The Best Non Toxic Deodorant! My Top 4 Picks!
My fight to live a healthy lifestyle is ever long and I’m continuously looking for wellness products to help me!
My discovery of non toxic deodorant and other non toxic self care products came about for a couple different reasons.
The first occurred because we fired our cleaning lady a few weeks ago in order to save money while our 17 year old is going to college. He chose a college about 1200 miles away from our hometown. Travel is in my future.
One of the most bittersweet things of my parenting career so far is dealing with the fact that my son is confident enough to move so far away, but knowing I’m hardly ever going to see him.
My whole point here is that we cut back on some expenses in order to save some money, knowing we will be booking multiple flights to North Carolina over the next 4 years. I am now cleaning the house again. In my research of the best cleaning products to use, I stumbled upon many articles talking about toxic chemicals in our homes and how cleaning products are a big contributor to this problem.
Secondly we had a very good friend that was just diagnosed with a terrible disease. Knowing that toxicity and environmental conditions could have contributed to this illness, I began to think about ways to clean up our living environment.
Knowing my future now consists of a weekly cleaning schedule, I decided to purchase some “non toxic” cleaning products. During this search I also discovered non toxic beauty and self care products.
And, now here I am, infatuated with the subject writing about the best non toxic deodorant brands on the market today.
I’m a fitness person and I’ve tried so many brands! The ones listed here are my faves!
What Is Non Toxic Deodorant?
Non toxic deodorant is a personal care product that basically keeps you from stinking! Also called natural deodorant, this product is sans of chemicals that have been known to cause health issues in the human body. Some ingredients commonly found in conventional deodorants have been found to cause issues including hormone disruption, cancer and skin irritation.
The ingredients non toxic deodorants contain are natural ingredients that do not pose a threat to our health and well being. Some examples of ingredients that are non toxic baking soda, essential oils, coconut oil and shea butter.
What Are Some Of The Harmful Chemicals Found In Conventional Deodorant?
Conventional deodorants are full of ingredients that just simply aren’t that great for your skin or body. Some of them are under investigation as a cause of cancer and dementia. Several of these ingredients include:
Aluminum
Sweat is the natural way to cool our bodies down. Aluminum has been around for years and it’s main purpose in a deodorant stick is to block sweat glands from being able to actually sweat. When sweat isn’t present, neither is the stink!
The great thing about sweat is that it helps detoxify the body by removing toxins through the skin. Blocking this natural system can cause acne, skin irritation and infection. Additionally this ingredient is under investigation for being a cause of breast cancer and forms of dementia.
Parabens
Parabens are preservatives found in 1,000’s of products. Studies are currently being conducted on the harmful effects of parabens. Initial studies are indicating that these preservatives have the potential to disrupt hormones in the body and potentially be a factor in breast cancer.
Phthalates
I’m very familiar with phthalates as I also own a candle business. Making sure the fragrance oils I use are all phthalate free is imperative.
Phthalates are a group of chemicals that are used as plasticizers in a variety of products, including deodorants.
Plasticizers are put into plastic to improve performance. These plastics are found in everything from toys, medical equipment, and even the fragrance in our skin and beauty care. Not only are they harmful to our bodies by causing hormone disruption, they are also harmful to the environment by polluting water and soil.
When you see in the ingredient list on a self care product you use; fragrance. The likihood that fragrance contains phthalates is high. Below are some Other ways phthalates can show up on an ingredient list are as follows:
- BBP: butyl benzyl phthalate,.
- DBP: di-n-butyl phthalate,
- DEHP: di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
- DEP: Diethyl phthalate
- DnOP: Dioctyl phthalate
Triclosan
Triclosan is an antimicrobial agent that is commonly used in personal care products, including deodorants. However, it has been linked to hormone disruptions and the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The crazy thing is that simply washing your hands with basic soap and water does the same thing tricolosan does without the harmful reaction.
What Are Some Of The Benefits Of Using Natural Deodorant? (Besides Reducing Body Odor)
Reduce exposure to potentially toxic chemicals
When you are constantly rubbing a harsh or potentially hazardous chemical on your body, plan to be exposed to chemicals in question of their toxicity. What some people struggle with is that fact that unfortunately natural deodorants, and other natural products are more expensive than traditional antiperspirants.
