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Bath & Body
Skincare
Written By Aarron LopexEdited & Fact Checked By Amber McDaniel
12 mins read
Do you smell that? It’s the sweet scent of non-toxic deodorant.
Conventional deodorant brands contribute to plastic waste through hard-to-recycle plastic housing and contain harmful ingredients like parabens, phthalates, dyes, synthetic fragrances, and aluminum that can block your pores, disrupt normal hormone function, irritate the skin, and cause other concerning impacts on your health.
That’s why it just makes scents to switch to safe alternatives.
So after a lot of researching, reading ingredient lists and testing, we’ve rounded up our favorite options that are made by brands that not only use chemical free formulas but also ethical sourcing and low-waste packaging.
Speaking of switching things up…we’re making some switchups of our own, including rolling out a new Brand Rating System that we’ll use to refresh articles like this in coming months. It assesses brands against a range of eco-related criteria—think: ingredient safety, supply chain transparency, and climate impact. You can read more about it in our explainer.
We independently research all featured brands and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. Learn more here.
Toxic-Free Deodorant We Use On The Daily
Choose a tube or a spreadable cream, we’ve found both as effective at combating BO as they are to apply, EcoRoots has you covered all without any plastic waste or toxic ingredients.
We’ve been literally using Ethique’s deo for maybe 4 years now. Compostable cardboard tubes, vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, aluminum-free, palm oil-free, easy to apply and super effective—do we need to say anything more?
Index: Non-Toxic Deodorant That Works
- Fat and the Moon Jump to brand
- Noniko Jump to brand
- EcoRoots Jump to brand
- Little Seed Farm Jump to brand
- Hammonds Herbs Jump to brand
- Ethique Jump to brand
- HiBAR Jump to brand
Fat and the Moon
Fat and the Moon is yet to be rated.
Fat and the Moon’s Deodorant
Fat and the Moon handcrafts aluminum and phthalate-free deodorants “for the full spectrum of stinky”.
We’ve tried the Aluminum Free Deodorant Cream and can confirm it’s one of the best non-toxic deodorants we’ve tested. It doesn’t contain any parabens, sulfates, phthalates, or toxins. Instead, it fights underarm odor with natural ingredients like coconut oil, arrowroot powder, beeswax, and antibacterial essential oils.
There’s also the Sensitive Pit Cream which is sodium bicarbonate free. Both are packaged in reusable glass jars and lightly scented with black pepper, bergamot, and a bit of citrus.
Keep in mind that while the deodorant is cruelty-free, it’s not 100% vegan, as it contains ethically sourced beeswax.
About Fat and the Moon
The handmade beauty supplies come from Grass Valley, California. The dry shampoos, sustainable moisturizers, face masks, oils, and more are all made to order. Fat and the Moon explicitly states which ingredients are and aren’t organic but don’t include palm oil in any products.
The woman-owned company uses plastic-free packaging and contributes to several organizations and causes within their community whenever possible.
SHOP FAT AND THE MOON
Noniko
Noniko is yet to be rated.
Noniko’s Deodorant
Noniko is one of the first refillable aluminum-free deodorant brands we’ve seen. Theirs comes packaged in a sleek stainless steel case with a cork refill topper that’s compostable in the backyard.
With three natural fragrance options to choose from, like the citrus and bergamot notes of Sundaze, lavender, and peppermint of Unwind, or a baking soda-free, bright Drift, you’re sure to find a favorite.
The formulas don’t contain any harmful chemicals, parabens, preservatives, or plastic. Instead, Noniko uses natural ingredients that absorb moisture, like coconut oil, arrowroot powder, magnesium hydroxide, essential oils, and sustainably sourced beeswax.
When you run out of your favorite fragrance, you can toss it in the box it arrived in, seal it with a return label, and send it back for cleaning, sanitizing, and refilling.
About Noniko
Noniko was founded by Kerri Leslie after she struggled to find safe deodorant that actually worked. What started in her kitchen has quickly grown into a small-batch studio based out of San Diego, California. The woman and mom-owned brand is also a member of 1% For the Planet, donating a portion of its sales to support various non-profit organizations.
They ship plastic-free using carbon-neutral USPS services only, which is lower impact because USPS already visits most neighborhoods.
SHOP NONIKO
EcoRoots
EcoRoots is yet to be rated.
EcoRoots’ Deodorant
Another brand we know and love for its catalog of home and personal care supplies is EcoRoots.
Their deodorant works with the body’s biological functions to minimize odor without blocking your pores. It’s handmade without any parabens, silicone, preservatives, palm oil, or toxic ingredients.
If you like slide-on sticks, you can select from Coconut, Lavender, or Eucalyptus Mint—all of which are aluminum and baking soda free. The formulas of organic coconut oil, arrowroot powder, and wildcrafted candelilla wax come in compostable cardboard tubes to reduce excess moisture and waste.
