Like many people, I’m becoming more concerned about sustainability and the ingredients in my personal care products. Natural deodorants have become more appealing, especially with refillable options becoming more common. Unlike antiperspirants, which tend to use aluminium salts to reduce sweating, natural deodorants are usually aluminium-free. Instead, many use absorbent powders, such as tapioca starch, to soak up moisture, alongside ingredients such as sodium bicarbonate to help neutralise the odour caused by bacteria.
Once confined to health shops, they’re now firmly mainstream, with sticks, creams and roll-ons lining the shelves and making bold claims about effectiveness and gentleness. But do they work? In practice, results are far less predictable. Natural deodorants don’t behave like antiperspirants, and what feels effective for one person may fall short for another. Choosing one tends to involve a fair bit of trial and error.
There’s no legal definition of what counts as a “natural” deodorant, so I limited my testing to aluminium-free deodorants marketed as natural and widely available in the UK. I included a mix of sprays, roll-ons, balms and sticks from established and newer brands. Read on to find out the natural deodorants that worked best for me.
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At a glance
Best natural deodorant overall:
Luna Daily the All Over deodorant
Best budget refillable deodorant:
Wild refillable natural deodorant
Best natural deodorant for long days:
AKT the deodorant balm
Best natural deodorant for simplicity:
UpCircle refillable natural deodorant
Best natural deodorant for sensitive skin:
Fussy refillable natural deodorant
Best everyday roll-on natural deodorant:
Green People natural deodorant
Best natural deodorant for scent:
Norfolk Natural Living natural deodorant
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Why you should trust me
For the past few years, I’ve been testing how product claims hold up in real life. I’ve gradually switched to refillable and lower-waste options in other parts of my routine, from pasta to toothpaste, but deodorant has proved to be one of the harder changes to make.
After giving up on natural deodorants more often than I can count, I decided to give it one more go. My days involve a mix of commuting, walking and desk work, so I focused on deodorants that felt dependable enough to get on with my day.
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How I tested
Choosing a natural deodorant is notoriously personal. What works brilliantly for one person can be irritating or simply ineffective for another, influenced by skin sensitivity, stress, hormones and even diet. Unlike antiperspirants, they don’t block sweat but work with the skin and the bacteria that cause odour, which means how reliable they are can change over time.
I tested 18 natural deodorants, covering a mix of roll-ons, sticks, balms and creams, since the format can make a surprising difference to how a deodorant feels to use. Not all of them made it into this guide.
I tested each deodorant for at least two weeks, wearing them through commuting, quieter days at home, and exercise, paying attention to how they applied, how quickly they dried, how they smelled (and I smelled) as the day went on and whether I felt the need to reapply. To avoid going nose-blind, I occasionally drafted in a second opinion on how things were holding up.
Several brands also mention a short adjustment period when switching from antiperspirants, in which some people might experience more sweat and a noticeable smell for the first few weeks, so I looked at how both effectiveness and comfort changed over time, not writing anything off too quickly. I also went back to the first few deodorants I tested after I’d been using natural deodorants for a couple of weeks, to see whether they performed any differently once the adjustment period had passed.
Natural deodorants are designed to help keep smells in check rather than stop perspiration altogether, so I didn’t judge them on sweat reduction. I also considered packaging and approximate monthly cost for refills, based on how long each brand says it should last. Where companies didn’t specify how long a deodorant should last, I based estimates on about six weeks of daily use.
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The best natural deodorants in 2026
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<em>Best natural deodorant overall:</em>Luna Daily the All Over deodorant
- What we love:Lightweight, quick-drying and smells great
- What we don’t love:May need occasional reapplication and can mark clothes
This was the natural deodorant I reached for most. It feels good to apply, smells genuinely nice, and came closest to what I want from an everyday deodorant without feeling like a compromise.
Designed as an all-body roll-on, this deodorant works just as well as a daily underarm option. The texture is soft and quite fluid, so you don’t need to keep going over the same area. It’s on the wetter side, but it dries quickly enough that you’re not left waiting around before getting dressed.
Why we love it
I tested two scents, and they were both nicely balanced. Jasmine and ylang ylang is warm and lightly floral without being overpowering, while hydrating soft cotton is clean, subtle and easy to wear day to day. The fragrance lingers just enough to feel fresh, rather than just covering up body odour, although it didn’t always last for long.
