Best Aluminum-Free Deodorant: Native vs PiperWai vs Kiss My Face vs Burt’s Bees

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So you’re thinking about switching to natural deodorant. Aluminum-free deodorant seems to be a sure-fire way to return to basics and reduce the increasing health concerns associated with aluminum and parabens related to cancer, Alzheimer’s and respiratory and brain disorders. Yikes!

Read our research on which aluminum-free deodorants work best when it comes to smelling fresh while reducing your health risks associated with this sometimes sticky (& smelly) situation. Let’s find your way quickly to a fresh smelling day!

Article Overview

Why Natural Deodorant?

The reasons people choose aluminum-free deodorant or other natural deodorants are varied, but the common thread is a dedication towards living a healthier life. Aluminum is used to keep you from sweating, but sweating is how our bodies eliminate toxins. So, if you are not sweating, then a lot of toxicity is building up in your body, leaving you at risk for all sorts of health concerns.

Alzheimer’s

There are several health risks associated with aluminum, and the most prominent studies show a link to Alzheimer’s Disease. And the connection is even stronger for people who have a family history of Alzheimer’s. Many are searching for a way to reduce the amount of aluminum they directly apply to the skin and deodorant is a personal care product that everyone uses yet contains a great deal of aluminum. This connection makes many people think about the aluminum-free deodorant option to avoid future memory or dementia risks.

Breast Cancer

There’s also a concern given the proximity of your underarm to your breasts that using aluminum deodorants could lead to breast cancer. Think about it: if the toxins are building up in your armpit and have no way to release, they are likely to create problems! With the high prevalence of breast cancer in our society today, the risk of this potential connection is easy to avoid by using chemical-free deodorant, especially if you have a family history for breast cancer.

Lotions in medicine cabinetParabens Linked To Breast Cancer

Parabens are a prominent ingredient in many antiperspirants as well as other personal care products. Several studies have linked it to various forms of cancer. They are used as a preservative and are easy to identify because the word paraben is often contained in the ingredient name: ​benzylparaben, butylparaben, methylparaben, butylparaben or propylparaben.

While there’s no conclusive evidence that the parabens found in deodorant are the direct cause of breast cancer versus parabens found in other products, it seems wise to actively avoid this ingredient in any product when possible.

Traditional vs Natural Deodorant: Why Switch?

Now that you know the risks of using traditional antiperspirants, let’s explore why people are hesitant to make the switch to aluminum-free. Many complain that the anti-odor benefits don’t last long enough or that the product is too sticky. While many products can leave you a little less than fresh, this is not true of all natural deodorant products.

There are many very good aluminum-free deodorant products that we’ve tried and have some recommendations to share. There are also different varieties that you may choose based on your personal preferences.

But, remember the aluminum is what is clogging your sweat glands to keep you from sweating. Your body needs to sweat to release toxins – it’s the toxins that are making you stinky! By not sweating out the toxins trying to escape your body, they stay inside, which is not healthy. Sweat is healthy!

Best Aluminum-Free Deodorant (By Type)

In finding the best aluminum-free deodorant, we read hundreds of testimonials on the web as well as used the products ourselves and talked to friends who had also been down the natural deodorant path. While everyone’s preferences are slightly different, we hope this review of the best aluminum-free deodorant products helps you make the best choice for a more natural lifestyle.

Best Stick: Native Deodorant

Native DeodorantView on Amazon

Native is about as close to traditional deodorant as it gets (but without all the toxins). Their line of flavored scents (including coconut and vanilla, lavender and rose, cucumber and mint and citrus & herbal musk) are all made with safe, active ingredients. They contain no aluminum or other chemicals and do no animal testing. Also, they have seasonal scents so that you can smell tropical in summer and spicy in the winter. Or if you prefer, they have unscented as well.

Native products are vegan and free of gluten, parabens and sulfates. The deodorant is made in the United States and supports sustainable practices, including plastic-free packaging.

