Purify Your Pits with The Best Natural Deodorants for Men!
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Do you think about your deodorant?
Probably not. Why would you? If it keeps you from stinking up the office then it's done it's job.
What if I told you that you should throw it away so you can purify your pits? I don't mean to say you shouldn't wear deodorant.
I'm saying you should try one of the best natural deodorants for men and stop putting harmful chemicals on your body.
This review of the best natural and organic aluminum free deodorants will add to my work of trying to convince you that you don't need to use grooming products that use harsh chemicals and toxins to take care of yourself.
With other articles like the best all natural hair products, argan oil products for your beard and a guide to organic self tanning creams, you will see that I believe the days of using chemical laden grooming products is over.
With natural and aluminum free deodorants like Every Man Jack Sandalwood on the market, why would you subject yourself to taking a chemical bath when it isn't necessary?
Lavanila the Healthy Deodorant | ![]() | Rating: 3 Stars | $$ | Fresh Scent | ![]() |
Organic 101 Cedarwood Spice Organic Deodorant | ![]() | Rating: 3.7 Stars | $$ | Spicy Scent | ![]() |
Primal Pit All Natural Deodorant Paste | ![]() | Rating: 4 Stars | $ | Lavender Scent | ![]() |
CRYSTAL BODY DEODORANT Stick | ![]() | Rating: 4 Stars | $ | Unscented | ![]() |
Thesis All Natural and Organic Deodorant Spray | ![]() | Rating: 3.7 Stars | $$ | Neutral Scent | ![]() |
Bali Secrets Natural Roll On Deodorant | ![]() | Rating: 4.4 Stars | $$ | Subtle Scent | ![]() |
Why do men have body odor?
We sweat a lot, therefore we smell. Of course, women also sweat and they smell, too. But it seems like men sweat and smell a lot worse than women do.
So, why do men smell?
It isn't the sweat that actually smells. it does have an odor, but have you ever noticed that your chest doesn't smell when you sweat? Or, your face?
That's because it's the bacteria that eats your sweat that causes the odors. There's bacteria on the skin of your armpits, crotch and feet. If you've ever though that any of those areas smell like stinky cheese, you're not far off. Your sweat gets fermented by the bacteria almost the same way cheese is made.
It brings new meaning to fromunda cheese!
How much you smell depends on your pH levels, which all comes down to genes. Some guys sweat a lot but don't smell too much. Probably because there isn't so much bacteria produced. Others just don't sweat much at all.
What harmful chemicals should be avoided in men's deodorants?
This list of potentially harmful ingredients found in regular men's deodorants can read like a the shopping list of a mad scientist.
The jury is still out on whether or not many of these chemicals are actually doing any harm. My thoughts on this are two fold.
One is that if there is any doubt on the matter among scientists and researchers, then it's best to just avoid it.
The other thought it's usually said that these chemicals are only harmful in large doses and using this product won't expose you enough to do damage. Ok, but we don't just use this one product. When these ingredients are found in deodorant, shampoo, hair styling products, nail products, etc. then I think we are swimming in these harmful chemicals and become overexposed.
These chemicals can be replaced with natural ingredients that work just as well.
Here's a list of the chemicals that should be avoided in natural deodorants and natural antiperspirants:
- Aluminum compounds
- The aluminum commonly found in antiperspirants is aluminum chlorohydrate. It's a type of salt that clogs the pores to keep you from sweating. It has been suggested that it can lead to Alzheimer's and breast cancer. These seem to be rumors that have been de-bunked. Though, it may be best to avoid them as I believe that anything that inhibits the body's functions can't be good.
- Parabens
- Paraben is a chemical used as a preservative in many grooming products. It's suspected of interfering with hormones and there has been a link to certain cancers.
- Steareth
- This is a chemical that is produced during the manufacturing process of deodorant. It has some properties that can cause cancer.
- Triclosan
- This is a bacteria killer in many deodorants. It's what keeps the bacteria from mixing with our sweat that causes us to smell. It is also a known carcinogenic.
- Propylene Glycol
- People with sensitive skin have trouble with this chemical as it usually causes a rash. Even worse, it can damage your central nervous system, heart and kidney function.
- Triethanolamine and diethanolamine
- Easily absorbed into your skin these chemicals can damage your liver and kidneys. The link is so strong to these problems that they are banned in products in Europe.
