Expert-Tested: Best Natural Deodorant (2025) | Garage Gym Reviews (2025)

We test and review fitness products based on an independent, multi-point methodology.

72-hour protection

Multiple scents

Aluminum-free

Lume Whole Body Deodorant takes our top spot for natural deodorants mostly because of its value: It comes in a variety of scents, offers up to 72 hours of protection, and can be found in multiple forms. We tested out the deodorant stick, but Lume also offers a spray or cream (which rubs in like a lotion).

GGR staff writer Matt Dustin, CSCS, PN1-NC, tested out Lume and rated his overall experience a 4 out of 5. “I ordered the Clean Tangerine scent and I liked its light, pleasant smell,” he says. He does note that the texture of the stick is a little pasty and chalky. “It could leave a bit of residue if you’re not careful,” Matt adds.

The price of one stick of Lume is $14.99, which is pretty normal for a natural deodorant; however, you can buy two- or three-packs from Amazon to save on the price per stick. “It’s not cheap by any means, but it also seems pretty high-quality,” Matt says, rating the price a 3 out of 5.

Lume avoids common irritants, like baking soda and talc, as well as potentially harmful ingredients like aluminum, phthalates, and parabens. The ingredients and formulation get a 4 out of 5 from our team, as the ingredients are listed as skin-safe.

In particular, Lume uses mandelic acid, which helps increase the acidity in the desired area, neutralizing odor and bacteria. Being a whole body deodorant, Lume is formulated to be comfortable “for pits, privates, and beyond,” as their saying goes.

Matt noticed in his testing and research of Lume that they’ve recently released a line of deodorant geared toward men called Mando. While the formula is the same, the scents and marketing are different, with stronger scents that mimic cologne. Anyone can use either deodorant and simply use the scent they prefer.

We test and review fitness products based on an independent, multi-point methodology.

Multiple scents

Aluminum-free

Non-staining

Have you ever wanted a deodorant with fragrance notes? Fulton & Roark can fulfill that need with over 15 different scents for their natural deodorants, all described in detail with base notes, mid notes, and top notes for each scent. Their signature scent, Calle Ocho, gets a 5 out of 5 for its scent. Fulton & Roark even package their scents into soaps, colognes, and candles.

“I might buy the cologne for myself because the scent is so good; I love it,” says our product tester Matt Dustin, CSCS, PN1-NC. Calle Ocho in particular has notes of rum, tobacco, and sandalwood, which sounds exactly like a cologne scent to me.

Matt rates his overall experience a 4 out of 5. He notes, “The stick’s texture is a little rough and chalky, so it’s a little rough to apply it. However, the smell is so good that I didn’t mind the less-than-ideal application of the stick.”

Fulton & Roark makes deodorant free of aluminum, baking soda, and phthalates. While a solid formulation, that uses tapioca starch as a substitute to baking soda, it also uses alcohol like propylene glycol, which can cause some skin irritation in some people.

This is a premium deodorant that comes with a premium price—$32 for a single 2.5-ounce stick. Matt still rates the value a 3 out of 5, saying, “Even though it’s extremely expensive, it feels high-quality, and I could smell the deodorant scent all day long.”

Along with a premium feel, Fulton & Roark also sell deodorant refills, which is a stick replacement you can fit into the original container. This can save you money on replacements, but it also helps in making them an environmentally friendly company; they reduce plastic use by two-thirds compared to traditional deodorant packaging.

Multiple scents

aluminum-free

Baking soda-free

Those looking for some odor protection can try out Native Deodorant, which claims to provide up to 72 hours of protection from odors. Available in a few scents, along with unscented, this whole body deodorant has become famous—or infamous, depending on who you ask—for quirky ads and commercials.

Additionally, the ingredient list is pretty simple, as the main ingredients listed are coconut oil, shea butter, tapioca starch, and essential oils. Native is made free of aluminum, talc, dyes, baking soda, and parabens, making it a pretty clean deodorant.

RELATED: How To Get Sweat Smell Out of Clothes

GGR staff writer Matt Dustin, CSCS, PN1-NC, tried out unscented Native Deodorant and gave its scent (or lack thereof) a 5 out of 5. “I like that it truly is unscented so it doesn’t interfere with cologne or other scents,” Matt adds.