It’s also very comfortable on the skin. I didn’t experience much of an adjustment period (this was one of the first I tested), even when I came back to it weeks later. It felt gentle on my skin even with regular use, and it was one of the most reliable, holding up well except during a few more intense workouts.
It’s a shame that … despite drying quickly, it left marks on clothing, even if I waited before getting dressed. I found I needed to reapply on busier days, too.
Format: roll-on
Quantity: 70g
Approximate cost per month: from about £5.25 (based on Luna’s estimate that one stick lasts about two months)
Dries quickly? Yes
Marks clothes? Yes
Reapplication needed? Sometimes
Vegan? Yes
Certified cruelty-free? No, but claims to be cruelty-free
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<em>Best budget refillable deodorant:</em> Wild refillable natural deodorant
- What we love:Lots of scent choice and handy minis
- What we don’t love:Can leave temporary white marks
Wild is one of the most recognisable natural deodorants, helped by its refillable case and wide range of scents. Unlike creamier formulas like Luna, it comes as a solid, waxy stick, with refills that slot neatly into a reusable aluminium case.
The texture is firm, and it glides on smoothly, leaving a lightly scented layer on the skin rather than a wet or creamy finish. There was a little irritation when I used it too soon after shaving, but otherwise it felt gentle.
Why we love it
Besides its cool cases and design, Wild gets a lot right. The stick format feels familiar; the refill system is straightforward; and there’s plenty of choice. Coconut and vanilla was my favourite, though it’s quite sweet and strong. Fresh cotton and sea salt is cleaner and more understated, and there are plenty of other options to suit different tastes.
The refill system is simple, and a subscription reduces the cost. There’s a sensitive range available too if you’re prone to irritation from bicarbonate of soda, and there’s a mini version that’s perfect to keep in your bag for top-ups.
It’s a shame that … despite the great scents, Wild didn’t last all day in my tests. I also feel that the range of different case options, including limited editions, slightly undercuts the sustainability message. It also left temporary white marks on my clothes and, over time, I noticed some of my white tops starting to yellow around the armpits.
Format: solid stick (refillable)
Quantity: 40g
Refill cost: £6.50, or £5.20 if you subscribe
Approximate monthly cost: from about £3.70 (based on Wild’s guidance that one refill lasts up to six weeks)
Dries quickly? Yes
Marks clothes? Yes
Reapplication needed? Yes
Vegan? Yes
Certified cruelty-free? Yes
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<em>Best natural deodorant for long days:</em> AKT the deodorant balm
- What we love:It lasts well on heavier days
- What we don’t love:Your hands get a little messy when applying
AKT is one of the most talked about natural deodorants, with a reputation for lasting longer than many natural alternatives. This deodorant balm comes in a toothpaste-style tube and is applied in small amounts by hand.
The texture is thick and paste-like, closer to a hand cream than your usual roll-on or spray. It requires a bit of working in, but once massaged into the skin, it absorbs quickly and dries down to a powdery, non-sticky finish.
Application takes a bit of getting used to. You have to use your hands, and figuring out the right amount matters. Using too much can mean it feels heavy, while not enough can leave you worried about body odour. Getting dressed before it’s set can also leave marks – I’d recommend gently brushing it with a towel to check it’s ready.
Why we love it
This was one of the more reliable options I tried on longer or busier days. Once it’s settled, it feels comfortable rather than tacky, and I didn’t experience any irritation during testing.
There are lots of scents to choose from, and the discovery set takes some of the pressure off committing to full size.
AKT also sells accessories separately. They’re a little pricey, and they’re not essential, but they are tempting. A tube squeezer (£11) does make life easier and probably ends up being more cost-effective because it helps you get every last bit from the tube. There’s also an applicator, so your hands don’t have to get messy, but it’s £26.
It’s a shame that … reapplication can be tricky when required, especially if you’re out and about. You’ll usually need a bathroom, or at least a sink, to wash your hands afterwards, and I didn’t really enjoy reapplying without a shower first.
