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11 Best Natural Deodorants for Men of 2024

You don't need aluminum to keep your underarms fresh and odor-free.

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the 11 best natural deodorant for men to keep you smelling good all day
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If you've never used a natural deodorant before, it's easy to be brimming with questions: What's the difference between natural and non-natural? Can a natural deodorant be long-lasting? What's the deal with aluminum in deodorant? Natural deodorants won't prevent you from sweating, but they can help reduce and mask odor through fragrances and odor neutralizers, and absorb sweat through ingredients like starches and baking soda.

If you're making that switch away from antiperspirants, there are now effective natural deodorants on the market in a slew of great scents. Through a combination of rigorous consumer testing conducted by the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab, smaller road tests and extensive internet research, we've pulled together a list of the best on the market, no matter if you prefer a stick, spray or cream. We categorized "natural" deodorants as picks that don't have aluminum salts used as antiperspirant actives and therefore don't have a medicinal effect of controlling sweat.

Our top picks:

Keep in mind that "natural" is a largely misleading claim, according to our GH Beauty Lab pros. “While there are ceaseless online marketing claims about natural products and clean beauty, there is no formal industry-wide definition of what makes a 'natural' cosmetic product,” says Birnur Aral, Ph.D, Executive Director of the GH Beauty Lab. In fact, there are very few consumer products that contain ingredients in the same form as they appear in nature.

Read on after our picks for more information on how we selected the best natural deodorants for men, and why you should trust Good Housekeeping.

1
Best Overall Natural Deodorant for Men

Native Deodorant

Deodorant

Pros

  • Long-lasting scent
  • Large unisex scent range

Cons

  • Baking soda may irritate sensitive skin

Native's formula features tapioca starch and baking soda to neutralize odor and absorb moisture, keeping armpits smelling fresh all day. In road testing, we found it particularly effective, noting that the scent is long-lasting and it doesn't irritate skin, even after shaving. We love the robust unisex scent range, featuring palatable and not overly intense fragrances that mask odor without being overbearing. However, those with sensitive skin may want to look for a formula without baking soda, as it can be irritating to some.

2
Best Value Natural Deodorant for Men

Speed Stick Regular Deodorant

Regular Deodorant

Pros

  • Addictive scent
  • Great value

Cons

  • Scent may not be long-lasting

Speed Stick's signature scent is an ineffable, aquatically masculine scent that could very well be a budget replacement for some high-end colognes. Online reviewers rave about it, though some have pointed out a recent reformulation may have decreased the scent's longevity. Still, at the price point, having to use more throughout the day is hardly a concern.

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3
Best Refillable Natural Deodorant for Men

Dove Men + Care Refillable Deodorant Kit

Men + Care Refillable Deodorant Kit

Pros

  • Refillable packaging helps to reduce plastic waste
  • Sleek metal packaging

Cons

  • Formula is fragile and may break out of packaging

For the environmentally conscious, the burden of plastic generated in consumables like deodorant can weigh heavily. That's why we love this refillable deodorant from Dove, which is formulated without aluminum. The deodorant comes in a sleek metal case that can be refilled with one of two available scents. While reviewers enjoy the idea of a refillable deodorant, they were also quick to note that the formula is quite fragile and can easily break off of the component, so be gentle as you apply.

4
Best Whole-Body Natural Deodorant for Men

LUME Invisible Cream Deodorant

On Sale
Invisible Cream Deodorant

Pros

  • Can be used anywhere on the body
  • Tested, long-lasting odor protection

Cons

  • Can have an unpleasant initial scent before drying

If you've ever wanted to put deodorant anywhere but the armpits, you'll find the traditional stick format to be a bit cumbersome. Lume offers a solution by offering their aluminum-free deodorant in a cream, so you can easily spread it wherever. In GH Beauty Lab testing, 81% of testers reported it offered long-lasting odor control without staining clothes. Amazon reviewers have reported that straight out of the tube, this deodorant can have an unpleasant smell that dissipates as it dries, leaving long-lasting odor protection in its wake.

