The Top Five Natural Deodorants, Plus A DIY Deodorant Recipe

If there is one part of your body routine that you should switch, it would be swapping toxin-laden antiperspirant for natural deodorant. Since the skin of our underarms is exceptionally absorbent, this simple swap can reap enormous benefits for your health. First, I'll share with you my go-to DIY recipe for deodorant and then I'll share the best natural deodorant options I've found on my sustainable living journey.

Things I take into account when choosing my top favorites:

1. Price. Some of the organic natural stuff can be so expensive. You have to ask yourself if you are paying for the quality or if you are paying for the hype.
2. Comfort past the acclimation period. No chapped angry arm pits here.
3. Smell. Sometimes essential oils can smell REALLY CRUNCHY. That's a hard swap to make if you are coming off of Dove's perfect  baby powder scent.
4. Packaging. When it runs out, can I compost it, recycle it, or send it back for a refill?

Okay, let's dive in!

Please note: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you end up clicking and purchasing an item. I worked hard to find my trusted favorites and I want to share them with you so you don't have to deal with all the crappy junk I had to go through. Nuff said.

1. Make Your Own Deodorant!

Ingredients:
1 tbsp melted shea butter
1/2 tbsp melted coconut oil
2 tbsp arrowroot powder
2 tbsp aluminum free baking soda
10 drops of lavender essential oil for the ladies or 5 drops patchouli essential oil for the dudes 
2 oz. Glass Jar

Steps:
1. Use a double boiler OR by filling a pot with 2" of water, placing a metal strainer in it, and then a glass bowl on top.
2. Melt shea butter and coconut oil.
3. Remove from heat and add arrowroot powder and baking soda, mix thoroughly.
4. Add essential oils of choice and mix.
5. Pour into one 2 oz glass jar.

The consistency is like a thick butter, and you can apply a pea-sized amount with your fingers under each armpit. If you want a push-up tube, consider saving up a few empty tubes from your previous deodorant, funneling this mixture into those, and letting it set overnight.

2. Primal Pit Paste

I have used this amazing deodorant for five years before recently switching over to making my own deodorant. Primal Pit Paste has a great variety of essential oil based scents, organic ingredients, different levels of strength for different pitties, and their containers are recyclable. I recommend them to everyone that has underarms.

3. Schmidt’s Naturals 

​This is a close second thanks to their amazing essential oil-based scents. Be sure to opt for the glass container deodorants and not the plastic push up ones. Once you hit five empty glass containers, you can ship them back for free, and get a free deodorant! Schmidt's then sterilizes the old jars and reuses them. I love when companies work hard for closed-loop cycles.

4. The Salt Crystal 

For those of us who are super focused on zero-waste, the salt crystal is your answer. This brand comes in a compostable box, and the salt stone can be used for up to two years. The way you use it is a bit different than normal deodorant. You must apply the stone to clean armpits post-shower. You moisten the salt stone and rub on your underarms. The salt forms a protective barrier where odor-causing bacteria cannot thrive. I had mixed results with the salt stone, but it was before I jumped head first into my acclimation tricks. I feel that this is a viable option once you've done a proper armpit detox.

5. hiGaiaGuy Deodorant 

​Another zero-waste option with a compostable container. I love the smell of hiGaiaGuy Deodorant, and it's extremely soothing for dry, chapped underarms. Organic, vegan, non-GMO, and handcrafted. A great way to pamper your pitties.

Of course these aren't the be-all end-all, but they are the brands I can personally attest to. I know there are tons and tons of options popping up everyday with natural deodorant, so I have a few tips to help you make the best choice for yourself. 

1. I encourage you to make sure that the scents they use are not listed as "Fragrance" on the ingredients and instead include only essential oils. Remember companies may list "Natural Fragrance" so double check if they truly mean essential oils.
2. Be sure all the oils and balms used are certified organic or fair-trade. 
3. Don't forget packaging! If the container can't be recycled it's a hard pass. Look for #2 plastic containers, glass, and compostable options like cardboard.
4. Remember to stick with your choice for at least a month as you acclimate to natural deodorant.

Do you have any additions to this list? How has the armpit acclimation period been going? Comment below and fill me in!

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