Natural deodorant has had a moment in 2026, making the jump from health-food shops to supermarket aisles and your favourite online beauty retailers. Growing consumer concern about ingredient transparency, sustainability and long-term exposure to certain synthetic compounds is the driving force behind the natural deo boom.
Personally, I made the switch many years ago and now consider myself an expert on the best natural deodorants. However, the term ‘natural’ still remains loosely defined, and often misunderstood. Opting for something ‘natural’ can be a confusing proposition for anyone trying to make good choices for their skin, and their long-term health.
I’ve tested almost every natural deodorant on the market, carefully studying ingredients, certifications and safety profiles. While some have let me down and not kept my pits smelling fresh, others have gone the distance and offered brilliant credentials where skin safety and sustainability are concerned. Plenty are just as affordable as well-known alternatives that line supermarket shelves so swapping doesn’t have to require any compromises. Here are the best, tried and tested.
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The best natural deodorants for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Fussy coconut milk deodorant: £15, Getfussy.com
- Best luxury – Rollr deodorant: £30, Rollr.co.uk
- Best for no white marks – Luna Daily the all over deodorant: £14, Luna-daily.com
- Best for natural ingredients – Agent Nateur Cap D'Antibes holi deodorant: £23, Libertylondon.com
How I tested
I’ve been using natural deodorant for years, putting a range of different products to the test after heavy gym sessions, long commutes and hot days abroad. I was joined by some other brave deodorant testers. Every deodorant was tested for at least a week where I paid attention to how well it prevented body odour, whether it was skin sensitive, its scent, consistency and texture as well as price. You can read more about my in-depth testing process at the end of this guide.
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Fussy coconut milk deodorant
Best: natural deodorant overall
Size: 40g
Type: Stick
Scent: Coconut milk
Why we love it
- Prevents odour and sweat
- Sensitive skin option
- Sustainable
- Vegan
Take note
- Plastic case
My forever favourite natural deodorant is Fussy’s refillable stick.The performance is great and it smells lovely. Underarms stay dry and smelling great, even during an intense workout or after a long day. My favourite scent is coconut milk but there are 16 to choose from, including an unscented option.
The formulas are vegan and contain coconut oil, baking soda, magnesium hydroxide and probiotics to prevent odour. Tapioca starch dries out moisture to stop sweating and shea butter and sunflower seed wax help with soothing skin. For those with sensitive skin, Fussy also offers a baking soda free option that uses plant-derived non-toxic glyceryl caprylate instead.
On the whole Fussy’s sustainability credentials are great. The case is plastic (50 per cent recycled) but the refillable deodorant sticks are plastic free, the brand is carbon neutral and its formulas are cruelty free.
The starter pack gets you the case and a refill for £15 and each refill should last a month. A subscription buys you three refills every three months. If you want to make a switch this is a great starting point that won’t let you down.
Buy now £15, Getfussy.com
Agent Nateur Cap D'Antibes holi deodorant
Best: deodorant for natural ingredients
Size: 50ml
Type: Stick
Scent: Cap D'Antibes
Why we love it
- Natural formula
- Works well for odour and sweat control
- Five scents
- Sustainable
Take note
- Baking powder and essential oils may irritate sensitive skin
- Plastic case
The holi (stick) is a great option if you want a high-performing natural deodorant. The scent is fresh, pleasant and not at all overpowering. However, the product does leave a paste on the skin so be careful with dark clothing and rubbing the area after you’ve applied it.
Agent Nateur’s stainability credentials are excellent. Though the casing is plastic, the brand offers great transparency on ingredients and practices and the formula is non-toxic to wildlife and cruelty free. The ingredients list is short, comprising organic coconut oil, sodium bicarbonate, beeswax, sunflower seed butter, avocado butter and castor oil. The sticks are scented with essential oils or natural isolates.
