We may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article.
My hunt for the best natural deodorant for women has been a years-long journey. Truly. I imagine I’m best remembered at my former job for making everyone in my office “pod” test a natural deodorant for five days straight. People were disgruntledâand quite frankly, many of them smelledâbut we did find a couple of winners (namely Schmidtâs and White Rock Soap Gallery’s Activated Charcoal Deodorant).
That was back in 2019. Since then, more and more brands have entered the race to create the one truly great natural deodorant. Because while there’s still no science to suggest that aluminum leads to Alzheimer’s or cancer, the idea of a healthy pit microbiome (one with no blocked pores or chemicals) remains alluring.
So I polled my coworkers again (they had their own journeys to share) and forced myself to try a bevy of buzzy natch deodorants for the past few weeks. (I’ve been moving from one Texas home in the late-spring heat to another, so I’m really putting them to the test.) May the freshness be with you.
Featured image from our interview with Megan O’Neill by Belathée Photography.
The Best Natural Deodorants for Women
For weeks, I tested out some of the trendiest natural deodorants of 2025 and put them to work in heated Corepower Yoga classes, moving boxes in the Texas heat, and more laid-back, sitting-at-my-desk-for-hours days. Ahead, I share my experience, starting with my favorite deodorant and working down from there.
This deodorant gel is a refreshing game-changer. Its eucalyptus scent is crisp and invigoratingâperfect for starting the day with a boost of clarity. The gel dries quickly (no sticky underarms here!) and comes in sleek, minimalist packaging thatâs right at home on any vanity. Even after a hectic day and a quick Pilates session, I still felt fresh, with no need for a midday reapplication.
Whatâs to Love: The gel formula is innovative and lightweight, gliding on smoothly and absorbing fast. Itâs formulated with hyaluronic acid and glycerin to hydrate while probiotics support a balanced skin microbiome. Bonus: Itâs aluminum-free, so itâs gentle on sensitive skin.
Whatâs Not to Love: While the scent is clean and luxurious, it may fade quicker than expected, especially on warmer days. Also, if youâre transitioning to natural deodorants, it might take your body a bit to adjust.
Overall, this deodorant is an elevated addition to any natural skincare routine, blending performance with thoughtful ingredients and an understated scent profile.
This was an easy pick for number two. It dries quickly, has a nice, earthy modern scent to it, and comes in beautiful packaging. It also held its ground during an intense workout class. Why it took the number two spot? This pick left my pits feeling a bit itchy and wet after application.
Whatâs to Love: The natural skincare brand Salt & Stone is known for its intoxicating scents, and the deodorant I tried did not disappoint in that category. I love that itâs packed with probiotics and hyaluronic acid for a balanced armpit microbiome.
Whatâs Not to Love: My pits didnât take to it as much as I would have hoped. Still, itâs one of the best natural deodorants Iâve ever tried.
Iâm a big fan of By Rosie Janeâs clean fragrances, so I was excited to see the perfumerâs ingredient transparency extended to a natural deodorant. I opted for the invigorating âWake the F*uck Upâ with lemon verbena and eucalyptus (as opposed to the lavender-infused alternative, âCalm the F*ck Downâ) which arrived in a gorgeous glass bottle for just $15. (Refills are available on the By Rosie Jane website.)
I donât like my deodorant to feel wet going on, so all sprays are an immediate uphill battle, but By Rosie Janeâs deodorant dried quickly and left a lovely essential oil smell. You need to continue to spritz your pits throughout the day, which is fine if youâre working at a desk or arenât doing anything too active. Also, this natural deodorant gets bonus points for actually calming some pit itchiness, likely due to the glycerin and organic aloe vera.
Ultimately, itâs a nice, natural alternative for days you arenât exerting yourself much.
Whatâs to Love: The aromatic essential oil blend actually calmed some pit itchiness I had pre-deodorant.
Whatâs Not to Love: You have to reapply throughout the day to keep the good scent going. This is also not the deodorant you want to rely on for strenuous activities.
This one was just fine. Iâve docked it a few points for how rough it felt swiping on. (There are a lot of concerns people have when making the switch to natural deodorant, but my biggest fear is itchy pits.) Over time, my skin didnât become quite as irritated as I expected, but I never felt as safe from creating a cloud of stink as I did with my favorites.
Whatâs to Love: The price. Crystal has a competitive edge in this category. And the lavender scent was beautiful.
Whatâs Not to Love: It goes on a bit scratchy.
Iâd heard great things about Ursa Major and its kaolin clay, but after putting it to the test on a particularly stressful workday, I was disappointed (in more ways than one) to find myself pretty smelly by early afternoon. It was also one of the biggest white-streak perpetrators of the bunch.
Whatâs to Love: It smells and feels fantastic going on.
Whatâs Not to Love: It left my pits feeling pretty moist and irritated, the latter of which may have been caused by the baking soda in the formula.
Camille Styles Editors’ Favorite Natural Deodorants
Athena Club Grapefruit Spritz All Day Deo
What’s to Love: Come for the cute packaging, stay for the light but bright summery scent. And of course, don’t forget the all-day efficacy. I’ve subjected my partner to many natural deodorant trials and tribulations, but this was the first one where (without my prompting), he said: “Wow, Isabelle you actually smell great.” Beyond the scent, I love that the formula is plant-based, cruelty-free, and doesn’t leave any white streaks. It checks all my boxes.
What’s Not to Love: While this is great for everyday use, I need something a little stronger when I’m going for a long walk or bike ride. I haven’t found any natural options that hold up to that challenge yet, but for work days and the like, this is the best. â Isabelle, Managing Editor
Primally Pure Lavender Deodorant
What’s to Love: Everything about this! The scent is lovely (but subtle)âand it actually works. It’s my holy grail. They use tallow from grass-fed cows and the lavender essential oil helps calm irritation from potential ingrown hairs. It’s soothing and effective.
What‘s Not to Love: Sometimes in the summer months, I need to reapply before a late-afternoon park adventure with my toddler or a sweaty evening walk. But in the winter, applying once per day is enough! *Granted our climate is dry in Colorado.* â Edie, Wellness Editor
Milk + Honey Baking Soda-Free Deodorant
What’s to Love: Baking Soda-free deodorant that actually works? Sign me up. I’ve been using Milk and Honey for the past year and it’s my favorite option for long-lasting protection. The scents aren’t too overpowering and they just work, even during humid summer days at the lake.
What’s Not to Love: I do have to be careful when wearing black as they do leave a white cast behind. Suruchi, Food Editor
Kosas Chemistry AHA Serum Deodorant
What’s to Love: Literally everything: texture, smell (I use the blue one), quick dry with no residue, and it actually works.
What’s Not to Love: Nothing. â Langa, Beauty Editor