EcoRoots also offers a Plastic-Free Deodorant Cream shipping in a reusable glass jar designed for sensitive skin. Alongside the same scents, you can select from Unscented, Citrus, and Rose Geranium.
About EcoRoots
What started as a small-scale marketplace for ethical cleaning supplies has quickly grown into a superstar sustainable beauty brand.
The US-made products are natural, vegan, cruelty-free, and shipped in plastic-free packaging.
My Personal Review of EcoRoots Deodorant:
“Joy and I have both tried the Rose Geranium and Coconut. And much like other natural deodorants the scents are understated, which I prefer over the overwhelming and conventional Axe-type does on the market. I found the application simple, since it’s pretty creamy it spreads easily (though I have to wash my hands when using the jar given I use my finger and not the spatula), sometimes it can feel a bit grainy but I’ve never had irritation. It’s also effective, I’ve never detected any BO over the course of a day. Though I haven’t done any particularly sweaty exercise while using it but for normal day to day, it’s smooth, reliable and no residue.”
Review by Lyall Mabin, SJ’s Co-founder
SHOP ECOROOTS
Little Seed Farm
Little Seed Farm is yet to be rated.
Little Seed Farm’s Deodorant
The Little Seed Farm specializes in non-toxic deodorants for sensitive and dry skin, and its designed to last up to 24 hours.
Little Seed forgoes baking soda in favor of arrowroot, as baking soda can disrupt the body’s natural pH. Absorbing excess moisture is arrowroots’ specialty, while food-grade magnesium helps minimize unpleasant body odor. The safe deodorant cream is non-GMO and Leaping Bunny certified.
Cucumber, Rosemary Patchouli, Jasmine Green Tea, and Activated Charcoal essential oil-derived scents are packaged in reusable glass jars and recyclable packaging.
About Little Seed Farm
Little Seed Farm is a family-owned business from rural Tennessee practicing what they preach.
Husband and wife James and Eileen, founded the beauty brand after purchasing 84 acres of land that had been depleted of its natural biodiversity over the years. The team got to work, implementing regenerative farming techniques for their goats to bring the land back to life.
The 100% grass-fed goats allow the team to create goat milk soap, lotion, balms, face serums, and other beauty products.
The farm is run exclusively on solar power, they use 100% biodegradable sorghum packing peanuts, glass jars, and recyclable materials.
SHOP LITTLE SEED FARM
Hammonds Herbs
Hammonds Herbs is yet to be rated.
Hammonds Herbs’ Deodorant
Hammonds Herbs have a wide range of healthy deodorant scents, like Lemongrass & Peppermint, Tea Tree & Lavender, and Bergamot & Lime. While anyone can wear it, the Orange & Patchouli is one for men with its rich, woody scent and hints of citrus.
No matter your scent of choice, however, it’ll come packaged in a biodegradable push-up tube with a retro design you won’t find on a conventional deodorant stick.
Each option is aluminum and paraben free, without any synthetic fragrances, preservatives, propylene glycol, or animal testing. Instead, Hammonds prioritizes natural ingredients, like cold-pressed virgin coconut oil, shea butter, arrowroot powder, non-GMO vitamin E oil, baking soda, and essential oil.
However, it does contain organic beeswax.
About Hammond Herbs
Jeff and Elise Hammond started with handcrafted, small-batch beauty supplies as a way to combat toxic ingredients in beauty supplies. Now, the Jackson, Kentucky-based brand produces shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, and toothpaste.
The products incorporate ethically sourced materials from Mountain Rose Herbs or nearby Fair Trade sources, and they package everything in compostable containers and 100% plastic-free shipping materials.
SHOP HAMMONDS HERBS
Ethique
Ethique is yet to be rated.
Ethique’s Deodorants
Ethique’s deodorant is packaged in compostable cardboard tubes and comes in alluring scents like Rustic Citrus, Lavender & Vanilla, and a fragrance-free version.
Each aluminum-free stick contains zinc oxide and magnesium hydroxide to prevent odor-causing bacteria. The bamboo powder helps to absorb sweat, while the various oils keep your skin smooth and smelling fresh.
Not only is their best deodorant non-toxic, but it works—really! SJ pinky promise. We’ve used it for years (back when it was just bars, before the cardboard tubes existed) and have always loved how long each one lasts, both in terms of each day’s use and overall.
About Ethique
The Certified B Corp, Ethique, is based out of New Zealand with a wide range of household and beauty supplies. Besides chemical-free deodorant, you can find eco-friendly shampoo, body wash, moisturizers, and more—all of which are palm oil-free, vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, and certified carbon-neutral.
