mildly uncomfortable and even cause redness. The sensitive formula works great for me though, especially on freshly shaven armpits. Absolutely no irritation, no redness, less residue left on clothing, and very little need to reapply between showers.

At just $4.69 – $9.99 per container, it’s more affordable than other all natural deodorants, is just as effective as the most expensive Native Deodorant, and has many more scents to choose from.

Get it on their website or at your local Target. They have soap and toothpaste too!

4. Lavanila Healthy Deodorant

Lavanila arguably has the best scents and the nicest formula for making your pits look smooth and supple.

With it being on the pricier side ($12.00-14.00 per container) it’s certainly the luxury choice for healthy deodorant. The container is attractive and it applies smooth. With delectable scents like Vanilla Grapefruit and Vanilla Lemon, you’ll get hooked on Lavanila’s Healthy Deodorant.

For me, it didn’t last as long as Native or Schmidt’s and needed to be reapplied daily. It also didn’t withstand the heat and summer activities. Besides that, I love the formula, the feeling, and of ciurse, the scents! This is one of my favorite all natural deodorants, even if it’s not the most effective.

Get it on their website or from Amazon. You can also find it at Sephora.

5. Crystal Mineral Deodorant Stone

Crystal Mineral Deodorant Stone is a unique rock-like stone made of one ingredient – Pure Mineral Salt. This smooth, contoured mineral stone eliminates and blocks odor before it starts without harmful chemicals or harsh ingredients. This is an affordable, long-lasting, option for anyone seeking all natural deodorant.

It is supposed to last for 24 hours, but after some sweaty cardio, I noticed the smell starting. I found it’s a little tricky to apply, but if you do apply it properly, it definitely works for 24 hours. If you are the type of person that showers daily, doesn’t like to spend a ton on deodorant, and wants to switch to all natural deodorant, then Crystal is a great option for you.

With daily use, the rock can last over a year. It is NOT an anti-perspirant, but a “stone” that prevents odor safely. Make sure you apply it after showering when your armpits are still wet and it works wonders! www.thecrystal.com

DISCLAIMER: I tried many other brands of natural deodorant for at least 8 weeks to give them a fair shake (not something I wish to repeat as I spent probably a year of my life smelling not so great) and found that no matter what I did, they did not last for even 24 hours. Most people do not shower more than once in a 24 hour period, so I feel like anything that lasts less than 24 hours is completely pointless to even apply. You’re basically just putting perfume on stank at that point. With that said, I don’t even feel the need to mention the other brands I tried. All the brands I mentioned above I purchased myself on my own volition (unless otherwise stated) in order to test them out and find the best all natural deodorant on the market!