Available in five scents, I found it a great choice for odour control on a daily basis, while travelling and for workouts. However the baking soda and essential oil base may irritate sensitive skin. I found it gentle enough for mine and the moisturising elements meant my underarms stayed soft too. It’s a great option for those prioritising efficacy, natural ingredients and sustainability and a full-size stick should last you three to four months, maybe more.
Buy now £23, Libertylondon.com
Rollr deodorant
Best: luxury natural deodorant
Size: 40ml
Type: Roll on
Scent: Mandarin and cedarwood
Why we love it
- Probiotic formula
- Refillable
- Smells great
- Precious stone rollers
Take note
- Doesn’t go the distance in the gym
Rollr is a really interesting contender in the natural deodorant category. It’s taken something mundane that we use every day and transformed it into an elevated tool that looks great and feels like a treat to use. The roller heads are made from cooling precious stones like rose quartz and aventurine for a luxe touch and the formula comes as a water-soluble powder that you mix yourself in the refillable glass bottle.
With the exception of zinc oxide, the ingredients list is as natural as they come with mineral crystal potassium alum, a pro and prebiotic blend, for odour control. Rice starch and arrowroot powder to keep your underarms dry. Aloe to soothe skin and natural organic fragrances for scent.
Available in three elevated scents, this option doesn’t work quite as well as some of the other products on this list so isn’t one for the gym, but it is great for every day and is gentle on skin and the environment. It’s also vegan, cruelty free and very mindful where packaging is concerned.
It’s one of the pricier options on this list but each sachet will last you two to three months and the three scents all smell incredible. A subscription can also save you 20 per cent.
Buy now £45.02, Rollr.co.uk
Luna daily the all over deodorant
Best: natural deodorant for no white marks
Size: 70g
Type: Stick
Scent: Fresh cotton
Why we love it
- Invisible against clothing
- Skin soothing
- Smells fresh all day
- Sustainable
Take note
- More synthetic ingredients
- Not refillable
This option from Luna is more focused on neutralising odour rather than preventing perspiration but feels good on the skin and is invisible against dark clothing. In three scents, it’s a great option for everyday use and is intended to be gentle all over the body, although it didn’t prevent sweat that effectively in the gym.
The formula is aluminium free but has a longer ingredients list with more synthetic and proprietary ingredients than some other options on this list. It also contains bio-based propylene glycol, saccharomyces ferment to prevent odour and prebiotics to balance the skin’s microbiome, along with hyaluronic acid to soothe skin and corn starch to keep skin dry.
The containers are 100 per cent recyclable once washed out and Luna meets the Ulta Beauty Sustainable Packaging standard, meaning at least 50 per cent of its total packaging by weight is recyclable, refillable, or made from recycled or bio-sourced materials.
Buy now £14, Luna-daily.com
Make Waves refillable antiperspirant
Best: subscription natural deodorant
Size: 30g
Type: Stick
Scent: Bergamot and amber
Why we love it
- Refillable
- Vegan and cruelty free
- Sustainable
- Four scents to choose from
Take note
- Case isn’t as chic but does come in four colours
- Baking soda might irritate skin
Make Waves is a new brand on the scene that performs well under pressure. Rather than combining a deodorant with an anti-perspirant, shoppers can choose from one formula or the other. The natural deodorant is free from aluminium and offers a gentle formulation of shea butter, sunflower seed and coconut oil for moisture, tapioca starch and baking soda for absorption and added vitamins E and C.
The recycled plastic case isn’t as chic as some others on this list but it does offer good sustainability credentials with easy-to-load refills and UK manufacturing. The formula is also vegan and cruelty free and you can save with a refill subscription.
I found this deodorant didn’t leave a thick paste or white marks on dark clothing and held up pretty well, even at the gym. A refill lasts about eight weeks too, making this a pragmatic starting point for those transitioning from antiperspirants to a natural deodorant.
