Best Natural Deodorants for Sensitive Skin

I finally did it. I finally made the leap. Not only did I officially switch from antiperspirant to natural deodorant, but I also found the best natural deodorants for sensitive skin (and these brands actually work)!

I’ve been on the hunt for the best natural deodorant for a while now. I mean, seriously, I’ve tried a lot of different products. Unfortunately, a lot of them don’t really work (at least, they didn’t for me). And the few that did work contained baking soda as a primary ingredient, which unfortunately started to cause me skin irritation. Fortunately, I’ve been able to find three natural deodorants designed for sensitive skin that actually work.

 

Why Natural Deodorant?

 

There are several health concerns linked to antiperspirant use. The obvious concern is that antiperspirant does not allow underarms to perspire, and perspiration (or sweating) is our bodies’ natural way of releasing toxins. Meanwhile, common ingredients in antiperspirant — such as aluminum, parabens, and synthetic fragrance — have been linked to health concerns such as endocrine disruption (with a possible link to breast cancer), asthma, allergies, birth defects, reproductive issues, and neurological disorders, among other potentially serious health concerns.

Natural deodorants, on the other hand, allow the body to naturally perspire while using alternative ingredients to prevent or eliminate body odor.

As a quick side note: you will probably have to go through a “detox” period as your body adjusts from antiperspirant use to natural deodorants. In the beginning, you may experience some breakthrough odor as your body acclimates. The best way to get through this time is to reapply your natural deodorant anytime you need a “refresher.” (Or if needed, a quick wash under the arms and then reapplying will of course also do the trick.) Don’t worry, this stage is only temporary, and your body will adjust!

 

Why Natural Deodorant for Sensitive Skin?

 

While many natural deodorants contain healthy, nourishing ingredients, most also contain baking soda as a main ingredient. The problem with baking soda is that it can cause underarm skin rashes and/or redness. I started experiencing the infamous rash after about a month on one brand, so the reaction can take a while to develop. (I was so disappointed because I really liked that particular deodorant!)

Luckily, there are alternatives for us ladies and gents with sensitive skin. And as it turns out, I’ve done lots of research and tried many of the natural deodorant brands out there! Of course, everyone’s different, but these are the brands that worked well for me. All of the following are free of aluminum, synthetic fragrance, parabens, and other synthetic toxins. Instead they contain nourishing ingredients and naturally-derived scents.

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Best Natural Deodorants for Sensitive Skin

 

1. Schmidt’s Natural Deodorant – Sensitive Skin Formula

 

Schmidt’s makes my favorite natural deodorant. It works well and most closely resembles the feel of conventional antiperspirant. I started out with one of their regular formulas and loved it, but I developed the dreaded baking soda rash after about a month. Luckily, they developed a sensitive skin formula, and I find that it actually works just as well as the regular formula! As far as natural deodorants go, this one works the best for me. I use the geranium scent, and it is a pleasant natural fragrance, but I’m looking forward to Schmidt’s introducing new scents to their sensitive skin line in the future. (UPDATE: Schmidt’s has now introduced new scents to their sensitive line. My new favorite is Coconut Pineapple!)

Ingredients (Geranium Scent)*: Magnesium Hydroxide, Cocos Nucifera (coconut) Oil, Maranta Arundinacea (arrowroot) Powder, Butyrospermum Parkii (shea butter), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (fractionated coconut oil), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Euphorbia Cerifera (candelilla) Wax, Tocopherol (vitamin E), Pelargonium Graveolens (geranium) Essential Oil.

 

Highlights of Schmidt’s Natural Deodorant – Sensitive Skin Formula:

 

• works well with no breakthrough odor
• no baking soda, uses magnesium hydroxide instead
• easy application (stick)
• certified vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free
• most ingredients are organic
• pleasant scent options, including a fragrance-free option

 

Bottom Line: Schmidt’s Natural Deodorant – Sensitive Skin Formula is my overall favorite natural deodorant for sensitive skin. It actually works and contains all safe ingredients. Ding, ding…we have a winner!

