6 Vegan Deodorant Brands That Actually Work
Which vegan deodorant brands actually work, you ask? This is a question I'd asked myself for a long time before stumbling upon some great options that aligned with my personal needs, environmental standards, and ethics. Plenty of deodorant brands that I'd tried in the past seemed great on paper, but at the end of the day left me in some uncomfortable situations I'd rather not re-live. Meanwhile, mainstream deodorants remained loaded with toxic chemicals and caused harm to animals.
My Experience With Vegan Deodorants
Firstly, as someone who is not a dermatologist, I wasn't sure what to look for in terms of maintaining my skin health. A major fact I learned after tons of research was that baking soda, a common ingredient in natural deodorants, is not at all good for our skin and can even promote the growth of odor-causing bacteria. Yikes! This explained the allergic reactions I'd experienced after months of wearing a natural baking soda deodorant.
On the other hand, regular deodorants seemed to always contain aluminum and a plethora of other potentially toxic ingredients I was not comfortable using on my sensitive skin. And of course, these products were typically non-vegan.
So, I had to find some sort of middle ground. Which deodorants are natural, non-toxic, palm oil-free, and baking soda free? Which are packaged sustainably in biodegradable, recyclable, or compostable materials? And most importantly, which deodorants are free from animal products? Could I have the best of both worlds?
As it turns out, there are a handful of vegan, sustainable, and non-toxic deodorants that totally work! I know this, because I've tried them all myself, and have also tried those that don't work at all. So, I can sincerely say that these are the cleanest, most effective brands out there. Keep reading to learn exactly what to look for in your vegan cruelty-free deodorants, and the top brands available today!
What Makes a Deodorant Cruelty-Free and Vegan?
A vegan deodorant will protect you against bad odors with minimal to no health risks, and without harming our animal friends or the planet. This can be done by using natural ingredients and biodegradable packaging, and by omitting animal tests. Identify vegan deodorants either by checking the ingredients for the beeswax, honey, lanolin, animal fats, or other animal derivatives and by looking for a 'cruelty-free' certification on the packaging or on the brand's website.
Why Choose a Non-Toxic Deodorant?
As conscious as we vegans are about what we put in our bodies, we sometimes neglect our largest organ; our skin. Far from being a bulletproof barrier, our skin absorbs what we consistently spread on it. When the sensitive skin of our armpits is repeatedly exposed to chemicals or substances that don’t match its pH, it dramatically alters both the type and quantity of bacteria found there.
Conventional antiperspirants can contribute to an increase of odor-producing bacteria. That’s right—the product advertising a fresh scent may actually make us smellier! Over time, this means we have to use increasingly powerful products to fight body odor.
Sustainability
A huge concern with mainstream deodorants is that most are packaged in plastic. In fact, many contain various plastic components within just one deodorant stick. So, something we'd like to focus on with our recommendations is the vegan products that are plastic-free, aluminum-free, and natural options. The simpler and more natural the formula is, the less energy and resources go into its production!
Health Concerns
Traditional deodorants opt for aluminum because it clogs sweat glands. Since our bodies are designed to sweat out toxins and use sweat to reduce our body temperature, blocking that function could be a risky idea.
You may have heard about aluminum causing cancer or Alzheimer’s. While the current science on this is inconclusive, many deodorants that contain aluminum also contain countless other potentially harmful chemicals that are unrecognizable to the general public.
Aluminum Salts and The Environment
Aluminum is also horrible for the environment. Its extraction process involving open-pit mining leads to the loss of wildlife habitats, by stripping the mining area of all types of vegetation. The smelting process is also very costly to the planet, requiring tons of water, coal and other energy resources.
Many natural deodorants are aluminum-free as a precautionary measure and aim to feature only natural, non-toxic ingredients. Although these products are not typically antiperspirants, they can get rid of odors just as effectively as the deodorants you’ve always used. This leads us to the next question...
