I’ve used a lot of deodorants in my time.
I started out with a mini stick of Old Spice that my school gave me when teaching us about puberty and the impending stink we would start to produce.
Then, my mom read an article that sounded the alarm about aluminum being found in the brain of Alzeheimer’s patients, and all of a sudden all aluminum-bearing products, like most deodorants, were to be avoided like the plague.
In other words, it didn’t work.
I went back to big brand deodorants with the mindset that if I used them sparingly, I’d be less likely to have that dreaded aluminum build-up. While my logic was sound, my ‘pits were off the chain.
I needed help, so I turned to Google to find out what natural, aluminum-free deodorants for men were available.
I’ve unpacked seven different natural deodorants for men below so you can find the best one for your needs and lifestyle.
4 Benefits of Natural Deodorant: Guys, Lean On In
Natural deodorants are a relatively new thing.
Much of the push for more aluminum-free deodorants came from the finding of aluminum levels in Alzheimers patient’s brains, but as it turns out, no studies have directly examined the link between Alzheimer’s and aluminum-containing deodorant.
Aluminum in deodorants is not actually absorbed, as it reacts with sweat on top of the skin. It’s normal to find some aluminum levels in the brain, and as such, there’s no evidence to suggest that aluminum causes Alzheimer’s.
That said, many of us would rather play it safe than sorry. If we have the option to use a deodorant that only has natural, healthy ingredients, why not use it?
Turns out, natural deodorants have a bunch of other benefits as well.
1. It Actually Lets You Sweat
Aluminum-containing deodorants are technically antiperspirants. These differ from deodorants in that they actually make you stop sweating from your armpits. Sweating is your body’s way of cooling down, though, so natural deodorants let you cool off and eliminate unwanted odors while you do.
2. No More Yellow Stains
If you’ve ever had the misfortune to sweat profusely in a white t-shirt, you’ll know what I’m talking about. Those dark yellow pit stains that look like a small animal relieved itself are actually from the aluminum in the deodorant mixing with your sweat.
3. It’s Nice to Your Skin
Sulfates, parabens, aluminums, phthalates, and other chemical additives in generic deodorants are often irritating to skin, and especially irritating if you have sensitive skin.
Natural deodorants don’t contain any of these harsh chemicals and often don’t contain baking soda, which means that you can smell good and be odor-protected all day without irritation.
4. Non-Natural Deodorant Can Make Your BO Worse
All those harsh chemicals in your generic deodorants combine with your sweat and naturally-occurring bacteria and can actually make your odor worse. That’s not something you have to worry about with natural deodorants, which neutralize odor-causing bacteria at the source.
7 Best All Natural Deodorant for Men in 2023
Best Overall: Dapper Yankee
Dapper Yankee primarily makes natural soaps with amazing scents for dudes, but they also make personal care products like deodorant.
Lucky for us, their deodorants come in the same awesome scents as their soap bars, like Sierra Pine, Glacier Ridge, and Traveler.
Every Dapper Yankee deodorant is made with natural ingredients, aluminum-free, paraben-free, baking soda-free, and cruelty-free. That’s a whole lot of freedom in a small package.
These deodorants accomplish their odor busting and blocking through the use of ingredients like arrow root powder, which is a natural sweat absorbent, and zinc oxide, which zaps odor-causing bacteria.
Sunflower seed wax gives the main body to this deodorant, and coconut oil moisturizes the skin in your armpits and infuses good fragrances.
Best of all, lots of natural deodorants are either super hard or basically liquid, which makes for unpleasant deodorant application experiences, but Dapper Yankee’s natural deodorants feel and spread like your typical big brand products.
What I Like
- These deodorants are made with natural, beneficial ingredients that effectively bust and prevent stinky ‘pits but actually don’t stain your clothes in the process.
- They come in fun, original scents and more classic fresh scents for every guy’s preference.
- Compared to lots of men’s natural deodorants, these are affordable and last 2 to 3 months.
- Their customer service is great. I reached out with a quick question on a Saturday morning and got an answer back in 15 minutes.
What I Don’t Like
- Some brands offer a subscription program for their deodorant, which automates delivery and saves you some money, but Dapper Yankee doesn’t currently offer this.