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5
Best Drugstore Natural Deodorant for Men

Tom's of Maine Long Lasting Wide Stick Deodorant

Long Lasting Wide Stick Deodorant

Pros

  • Eight for-men scents to choose from
  • Hops extract helps curb bacterial activity

Cons

  • Not as long-lasting protection as claimed

Tom's of Maine is a goliath in the natural products domain, and the unique formulation of this deodorant is a shining example of why they're so well known. This deodorant stick harnesses the antimicrobial power of hops (the flower of Humulus lupulus, commonly used to endow beer with its aromatic qualities), using the extract to help reduce bacterial activity in the armpits (one of the causes of stench) and replace it with one of eight scents for men. The odor protection may not last up to the claimed 24 hours, however, according to some online reviewers.

6
Best Stain-Free Natural Deodorant for Men

Every Man Jack Deodorant

Deodorant

Pros

  • Great masculine scent range
  • Smooth application
  • Doesn't stain clothing

Cons

  • Includes an extract that can be an allergen for some

Every Man Jack's natural deodorant smells amazing — for an amazing price. In our road testing, we found this product applied smoothly to underarms and didn't cause irritation even on freshly shaven armpits. We also loved how it didn't transfer stains onto clothing. This formula contains lichen extract, however, which has been shown to cause sensitizing reactions in those with an allergy, so steer clear if you know you're allergic or have particularly sensitive skin.

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7
Best Long-Lasting Natural Deodorant for Men

PATRICKS ND1 Natural Deodorant

ND1 Natural Deodorant

Pros

  • Reviewer-approved wear time
  • Light, refreshing scent

Cons

  • Pricey

Many natural deodorants come with the user complaint of not being as effective or long-lasting as their aluminum-laden counterparts. PATRICKS ND1 sets a new standard for longevity, and has online reviewers raving about it. "Finally a natural deodorant that lasts and does not irritate!" said one reviewer, among a sea of those enthused by its refined, light scent and impressive duration. But, all of this comes at a heftier price tag than other deodorants.

8
Best Natural Spray Deodorant for Men

OffCourt Performance Body Spray

Performance Body Spray

Pros

  • Antimicrobial deodorization
  • Refined scents

Cons

  • High alcohol concentration may irritate sensitive skin

Not a fan of stick deodorant? No need to fret — natural deodorants are plentiful in spray form too, and this one from OffCourt is a serious contender for spray aficionados. The aluminum-free body spray isn't a throwback to the musky, nauseating sprays of the high school locker room, coming in three refined, light scents that the brand encourages you to spray anywhere on the body. The formula contains Xylityl Sesquicaprylate, an antimicrobial deodorizing compound, to effectively control odors, though it's worth mentioning that the high concentration of alcohol in this product may make it unsuitable for sensitive skin.

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9
Best Natural Deodorant for Men with Sensitive Skin

Ursa Major Hoppin' Fresh Deodorant

Hoppin' Fresh Deodorant

Pros

  • Uses plant extracts and essential oils for its unisex scent
  • Formulated with soothing aloe vera

Cons

  • Not ideal for heavy sweaters

We loved the formulation of Ursa Major's Hoppin' Fresh Deodorant so much that we couldn't help but feature it in both our roundup of natural deodorants for women and this one. The ingredient list boasts components like aloe vera and eucalyptus to soothe skin, as well as hops extract to naturally deodorize. We also love the unisex, fresh scent, which is free of synthetic or added fragrance but rather a result of its listed ingredients — a major win for those with sensitive skin. Although this deodorant has tapioca starch to help absorb excess sweat, some online reviewers noted that it didn't keep them as dry as other natural deodorants, so if you're a profuse sweater you may want to look elsewhere.

10
Best Baking Soda-Free Natural Deodorant for Men

Schmidt's Sensitive Skin Stick

Sensitive Skin Stick

Pros

  • Exclusion of baking soda makes it a good choice for sensitive skin
  • Nourishing formula suitable for dry skin

Cons

  • Sticky texture can be off-putting

Though we love the odor-controlling properties of baking soda, it can be harsh on sensitive skin. This formula contains several conditioning ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil, making it a great pick for men with dry underarms. We were also impressed with the scent range of this deodorant, offering unorthodox, elevated fragrances to keep you smelling fresh. While Amazon reviewers were impressed with the extensive odor control of this deodorant, some pointed out that this formula has a uniquely soft, sticky texture that can be jarring.