What's The Difference Between Antiperspirants and Deodorants?
A standard deodorant and antiperspirant will block sweat glands to keep sweat from reaching the surface of your skin. While this may seem like a life-saver if you tend to sweat profusely in public, your body conducts the natural process of perspiration for a reason: to keep you cool! As the water in your sweat evaporates, your body cools down naturally.
What's more important for most people is to have a non-toxic solution against odors. That's where natural deodorants come in. While they do not usually contain aluminum or other antiperspirant agents, they can do a fabulous job at keeping you smelling fresh all day!
Why Should Your Vegan Deodorant Be Baking Soda Free?
Being vegan is about taking care of all living beings -- including yourself! So, not only should your deodorant avoid animal ingredients and animal testing; it should also be free from baking soda, which is not so great for your skin. Yes, baking soda is one of the most versatile natural ingredients to have in your cupboard. Even though we appreciate the value of this ingredient, we have to advise against using it on your pits. In fact, it’s a leading cause of armpit skin irritation.
Our skin’s pH should normally be at a healthy level of 4.7. Baking soda, on the other hand, has a pH of around 8.3. Why is this significant? Well, at the acidic level of 4.7, our skin can maintain an ideal population of beneficial bacteria and keeps its harmful bacteria to a minimum. By disrupting this acidic environment with an alkaline substance, we could potentially promote the introduction and growth of harmful bacteria. This can lead to bad odor, beating the purpose of our deodorant.
Common Ingredients Used in Vegan Natural Deodorant
So, after going through all that should NOT go into your vegan deodorant, you may be asking yourself: "What's left?" There are plenty of natural, animal-free ingredients that certain brands are using to provide you with long-lasting protection and the same level of convenience as your previous deodorant. Check out our quick list of top ingredients for natural deodorants below!
Arrowroot: This ingredient is often used to solidify natural deodorants, as it's a natural thickening agent that can absorb tons of moisture.
Bamboo extract: A unique deodorant ingredient with the ability to absorb 200x its weight in sweat and oil, bamboo extract is an excellent natural antiperspirant alternative that provides tons of protection against excess sweat and foul odors.
Kaolin clay: With the ability to both absorb sweat and soothe sensitive skin, this is a great ingredient to look for in your natural deodorant!
Magnesium hydroxide: Although this ingredient also has a high pH, it tends to be non-irritating to the skin, so it's used as a gentler alternative to baking soda.
Tapioca starch: This ingredient is simply used as an alternative to arrowroot starch in natural deodorants.
Zinc oxide: An antimicrobial deodorant agent, zinc oxide can safely protect your skin from odor-producing bacteria!
Our Favorite Vegan, Cruelty-Free & Non-Toxic Deodorants
Ethique Solid Vegan Deodorants
Price | $13.00
Anti-Persperant | NO
Fragrance-Free Option | YES
Did you know that bamboo can absorb 200x its weight in sweat and oil? Ethique’s Solid Deodorant Bars have made use of that quality. You can try the unscented bar or one of their two aromatic options. We’re big fans of Ethique’s #giveupthebottle initiative. So far, through their sustainable, plastic-free packaging, they’ve kept 6.5M bottles from reaching landfills!
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Native Sensitive Non Toxic Deodorant
Price | $13.00
Anti-Perspirant | NO
Fragrance-Free Option | YES
Native's range of 100% vegan deodorants are all made with clean ingredients, but their Unscented option scores a 1 on the EWG scale! Plus, they now have a line of deodorants without baking soda, for those with sensitive skin! All of Native's products are crafted in the U.S. and are 100% vegan/cruelty-free. And the best part? Native is now transitioning to plastic-free deodorants, and they've released a plastic-free option for all of their classic scents. Try out one of these incredible eco-friendly and non-toxic deodorants today!
