Patricks ND1 High Performance Natural Deodorant

Most Effective Natural Deodorant

Patricks ND1 High Performance Natural Deodorant

$60 at Nordstrom$60 at Saks Fifth Avenue

Pros

Groundbreaking green technologyNatural and long-lasting odor control

Cons

Expensive

This natural deodorant has one ingredient that sets it apart from all the rest: niodor. It naturally inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria for 24 hours. When combined with sustainable Amazonian brown clay, coconut oil, zinc and tapioca starch, this natural deodorant is your best defense against the dreaded stench of body odor.

Native Eucalyptus & Mint Natural Deodorant

Easiest To Use

Native Eucalyptus & Mint Natural Deodorant

$12 at Amazon$13 at Walmart

Pros

Pleasant smellEasy to applyLong lasting

Cons

Contains baking soda

Some natural deodorants ask you to change your routine—they don’t apply as easily as the traditional ones you’re used to. Native, however, goes on smooth and doesn’t need to be warmed up or applied with your fingers. This fresh eucalyptus and mint scent is fresh without smelling fake.

By Humankind Refillable Natural Deodorant

Best Customizable Deodorant

By Humankind Refillable Natural Deodorant

$15 at by Humankind

Pros

Choose scents and design based on your preferencesSustainably madeComes in a compostable PLA and straw blend container

Cons

Contains baking soda

Another refillable deodorant, this one allows you to choose the color of your case and your scent. Plus it actually works; it helps control odor as long as some of our favorite traditional deodorants while helping you feel like you’re doing your part for sustainability.

Ursa Major Hoppin’ Fresh Natural Deodorant

Longest Lasting Deodorant

Ursa Major Hoppin’ Fresh Natural Deodorant

$18 at Amazon$35 at Walmart$18 at Dermstore

Pros

Lasts all dayCruelty FreeMade with moisture-absorbing kaolin clay and soothing aloe vera

Cons

Contains baking soda

By this point, Ursa Major’s deodorant is a classic and there is a reason for that. It consistently outperforms many of the other brands we’ve tried, both in scent and longevity. If you’re just making the switch to naturals, start with this one—it’s the most like the traditional deodorants you’re used to.

Corpus Third Rose Natural Plant-Based Deodorant

Best Premium Deodorant

Corpus Third Rose Natural Plant-Based Deodorant

$26 at Amazon$44 at Walmart$26 at Nordstrom

Pros

Sleek designLuxurious smell

Cons

Choose another scent if you don’t like floral smells

The packaging and scent of this natural deodorant brand is more like something you’d find in a high-end cologne, ensuring that you won’t be embarrassed to leave it out on your bathroom sink. The natural formula leaves out all the things you would expect, like sulfates and parabens, but doesn’t compromise on efficacy.

Helmm Compass NATURAL Deodorant Starter Kit

Best Luxury Deodorant

Helmm Compass NATURAL Deodorant Starter Kit

$18 at helmm.com

Pros

Sport formula offers superior protection against foul odorsInvigorating scent

Cons

Recommended for moderate sweaters only

Helmm also provides a refillable container alongside a monthly subscription for refills, so you never have to worry about going to the store again. The stellar deodorant is formulated with natural ingredients and without talc, sulfates, parabens, and other bad stuff.

Myro Refillable Deodorant for Men

Best Sustainable Deodorant

Myro Refillable Deodorant for Men

Shop at Amazon$12 at harmonfacevalues.com

Pros

Refillable caseRefreshing bergamot, lavender, and vetiver scent

Cons

Reviewers say it may irritate sensitive skin

What’s the point of going natural if you’re still creating waste from the packaging you have to throw away? Myro’s refillable containers allow you to buy recyclable refills in a variety of scents. As with most natural deodorants, the product is formulated without aluminum, parabens, or phthalates.

Malin + Goetz Eucalyptus Deodorant

Malin + Goetz Eucalyptus Deodorant

$22 at Amazon$22 at Walmart$14 at Nordstrom

Pros

Fresh, long-lasting scentContains naturally derived fragrance

Cons

Won’t keep you from sweating

This deodorant is just as much about what it leaves out (aluminum, baking soda, alcohol, and synthetic fragrances) as what it includes in the formula. The bergamot extract paired with probiotic enzymes block odor and the corn starch helps to absorb moisture, keeping your pits fresh without aluminum.