Sustainability
Most non toxic deodorants are made from sustainable ingredients. Taking care of our environment now so that our kids in the future have a place to live is extremely important to me.
Gentler On The Skin
Not all, but most natural ingredients are gentler on the skin. Some however or not, so even though you are using a natural deodorant, making sure some of the natural ingredients don’t cause irritation is important. People with sensitive skin will want to pay attention to this.
Cruelty Free Deodorant
Nobody wants to harm animals do they? Well I don’t, so making sure the products I use are not tested on animals is important to me. Looking for the Leaping Bunny symbol indicates that the product is cruelty free.
What Are Some Natural Ingredients In Non Toxic Deodorants?
Listed are a few of the natural ingredients found in some deodorant products. There are many more, and deodorants that are hand made often times include essential oils.
Baking Soda
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a natural alkaline substance that helps to neutralize odor-causing bacteria. Some people have sensitive underarm skin and may not tolerate baking soda very well. Others will tolerate it just fine. We have begun to see posts and ads related to natural deodorant that is also baking soda free.
Arrowroot Powder
Arrowroot powder is a natural starch that helps to absorb moisture and keep the underarm area dry.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a natural emollient that helps to moisturize the skin and provide a smooth texture to the deodorant.
Beeswax
Beeswax is a natural wax that helps to bind the other ingredients in the deodorant together and provide a smooth consistency.
Shea Butter
Shea butter is a natural fat that helps to moisturize and nourish the skin.
Essential Oils
Essential oils, such as lavender, tea tree, and peppermint, are often added to all-natural deodorants for their natural antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties, as well as their pleasant fragrance.
Zinc Oxide
Zinc oxide, often used in natural sunscreens, is a natural mineral that helps to soothe and protect the skin, as well as neutralize odor-causing bacteria
Magnesium Hydroxide
Magnesium hydroxide is a natural mineral that helps to neutralize odor-causing bacteria and absorb moisture.
Cornstarch
Cornstarch is a natural starch that helps to absorb moisture and keep the underarm area dry
My Top 4 Picks For The Best Natural Deodorants
Pit Liquor
I tried Pit Liquor because of the name. It’s literally made from drinkable vodka and whiskey. Alcohol is a bacteria killer so naturally it will work to kill the bacteria from your sweat!
Ingredients: Vodka, Whiskey, Sea Salt, Arrowroot x , Lavender essential oil, Lavender x , Umckaloabo extract x , Elderflower extract x , Greek mountain tea extract x , Sea buckthorn extract x , Small leaf kuding tea extract, and Gotu kola extract
Pro’s
- No gunky residue
- Light and airy spray
- Doesn’t stain shirts
- Long lasting odor protection
Con’s
- Burns on freshly shaved arm pits
Experience:
What I like most about Pit Liquor is there is no gunky residue. It comes in spray or roll on, I’ve not tried the roll on. But the spray is light and airy. Some deodorant sticks leave chunks behind and also stain your clothes. Not Pit Liquor – it’s amazing! My favorite is the Lavender.
The scent from the essential oils doesn’t stay with you all day. It dissipates after a few hours. At the end of the day, even after I worked out, there was no BO that I could smell. It definitely kept me smelling fresh all day long!
Native
I’ve used the deodorant brand Native on and off for a couple years now. Native is aluminum free deodorant and does include baking soda. Not only does this company carry healthy deodorant, but they also have other body care items as well.
Just recently the company launched an entire product line that does not use any plastic in their container making them 100% biodegradable.
Ingredients: coconut oil, shea butter, baking soda, tapioca starch, probiotics, ozokerite, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Magnesium Hydroxide, Cyclodextrin, Glucose
Pro’s
- Comes in a variety of different scents. I LOVE coconut vanilla!
- Easy to smooth on, is like a cream deodorant
- Does not stain my shirt
- Long lasting odor protection
Con’s
- Can be a bit sticky and feels grainy when trying to smooth on
- Get’s a little “thick” if you rub too much on
Experience
I love the fact Native has a ton of options when it comes to fragrance. They even have “gummy bear” and a fragrance free option for people who have sensitive skin. The deodorant stick lasts a long time and that comes from someone who works out all the time.