- Artificial dyes
- Many artificial dyes have petroleum by-products in them that have been linked to certain cancers.
Do natural deodorants actually work?
Yes, natural deodorants do work. They all work to varying degrees just as any deodorant. Some work better than others.
We all have different pH levels so not every deodorant will work the same on everybody. Not only that, but when your deodorant runs out and you need a new one, you should try a new brand with different ingredients. Your body will adjust to your deodorant and it will lose its effectiveness over time.
Finding a good natural deodorant that works is the same as with any deodorant. You just have to find the one that works best.
What ingredients do natural and organic deodorants use?
Baking Soda
Many natural deodorants use baking soda as their main ingredient. This is an alkali that neutralizes the bacteria present in your underarms.
Some people get very irritated by baking soda, but, luckily there are plenty of other natural deodorants that don't use it or, at least, very little is present.
Witch Hazel
It's a funny name that conjures up images of your grandma's cure all. What it actually is is an astringent made from some bark and leaves from a shrub. It will constrict the pores and leaves your skin feeling soft. You will sweat just a little bit less when this ingredient is present.
Essential Oils
Instead of synthetic fragrances made from petroleum, essential oils will give you a fresh scent without doing any harm. They are extractions from herbs, flowers, seeds and spices.
Some have antibacterial properties that will reduce the odor causing creatures that give you BO. Some notable antibacterial essential oils include rosemary, lichen, sage, lemongrass and tea tree oil.
Mineral Salts
Some of these salts contain aluminum which does not seem very natural. However, these salts do occur naturally, so it isn't false advertising. Often, you will see it listed as alum as an ingredient. It's the same type of product that you use on your face when you nick yourself shaving.
This type of aluminum doesn't block the pores like the aluminum chlorohydrate. Instead, it forms a layer on the skin that the bacteria cannot grow in. Effectively, instead of killing bacteria after they grow, it keeps them from forming to begin with. Many of the crystal or rock deodorants use this type of mineral salt and are still considered all natural.
Hops
They're not just for beer. They are used in natural deodorants as both a preservative and as an antibacterial agent.
Wax
Wax is usually added as a carrier or to make the mixture of ingredients into a solid that can be applied easier. Many vegan deodorants won't use any beeswax. If you are vegan, make sure the organic deodorant you wish to use doesn't have any beeswax as an ingredient.
All of these ingredients are safe to use and to put on your skin. Some natural deodorants will use alcohol, though, which can dry your skin. If you have a problem with dry skin then try to avoid any with alcohol.
Even though these ingredients are all safe, it doesn't mean that you won't have any kind of side effect. Some people can't have much baking soda on their skin. Others may react to a certain essential oil present. You may have to try a few to find the one that works best for you.
The Best Natural and Organic Men's Deodorants
Best Natural Deodorant for Sensitive Skin
Lavanila the Healthy Deodorant Fragrance Free Super Sensitive
Features:
- 100% Natural ingredients
- No aluminum or parabens
- No added scent
- Essential oils kill bacteria as well as nourish the skin
- Great for sensitive skin
Ingredients:
Water (Aqua), Propanediol (Corn Derived), Sodium Stearate (Coconut Derived), Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Silica, Glycerin (Vegetable Derived), Glyceryl Laurate (Coconut And Palm Kernel Oil Derived), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Moringa Oil/hydrogenated Moringa Oil Esters, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon Peel Oil), Inulin (Artichoke Derived), Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide (Sugar Derived), Yeast Beta Glucan, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Hydrastis Canadensis (Goldenseal) Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract (Goji Berry), Tocopheryl (Vitamin E) Acetate, Sodium Phytate (Rice Derived), Sodium Hydroxide (Salt Derived)
Lavanila laboratories natural deodorant is great for people with sensitive skin for two reasons.
One is that they don't add any fragrance that might irritate the skin. There is a slight scent to the deodorant due to the essential oils in it, but there is no fragrance added. It is a very mild smell though.
The other, more important, reason is that it doesn't contain any baking soda. Not that baking soda is bad for you, but some people with sensitive skin might have problems with it.
If you are new to the natural deodorant world, this is a good first product to try. It goes on like a stick deodorant that you are used to. It looks and feels just like an ordinary deodorant.
It won't do much to keep you from sweating as it isn't an antiperspirant and doesn't have any aluminum or alum in it. It will keep your sweat from stinking, though.