What Other Reviewers Say
Dudes love Dapper Yankee’s natural deodorants. The most common comments had to do with the fresh, unique scents that lasted long and kept body odors at bay. Other guys loved that the natural ingredients didn’t cause their armpits to itch or otherwise be irritated.
There were a few reviewers who said the scent could have been stronger, but these people were few and far between.
The Verdict
You can’t go wrong with Dapper Yankee’s natural deodorants. Featuring a mix of unique and classic, fresh scents and natural ingredients that effectively keep body odor at bay without irritation, you can’t ask for anything more from a deodorant.
If you’re in the market for a top-notch natural deodorant, I recommend Dapper Yankee.
You can’t go wrong with Dapper Yankee’s natural deodorants. Featuring a mix of unique and classic, fresh scents and natural ingredients that effectively keep body odor at bay without irritation, you can’t ask for anything more from a deodorant.
Best Non-Residue: Geologie
Geologie is an award-winning skincare brand that recently took the leap into men’s personal care products.
Their natural deodorant comes in three scents that are complex, unique, and unlike anything you’d find with generic, non-natural deodorant.
It’s made with a proprietary formulation that deodorizes and removes odor-causing bacteria with tea tree, aloe, and sage oil. It has what I’d describe as a “wet” formulation, where it goes on slightly damp and takes a second to dry.
For someone who has a lot of hair in their armpits, I appreciate this over the usual dry application, which feels like it just gets stuck in my hair and doesn’t get down to the pores in my armpits.
Best of all, this formulation is non-marking and won’t leave any annoying residue on your shirt.
What I Like
- It goes on easily and gets down onto the surface of my skin without leaving an annoying residue.
- It’s dermatologist tested, vegan and cruelty-free which gives me peace of mind.
- Formulated without artificial fragrances, which is great if you have sensitive skin.
What I Don’t Like
- The “wet” formulation might be a weird application experience for some guys who are used to a smooth, dry glide.
What Other Reviewers Say
Guys love Geologie’s deodorants. Multiple reviewers said that they no longer have stains on their shirt from the deodorant or aluminum content in their sweat, and others loved that the deodorant wasn’t irritating.
I couldn’t find any explicitly negative reviews—the closest anyone got was saying they didn’t love the deodorant’s scent.
The Verdict
If you’re sick of deodorant stains on your shirts and would love a deodorant that smells unique, is made without harsh chemicals, and is safe for sensitive skin, check out Geologie’s Natural Deodorants.
Since Geologie's Natural Deodorants aren’t made with baking soda or talc, which typically thicken the formulation, they’re lighter, easier to apply, and don’t leave any white residue. I enjoy knowing that every time I apply this, I’m blocking the foul smells my body is so apt at producing, without the use of heavy metals like aluminum, or other harmful chemicals.
Best for Sensitive Skin: Oars + Alps
Oars + Alps has been in the personal care and deodorant world for a while, and their experience has led them to offer their signature, natural deodorant in a specific, sensitive skin formulation.
The main difference between their normal natural deodorant and the sensitive skin variant is the use of an allergen-free fragrance that reduces the chance of irritation. Besides that, the deodorant is made with gentle, largely plant based-ingredients like aloe and Alpine Caribou Moss that remove odors and nourish your skin.
Also, if you’re super sensitive to fragrance and just want a deodorant that will block smells but not add anything else, they offer an unscented deodorant with prebiotics.
Prebiotics promote the growth of good bacteria, and those in turn fight off bad bacteria that cause bad smells in the first place.
What I Like
- Their sensitive skin deodorants are made with allergen-free fragrances to reduce the chances of irritation.
- They offer an unscented version with prebiotics that help fight off odor-causing bad bacteria.
- Their deodorants are made with many plant-based ingredients, like aloe and Alpine Caribou Moss.
What I Don’t Like
- Their sensitive skin deodorants only have three scent choices, one of which is unscented.
What Other Reviewers Say
Oars + Alps Natural Deodorant has great reviews overall. Lots of guys who have had trouble with skin irritation due to deodorants said that this one solved their problems. Other positive reviewers said that the smells are refreshing, last long, and keep the stink at bay.
