For years, I was a one-deodorant woman. Unlike some of my fickle friends who would try out a new scent or brand every month, or just buy whatever was on sale, I stuck to the same deodorant, Secret in either Shower Fresh or Spring Breeze.
I’ve been through a lot with my antiperspirant. It got me through the time I did hair and makeup for comedian Kevin Nealon (yes, that’s a true story), the time I decided long distance running was my exercise of choice and that flight in which the pilot seemed to think that free falling was a more interesting way to land. I worried I’d be stuck without it, and always kept multiple sticks stashed in various handbags, my car and at home.
But a few months ago, even though I remained a bit skeptical on the supposed dangers of aluminum, I decided that it was probably better for me to be safe than sorry. Particularly since I discovered I have a mutation that makes it tough for my body to get rid of metals.
As I grilled my au naturale friends on their favorite deodorants, I was surprised by how many of them skipped it all together. This couldn’t be me. I want nothing to do with what naturally happens under there. Others, though, were more like me and gave a list of their must-have favorites. I went through the list and tried them out to see which, if any, passed the stink test.
Six natural deodorants later, here is what happened.
Royal & Rogue, Primal Pit Paste
4 1/2 stars
This was the first deodorant I tried after ditching antiperspirant. It worked so well that I nearly halted my search right there. But in the name of anecdotal evidence, I plowed on.
Pit Paste comes in two forms, a tub and a stick. I actually prefer the tub where I scoop out the amount I want (a pea size per underarm works fine) and rub it on. There is usually a bit of granule fallout that easily brushes off. The scent is what you would expect natural deodorant to smell like, a bit musky and earthy, but I am okay with it. It’s supposed to be long lasting, but I found I needed to reapply once during the day.
Natural 24-Hour Odor Protection Long Lasting, Tom’s of Maine
1 star
After I ran out of my Pit Paste (I scraped every granule in the glass jar and lid), I tried Tom’s 24-hour roll-on. I am fairly certain this slippery nonsense made me smellier than if I’d worn nothing at all. It’s the pits. It made the skin of my armpits stick together, which is disgusting. It also contains propylene glycol as its first listed ingredient, but I purchased it in a moment of smelly desperation.
Propylene glycol is a synthetic (petroleum-based) liquid that retains water and is often added to deodorant and antiperspirant to make it easier to apply and extend shelf life. The FDA has deemed it safe at the level people consume it (it’s a common food additive), but other findings indicate that it’s a skin irritant and potential neurotoxin. My opinion is it’s better to be safe than sorry. I don’t need to use it.
Detox Deodorant in Lemongrass Sage, Living Clay
3 1/2 stars
My friend Laura really loves Living Clay deodorant, so I decided to try it out next. The scent of the Lemongrass Sage was a bit overpowering at first, but after a while it mellowed. I didn’t love the smell, but I didn’t hate it either. The texture melts a bit when applied and sloshes over the edges of the plastic tube. (The company recommends refrigeration if this happens.) To truly test its muster, I wore it one day to Jazz Fest in New Orleans. The sticky, thick and humid air of the city will test any antiperspirant or deodorant. Add bright sunshine and my emphatic dancing, and it’s the ultimate deodorant challenge.
This product faired well under grueling conditions. The end-of-the-day scent was musty, but not gross. Realizing it was bit unfair to give it, alone, the Big Kahuna of tests, I decide to wear it the next day for a more routine test and the results were the same – musty (not stinky) pits.
Tea Tree Lavender, Earth Science
4 stars
Several friends recommended Earth Science deodorant, which I found to be initially stiff and unforgiving until after a couple of uses. It also contains propylene glycol as its first ingredient, which I was trying to avoid. The tea tree scent was strong when I first took off the translucent plastic protector, but completely dissipated after a couple of hours. It was on par with Primal Pit Paste in terms of longevity, but it left me yearning for something with a more punchy scent.
Bergamot + Lime, Schmidt’s
4 stars
Next I tried Schmidt’s tub of sugary-scented deodorant. The notes of citrus lime and bergamot orange left me smelling fresh and clean. It contains a little spatula to scoop out the deodorant, which is applied with your fingertips. The texture looked gritty, but actually went on smooth.
Despite my fondness for this long-lasting deodorant, I wouldn’t buy it again because it made my underarms incredibly itchy. Baking soda can be an irritant for some people, but that isn’t the case for me so I have no idea why I seem to be allergic to it.
Natural For Her, Maximum Protection in Blossom, Herban Cowboy
5 stars
By the time I came to try this deodorant, I had become dispirited. I had finally found a natural deodorant that I loved but my skin couldn’t stand it. Would I ever smell like a morning dewdrop sitting atop lightly scented flora and not be allergic to it? Yes, my friend Jen said, try Herban Cowboy.
I was attracted by the name, and the scent was also heavenly. A light floral smell that was fresh and clean. At last, could this be the one, my natural deodorant partner for life? I was hesitantly hopeful. Every two hours I sniffed my underarms – this received funny looks from strangers, but I persevered – bracing myself for disappointment.
It lasted 24 hours, with no shower and no reapplication, before any sort of unappealing scent appeared. It even covered up existing body odor when I had to go in public before having a chance to shower (I was dedicated to figuring this out). I’ve finally got a new deodorant to call my own.
Have you ditched antiperspirant for a natural alternative? Did it work? Tell us in the comments below.