Format: balm/paste (tube)
Quantity: 50ml
Refill cost: not refillable
Approximate monthly cost: £10.50 (based on AKT’s guidance that one tube lasts up to two months)
Dries quickly? Yes
Marks clothes? Yes, if not fully set
Reapplication needed? Sometimes
Vegan? Yes
Certified cruelty-free? Yes
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<em>Best natural deodorant for simplicity:</em>UpCircle refillable natural deodorant
- What we love:Easy to use and refill
- What we don’t love:Needed a top-up most days
UpCircle’s refillable deodorant is one of the most understated options I tested. Like Wild, it uses a solid, wax-based stick with a refillable case, but the overall look and feel is more pared back, with one case design rather than multiple colourful, interchangeable ones.
The deodorant softens as it’s applied, gliding easily across the skin without dragging. Using it reminded me a bit of using a stick of glue – I found it easiest to twist it up only a little and to apply in short strokes.
Why we love it
UpCircle is easy to use and comfortable on the skin. It applies smoothly, dries quickly and feels lightweight once on, rather than heavy or greasy. The refill system is straightforward, making it a good option if you want something low-waste without too much faff.
The design is also a strong point. Everything feels considered but unfussy, which will appeal if you prefer simplicity over bold branding.
While pleasant to use, it didn’t last all day for me, even on less active days. It wore off earlier than I’d like, usually by mid-afternoon, meaning reapplication was sometimes needed. Because the formula is quite soft, the surface of the stick can also change shape slightly with heat and pressure.
It’s a shame that … it’s pricier than some stick deodorants, and the various subscription options are a little confusing. Also, don’t leave it in the sun. Mine melted and was a little misshapen when I left it on my windowsill one sunny morning.
Format: solid stick (refillable)
Quantity: 41g
Scents available: macadamia and bergamot
Refill cost: £6.99 for one, or three for £14.38 on subscription
Approximate monthly cost: from about £4.80 (based on UpCircle’s guidance that one refill lasts about a month)
Dries quickly? Yes
Marks clothes? Yes
Reapplication needed? Sometimes
Vegan? Yes
Certified cruelty-free? Yes
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<em>Best natural deodorant for sensitive skin:</em>Fussy refillable natural deodorant
- What we love:Plenty of choice for sensitive skin
- What we don’t love:Premium-looking case but I found it slippery and annoying
If the name rings a bell, that may be thanks to Fussy’s appearance on Dragons’ Den. It’s a refillable solid stick with a reusable case, and the format feels familiar if you’re coming from a conventional deodorant.
I tried several scents, including cloud nine, with cotton, sandalwood and vetiver, and wavy days, a fresher, mintier option with eucalyptus and sage. Both were pleasant to wear without being too strong.
Why we love it
Fussy is straightforward to use and kind to the skin. The stick glides on easily, dries fairly quickly to a powdery finish and didn’t cause any irritation for me. There’s a wide choice of scents, along with both regular and sensitive formulas, which makes it accessible if you’re cautious about fragrance. Once you have the case, refills come in packs of three.
Fussy also has a mini range, which is great for on-the-go application.
While the deodorant looks great, I was more aware of odour than I wanted to be, especially on longer or sweatier days. I found myself reapplying often and still noticed it returning.
It’s a shame that … it marked my clothes when I sweated, which quickly became annoying.
Format: solid stick (refillable)
Quantity: 40g
Refill cost: three for £18, or £15 on subscription
Approximate monthly cost: from about £1.25 (based on Fussy’s guidance that one refill typically lasts four to eight weeks)
Dries quickly? Yes
Marks clothes? Yes
Reapplication needed? Yes
Vegan? Yes
Certified cruelty-free? Yes
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<em>Best everyday roll-on natural deodorant:</em>Green People natural deodorant
- What we love:Reliable and good value
- What we don’t love:Slow to dry
Green People’s deodorant is refreshingly no-nonsense. The recycled plastic bottle and straightforward packaging suggest it’s here to do a job rather than win you over with clever branding. It’s a liquid roll-on, and I tested three: rosemary, aloe vera, and unscented.
Why we love it
Once I figured out how much to use, Green People proved quietly dependable. The roll-on is wetter than most, and my first few applications were a bit heavy-handed, but using less made a noticeable difference. It does take longer to dry than sticks or balms, but once it’s set, it’s comfortable and doesn’t get in the way.
It held up better than several wax-based deodorants I tried. In my tests, it lasted through a normal working day, and I didn’t experience any irritation. It also didn’t mark my clothes unless I overapplied or got dressed too quickly while it was drying. I’d recommend waiting at least two minutes, or more if you have the patience.