Native is not an antiperspirant so it’s not going to absorbing excess moisture, however that’s a good think in my mind. I don’t want my sweat glands blocked. The deodorant offered all day protection and despite the fact it’s a bit thick, it doesn’t stain my clothes or leave any residue.
Toms
Tom’s is another brand I use periodically. They too have a ton of scents to choose from and offer both “mens” and “women’s” scents. If you choose the antiperspirant option, it is NOT aluminum free, so buyer beware.
That being said their deodorant is vegan, cruelty free deodorant, all natural deodorant and fragrance oils. They have a complete list of their ingredients with descriptions on their website.
Ingredients:
View the full ingredient list here!
Free of these ingredients:
Paraben Free, Formaldehyde Free, Artificial Color Free, Butylparaben Free, Dye Free, Formaldehyde donor Free, Mineral Oil Free, Phthalate Free, Propylparaben Free, Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) Free, Talc Free, Artificial Fragrance Free, Methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT) Free, Microbeads Free, Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) Free, Animal Fat Free, Deithanolamine (DEA) Free, Paraffin Free, Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Free, Silicone Free, Triethanolamine (TEA) Free
Pro’s
- Super smooth application
- No residue, clumping or stain on clothes
- Has a fragrance free version
Con’s
- Protects odor for a while, but you definitely have to reapply a bit later in the day
Schmidt’s
Schmidts is another option that is a 100% vegan and cruelty free deodorant. There is no aluminum salts, artificial fragrance, filler ingredients, parabens, propylene glycol or phthalates in their products and they are Leaping Bunny Certified!
Ingredients:
Magnesium, coconut oil, arrowroot powder, shea butter, fractionated coconut oil, baking soda, candalilla wax, jojoba esters, bergamot essential oils, lime essential oil, vitamin E
Follow this link for a list of all the ingredients used in their entire line of products.
Pro’s
- Comes in a variety of different scents which is great
- Goes on smoothly without big chunks and is not grainy
- Offers all day protection
- Offers 6 baking soda free options
Con’s
- Does have a bit of a white residue
- Does come off on the pit area of your clothes a bit but does not stain them
Experience:
I like Schmidts and feel it’s a very effective deodorant. It’s not like Pit Liquor which is completely residue free, but it’s not bad. It turns your pits a little bit white but nothing terrible. It definitely isn’t clumpy or hard to put on and offers protection all day. The fragrance isn’t super strong so if you wear other types of perfume or fragrance it will not overpower that.
Wrap Up
There are a ton more natural deodorant brands on the market today and I have a list that I can’t wait to try. I’m currently finishing a stick of Tom’s and I’m infatuated with Pit Liquor.
These are the options that are next on my list, and I will keep this blog updated with my findings.
If anyone has any other options for me to try, please send me a DM!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Do Armpits Stink?
Armpits stink because there are glands that release sweat under your arms. When the sweat comes in contact with bacteria in your armpits it breaks down into a chemical called thioalcohols which really puts off an offensive odor.
Are There Alternatives To Even Non Toxic Deodorants?
Yes! There are. If you are into making your own body care products then homemade deodorant stick may be for you. Here are some ingredients that can be an alternate for deodorant:
- Witchhazel
- Baking soda
- Corn starch
- Lemon juice
- Rubbing alchohol
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Coconut oil
There are a ton of recipes on line to make your own deodorant. If this is something you are interested in – here is a homemade deodorant recipe to help get you started!
You Can Connect With Me
I am a business owner; Live Active 563, Nutrition Business Consultant for HSN Mentoring, mom and a blogger on a mission to help the females in the world become confident, live a healthy lifestyle, accomplish great things and feel hot!
I am an Amazon Affiliate. I’ve made it my job to recommend products I’m currently using to help you all live longer healthier lives. If these products are purchased from Amazon, I am paid a small commission for recommending these products if the products are eligible. The cost for the products do not change and there is no cost to you.