Of the few negative reviews I could find, several guys said they didn’t love the scents, but the deodorants worked otherwise.
The Verdict
Skin-irritating deodorant is more common than you might think, but thankfully there are brands with deodorants specifically designed to avoid this.
If you’ve struggled with sensitive, irritated skin in your armpits before, check out one of Oars + Alps’ Natural Deodorants for sensitive skin
If you have sensitive skin and the oils in fragrances get to you, the Oars + Alps Sensitive unscented prebiotic deodorant will add a dose of freshness to your day without the nasty underarm rash. And our favorite part? It won't leave a stain on your clothes: whether you’re wearing black or white.
Best Smelling: Dr. Squatch
Although many of you will recognize Dr. Squatch as that crazy soap brand that’s constantly telling you to stop treating your body like a dirty plate, you might not know that the brand has a lineup of natural deodorants, too.
Featuring some of the same manly scents as their soap, like Fresh Falls, Pine Tar, and Wood Barrel Bourbon, these deodorants are made with natural deodorizers like charcoal powder and postbiotics.
They also use arrow root powder to absorb moisture, and include skin-nourishing ingredients like jojoba oil and shea butter to make sure the deodorant is gentle and non-irritating.
For those of you who like to smell good and think less, Dr. Squatch offers a robust subscription program for these deodorants so you can automate their deliveries and save some money along the way.
What I Like
- They’ve got a wide selection of great-smelling, well-balanced deodorants. The smell isn’t too strong or too weak.
- Bad odors and bacteria are fought with natural ingredients like arrow root powder, charcoal powder, and postbiotics.
- Their subscription program can make your life easier and save you money in the long run.
What I Don’t Like
- Some of the deodorants have a more dry formulation, which can be slightly uncomfortable to apply on your ‘pits.
What Other Reviewers Say
These deodorants get lots of love from guys who reported that their armpits smell good all day and they no longer have to deal with stains on their lighter shirts. Several first-timers noted that they were skeptical of a natural deodorant’s ability to keep their stink at bay, but found that Dr. Squatch’s deodorants were able to do it with ease.
Although there are very few negative reviews, several that I found noted that some of the deodorants have a dry formulation that can be difficult to apply.
The Verdict
Making sure your armpits smell good is essential to going out every day and feeling confident. If you’re looking for a natural deodorant that smells great and has lots of options to choose from, Dr. Squatch is a great place to start.
Why rub a bar of chemicals and aluminum all over your underarms when you can healthily smell like a fresh waterfall instead? Dr. Squatch deodorant features deactivated charcoal, arrowroot, and probiotics, all of which help cleanse your body of toxins, prevent odor-causing bacteria from forming, and help you develop a healthy microbiome in your pits so you smell less in the future. Win-win-win.
Best Plant-Based: Jack Henry
Jack Henry is a great brand for guys who want personal care products that actually work.
One of those products is their natural deodorant, which uses certified organic plant botanicals and bentonite clay to powerfully absorb sweat and apply a refreshing, original scent to otherwise dank armpits.
The scent is a blend of hinoki, juniper, and eucalyptus, which I found to be complex, spicy, slightly musky, and overall great.
This deodorant is also made with organic coconut oil, organic beeswax, organic arrow root powder, and organic avocado oil to moisturize and nourish the skin in your armpits while it busts bad bacteria.
The brand claims that the deodorant gives 48-hour protection, and with how powerful the formulation is I’m inclined to believe them.
What I Like
- Their deodorant is made from certified organic plant-based ingredients like bentonite clay and arrow root powder.
- This has powerful scent protection with scents of hinoki, juniper, and eucalyptus.
- It gives 48 hour sweat and odor protection.
What I Don’t Like
- It’s formulated with baking soda, which can be irritating to some guys with sensitive skin.
- There’s only one scent available.
What Other Reviewers Say
This deodorant shines with its powerful scent and plant-based ingredients, and reviewers certainly said as much. Guys especially love the unique smell and the fact that it can last all day.
Several negative reviews I found said that the texture was a little scratchy and not super comfortable to apply.
The Verdict
This deodorant offers powerful, long-lasting odor control through the use of organic, plant-based ingredients.