The bottles are made from recycled materials and are recyclable, though they’re not refillable. Packaging from empty deodorants can go in your normal household recycling, subject to your local council’s rules.
It’s a shame that … the drying time requires patience, and while it worked well enough, it’s not a deodorant I instinctively reached for.
Format: liquid roll-on
Quantity: 75ml
Refill cost: not refillable
Approximate monthly cost: from about £4 (based on Green People’s guidance that one bottle lasts two to three months)
Dries quickly? No
Marks clothes? No (if applied sparingly)
Reapplication needed? Sometimes
Vegan? Yes
Certified cruelty-free? Yes
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<em>Best natural deodorant for scent:</em>Norfolk Natural Living natural deodorant
- What we love:Smells divine
- What we don’t love:Took a little while to dry
Norfolk Natural Living is a smaller UK brand, and its deodorant stands out for scent alone. I tried coastal walks, and wild fig and gardenia. Both were fragrances I enjoyed wearing. It’s a refillable liquid roll-on, similar in format to Green People.
Why we love it
The fragrance is definitely the highlight. Both scents felt thoughtful and well balanced, and were a pleasure to use in a way many natural deodorants weren’t. If scent is a big part of what you want from a deodorant, this is one of the nicest I tried.
Used carefully, it’s comfortable on the skin and caused no irritation. The refillable format is a plus, though it’s still a little on the pricier side.
Like other liquid roll-ons, it’s quite wet and needs a bit of patience on application. If I rushed getting dressed, it marked my clothes. While it masked odour reasonably well, it was better suited to lighter, slower days.
It’s a shame that … I didn’t feel particularly fresh by the end of the day, and it struggled with exercise or more active days.
Format: liquid roll-on (refillable)
Quantity: 50ml
Refill cost: £39 for 150ml to last three months
Approximate monthly cost: £13 (based on refill cost)
Dries quickly? No
Marks clothes? Yes, if not fully dry
Reapplication needed? Sometimes
Vegan? Yes
Certified cruelty-free? No, but claims to be cruelty-free
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The best of the rest
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Neal’s Yard Remedies deodorants (spray and roll-on)
- What we love:Fresh scent and lightweight spray
- What we don’t love:Doesn’t last all day
- Spray, £13 at Neal’s Yard Neal’s Yard £13
- Roll-on, £11.25 at Bodykind Bodykind £11.25
Best for: a quick refresh
Neal’s Yard is known for its essential-oil-led body care, and its deodorants feel very much in keeping with that approach. I tested both the lemon and coriander spray and the rose and geranium roll-on. They work quite differently, but both sit at the gentler, more traditional end of natural deodorants, focusing on comfort and scent over all-day staying power.
The rose and geranium roll-on feels wetter and takes longer to dry. While it goes on easily, I didn’t find it especially reliable day to day, and it left white marks on clothes if I got dressed before it was completely dry. While it was comfortable to wear, it didn’t leave me feeling fresh enough for my daily routine and felt better suited to lighter, low-stress days than anything more demanding.
It didn’t make the cut because … I just didn’t find it as reliable as some of the stronger performers here, although it smells fantastic.
Format: spray/roll-on; quantity: 100ml/50ml; refill cost: not refillable; approximate monthly cost: spray, £6.50; roll-on, £5.60 (based on the deodorant lasting two months on average); dries quickly? Yes (spray), slower (roll-on); marks clothes? Yes, if not entirely dry; reapplication needed? Yes, multiple times; vegan? Yes; certified cruelty-free? Yes
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Nuud natural deodorant
- What we love:Low maintenance and long-lasting
- What we don’t love:Results can be unpredictable and involve trial and error
Best for: low maintenance
Nuud takes a very different approach to deodorant. Rather than daily application, it claims that one small amount can last for days. It comes as a cream in a small tube and is applied by hand, with the promise of 72 hours’ effectiveness.
There’s no added fragrance (although the brand does offer a few scented versions). On the skin, it smells faintly earthy at first, then fades quickly to nothing.
When Nuud worked, it felt genuinely freeing. On quieter days, a single application often lasted well into the second day, making it the most low-maintenance option I tested. Even when it didn’t reach the full 72 hours, it still outlasted most daily-use natural deodorants.
