I'm an Active Dude—These Natural Deodorants Actually Kept Me Dry, From $13 (2025)

TL;DR

Native Deodorant is my top pick due to its effectiveness, longevity, and lasting scent. It keeps odor-free for a full eight hours without reapplication. Salt + Stone natural deodorant comes in second because of its addictive fragrance and all-day (and then some) odor protection.

Our Top Picks

Type: Solid | Active Ingredients: Baking Soda, coconut oil, shea butter | Size: 2.65 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Baking Soda: Yes

Anyone who’s tried natural deodorants has likely heard of Native. They're known for accessible deodorants in a variety of scents. The Regular Deodorant stick prevents odor and moisture with baking soda and tapioca starch. I chose the eucalyptus & mint scent, which took me back to the old Bath & Body Works fragrance. It’s a solid stick like traditional deodorant, but without the clumps and residue.

The scent diminished after a few hours, but I stayed odor-free for more than eight hours, even during outdoor activities—I never had to reapply. At the end of the day, I could still smell traces of it. It seriously outperformed my expectations, and any skepticism I had about natural deodorants vanished.

Type: Solid | Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, shea butter, probiotics | Size: 2.6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Baking Soda: Yes

At first glance, I didn't expect much from Salt & Stone’s natural deodorant. It seemed standard enough. The formula includes probiotics and hyaluronic acid to keep armpits moisturized, while baking soda and tapioca starch absorb odor and moisture (The brand also offers baking soda-free deodorant for sensitive skin). It comes in five scents—I chose Black Rose & OUD, a warm musky floral—more reminiscent of perfume than deodorant.

I was genuinely impressed with how well it performed. The creamy stick applied smoothly without clumps or residue, and it kept odor away all day and into the evening. No reapplication was necessary. The scent’s longevity was top-tier—I found I couldn’t stop sniffing. The addictive rose and oud scent lasted into the next morning. I can see this becoming my go-to deodorant for the scent alone.

Type: Solid | Active Ingredients: Baking Soda, rosemary leaf oil | Size: 2.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Baking Soda: Yes

This deodorant relies on baking soda to absorb sweat and neutralize odor-causing bacteria. I tried the unscented version, but there are five fragranced options. The clear, creamy stick applies smoothly with a few swipes. It takes a moment to absorb but doesn’t become flaky or sticky, nor does it leave behind greasy, stain-causing residue (to the relief of my favorite T-shirts).

Despite not being a traditional aluminum-based antiperspirant, it did help maintain some dryness. I didn’t sweat through my shirt for most of the day, and it kept odor at bay for about five hours before I felt the need to reapply. Additionally, my body odor never became intense. It even held up during my hour-long gym sessions. Neutralization is this natural deodorant's superpower. It’s not for anyone sensitive to baking soda, but if you don’t mind that ingredient, the reasonable price makes it worth a try.

Type: Gel | Active Ingredients: Salicylic Acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid, aloe vera | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Baking Soda: No

Admittedly, I haven’t used many gel deodorants before, so I was curious and excited to try the Billie AHA Deodorant. I was intrigued by its inclusion of alpha hydroxy acids, which help prevent the bacterial growth that causes odor. It uses salicylic acid (as part of a multi-acid blend) to gently exfoliate underarm skin, keeping the area soft and smooth. It comes in three scents: Tidel Rose, Lavender Milk, and Botanic Air. I’m a lavender guy, so I picked Lavender Milk. It’s a very subtle skin scent that doesn’t project or last long.

Despite the lack of fragrance longevity, this natural deodorant kept me odor-free for up to six hours, even during late summer in NYC. The clear gel formula does leave some sticky residue, so I was careful not to overapply. Surprisingly, it didn’t stain my shirt. After a gym session, I felt the need to shower and reapply. But I’d say this is to be expected from your average aluminum-free deodorant. Besides the stickiness, I was impressed. I am officially an AHA deodorant convert.

Type: Solid | Active Ingredients: Aloe Vera, cornstarch, coconut oil | Size: 2.6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Baking Soda: No

I thought Oars + Alps was just another natural deodorant stick, but it's so much more. The straightforward ingredients include cornstarch instead of baking soda, aloe vera, and glycerin for moisture. I chose California Coast, an ocean-inspired citrus scent. I wondered how effectively it would prevent odor without the typical natural deodorizing ingredients.

The dome stick makes application easy; the deodorant goes on clear with no residue. Despite the scent fading quickly, I stayed odor-free for eight hours. I did sweat a little, but not enough to stain my shirt—a huge win. I didn’t have to pack it on or reapply, and I felt secure all day. So, regarding sweat control, this natural deodorant stands on its own.

Type: Solid | Active Ingredients: Diatomaceous Earth, tapioca starch, glycerin | Size: 2.6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Baking Soda: No

After reading great reviews, I looked forward to trying the Corpus Deodorant Stick. It’s another aluminum-free deodorant that uses baking soda, a known deodorizer. It also contains tapioca starch to absorb sweat and diatomaceous earth to help neutralize odors. It comes in six different fragrances; I tried the scent Third Rose (rose, sandalwood, and cedar). Each fragrance is made with natural essential oils; no synthetics here.