If you’re conscious about what products you put on your body and want certified, natural ingredients formulating the deodorant you stick in your ‘pits every day, check out Jack Henry’s Hinoki and Eucalyptus deodorant.
Jack Henry's natural deodorant is best described with two words---stink zapper. But it's become my go-to deodorant because it actually stays on all day, doesn't give my clothes those nasty white stains, and it has a unique fresh smell.
Best for Sports: Bravo Sierra
If you’ve ever wanted a deodorant that can keep you body odor-free and dry while charging into battle, Bravo Sierra’s natural deodorant is up your alley.
The brand has a 2,000+ strong community of military active-service duty members and veterans that field
If a deodorant can perform well in the heat of battle, it can also perform well at your next pick-up league game, which is why it gets our pick as the deodorant that’s best for sports.
Featuring classic, manly scents like Sandalwood & Fig, Citrus & Cedarwood, and Grapefruit & Musk, these aluminum-free and baking soda-free deodorants use Brazilian cassava powder to absorb sweat.
I’m a big fan of their clean, minimalist branding and find it helpful to know that these have all been field-tested in high-stress situations.
What I Like
- The Bravo Sierra community of active-service and military veterans field tests all of their products, and Bravo Sierra tweaks products to ensure they perform exceptionally well.
- The deodorants have clean, simple branding and classic, manly scents.
- Each deodorant is formulated with Brazilian cassava powder, which powerfully absorbs moisture to keep you dry.
- They have an unscented version for guys whose skin is easily irritated by fragrances.
What I Don’t Like
- Despite being formulated without parabens, silicones, and phthalates, some reviewers still experience skin irritation and rashes after using these.
What Other Reviewers Say
Overall, these deodorants have rave reviews from avid outdoorsmen, athletes, and just regular dudes alike. They loved the powerful sweat-absorption properties that kept their underarms dry, and many had good things to say about the scents as well.
Besides the few guys who said that they got rashes and skin irritation after application, a few others said that the scents didn’t pair well with their body chemistry and ended up having a weird, resulting fragrance. These reviews were few and far between, though.
The Verdict
These tough-looking, military-tested deodorants are great at absorbing sweat and keeping you dry and fresh in any environment.
If you live an active lifestyle or just happen to sweat a lot, check out Bravo Sierra’s lineup of natural deodorants, which use Brazilian cassava powder to powerfully absorb sweat.
Made with no baking soda and no aluminum, this deodorant won't stain your clothes, won't clog your pores, and the added probiotics help keep the funk away hours after the initial fragrance has faded.
Best for Beginners: Ursa Major Hoppin’ Fresh Deodorant
If you’re green behind the ears (or in the armpits) when it comes to natural deodorant and want to try out a safe bet, Ursa Major’s Hoppin’ Fresh Deodorant is a good place to start.
This deodorant is formulated with 25 healthy, soothing, natural ingredients that will gently nourish the skin in your armpits while removing odor-causing bacteria and absorbing sweat.
It’s specifically made with a non-toxic formulation that won’t irritate sensitive skin, and uses peppermint and eucalyptus to keep your armpits feeling cool.
What I Like
- These deodorants are intended for guys who just made the switch to natural deodorants and want something non-toxic that won’t feel like an angry colony of fire ants just visited your armpits.
- The deodorant is formulated to be non-staining, and has a smooth glide on application.
- It uses 25 healthy, naturally-derived ingredients to keep smells at bay, like aloe vera and bentonite clay.
- Ursa Major is a Certified B-Corp, which means it uses sustainable and environmentally-responsible business practices.
What I Don’t Like
- They only offer the Hoppin’ Fresh Deodorant in a mint and eucalyptus fragrance, which some guys might not like.
What Other Reviewers Say
This deodorant has good reviews overall. Guys liked how smoothly it rolled on and the fresh scent, and others reported that it lasted long, even in hot environments. More than anything, natural deodorant beginners felt that this was a good starting point when making the switch away from big brand deodorants.
I found a good amount of negative reviews that said the scent wasn’t strong enough, but Ursa Major probably kept the scent gentle to avoid irritation.
