Going vegan requires an in depth review of every product in our lives, and antiperspirant and deodorant are no exception. Many traditional antiperspirants and deodorants can use a variety of non vegan items. Just as troubling, many mainstream companies continue to test on animals, leaving one wondering what products to use. There are a ton of natural deodorants on the market as well as ones that are marketed vegan. But how do you figure out which ones truly work and are worth investing in? We’ve got you covered with a list of our favorite vegan deodorants and the best antiperspirant.
Deodorants vs Antiperspirants
Before sharing our favorite deodorants and antiperspirant, we want to share the differences between the two and what we typically choose. Antiperspirants are formulated to specifically block pores to cut down on sweating. They do so by using aluminum chlorohydrate. Some consider this controversial due to its elevated presence in Alzheimer’s and breast cancer. Though no studies have conclusively linked antiperspirant to these diseases, partially because it’s hard to differentiate aluminum sources as our world is full of them, you can decide for yourself whether or not you are comfortable with it. If you prefer to err on the side of caution, opting for deodorants is a better option in terms of ingredients.
Deodorants are meant to eliminate or mask odor by killing odor-causing bacteria on the skin. Deodorant does not prevent sweating by blocking the sweat glands, so wetness can still occur. Although some natural companies have started using new ingredients and technology to help absorb moisture. Sweating is a completely natural and advantageous bodily feature, helping to purge toxins and has even been found to have natural antibiotic qualities and help kill germs. The benefits of sweating and the more natural ingredients found in deodorants make us big fans of deodorant and more prone to using that rather than antiperspirant. Don’t worry though, if you’re not convinced and don’t want to make the switch, we share the best vegan antiperspirant available!
Deodorants
Schmidt’s Natural Deodorant
Application Styles Available: Stick and Jar
Schmidt’s Natural Deodorant
Ingredients
Slight variations of amount of each ingredient as well as whether it is in the formula depending on the scent purchased and whether or not it is stick or jar, the ingredients consist mainly of a combination: arrowroot powder, baking soda, coconut oil, shea butter, vitamin e and essential oils. A few have other lesser ingredients of some oils and the sensitive formula contains magnesium hydroxide.
Why We Love It
This brand has become wildly popular and available rather quickly due to just how amazing it is. The variations of application style are great for those who prefer to avoid plastic packaging or those who would rather an easy to use stick instead of a jar. The formulas are oh so clean with very few ingredients that are simple and high quality. The essential oils for scent keep this brand very pure and leave all the scents with an amazing smell that is noticeable but not overpowering and with varieties perfect for anyone’s scent preferences. The combination of ingredients, scent and odor eliminating performance won us over.
Our Favorite Product
There isn’t a scent we don’t love from Schmidt’s so picking a favorite is hard. It’s a definite tie between the cedar wood + juniper and ylang yang + calendula.
Primal Pit Paste
Application Styles Available: Jar and Mini tubs. Sticks are NOT vegan.
Primal Pit Paste
Ingredients
Primarily a combination of baking soda, arrowroot powder, coconut oil, baking soda and essential oils. They offer a zinc line that is free of both baking soda for sensitive skin. The sticks contain beeswax and therefore aren’t considered vegan.
Why We Love It
These mostly organic products are made using minimal, high quality ingredients with essential oils as well as fragrance free for those who prefer no smell. The scented varieties use essential oils in a variety of scents sure to satisfy all scent preferences whether its fruity, flowery or spicy. Not only are they crafted with all natural and organic ingredients, they last long and help prevent odor. The company also offers a “level” guide to help you figure out what formula would be best for you whether it’s sensitive skin or someone whois highly active and tends to stink a lot.
Our Favorite Product
For all the patchouli lovers, we can’t get over the out of this world stand out scent of the patchouli jar.
Soap Walla
Application Styles Available: Jar
Soap Walla
Ingredients
Soapwalla uses all natural and mostly organic ingredients such as jojoba oil, sunflower oil, reship seed, shea butter, corn starch, baking soda, kaolin clay, vegetable glycerin, sunflower lecithin and a variety of essential oils. The sensitive skin formula uses magnesium hydroxide in place of baking soda.
Why We Love It
This deodorant has quite the following and it’s easy to see why. The simple, natural and organic ingredients are ideal for anyone wanting a clean deodorant and the scents are dreamy. The deodorant glides on effortlessly and prevents odor all day long making it an amazing choice for daily use.
Our Favorite Product
The citrus is such a refreshing and uplifting scent for wintertime, or really, year round.