It’s a solid stick that applies like butter and absorbs into the skin with no flaky residue or buildup. The scent lasts about four hours, but I was most impressed by its eight hours of odor protection. I felt fresh and neutral throughout the day without needing to reapply, which is especially reassuring in humid weather.

Type: Cream Stick | Active Ingredients: Baking Soda, tapioca starch, cocoa butter | Size: 2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Baking Soda: Yes

Curie is known for its aluminum-free deodorant, which I’d say stands up to traditional deodorant. It uses baking soda and tapioca starch for moisture and odor protection. Ingredients like cocoa butter and aloe vera keep the armpit hydrated and moisturized. It comes in eight scents, including an unscented version. I tried Coconut Nectar, a sweet, soft, and fresh scent.

This white solid stick turns to a cream-like texture as you apply it. It feels moisturizing without clumping or leaving buildup. The scent peaked within the first four hours but continued to linger throughout the day. It kept me odor-free for eight hours, even in the city. Though I did sweat (it’s not an antiperspirant), I never sweated through my shirt. I left the stick at home and still felt fresh well into the evening hours.

Type: Cream | Active Ingredients: Mandelic Acid, marula oil, shea butter | Size: 2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Baking Soda: No

Drunk Elephant is known for its bestselling skincare products, so it’s no surprise they’ve created a natural deodorant that puts skincare at the forefront. It’s formulated without baking soda, essential oils, or fragrances, making it an ideal deodorant for sensitive skin. Instead, it uses mandelic acid and arrowroot powder (sweat-absorbing and bacteria-fighting powerhouses), while marula oil and shea butter soothe and moisturize underarm skin.

The liquid cream texture was a little messy at first, but once I got the hang of it, I could apply it without incident (or stains on my clothes). It kept me fresh and odor-free for up to six hours during humid weather. After that, I reapplied, as I could feel the deodorant becoming less effective over time. I’d say this is a good natural deodorant for days when you're running errands or going to the gym. It’s not the longest-lasting, but it gets the job done.

Type: Solid | Active Ingredients: Tapioca starch, glycerin, pro-vitamin B5 | Size: 1.69 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Baking Soda: No

I'm aware of evolvetogether for its hydrating hand cream and locale-inspired scents, but I hadn’t tried the natural deodorant before. The baking soda-free formula includes advanced enzymes (from fermented sugarcane) to neutralize odors and tapioca starch to absorb sweat and wetness. It comes in four signature scents: Monaco, Taormina, Tulum, and Havana. I chose Havana, which has vetiver, cardamom, and cedarwood notes.

The creamy solid stick applied smoothly without clumps, residue, or stains, and just two swipes fully coated my armpits. The scent didn’t last particularly long (although it did on Ally Hirschlag, Byrdie's associate editorial director), but neutralized odor for about five hours. It’s great if you’re looking for a deodorant with subtle, complex notes, like a perfume or cologne.

Type: Solid | Active Ingredients: Fruit Enzymes, coconut oil, arrowroot powder | Size: 2.6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Baking Soda: No

Megababe addresses common body care issues like chafing and body acne. The Smoothie Deo is a natural deodorant for women designed to prevent body odor and improve underarm skin. It uses fruit enzymes to balance pH and reduce odor-causing bacteria. Jojoba and sunflower seed oils soothe and nourish underarms; I never object to smoother underarms.

I enjoyed the soft, fruity scent of bilberry, lemon, and orange (though I wish it lasted longer). It’s a creamy solid stick that applies white but absorbs into a clear, stain-free cream. My underarms felt hydrated all day, but the odor protection lasted only about five hours. I reapplied to ward off any incoming body odor. However, the formula improves with wear, so I think it’s worth the effort.

FAQ

• What are the biggest benefits of natural deodorant?

  Natural deodorants don’t use aluminum, which is commonly found in antiperspirants to block sweat glands. Many people choose to avoid this ingredient because it has been anecdotally linked to cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. However, Dr. Ingleton says, "There is no evidence to suggest that traditional antiperspirants and deodorants are bad for your health."

  There are other benefits to switching to aluminum-free deodorant, like avoiding the yellow pit stains caused by aluminum salts. Plus, some studies suggest antiperspirant can actually make your body odor worse by altering the bacteria in your armpits, which may be why some people find that they have less BO after switching to natural deodorant.

• Can natural deodorants mitigate odor and sweat as well as traditional deodorants?

  "Natural deodorants can mitigate odor but do not control sweating," says Dr. Ingleton. Antiperspirants contain aluminum, which blocks sweat glands, while natural deodorants rely on ingredients like arrowroot powder and tapioca powder to absorb moisture. While these ingredients can offer some sweat protection, they don’t provide the same level of sweat control as aluminum-based products.

• How often do you need to reapply natural deodorant?

  "This depends on the person and the product," says Dr. Ingleton. For some, reapplying natural deodorant once a day might be sufficient, while others may need to reapply more often, especially after periods of physical activity.I suggest carrying deodorant with you for easy reapplication, particularly if you’re out for extended periods.