The Verdict
This deodorant is gentle, largely plant-based, aluminum-free, and a great starting point for guys who want to get started with natural deodorants.
If you’re in the market for a natural deodorant that’s easy to get started, smells great, and won’t irritate your armpits, check out Ursa Major’s Hoppin’ Fresh Deodorant.
This deodorant is gentle, largely plant-based, aluminum-free, and a great starting point for guys who want to get started with natural deodorants. If you’re in the market for a natural deodorant that’s easy to get started, smells great, and won’t irritate your armpits, check out Ursa Major’s Hoppin’ Fresh Deodorant.
3 Key Things to Consider When Choosing a Natural Deodorant
1. Do You Have Sensitive Skin?
If you have historically sensitive skin that gets irritated or develops rashes, stick to deodorants that are non-toxic and have allergen-free fragrances, or no fragrance at all. I recommend Oars + Alps and Bravo Sierra’s natural deodorants.
If you have sensitive skin and the oils in fragrances get to you, the Oars + Alps Sensitive unscented prebiotic deodorant will add a dose of freshness to your day without the nasty underarm rash. And our favorite part? It won't leave a stain on your clothes: whether you’re wearing black or white.
Even though a deodorant might absorb sweat and keep you smelling fresh all day, it’s not worth it if you’ve got angry, rash-inflicted skin that’s throwing off your groove all day.
2. How Much Do You Sweat?
There’s no shame in it, some of us just happen to be more adept at sweating than others. If that sounds like you, you need some powerful sweat absorption and odor control, which you can find with Dapper Yankee, Jack Henry, and Dr. Squatch’s natural deodorants.
3. How Do You Like to Smell?
If you’re mostly looking to smell good and use a natural deodorant that’s good for your skin, choose one that has lots of scent options. Dapper Yankee is an obvious choice here, with scents like Glacier Ridge, Sierra Pine, and Root Beer Barrel, and Dr. Squatch is a close second.
Fix Your ‘Pits
Now that you’ve got seven quality, natural deodorants at your fingertips, you shouldn’t have any issues finding the right stick to beat back your stink.
For an overall great, natural deodorant with fun, unique smells and skin-nourishing ingredients, I recommend Dapper Yankee’s Natural Deodorants.
You can’t go wrong with Dapper Yankee’s natural deodorants. Featuring a mix of unique and classic, fresh scents and natural ingredients that effectively keep body odor at bay without irritation, you can’t ask for anything more from a deodorant.
If you’ve had enough of the white deodorant smears inside and outside your shirts, go with Geologie.
Got skin that can throw a tantrum faster than a two year old? Check out Oars and Alps’ line of sensitive skin deodorants.
Want to smell good and crush unpleasant odors while you’re at it? Dr. Squatch has a wide variety of natural, great-smelling deodorants.
If you’re in the market for a powerful deodorizer and sweat absorber that’s mostly made from plants, Jack Henry’s Hinoki and Eucalyptus deodorant is for you.
Got an active lifestyle, but don’t feel like your deodorant can keep up? Bravo Sierra’s natural deodorants are field tested by active military members to ensure your pits stay dry, even in combat.
Lastly, if you’re looking for a beginner-friendly natural deodorant that won’t cause irritation, I recommend Ursa Major’s Hoppin’ Fresh Deodorant.
If you know a guy who’s in a sweaty fight against his armpits and wants to use more natural products, share this article with him! He’ll thank you when he can smell good and stay dry all day.
FAQs
Do dermatologists recommend natural deodorant?
Most dermatologists agree that while natural deodorants contain beneficial ingredients for your skin, they’re not necessary to use over aluminum-containing deodorants.
What happens when you stop using deodorant with aluminum?
Your body will go through a detox period in which your underarms will smell considerably more for about two weeks. By the fourth week after quitting deodorants with aluminum, your body should be adjusted to your new natural deodorant and will no longer smell as much.
What natural deodorant is good for smelly armpits?
Dapper Yankee’s deodorants are great for smelly armpits. Their unique flavors are carried to your skin through shea butter and other natural ingredients, which get absorbed and infuse your skin with good scents.
Does natural deodorant clog your pores as a man?
Natural deodorant does not clog your pores, and it allows your body to release toxins naturally.