Bravo Sierra White Vetiver & Cedarwood Deodorant

Bravo Sierra White Vetiver & Cedarwood Deodorant

$13 at bravosierra.com

Pros

Does not contain baking sodaContains probioticsGoes on clear

Cons

Might not be suitable for heavy sweaters

Bravo Sierra’s products are field-tested by the active-service military before they’re released, so if this deodorant is good enough for them, you know it’ll be good enough for you. Instead of aluminum, it contains cassava to soak up sweat. The vetiver and cedarwood scent will keep you smelling fresh all day.

Kosas Chemistry AHA Serum Deodorant

Chemistry AHA Serum Deodorant

Kosas Chemistry AHA Serum Deodorant

$16 at Sephora$16 at Nordstrom

Pros

Easy to apply liquid formulaContains skin hydrating ingredientsUnique odor-fighting ingredients

Cons

Must allow to dry before putting on clothesMight not be suitable for heavy sweaters

Unlike other natural deodorants that can stain your clothes or leave an oily residue, this Men’s Health Grooming Awards winner is a gel that goes on clear and stays that way. The innovative formula uses a blend of alpha hydroxy acids to neutralize odor through your body’s own chemistry. The soothing spa-like scent is fresh but not in your face.

Bevel Deodorant

Bevel Deodorant

$10 at Amazon$27 at Walmart$10 at Ulta Beauty

Pros

Contains skin hydrating ingredientsDesigned for men of colorNon-staining

Cons

May not be suitable for heavy sweaters

This formula doesn’t have aluminum, but it does have shea butter and coconut oil to moisturize the skin under your arms in addition to blocking odor. It also goes on clear, which means it won’t leave any oil stains on your clothes.

What’s The Difference Between Deodorant and Antiperspirant?

Put simply, a deodorant is used to de-odor your pits and help curb the smelliness that can accompany underarm sweat. Antiperspirants actually block the underarm sweat glands causing them to sweat less. The only FDA-approved ingredient to block sweat glands in antiperspirant is aluminum.

Why Does Armpit Sweat Stink?

By itself, sweat from under your arms doesn’t have a smell. But when it’s released, it mixes with bacteria that lives in your armpit which feeds off the moisture and releases a smell. This could be why people’s sweat smells different or why some people tend to smell more than others. It’s also why many natural deodorants include pre- or probiotics to help manage the variety of bacteria that live in the area.

Are Natural Deodorants Better for You?

The most common argument that natural deodorants are better for you is centered around aluminum. Some experts claim that aluminum is linked with Alzheimer’s disease, but older studies have been discredited and there has been no discernable link found between aluminum and Alzheimer’s, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. It’s also often claimed that aluminum can increase your risk of cancer, particularly breast cancer in women. Research has been conflicted and the general consensus among experts is that more research is needed to determine a link between the two.

There is also usually conversation around preservative parabens, which some claim are linked to cancer as well, and other “chemical” ingredients that natural deodorants often omit from their formulas. While, again, no studies have proven that these ingredients are directly linked to illnesses like cancer, many people like to err on the side of caution. Apart from all this, traditional deodorants often contain ingredients that can irritate skin, like certain kinds of alcohol. Most natural deodorants seek to solve this problem by using naturally-derived ingredients that may be more gentle on the skin. The bottom line is that there is no evidence that natural deodorants are better for you than traditional deodorants or antiperspirants, but it is a personal choice.

Are There Ingredients in Natural Deodorants That I Should Avoid?

Many natural deodorants include baking soda which is used to help absorb moisture and curb sweating. However, baking soda can be irritating on the skin for many people, especially if they have sensitive skin. If you’ve noticed a reaction under your arms when using natural deodorant, try a baking soda-free formula. These often use ingredients like tapioca starch, clay and silica to help absorb moisture instead.

Is There Really a Purging Stage When I Switch to Natural Deodorant?

If you’ve been a habitual antiperspirant user your whole life and then switch to natural deodorant, then you’ll likely notice a period where you may feel like you sweat or stink more (or both!). This is mostly because your body is releasing the plugs in the sweat glands created by the aluminum in antiperspirant. Your body naturally releases the aluminum and tries to flush it out by increasing sweat production, which could temporarily make you smell worse. The good news is that it should only last a couple of weeks.

How We Selected

For the past three years, we consulted with Men’s Health’s Grooming editors and writers on the best-performing natural deodorants for men. Experts, including our Grooming Editor Garrett Munce, put a number of men’s natural deodorants to the test and evaluated their effectiveness, scent, and price point. We also considered top-reviewed men’s natural deodorants that had over 100 five-star ratings on e-commerce websites we trust.