Buy now £12, Wearemakewaves.com
Neal’s Yard lavender and aloe vera deodorant
Best: natural deodorant spray
Size: 100ml
Type: Spray
Scent: Lavender and aloe vera
Why we love it
- Certified organic natural formula
- Vegan and cruelty free
- Spray delivery
Take note
- Not suitable for heavy sweaty workouts
If you’re concerned about toxic load and looking for organic and natural ingredients, Neal’s Yard is one of the original and best brands to look to for both transparency and sustainability. If you favour a spray over a stick or roll-on this is also a good option. It feels wetter under the arms than an aerosol but is infinitely better for the environment and dries out quickly.
The formula blends alpine moss, organic essential oils and aloe vera to fight bacteria that causes odour. It’s a light touch option that doesn’t suit heavy sweaty workouts all that well but it’s a good option for everyday wear and smells lovely. It also won’t leave marks on clothing.
In a 100ml bottle it’s a travel-friendly liquid and the formula is certified organic, vegan and cruelty free. Products are handcrafted in small batches at an eco-factory in Dorset, which is powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and uses a water recycling system that saves up to one million litres annually so sustainability credentials are the best you’ll find.
Buy now £13, Nealsyardremedies.com
AKT the deodorant balm
Best: natural deodorant for sustainability
Size: 50ml
Type: Balm
Scent: After Thunder
Why we love it
- Natural ingredients
- Sustainable packaging
- Cruelty free
- Great scents
Take note
- Applying with fingers can be messy
AKT is a no-brainer if you want a natural deodorant that’s also kind to the planet. Its packaging is ‘infinitely recyclable’ and the product comes with tools like an applicator that help cut down on waste. The formula itself is free from aluminium salts, alcohol and parabens and is also vegan and cruelty free.
Not a stick, not a roll on or a spray, AKT refers to this formula as a ‘balm’ that uses natural ingredients like sodium bicarbonate, zinc oxide and diatomaceous earth to absorb sweat and neutralise odour. Application with fingers or the metal applicator can be a little tricky if you’re short on time – I found myself hurriedly smearing it under my pits on more than one occasion.
However, the scents are very, very nice in comparison to many natural deodorants on the market and the ‘after thunder’ scent takes the top spot across this entire list for me. Each 50ml tube is intended to last between two to three months and more or less delivered on this promise.
Buy now £21, Amazon.co.uk
Your questions about natural deodorants answered
What is the best natural deodorant?
It can take between two to six weeks for your body to adjust to using a natural deodorant, so before you jump in thinking it doesn’t work, you need to have a bit of patience – and maybe schedule it in over WFH days or a holiday. But, to get you well on your way, my favourite pick was the Fussy coconut milk deodorant thanks to its nourishing formula, easy-to-apply design and BO-busting result.
Those prioritising efficacy and natural ingredients should turn to Agent Nateur Cap D'Antibes holi deodorant, while anyone looking to really battle the sweats on any part of the body should definitely pay closer attention to the Luna-daily all over deodorant. If you want to splash the cash, Rollr is a definite must-have if you’re seeking a luxury experience that’s as kind to the environment as it is on your underarms. Looking for a spray? Ditch the aerosol and go for the Neal’s Yard lavender and aloe vera deodorant.
What is a natural deodorant?
Analytical chemist Emma Dawes, who boasts decades of experience working on the international COSMOS standard for Organic and Natural cosmetics explains that, “currently ‘natural’ is a highly unregulated term in cosmetics and personal care, and ‘natural deodorants’ could in practice have very little natural material in them”.
Consultant dermatologist, Dr Aiza Jamil offers some clarity on what we mean when we use the term ‘natural’. She says: “Generally, ‘natural deodorant’ means it is made with fewer chemicals and more natural ingredients – such as baking soda to neutralise odour rather than block it.”
However, there is no single legal definition of what makes a deodorant ‘natural’. Dr Jamil points out that, “there are no hard rules that are universally followed to define a ‘natural’ deodorant, but rather industry standards and consumer watchdog groups such as the Environmental Working Group, which monitor whether a product adheres to more general criteria”.