Funk Better
Application Styles Available: Jar
Funk Butter
Ingredients
This deodorant relies on simple and all natural ingredients such as baking soda, cornstarch, shea butter, coconut oil, sunflower oil, olive oil, kaolin clay, calendula & chamomile powders and fragrance if you opt for a scented variety.
Why We Love It
Funk Butter hit the nail on the head when it came to creating a good smelling, super natural and effective deodorant. It smells absolutely lovely and works extremely well, earning it well deserved praise.
Our Favorite Product
The coco mango smells amazingly tropical and takes us away to an island with one sniff.
Lavanila
Application Styles Available: Sticks
Lavanila
Ingredients
Lavanila uses a unique combination of ingredients such as aloe, corn starch, beta glucans, lemon peel oil, Saccharomyces ferment, honeysuckle, lichen and a variety of plant extracts.
Why We Love It
Lavanila is the perfect deodorant for those who want something more “normal” but with all natural ingredients. This company uses a variety of natural ingredients to create a very unique product unlike any on the market. It smells amazing, is incredibly effective at preventing odor and for those who have more sensitive skin, it’s base is aloe, not baking soda, meaning it’s soothing.
Our Favorite Product
While all the scents are amazing, the pure vanilla draws us in with its warm, sensual and simple vanilla scent.
The Crystal
Application Styles Available: Stone, Spray, Stick, Roll-on
The Crystal
Ingredients
Mineral salts are the only ingredient in just the crystal. If you opt for a scent those have an added preservative and essential oil or plant extract blend for fragrance.
Why We Love It
Perhaps one of the longest standing natural deodorant companies with quite a following, we love the crystal because it’s so simple. One ingredient. It’s easy to use, it never leaves streaks or stains, and it shockingly works. For some people it takes longer for it to be effective, but once your body has adapted, it is very effective at eliminating odor. It also lasts incredibly long, like a year plus, so it’s a very cost effective option.
Our Favorite Product
While the stone lasts forever, we love the ease of the original unscented crystal in roll on form. It’s great for grab and go!
Simply Divine Botanicals
Application Styles Available: Spray
Simply Divine Botanicals
Ingredients
This company is very unique and uses all natural ingredients in addition to some rarely used ingredients such as angstrom minerals as well as more medicinal quality ingredients. This formula contains Unconditional Love and Gratitude, Crystalized Mineral Salts, Organic Whole-leaf Aloe Vera, Angstrom Silver and Zinc, Essential oils of: Tangerine, Lemon, Clove, Lemongrass, Lavender, Marjoram, Thyme, Cedarwood, Ginger, Juniper, Rosemary, Myrtle, Clary Sage, Nutmeg and Helichrysum.Co-enzyme Q-10, Vitamin E and 24kt Gold. 2 oz.
Why We Love It
This company is a gem, and all of their products are absolutely spectacular. This deodorant is amazing because of it’s ingredients, using a unique blend to kill odor causing bacteria while also encouraging lymph flow. It smells amazing, is highly effective and helps the body to detoxify as it should, score!
Every Man Jack
Application Styles Available: Spray and Stick
Every Man Jack
Ingredients
This deodorant is less “natural” than some of the others and has more processed ingredients however it does still use a variety of natural ingredients including aloe, witch hazel and a variety of plant extracts and essential oils such as grapefruit seed extract, calendula and chamomile.
Why We Love It
This line of deodorants is perfect for those who prefer more traditionally manly smells. It’s wonderful for those who prefer specific scents that are considered less feminine while also ensuring a more natural, vegan product that’s extremely effective at eliminating odor and also helping to absorb some wetness.
Our Favorite Product
The forest scent is intensely woody in the most delightful way.
Herban Cowboy
Application Styles Available: Spray and Stick
Herban Cowboy
Ingredients
This line of deodorants are less natural than some of the others we mentioned but still use ingredients like aloe and a variety of plant extracts depending on the scent you choose.
Why We Love It
This line has a variety of scents for everyone, with some that are more traditionally feminine and some more traditionally masculine. This line works well to eliminate odor and is widely available in many stores and online.
Our Favorite Product
The stick in sandalwood is a bit musky and exotic and oh so dreamy.
Antiperspirant
Tom's of Maine
Application Styles Available: Stick
Tom's of Maine
Ingredients
The least natural of our selection, this deodorant uses aluminum chlorohydrate, palm oil, alcohol, soybean oil as well as castor oil and a few other ingredients.
Why We Love It
This is truly considered an antiperspirant and helps to control wetness while also eliminating odor.
Our Favorite Product
The stick in sandalwood is a bit musky and exotic and oh so dreamy.