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Meow Meow Tweet Baking Soda Free Deodorant Stick
Price | $14.00
Anti-Persperant | NO
Fragrance-Free Option | YES
Although not all of their cruelty-free vegan deodorants are baking soda free, this brand does have a sensitive skin range of products with zero sodium bicarbonate! Plus, Meow Meow Tweet features a super cute and sustainable design for their Baking Soda Free Deodorant Sticks.
Aesthetics aside, this effective deodorant comes in biodegradable packaging, is totally vegan, and does not test their products on animals! You can try it out in their Grapefruit, Rose Geranium, or Cedar Spruce deodorant scent. Additionally, they offer jars of their unscented options, and their Lavender and Grapefruit deodorant creams with zero baking soda or artificial fragrances, and all-natural ingredients.
Major bonus: Meow Meow Tweet offers a bulk return program where you can send back your empties to be recycled.
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Pretty Frank Unscented Plastic Free Vegan Deodorant
Price | $14.00
Anti-Perspirant | NO
Fragrance-Free Options | YES
Handcrafted in Austin, TX, Pretty Frank's new plastic free deodorants are still available baking soda free and fragrance free. Each is made with a gentle yet effective combo of zinc and magnesium hydroxide for all-day odor prevention, along with other nourishing and organic ingredients. However, you can now find them in all-new paperboard packaging to protect both your pits and the planet! Check out the collection now!
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Kosas Chemistry Deodorant
Price | $16.00
Anti-Perspirant | NO
Fragrance-Free Option | YES
Available in two delightful scents ('Serene Clean' and 'Beachy Clean') as well as a fragrance-free option, Kosas' Chemistry Deodorant is totally vegan and cruelty-free! Its liquid formula is clean and baking soda-free, crafted instead with shikimic acid, lactic acid, aloe vera juice, and even hydrating hyaluronic acid. What about their packaging, you ask? All of Kosas' tubes are made with 100% biomaterials, and they use Tree-Free or FSC-certified cartons. However, not all of their packaging materials are recyclable, which they are currently working to fix. Shop this eco-conscious and non-toxic deodorant for fresh, workout-proof pits!
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Megababe Daily Deodorant
Price | $14.00
Anti-Perspirant | NO
Fragrance-Free Option | NO
Formulated without baking soda, but instead with powerful antioxidants and enzymes meant to break down odor, Megababe's Daily Deodorants are ultra-effective! Plus, it doesn't leave a sticky residue like many conventional deodorants do. Find it in its Rosy, Beachy, Sunny, and Soapy scents and choose whichever one fits you best!
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Our Pick: Pretty Frank Baking Soda Free Deodorant
Price | $10.00 - $14.00
Anti-Persperant | NO
Fragrance-Free Option | YES
What do you get when you combine natural, effective, and vegan deodorizing agents in several types of eco-friendly packages? You get Pretty Frank’s wide range of baking soda free, plastic-free, and organic deodorants! This brand ticks all the boxes and more, which is what qualifies them as our TOP pick for natural vegan deodorants!
Not only do they provide all-day protection for your pits, their solid and cream deodorants are made with under ten organic ingredients, including vitamin E to help nourish your skin. Meanwhile, their spray deodorants are crafted with just five ingredients, making their formulas even more sustainable!
They currently offer four packaging options for their all-natural, sustainable deodorants. Their original "pit paste" is packaged in a recyclable glass jar with an aluminum lid. They also offer a solid deodorant packaged in a paperboard tube. Or, you could go for their deodorant balls, which come with an aluminum jar for storage. And if you don't like cream or solid deodorants, they offer two scented deodorants in liquid form, which come in recyclable glass packaging! You can use this option on any part of the body, or even as a fabric/air freshener.
Haven’t used a deodorant paste before? Simply scoop out a pea-sized amount and apply to your skin. Rub it in, and wait about 5 minutes before getting dressed, so you can absorb its deodorizing benefits! Choose your favorite Pretty Frank scent and format now!
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