She adds that, generally speaking, a natural deodorant should have ingredients of natural origin, such as from plants, minerals or animals, rather than synthetic or man-made products. “Think shea butter and essential oils rather than heavy fragrances and preservatives,” Dr Jamil explains. “In the same vein, there should be no synthetic additives such as parabens or artificial colours and fragrances. There should also be minimal processing on the raw materials, such as filtration, steam distillation or grinding, for example. It is not a necessity, but many natural products should be biodegradable to be more environmentally friendly.”
How to pick a natural deodorant
Dr Jamil advises that the best way to choose a natural deodorant that works and is skin safe is “to not just trust any ‘natural’ claims, but to actually check the ingredient list”. She explains: “Baking soda is quite popular in natural deodorants, however it can be irritating for sensitive skin. Arrowroot powder or cornstarch can be an alternative ingredients that still help to absorb moisture with less chance of blocking pores. Look for antibacterial agents such as tea tree oil and conditioning ingredients such as shea butter.”
She adds that she would try to avoid any deodorants with alcohol, as this can be very drying on the skin. Essentially though, the main thing is that you find something that works for you, so if you’re worried about any ingredients, try a patch test on your skin beforehand.
“When searching for a natural deodorant, it is generally a green flag when the list is quite short and easily recognisable” Dr Jamil says. “It is good if you can find antibacterial agents such as coconut oil or probiotics like Lactobacillus in the ingredient list, to kill odour-causing bacteria.” She goes on to explain that strong fragrances can be quite irritating on the skin, even when using essential oils. Similarly, she adds that while many people look to natural deodorant to avoid aluminium, some formulas still contain alum salts, “which can cause irritation and clogged pores, so I would look to avoid natural deodorants that contain them”.
Dawes agrees, adding: “If you see the term ‘fragrance’ or ‘parfum’ on a label, this could be made of thousands of synthetic chemicals and could contain phthalates. Unless the brand is certified to a standard like COSMOS (in which the components of the fragrance blend have to be checked) or the brand gives extra-assurances on phthalate testing, it may be best to avoid.”
She points out that “natural deodorant is not inherently superior, but for consumers seeking ingredient simplicity, reduced synthetic exposure and improved sustainability, certified formulations offer a credible alternative”.
Is deodorant bad for you?
Skin safety is another area often clouded by marketing jargon. Dr Jamil explains that ‘natural’ doesn’t necessarily mean ‘non-toxic’. In fact, many natural ingredients can be very toxic when used incorrectly, whereas many man-made or synthetic products are completely safe for use. “With the problem of greenwashing, some deodorants that claim to be ‘natural’ may still include added fragrance or chemicals, which can be harmful,” she explains.
Dawes adds that, while some synthetic chemicals are safe, some in products like deodorants have been linked to health issues like endocrine disruption with prolonged use. Concerns around aluminium and parabens continue to influence purchasing decisions and the concept of ‘toxic load’ is a consideration for many people opting to swap to deodorants and personal care products classed as natural.
“Toxic load is the belief that heavy metals, harmful chemicals and pollutants can build and accumulate on the skin over time from various environmental and lifestyle sources,” explains Dr Jamil. “Our skin is our body’s largest organ and is highly absorbent, so chemicals can be absorbed into our bloodstream through skincare and deodorant, for example. Generally, small doses of harmful chemicals and metals are safe for the average person, however toxic load refers to the continuous daily buildup of ingredients and products that may cause more damage over time.”
Dawes suggests that if we want to reduce our load of toxic chemicals, thinking about what we put on our bodies, including our underarms is important. “The underarms are even more absorbent than other areas of the skin, with many ingredients that we put here being absorbed directly into the bloodstream.”
How the best natural deodorants were tested
During my testing period I paid attention to the following criteria:
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Our beauty and wellness experts know everything there is to know about natural product swaps, which brands to invest in and which to avoid. Emilie Lavinia, our fitness and wellbeing editor, is an expert on low-tox living and has tried every natural deodorant on the market to round up the best.
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