Because it’s fragrance-free, it won’t interfere with perfume, and it didn’t irritate my skin at all. A small amount goes a long way, and the tube lasted longer than expected, which helps justify the price.
While effective, it didn’t always leave me feeling particularly fresh. I tended to prefer the scented deodorants in this test. Applying it by hand can also feel a bit messy, and figuring out how much to use requires some trial and error and patience.
It didn’t make the final cut because … the results weren’t entirely predictable. Some days I noticed odour creeping back in, and exercise almost always shortened how long it lasted, meaning earlier top-ups were needed.
Format: cream/paste (tube); quantity: 15ml; refill cost: not refillable; approximate monthly cost: about £7.45 (based on Nuud’s guidance that one tube lasts about seven to eight weeks, and it lasts 72 hours); marks clothes? No; dries quickly? Yes; reapplication needed? Sometimes; vegan? Yes; certified cruelty-free? No, but claims to be cruelty-free
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Rollr refillable deodorant
- What we love:Scent is amazing, and it has a premium feel
- What we don’t love:It’s on the pricier side and needed top-ups
- Starter pack, £48.95 at Rollr Healf £45
- Two refills, £25 at Liberty Rollr £48.95
Best for: a premium refillable option
Rollr sits at the more luxurious end of the natural deodorant market, and it looks the part. From the weighty glass bottle to the sculpted roller, it feels more like something you’d leave on display rather than tuck away in a drawer. I tested several scents, including vetiver, which includes lemon and ginger, and clary sage, which contains rosemary.
Instead of swapping cartridges, refills come as a powder. You add water, shake the bottle, and wait for it to thicken into a creamy liquid.
Rollr is genuinely nice to use. The bottle feels weighty, the roller moves smoothly, and the scents feel well balanced rather than showy. Vetiver was fresh without being sharp, while clary sage leaned cleaner and more herbal.
The refill process is straightforward and oddly satisfying, and it’s nice not to be throwing much away each time. But there’s a higher upfront cost, as you need to buy the refillable bottle before you can use the refills. The refills ship in twos to save waste, although this does mean you have to spend more each time.
It didn’t make the final cut because … despite the premium feel, Rollr didn’t always hold up that well. By the end of a normal working day, I would start to notice some odour, which made the higher price harder to justify.
Format: roll-on (refillable); quantity: 40ml (once made up); refill cost: £24 for two on subscription; approximate monthly cost: from about £6 (based on Rollr’s guidance that one refill lasts two months); dries quickly? Fairly; marks clothes? No; reapplication needed? Yes; vegan? Yes; certified cruelty-free? No, but claims to be cruelty-free
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What you need to know
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What makes a deodorant natural?
There is no legal definition of what qualifies a deodorant as “natural”. Generally, the term is used for deodorants that avoid ingredients such as aluminium salts, which are commonly used in antiperspirants to reduce sweating, and alcohols. Natural deodorants typically rely instead on ingredients such as bicarbonate of soda, magnesium, zinc and starches to help manage odour. Some brands also prioritise plant-based ingredients, essential oils and refillable or lower-waste packaging.
How long does natural deodorant last?
It depends on the formula and the person using it. Some natural deodorants need reapplying throughout the day, while others can last from morning to evening. A small number of products, such as cream deodorants, claim to last for several days between applications. Factors such as activity levels, stress, hormones and skin chemistry can all affect how well a deodorant works. I found most didn’t last a full day without reapplying.
Are aluminium-based deodorants bad for you?
Aluminium salts are used in antiperspirants to temporarily reduce sweating. Concerns have been raised over the years about possible links between aluminium and health conditions such as breast cancer or Alzheimer’s, but major health organisations, including Cancer Research UK, say there is no convincing evidence that antiperspirants increase the risk of either condition. Many people still prefer natural deodorants because of skin sensitivity, ingredient preferences or the refillable and lower-waste packaging offered by many brands.
For more, read 12 sustainable cleaning and toiletries subscriptions that make life easier and the best refillable beauty products
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Mabel Banfield-Nwachi is a journalist who has spent the past few years testing everything from household essentials to beauty products. Although she wouldn’t describe herself as a deodorant enthusiast, she’s spent enough time trialling natural alternatives to develop some fairly strong opinions about them