As a bonus, Ethique offsets its carbon usage and donates 2% of sales to charities around the world as part of their bid to create a better, kinder world.
SHOP ETHIQUE
HiBAR
HiBAR is yet to be rated.
HiBAR’s Deodorant
HiBAR offers deodorants that protect your pits and the planet one swipe at a time. The plant-based formula is loaded with beneficial ingredients, like coconut oil, arrowroot powder, and shea butter.
There are three fantastic floral scents, including Fresh Rain & Cucumber, Lavender & Jasmine, and Bergamot & Cedar—each providing vegan-friendly all-day protection.
Each tube is vegan-friendly, contains no parabens, phthalates, aluminum, or dyes—not to mention it’s packaged in a 100% compostable cardboard tube.
About HiBAR
The Minnesota-based brand is committed to creating safe products that help put an end to plastic waste. Besides conventional deodorant alternatives, they also produce face wash, shampoo and conditioner, and more. None of their products contain any nasties, like sulfates, phthalates, parabens, animal-derived ingredients, or synthetic fragrances.
Each deo stick is Leaping Bunny Certified, packaged without plastic, and shipped in compostable and recyclable options. HiBAR works to eliminate plastic waste in other ways, like partnering with organizations like rePurpose Global.
My Personal Review of HiBAR’s Deodorant:
“I’ve tried out all three of HiBAR’s deodorant scents—Fresh Rain & Cucumber, Lavender & Jasmine, and their best-seller, Bergamot & Cedar—and adore all of them, but I especially love the fresh and just slightly floral Lavender & Jasmine. I also appreciate that all three scents are subtle, so I don’t smell them all day, but at the same time, I don’t smell myself either! These have a much longer-lasting wear than other aluminum-free solid deodorants I’ve tried. I apply it twice a day (morning and night), and I’ve been working on the same tube for seven months, and it’s not empty yet. I’ve literally never found a deodorant that lasts that long AND works!”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
SHOP HIBAR
Why Choose Chemical-Free Deodorant?
Deodorant might not be something you think much about. But you use it every morning, after the gym, and certainly before date night. So why should you scrutinize the two-pack of conventional deodorant you pick up every two weeks at the drugstore?
Besides contributing an estimated 15 billion pounds of plastic waste each year that’s made from near-impossible-to-recycle types of plastic, traditional products typically contain harmful ingredients. Many of the fancy fragrances you’ll see on shelves contain ingredients like parabens, phthalates, triclosan, and synthetic fragrances. These ingredients may be linked to cancer, hormone disruption, birth defects, skin irritation, allergies, and other health complications.
We’ll take the bad BO over that, thanks.
Natural deodorants should have short ingredient lists containing some of the following:
- coconut oil
- kaolin clay
- bicarbonate soda
- shea butter
- tea tree oils
- arrowroot powder
- carnauba wax
- vegetable glycerin (coconut derived)
- clove essential oil
- tocopherol (vitamin E; sunflower-derived)
- theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter
- citrus aurantium bergamia (bergamot) peel oil
- citrus aurantifolia (lime) oil
Is Aluminum Safe In Deodorant?
One of the primary ingredients in antiperspirant deodorant is aluminum salts, which act as an antiperspirant to help you sweat less by dissolving into the skin and blocking the pores.
But our bodies are meant to sweat—beyond temperature regulation, it’s how we remove toxins (like heavy metals, BPA, and PCB) and maintain normal bodily function.
But are there any non-toxic antiperspirants? Not really. In fact, the term “safest antiperspirant deodorant” is a bit of an oxymoron. A good natural deodorant can absorb a little moisture, but it shouldn’t stop you from sweating altogether like aluminum does.
Furthermore, aluminum is a highly biologically reactive neurotoxin that may be linked to breast cancer, kidney disease, bone disease, and memory complications like Alzheimers.
More research needs to be conducted, but natural deodorants should never contain these ingredients or stop you from sweating. Instead, they can include elements like kaolin clay that absorbs sweat.
Do Non-Toxic Deodorants Work?
If you’ve tried to swap from traditional spray or roll-ons to non-toxic alternatives, you’ll know it’s not always a walk in the park. Traditional products contain antiperspirants to stop you from sweating, but obviously, these can be harmful to your health.
The alternatives we’ve covered here do not prevent sweat. Instead, they minimize moisture and odor-causing bacteria. But will these formulas keep you smelling fresh?
We’ve tried various options (including those above) and can confirm they do work. Though, it can take a bit of trial and error to find the right products, ingredients, and quality that suits your skin. It’s also important to stay realistic. If you’re commuting to work by foot or bike in the hot summer, you might need a more potent formula or a reapplication before heading into the office.
Overall, these options are really effective, they come in low-waste packaging and they contain healthy ingredients. There’s no reason not to make the switch to something better.
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