Matt rates the ease of application a 4 out of 5 as well. “It goes on fine, although it’s a little thick,” he says. “It still didn’t leave much residue for me.” Matt still sweated with the deodorant on, however; but natural deodorant won’t prevent sweat like an antiperspirant. Instead it neutralizes the bacteria that causes body odor.

With a price varying from $13 to $15—depending on where you buy a stick from—this is a middle-of-the-road pricing for a natural deodorant, earning it a 3 out of 5 for its pricing. Still, for a simply formulated deodorant that can help neutralize odors, Native Deodorant is a solid choice.

We test and review fitness products based on an independent, multi-point methodology.

Aluminum-free

Multiple scents

Parabens-free

For all-day protection, you can check out Salt & Stone Natural Deodorant. Available in five scents, GGR director of content Nicole Davis, CPT, PN1-NC, tried out the Santal & Vetiver scent and gave it high praise, rating the protection a 5 out of 5. “It keeps you smelling fresh all day without being overly chalky or leaving residue,” she says.

“I’ve tried other natural deodorants and they all didn’t cut it,” Nicole continues. “But then I tried Salt & Stone after hearing positive things about it. It smells great without being overpowering and certainly keeps odor at bay.”

Nicole also rates the ingredients a 5 out of 5. In addition to probiotics, hyaluronic acid, and anti-oxidants, Salt & Stone is made with no common skin irritants. The base formula is known as Extra Strength, but they have a deodorant gel for those with sensitive skin that’s made without baking soda. The gel only comes in two scents, though.

At $20 for a 2.6-ounce stick, this is definitely one of the pricier deodorant brands we’ve tested. Still, Nicole sees high value in this natural deodorant, rating the price and value a 4 out of 5. “I really like this product,” Nicole adds. “It may seem like a lot for a stick, but this isn’t much over the typical natural deodorant. Plus, it really works.”

We test and review fitness products based on an independent, multi-point methodology.

24-hour protection

Aluminum-free

Unscented

Natural deodorants often boast minimal and simple ingredients. Cosmetics with minimal ingredients and lacking additives might benefit those susceptible to underarm rashes², making them a great alternative for those with sensitive skin. If you want minimal ingredients Crystal Deodorant is as simple as it gets, with one ingredient: potassium alum. With one ingredient, it gets a 5 out of 5 for its formulation.

Potassium alum is a mineral salt that Crystal claims offers all-day protection without blocking sweat pores like aluminum ingredients would. GGR director of content Nicole Davis, CPT, PN1-NC, found it effective in her use, rating the amount of protection a 4 out of 5. “I’m actually shocked at how well it works, especially for having just one ingredient,” she says. “I tend to have sensitive skin, but I’m not irritated by this at all, and it keeps body odor at bay.”

Applying this deodorant isn’t as easy as your typical stick. Nicole rates the ease of application a 3 out of 5, because the stick has to be activated prior to use. “You activate it by running it under water before swiping it on,” she explains. “This could be a hindrance if you want to apply deodorant on the go. Once it’s wet, though, it goes on smoothly and leaves absolutely no residue.”

A 1.5-ounce stick costs $7, but is often marked down for less. Although it seems travel-sized, the mineral stick will last quite awhile; Crystal claims a single stick can last for a year if used daily, earning it a 5 out of 5 for pricing.

We test and review fitness products based on an independent, multi-point methodology.

Aluminum-free

Non-staining

Baking soda-free

Natural deodorants can be great for working out, since you’re going to be sweating from workouts, whether it be HIIT or bodybuilding workouts. For a natural deodorant that’ll last through the most intense of workouts, we like Megababe Rosy Pits Daily Deodorant.

Although the brand comes in various scents, our product tester, a certified personal trainer, tried out the Rosy Pits scent—one of their most popular scents. She rates her overall experience a 5 out of 5, joking, “I am so annoyed at loving a $14, girl-power deodorant, but it really works.”

She continues, “I’ve made sure to apply it before getting dressed, and I’ve never seen any stains on my clothes, which is more than I can say for any drugstore deodorant I’ve used.” The deodorant glides on smoothly, too, earning a 5 out of 5 for ease of application.