 

2. Primally Pure Deodorant

 

This natural deodorant also works extremely well, is easy to apply, and contains only the most nourishing ingredients. It does contain some baking soda, but only a small amount. While I’ve used several other brands that contain baking soda and had adverse reactions to those, I do not have a negative reaction to this deodorant from Primally Pure! (Although I do fine with it, someone with extreme baking soda sensitivity should be aware.) I love this quality company and have started using (and loving) several of their products. I’ve used both the lemongrass and lavender scents and like them both. (UPDATE: my new favorite is the charcoal formula; it works very well, is scented with a lovely hint of peppermint and eucalyptus, and has become my new go-to for daily deodorant!)

 

Ingredients (Charcoal Formula – my new favorite!)*: Arrowroot Powder, Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Tallow from Grass-Fed Cows, Organic Beeswax, Baking Soda, Non-nano Zinc Oxide, White Kaolin Clay, Activated Coconut Charcoal, Organic Essential Oils of Eucalyptus and Peppermint.

Ingredients (Lemongrass Scent)*: Organic Arrowroot Powder, Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Tallow from Grass-Fed Cows, Organic Beeswax, Baking Soda, Non-nano Zinc Oxide, White Kaolin Clay, Organic Lemongrass Essential Oil.

 

Highlights of Primally Pure Deodorant:

 

• works well with no breakthrough odor
• easy application (stick)
• primal/paleo (uses real-food ingredients)
• contains baking soda, but it’s a small amount and less likely to cause a reaction
• uses organic/fair trade Ingredients and therapeutic grade essential oils
• not tested on animals (but contains animal products, such as tallow from grass-fed cows)
• pleasant scent options, plus offers an unscented option

 

Bottom Line: Primally Pure Deodorant is an effective natural deodorant for sensitive skin that contains high-quality nourishing primal ingredients. If you can handle a small amount of baking soda, this product is surely worth checking out. (Be sure to use the code SICKCHICK at checkout to get 10% off your order! This offer is good through 6/30/18.)

 

3. Primal Life Organics Stick Up

 

This natural deodorant for sensitive skin comes from another top-notch primal brand. The ingredients are healthy, safe, and nourishing (and most of the ingredients are organic). Their sensitive formulas do not contain baking soda, and they offer several ingredient variations to address common allergies and sensitivities. The particular scent I’ve used (lemon-clove) allowed some breakthrough odor on occasion, but this was easily rectified with a quick re-application. I think , however, that their blends containing White Kaolin clay would be even more effective, so I look forward to trying some of those. Primal Life Organics Stick Up is my go-to when my underarms need the simplest, most nourishing blend of ingredients (like when recovering after a baking soda reaction from another brand). I use the sensitive lemongrass scent and find it very pleasant. (UPDATE: Dirty Peppermint (Sensitive) is my new favorite from PLO!)

Ingredients (Sensitive Lemon-Clove Scent)*: Coconut Oil, Arrowroot Powder, Pure Filtered Beeswax, Lemon Oil and Clove Bud Oil (all organic ingredients).

Ingredients (Sensitive Dirty Peppermint Scent)*: Virgin Coconut Oil*, Pure Filtered Beeswax*, White Kaolin Clay**, Arrowroot Powder*, Peppermint Oil*

 

Highlights of Primal Life Organics Stick Up:

 

• works well and easy application (stick)
• primal/paleo (uses real-food ingredients)
• no baking soda, uses arrowroot instead
• most ingredients are certified organic
• cruelty-free (not tested on animals)
• offers an unscented option
• many scent and ingredient variations; has the most options for sensitive skin!

 

Bottom Line: Primal Life Organics Stick Up contains the most nourishing ingredients, most of which are certified organic. This natural deodorant offers numerous ingredient variations, providing options for just about everyone. It’s especially ideal for those with super-sensitive skin who are looking for a 100% healthy option.

 

So these are three of my favorites. Have you had success with a natural deodorant for sensitive skin? Please comment and share!

 

*All ingredients listed above are accurate as of October 12, 2016.