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11
Best Natural AHA Deodorant for Men

Kosas Chemistry AHA Serum Deodorant

Chemistry AHA Serum Deodorant

Pros

  • Alpha hydroxy acids exfoliate skin
  • Hyaluronic acid can help hydrate as you deodorize

Cons

  • Not specifically created for men

If you're looking to refine skin's texture as you deodorize, look no further than Kosas' AHA Serum Deodorant. We love the formula's novelty for its inclusion of alpha hydroxy acids like lactic and mandelic acids as exfoliants. We're also fond of the inclusion of hyaluronic acid and aloe vera to moisturize and soothe irritation. Though not explicitly marketed toward men, we think the stand-out formulation is worthwhile anyone to try.

How we chose the best natural deodorants for men

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The Good Housekeeping Institute regularly researches and tests the latest deodorants on the market, including those for deodorant for women, deodorant for men and deodorant for kids, and deodorants specially formulated for sensitive skin. We review ingredient lists and any claims the brand makes, as well as online reviews of the products.

Our product experts either conduct consumer tests, sending product to our extensive tester community and retrieving feedback on performance and ease of use, or complete smaller road tests where we try out products and report on their usability. For this article, we used a combination of formal consumer testing and road tests, as well as research-based picks to choose the most effective, best natural deodorants for men.

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What to look for when shopping for natural deodorant

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Here are a couple of key factors to consider when seeking out a natural deodorant:

✔️ Format: Whether you're a swipe-on, spray or cream type of guy will largely come down to personal preference.

  • Swipe-on products are great for their convenience and ease of transport (they likely won't explode in your gym bag because they're a solid formulation). Swipe-on deodorants are typically either a balm-like consistency or a gel or liquid that's applied via a rollerball. While the more balmy formulas may be more moisturizing due to their high emollient content, gels and liquids will typically absorb into the skin faster.
  • Sprays are great for quick application, and creams allow you to get more granular with where you put your deodorant, but carry a greater risk of making a mess if you travel with them.

✔️ Ingredients: The ingredients in your natural deodorant will largely be dictated by your unique skin's chemistry. Some people have more sensitive skin and should stay away from harsher natural formulas like those containing baking soda or AHAs. Others who tend to sweat a lot may want to opt for a deodorant that has ingredients like tapioca starch to absorb excess perspiration.

✔️ Fragrance: Since many natural deodorants are scented with essential oils you'll want to be keen on avoiding anything to which you have a known allergy. If you're not sure about a fragrance or formula, you can do a patch test by applying a small amount to the inside of your arm and waiting 24 hours to see if any reaction occurs.

Is natural deodorant safer?

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"The reason there is concern about aluminum-based products in that they temporarily block the sweat ducts and if absorbed, it can affect the estrogen receptors of breast cells," says Shari Sperling, D.O., a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Florham Park, NJ.

"There needs to be more studies done to see if there is a link but data suggests there is no link between breast cancer and aluminum. However, if there is a personal or family history of breast cancer, it cannot hurt to avoid those aluminum products to be on the safe side."

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Why do I still smell after using natural deodorant?

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Unlike aluminum-containing deodorants, natural deodorant contains no antiperspirant properties. As a result, you'll still sweat, which could contribute to the stench. Though sweat itself doesn't technically smell bad, its presence increases the metabolic activity of bacteria in the armpit, catalyzing the production of malodor compounds.

That doesn't mean natural deodorants can't be effective though. Your body chemistry might necessitate the use of stronger deodorizing agents like baking soda or prebiotics to combat odor-causing bacteria. If you find you're still smelly even after using a natural deodorant, review the ingredients for deodorizers and consider switching to one that will help to reduce some of these bacterias' activity.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

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As the lab assistant at the Good Housekeeping Institute, Nikolas Greenwald helps to maintain and analyze testing data and develop new testing protocols within the Institute. As a chemical engineer, he uses his knowledge of formulation chemistry in conjunction with his cosmetics retail experience to recommend products that actually work and meet real consumer demands.

Birnur K. Aral, Ph.D. is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institutes Beauty Lab. Birnur uses her knowledge of chemical engineering, sustainability, and the broad scope of the beauty industry to make recommendations for a wide range of cosmetics and personal care products.

Headshot of Nikolas Greenwald
Nikolas Greenwald
Data Engineer

As a data engineer in the Good Housekeeping Institute, Nik (he/him) works with all of our Labs to develop testing protocols and manage data collection and analysis. Before joining Good Housekeeping in 2022, Nik worked in the labs of MIT and Regeneron, working on projects ranging from chemical inventory and reporting to the development of bioassays. He holds a degree in chemical engineering from Northeastern University.

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