3 of the best eco friendly deodorants you need to try

Finding a trustworthy eco friendly deodorant can be hard work if you haven’t tried any before. The last thing you want is to be let down after a sweaty yoga session. We prefer to avoid traditional antiperspirants because they usually contain aluminium salts. These work by plugging your pores to stop you sweating. They have been linked with everything from itchy dermatitis, to alarming side effects like an increased risk of breast cancer. Many aluminium based deodorants are also unsuitable for vegans and not sustainably packaged.

So what’s the alternative and do eco friendly formulations actually work?

Natural deodorants have long had a reputation for being weaker and ineffective compared to antiperspirants, but this simply isn’t true anymore. It’s all down to hero ingredients like coconut and rosemary oil. They both have antibacterial properties that work by making your underarms inhospitable to bacteria. Less bacteria, means minimal odour. Our favourite formulations also contain plant-based ingredients like sage and lemongrass, perfect for soothing the sensitive skin under your arms, with an amazing fragrance that lasts all day. Just as good at keeping you sweat free as an antiperspirant, using natural, vegan-friendly ingredients that are kinder to you and the environment.

Want to try our pick of the bunch? Here are the 3 must-have eco friendly, plastic free deodorants you need to try:

Best all-rounder:
Awake Organics – Aura Natural Deodorant

A natural deodorant that eliminates dampness and odour thanks to a clever blend of natural ingredients. First up is coconut oil, which contains lauric acid, excellent for killing off the bacteria that cause unpleasant smells. There’s also arrowroot, which works by eliminating toxins; lemongrass, to give you a zesty, clean scent; and lavender, great for soothing skin irritation.

It also contains kaolin, a naturally occurring clay mineral with amazing absorbency. Used in skincare for hundreds of years, kaolin is much gentler than many other clays, allowing your body to sweat without odour. It also won’t leave white marks on clothes – hurray!

But is it sustainably packaged?

Yes. Plastic free deodorants can be hard to track down, but Awake Organics have really nailed it. Their packaging is 100% sustainable, with a recyclable glass jar and aluminium lid. We love the minimal, crisp design too.

For extra protection:
Awake Organics – Moon Goo Natural Deodorant

Another excellent natural deodorant, with a fun name you won’t forget when you need to re-order! Moon Goo is an extra strength formulation, making it a great option if you exercise frequently and perspire more heavily.
Stronger performance doesn’t mean harsh ingredients. Everything this deodorant contains is 100% natural and plant-based, no aluminium, alcohol, petroleum by-products, or parabens. It’s also another plastic free anti-perspirant, packaged in a recyclable aluminium tin.

A complimentary blend:

The main active ingredients are coconut oil, which works it’s antibacterial and antifungal magic, alongside rosemary oil. Rosemary has a dual effect: it provides a zingy, clean scent and is thought to fight bacteria and reduce tissue inflammation. Just the sort of properties you want for the sensitive underarm area, which can often be prone to ingrown hairs and irritation.

For vegans:
Evolve Beauty – Cotton Fresh Deodorant Cream

A cruelty-free vegan deodorant, which comes in an easy to apply, super soft cream formula. The sheer texture is down to a carefully balanced blend of shea butter and coconut oil. Shea butter is a wonder ingredient, perfect for soothing sensitive underarms. It contains high concentrations of fatty acids and vitamins, both of which have excellent anti-inflammatory and healing properties.

Get a happy hit:

Other incredible natural ingredients include kaolin clay and sage essential oil. We’ve already talked about how kaolin minimises perspiration, while sage oil has excellent antibacterial properties and an aromatic, refreshing scent. Did you know sage oil is also believed to be a natural antidepressant? So as well as keeping you dry and fresh, in theory this deodorant could also boost your happiness levels each morning.

Experiment to find your best fit:

It’s worth noting that we all have a unique body chemistry, so you may need to try out different deodorants to find the one that works best for you personally. Good luck!