I have always had a hard time getting the deodorant off of my underarms no matter how many times I lather up. Even using a scrubbing brush still leaves the skin feeling tacky with traditional antiperspirants.
That is not the case with the Lavanila natural deodorant. Washing it off is very easy and the your skin is left feeling very soft and healthy after due to the essential oils.
Best Extra Strength Organic Non Aluminum Deodorant
Organic 101 Cedarwood Spice Organic Deodorant, Extra Strength
Features:
- 100% Natural and Cerified Organic
- No aluminum, baking soda
- Free from parabens,propylene glycol, triclosan, or other toxic chemicals linked to cancer and other degenerative diseases.
- Stain free formula
- Animal cruelty free
- 30 day money back guarantee
Ingredients:
Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Cornstarch, Organic Beeswax, Organic Cedarwood Spice Essential Oil Blend, Organic Rosemary Extract
I love when I look at the ingredients of a natural product and it is a very short one. And I can pronounce the words!
To me that means they are using just the ingredients that work and don't add ones that don't perform a vital function. The ingredients list may seem simple, but this deodorant works great.
It's extra strength to battle against even the strongest body odor, but is gentle on skin. If you have sensitive skin but still have a strong odor, then this is definitely the best natural deodorant to try.
It has a classic cedarwood spice scent, too. If you like those old school 1970's era fragrances, then you will love the spicy scent of this natural deodorant.
If you're a big sweater, you may be worried about the deodorant leaving stains on your shirt. Since there is no dye or fragrance added, your shirt will remain stain free.
A little goes a long way with this deodorant. You only need to give it a pass over your armpit and are good to go. So, it will last a long time. It is a bit on the pricey side as deodorants go, but, since it does last a while you will get your money's worth.
Best Natural Aluminum Free Deodorant Paste
Primal Pit All Natural Deodorant Paste
Features:
- 100% All natural food grade ingredients
- Animal cruelty free
- No aluminum or parabens
- Long lasting
- Lavender essential oil
Ingredients:
Organic Shea Butter, Organic Arrowroot Powder, Non-Aluminum Baking Soda, Organic Coconut Oil, Lavender Essential Oil, Non-GMO Vitamin E derived 100% from Sunflowers
I'll start off by saying that using a natural deodorant paste is not for everybody. It isn't as quick and easy as using a deodorant stick.
I will add, however, that it is worth it to try this paste deodorant as it is excellent. You only need a little pea sized amount and you will be amazed at how long it keeps your body odor away.
It is scented with lavender, which may not be your cup of tea, but there is also a fragrance free version. That said, the scent dissipates quickly.
Applying it is easy. You just take a pea sized amount and rub it between your hands to melt it a bit. Getting it melted with your body heat will ensure it's applied evenly. Then just rub it into your arm pits. It is not greasy like some deodorant pastes can be. It will dry quickly and then you're on your way.
It does have some baking soda in it, but even if you are sensitive to baking soda you may not react to it. there is just enough in it to kill bacteria without being over the top.
It's a mom and pop operation which I also really like. it's nice supporting the little guys in a big market like deodorant.
Best Crystal/Rock Deodorant for Men
CRYSTAL BODY DEODORANT Stick for Men
Features:
- Twist up stick style deodorant
- Contains no aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum zirconium, parabens or phthalates
- Lasts up to a year
- Hypoallergenic and safe to use
Ingredients:
hydrated potassium aluminium sulfate
You may have heard about these miracle rock or crystal deodorants. They're really just alum like you would use on your face after you shave especially if you have nicks.
Now, after all the talk of aluminum causing Alzheimer's or cancer, this is an aluminum product. It is a salt, though and not aluminum chlorohydrate or zirconium. So it really is not bad to be used on your skin.
The way this deodorant works is that it creates a layer on your skin that prevents bacteria from developing. This is actually much better than killing the bacteria that is already on your skin since there will always be some present.
To apply you just wet the stone and rub it on your arm pits. Let it dry before you put your shirt on so it doesn't stain. It only takes a few seconds to dry.
If you shave your arm pits then this is the perfect deodorant to use after shaving. As I said, it is a shaving product originally so it works great on shaved skin.
It is ideal for those with sensitive skin since it doesn't use any essential oils or baking soda. It only has one ingredient. Alum.
It has no scent and washed off easily. I really love this product and have been using it for a long time now.