It’s long-lasting for active people, too. “I applied it in the morning and then played a high-intensity tennis class in the evening, and I could still catch pleasant whiffs of my deodorant throughout the day.” Active people shouldn’t have any issues with odor protection.

Another benefit is the ingredient transparency, which earns Rosy Pits a 5 out of 5 for ingredients. In addition to being aluminum-free, the deodorant is also free of parabens and phthalates. “There’s a cool widget on the site that gives you information about ingredients and its function,” adds our product tester.

I should note that Megababe is marketed toward women; however, anyone can use the deodorant. Still, the floral scent of Rosy Pits may not be for everyone, but for long-lasting protection during active days, this is a solid option.

We test and review fitness products based on an independent, multi-point methodology.

Multiple scents

Aluminum-free

For sensitive skin

Natural deodorants at a minimum are aluminum-free; still these deodorants can use ingredients that cause some irritation to people—especially those with sensitive skin. For those who are wary of irritating ingredients, there’s Primally Pure Natural Deodorant. It’s specially formulated for sensitive skin using minimal ingredients that are easy to apply.

The ingredients are basic and effective, earning a 5 out of 5. Primally Pure is free of aluminum, parabens, and phthalates, and the ingredients used are all-natural and non-toxic. Coconut oil, tallow from grass-fed cows, essential oils, beeswax, and a small amount of baking soda are included in the formulation. (The tallow used makes this one of the few natural deodorants that isn’t vegan-friendly, however.)

There are about nine different scents to try out. I tried out their newest scent, Bergamot + Eucalyptus, and rated the scent a 5 out of 5. It has a fresh, pleasant scent that’s noticeable but not overpowering. My wife liked the scent, too, although she’s partial to bergamot already.

While I felt this was an effective deodorant that applied pretty easily, my biggest gripe is the cost. Deodorants are $14 to $16, but only for 1.7-ounce sticks. There are larger 2.5-ounce sticks available, but the price is more. I noticed that I go through the deodorant stick pretty quickly, too, so this will be a pricey investment over time. I gave the price a 2 out of 5.

Those who are sensitive to baking soda should know that Primally Pure does use baking soda, although they say it’s not much. Still, if you know sodium bicarbonate has irritated you in the past, you may want to avoid this natural deodorant.

We test and review fitness products based on an independent, multi-point methodology.

Aluminum-free

Paraben-free

Multiple scents

What makes a deodorant best for women? Mostly the marketing; there’s no real formulation differences between deodorants for women and deodorants for men. Some scents may lean more toward a feminine or masculine persuasion, but really scents are up to your own preferences. All that to say: Although it’s our pick for the best deodorant for women, Kopari Coconut Deodorant is a suitable deodorant for just about anyone, especially with its simple formulation.

“The main ingredients are coconut oil and sage oil, so it’s certainly a clean deodorant,” says our product tester and GGR senior editor Bojana Galic, NASM-CNC. She rates the ingredients a 4 out of 5, but gives them bonus points for being a cruelty-free deodorant that hasn’t been tested on animals.

Her overall experience was a bit mixed, however. She rates it a 3.5 out of 5, adding, “I love that it’s baking soda-free, a difference I can feel when I put it on after shaving. And I appreciate its natural formula and that it glides on easily.” She’s chosen this as her go-to deodorant for casual days of lounging around.

However, it hasn’t been as effective on strenuous activities and workouts. “When I wore it on a 35-mile bike ride, it pretty much disappeared,” she says. “Then again, not many deodorants can hold up in those conditions.” Still, if you’re looking for odor protection during lots of activity, this may not be the ideal option.

This is one of the pricier natural deodorants, costing about $18 for a 2-ounce stick. Bojana rates the price a 2 out of 5. Still, this is a great deodorant for casual days, plus it’s highly rated by customers. For a simple deodorant that works, Kopari may be a good option.

Aluminum-free

Multiple scents

Smooth glide

Natural deodorants use quality ingredients often, but that comes with a premium price tag. For a budget-minded option, I recommend Tom’s of Maine. Their aluminum-free deodorant is also free of parabens, baking soda, and artificial fragrances. Plus, a two-pack of 3.25-ounce sticks will cost less than $8 per stick. That makes the two-pack cheaper than some single natural deodorant sticks.