In addition to deodorant, Native also makes bar soap, toothpaste and other skincare products so you can smell good from head to toe. Several of the Earth’s Friends team members use and swear by Native deodorants as a way to stay fresh without putting harmful chemicals on our bodies.

I recently switched to Native and now look forward to putting deodorant on. The texture is smooth, not sticky and it doesn’t flake or leave stains on my clothing. The packaging is pretty, too, so you can leave it out on your countertop. I use the coconut and vanilla flavor in warmer months, but I look forward to trying a new scent once I run out in the cooler temps. – Sadie C., Earth’s Friends

Price

Best Roll-On: Kiss My Face Liquid Rock

Kiss My FaceView on Amazon

As with any product, the unscented version is the best for your body as there are fewer risks of fragrance allergies. But the lavender version is also a good option. It is available in a roll-on and a stick version, so you can have whatever version you prefer. Members of our Earth’s Friends team have used the unscented stick version and been very happy with its performance.

Unlike other natural deodorants, it lasts a long time without odor, holds up to heavy exercise and can work successfully for both men and women. Even people who have tried other natural deodorants or even more chemical-filled options say this deodorant works great. I am now a convert to this aluminum-free deodorant as well!

Price

Best Cream: PiperWai Natural Deodorant

PiperWaiView on Amazon

This product was featured on the popular TV show Shark Tank  and I was excited to see this issue brought into the mainstream. After the episode aired, the product sold out immediately.

I tested Piperwai all-natural deodorant firsthand and am happy to report that it has a minty fresh smell. More importantly, the activated charcoal powder (the most active and differentiating ingredient in this product) absorbs sweat and neutralizes odor to keep you fresh and dry.

Price

Best Spray-On: Burt’s Bees Herbal Deodorant

Burt's Bees DeodorantView on Amazon

While this product is a great alternative to traditional deodorants, it is a spray. This may seem odd to those who haven’t experienced this kind of product before (It certainly did to me). While fragrances may result in allergies for some users, this product smells great with a blend of lemon, lavender and sage to minimize any odors that may naturally occur.

Note: This product also contains alcohol, which may be a negative to some looking for a truly natural, chemical-free experience, but it allows you to sweat naturally to get rid of the toxins in your body.

Price

Cream Runner-Up: Lavilin Cream Deodorant

Lavilin Underarm Deodorant CreamView on Amazon

This product has been around for years and is available in many different forms, including roll-on, cream and stick. Historically, Lavilin has been well-known for its 72-hour odor-free promise. You read that right; this deodorant promises to keep you dry and odor-free for 72 hours. Many customers state that the newer cream product even lasts a full week! Imagine how much more convenient and great for your body it would be if you only had to apply deodorant a few times a week versus every day.

It is a little more expensive than your average deodorant, but since you only have to apply it 2-3 times per week, the price premium will probably pay off. And the proven stories and testimonials about the Lavilin aluminum-free deodorant product over the years are reason enough to give this product a try to run your own product trial.

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Aluminum-Free Deodorants To Avoid

During our research and testing, we came across a few products that we recommend you avoid because they leave you smelling pretty bad. These smelly products include:

  • Tom’s of Maine Natural Deodorant Stick – While we have read some reviews that some scents are okay and people have different preferences for sure, this one was not one we can recommend based on the consensus.
  • Naturally Fresh Roll-On Deodorant – Also mixed reviews but mostly smelly ones.

Ready To Make The Switch?

If you eat healthy, exercise and stop using traditional deodorant for a couple of weeks, you can drain the toxins and nasty smells out of your body. Then, aluminum-free deodorants will become much more effective.

Don’t believe me? Try it, then let me know how it goes in the comments. There is no better time than now to take the leap and try out a more natural product. And, when you head out in the sun, you should consider natural bug repellent and safe sunscreen, too.

Why are you considering natural deodorant?

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