The only small drawback is that your skin has to be cleaned for it to work. It's not like when you could get away with just slapping some deodorant on the day after taking a shower and run out of the house. You can't finish up at the gym and put some on so you don't stink on your way home to shower.
For the price, I don't think you can go wrong with this crystal deodorant.
Best All Natural Deodorant Spray
Thesis All Natural and Organic Deodorant Spray
Features:
- Chemical free and Non Toxic – NO synthetics, NO artificial fragrances, NO preservatives, NO toxic irritants, Aluminum, NO triclosan, NO phthalates, NO parabens or propylene glycol, NO anti perspirant chemicals
- Animal cruelty free
- Scented with eucalyptus, lavender and rosemary essential oils
- Works on any part of the body
- No stain formula
Ingredients:
Organic Cane Alcohol (Ethanol); Organic Glycerin; Organic Lavender Essential Oil; Organic Lime Essential Oil; Organic Lemongrass Essential Oil; Organic Peppermint Essential Oil; Organic Petitgrain Essential Oil; Organic Eucalyptus Essential Oil; Organic Rosemary Essential Oil; Organic Geranium Essential Oil; Organic Tea Tree Essential Oil
I have to admit that I am a sucker for cool packaging. Any product that comes in an old time apothecary bottle always catches my attention. Such is the case with the Thesis Organic deodorant spray.
The nice thing is that it works as well as it looks.
Since it is a spry it goes on very easy and dries quickly with no greasy residue.
It smells great, too. I love eucalyptus, but, even if you're not a huge fan it is very mild.
If you have smelly feet this also works wonders as it neutralizes bacteria very well.
A little goes a long way with this natural deodorant so even though it isn't cheap, it does last a long time. It also seems like an artisanal product rather than a mass marketed deodorant. They say it is made in small batches and it does seem to be the case.
Best All Natural Roll On Deodorant
Bali Secrets Natural Roll On Deodorant
Features:
- Vegan and gluten-free
- No aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum zirconium, parabens, phthalates and no baking soda
- Animal cruelty free
- Recyclable BPA free bottle
- Stain free formula
Ingredients:
Seaweed Extract (Brown algae), Natural Mineral Salt (Potassium alum), Aloe Vera Leaf Extract (Aloe barbadensis), Distilled Water (Aqua des), Alcohol (Ethanol), Coconut Oil (Cocos nucifera), Aloe Vera Essential Oil (Aloe barbadensis)
Roll on deodorants are not for everybody, I will admit. I used this deodorant and it worked great, however I don't like the feeling of a roll on. That's just me though, and the results speak for themselves.
This deodorant does what it is supposed to do. And that is to keep you from smelling up an elevator, for instance.
The mineral salt in it does a great job at keeping the bacteria that cause you to stink at bay. The other ingredients like seaweed extract and aloe vera do a great job at leaving your skin feel clean and healthy. It does contain alcohol but it is only enough to keep the mixture flowing so it can be applied as a roll on. If you have a sensitivity to alcohol then be aware that it may or may not affect you.
The scent, though a bit of a baby powder smell, is very mild and dissipates quickly. It is a neutral smell that does work fine on men.
Final Thoughts on All Natural and Organic Deodorants
I have to reiterate again that if you have tried a natural deodorant in the past and it didn't work for you, don't give up.
Use this review of the best organic and all natural deodorants to find one that will actually work for you. As you can see from the review, there are multiple categories so finding one that will work won't be an issue.
I am making it a bit of a mission to inform people that natural grooming products are just as good, if not better in some cases, as conventional ones. I don't know if the ingredients in conventional products create cancer or other ailments. But, when I consider how many toxins there are in the food we eat, clothes we wear, air we breath and cosmetics we use, it seems like everything adds up. These product might not be killing us, but, why take the chance?
I feel good about using these all natural deodorants and I hope you try some and feel good, too. And smell good!
If you are a fan of organic deodorants or know somebody who should be using them, then share this article on social. You can also leave me a comment down below if you want to share your experience or even to berate me for being a hopeless hippy! (Which I am definitely not! Notice I didn't include any deodorant with patchouli!)
Try using jungleman all natural deodorant, sweat much less than the deodorants listed above. Even better, the longer you use jungleman the better it gets, unlike the others where your body builds a tolerance to them.
I haven\t actually tried that one. Thanks for the heads up. I am going to contact them now and see if I can score a sample and will add it when I do!