Available in multiple scents, I tested out this deodorant and used the Eucalyptus and Sandalwood scent, which was a very unique scent, earning it a 5 out of 5. The eucalyptus had a very fresh smell, with woodsy notes from the sandalwood. I became a fan of the minty scent very quickly.

Using alcohols and propylene glycol, it glides on smoothly and leaves no residue, earning the deodorant a 5 out of 5 for its ease of application. Those with sensitive skin may not appreciate the alcohol though, since it is a fairly common irritant.

In use, it’s not the longest-lasting deodorant, especially while working out. Tom’s of Maine says the deodorant provides 24 hours of protection, which I found to be true, but only if I had a lazy day. If I was in the gym training snatch or clean and jerks, I found the deodorants to fade after a few hours. It’d still last through my workouts though, so I rate it a 3 out of 5 for its protection.

As I noted, there is alcohol in this stick of deodorant, but it didn’t irritate my skin at all. Although this is a budget-friendly natural deodorant, Tom’s of Maine is a B-certified company, so the product is still good quality, making it a pretty good deodorant with some unique scents and smells.

We test and review fitness products based on an independent, multi-point methodology.

Aluminum-free

Paraben-free

Baking soda-free

Although Oars + Alps Aluminum-Free Deodorant Spray takes our spot for best deodorant for men, this deodorant spray is marketed for everyone, with two gender-neutral scents: California Coast and Fresh Ocean Splash. Our product tester, GGR senior staff writer Stephen Sheehan, CPT, CNC, rates the ease of application a 5 out of 5, since it’s simply a spray.

“I typically use a stick deodorant, so using a spray was different,” Stephen notes. He rates his overall experience a 4 out of 5, as “the spray works effectively, though I’ll admit that I typically don’t deal with body odor.”

He did notice a bit of burning or stinging when he applied it after shaving his armpits. This is most likely from the denatured alcohol, a key ingredient in this deodorant. Alcohols are common in deodorants as they can raise the acidity of the skin’s surface, neutralizing bacteria and odors in turn. However, alcohol can be an irritant to some, so you may need to avoid this if you have sensitive skin or regularly trim or shave your pits.

Aside from the possibly irritating alcohol, Oars + Alps uses premium and clean ingredients, earning them a 5 out of 5 for formulation. First, the deodorant spray is free of aluminum, glycol, parabens, phthalates, and talc. Along with alcohol, there are prebiotics in the spray to help create a healthy skin microbiome, converting odor-causing substances into fuel for healthy bacteria.

The $14 cost of a single deodorant spray earns it a 3 out of 5 for price, but Stephen notes ways you can save: “Buying a bulk supply of two or three containers drops the price to around $13, and you can also subscribe and save 10% on top of that.” The 3.4 ounces in a spray form should last longer than most deodorant sticks, too, making this a worthwhile investment.

Aluminum-free

Cruelty-free

Non-staining

Deodorants and antiperspirants can often clump or leave behind residue, staining your clothing. While aluminum is the main culprit (making this much less of an issue with natural deodorants), staining and marks can still happen. For a natural deodorant that leaves little residue behind, we like Ursa Major Natural Deodorant Spray.

Shane Johnson, husband of former GGR team member Frieda Johnson, CNC, SET, tried out this deodorant spray and rated the ease of application a 4 out of 5. “It’s super easy to apply, but you’ll need to wait a minute to let it dry,” says Shane. “The spray has a fine mist that gives great coverage though.

“One or two sprays is plenty,” Shane continues. “More than that leaves your skin feeling sticky. Still, it doesn’t transfer onto my clothing at all.”

The formulation earns a near-perfect score of 4.75 out of 5, as Shane notes, “It’s made from natural ingredients and essential oils, but there is alcohol in it, which could be an irritant for some folks.” He didn’t have any issues with it, however.

Ursa Major isn’t the longest-lasting deodorant we’ve tested however, as Shane says it lasted a few hours at most for him. He still rates the protection a 3 out of 5, though, because it’s very easy to reapply the spray if needed.

At $20 for a 1.7-ounce bottle, this spray is certainly on the pricey side. Granted, it’ll last for many sprays, but with minimal protection, some people may want to opt for a stronger deodorant.