Best Natural Deodorants: How to Choose the Right One for You

Making the switch to a natural deodorant can feel surprisingly complicated. Stick or roll-on? Scented or unscented? Refillable or plastic-free? And, most importantly, how do you choose one that's right for you?

There isn't one natural deodorant that's best for everyone. Your skin, preferred fragrance, how you like to apply deodorant and what's important to you when it comes to packaging can all make a difference.

At Evergreen, we've brought together some of the different options available to help make choosing a natural deodorant a little easier.

What Is a Natural Deodorant?

There isn't one standard definition of a "natural deodorant", and formulas can vary considerably between brands.

Generally, products described as natural deodorants use ingredients derived from minerals or plants and are often made without the aluminium salts commonly used in antiperspirants.

It's also worth understanding that deodorant and antiperspirant aren't quite the same thing.

Antiperspirants are designed to reduce how much you sweat. Deodorants primarily help manage body odour, so you may still perspire while wearing one.

If you're new to natural deodorant, read our guide to Natural Deodorant vs Antiperspirant for a more detailed explanation.

Which Natural Deodorant Is Best for You?

Rather than looking for one "best" natural deodorant, it can be more helpful to start with what matters most to you.

Best for Refillable Deodorant: Wild

If reducing single-use packaging is high on your list, a refillable deodorant is a good place to start.

Wild Natural Deodorant uses a reusable case with separate deodorant refills, so you keep the applicator and replace the deodorant inside.

Evergreen stocks Wild starter packs alongside a choice of refills, with fragrances ranging from Coconut & Vanilla and Fresh Cotton & Sea Salt to newer options such as Thunderstorm and Ocean Mist.

This makes Wild particularly useful if you like a traditional solid deodorant but want a refillable option.

Best Irish Natural Deodorant: Vico

Prefer to support an Irish brand? Vico Natural Deodorant is made by an Irish company and comes in a wide choice of fragrances.

The Evergreen range includes scents such as Lavender, Eucalyptus, Sandalwood & Patchouli, Wexford Strawberry and Luxurious Oud, alongside an unscented option.

Vico's solid deodorants also use plastic-free packaging, making them worth considering if both Irish-made products and packaging are important to you.

Best for an Unscented Option: Vico Unscented

Not everyone wants their deodorant to have a fragrance.

Vico Unscented Natural Deodorant offers a fragrance-free alternative in the same solid, plastic-free format as the rest of the Vico range.

Fragrance-free and unscented products can also be useful to explore if you simply prefer your deodorant not to compete with perfume or other scented body products.

Evergreen also stocks fragrance-free options from brands including Salt of the Earth and Urtekram.

Best Natural Roll-On: MooGoo

If you're used to a traditional roll-on and want a familiar format, MooGoo Natural Fresh Cream Deodorant is an easy option to consider.

Its aluminium-free roll-on formula is available at Evergreen in Lemon Myrtle, alongside other MooGoo deodorant options.

Roll-ons can be particularly appealing to people who don't enjoy the feel of a solid stick or spray.

Best Natural Deodorant Spray: Salt of the Earth

Prefer to spray rather than roll or rub on your deodorant?

Salt of the Earth has several natural deodorant sprays in the Evergreen range, including Lavender & Vanilla and Vetiver & Citrus.

A spray can be a convenient choice if that's the application style you're already accustomed to and don't want to switch to a stick or cream.

Best for Plastic-Free Packaging

If cutting down on plastic is the priority, there are now several options to choose from.

Alongside Vico's solid deodorants, Evergreen stocks plastic-free deodorant options from Wild and Weleda.

Wild takes the refillable route, while products such as Weleda's solid deodorants offer another way to move away from a conventional plastic deodorant container.

The best choice here really comes down to whether you'd rather refill and reuse or choose a deodorant supplied in minimal or plastic-free packaging.

Best Natural Deodorant for Children

Children can begin to develop body odour as they get older, particularly around the start of puberty, and some parents prefer to introduce a simple deodorant at this stage.

Salt of the Earth Rock Chick Deodorant for Kids is specifically designed as a children's deodorant and comes as a crystal stick.

For children who would prefer something scented, Salt of the Earth Sweet Strawberry Deodorant Spray is another child-friendly option available from Evergreen.

If you're choosing a child's first deodorant, look at the product's age guidance and directions and choose a format they're comfortable using.

Stick, Roll-On or Spray: Which Is Best?

There's no right answer here. Much of it comes down to personal preference.

Solid deodorant sticks are easy to apply directly and are increasingly available in refillable and plastic-free formats.

Roll-on deodorants feel familiar if you're moving from a conventional roll-on and are available in both scented and fragrance-free formulas.

Spray deodorants are quick to apply and can suit people who don't like applying a stick or roll-on directly to their skin.

Crystal deodorants use mineral salts and are another long-established option within natural deodorant ranges.

Trying a different format can sometimes make as much difference as changing brand.

What About Sensitive Skin?

If your underarms are prone to sensitivity, look carefully at the formula rather than assuming every product described as "natural" will automatically suit your skin.

Fragrance-free products may be worth considering, and it's sensible to follow the manufacturer's directions and stop using a product if irritation develops.

Ingredients also vary significantly between natural deodorants, so check the label if you already know there are particular ingredients your skin doesn't tolerate well.

Do Natural Deodorants Stop You Sweating?

This is one of the biggest differences to understand when making the switch.

Most natural deodorants are deodorants rather than antiperspirants. Their job is primarily to help manage body odour rather than prevent perspiration.

That means sweating while using a natural deodorant isn't necessarily a sign that the product isn't working.

If reducing perspiration is your main priority, check whether the product you're considering is a deodorant or an antiperspirant before buying.

What Should You Look for When Choosing a Natural Deodorant?

Start with a few simple questions:

• Do you want a stick, roll-on, spray or crystal?

• Would you prefer scented or fragrance-free?

• Is refillable or plastic-free packaging important to you?

• Do you have sensitive skin?

• Do you want a vegan or certified natural product?

• Would you prefer an Irish brand?

• Are you buying for yourself or choosing a first deodorant for a child?

Answering those questions can quickly narrow down what is otherwise a very large choice.

Finding the Best Natural Deodorant for You

The best natural deodorant is ultimately the one that suits your skin, your routine and your preferences.

Some people love the convenience of a Wild refillable stick, while others prefer a MooGoo roll-on, a Salt of the Earth spray or an Irish-made Vico solid deodorant. It can take a little experimentation to discover the formula and format you prefer.

Explore Evergreen's full range of natural deodorants, including sticks, roll-ons, sprays, crystal deodorants and refillable options from trusted natural beauty brands.

Evergreen – Good Health, Naturally.