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If you have been on the hunt for a plastic-free deodorant that actually works and truly keeps you smelling fresh then this list of low-waste deodorants will be a great springboard for finding your new favorite.
It can be so frustrating to try out a bunch of different deodorants just to be left with a pile of partially used sticks that are ineffective. And of course a waste of money as well.
It is kind of counterproductive too since the whole point of using a plastic free deodorant is to minimize waste. All of the trial and error sticks end up creating a heap of waste which can harm the environment.
All that to say, use this guide as a quick way to find the deodorant that works for your personal needs, is easy to dispose of, and will do minimal harm to the earth.
This post is all about the best plastic free deodorant brands.
Why should you use plastic free deodorant?
When you think of all the trash you produce each week, it can be shocking to notice that a large portion of plastic waste comes from our beauty and personal care products.
It can be incredibly difficult to recycle the plastic container that conventional deodorants come in as well. Who wants to scoop out leftover cream from a tube, wash it out, and then recycle it? Kind of a bore.
Instead, it’s much more efficient to opt for a deodorant container that can be used and then composted which won’t stay on the earth for years to come.
Any way we can cut down on our use of single-use plastics and reduce our carbon footprint the better.
This is random and something that I noticed but I feel like natural deodorants just last so much longer and I truly don’t know why that is.
Maybe because ingredients are more intentional and there is less water so you have to use less? I wish I had a more scientific take to give you but it is incredibly helpful as you probably know that more natural products can be a bit more pricey.
It is helpful that at least with these deodorants a little goes a long way and you get your money’s worth!
Another benefit to using deodorants with plastic-free packaging is that they tend to use more natural ingredients and fewer scents so it doesn’t overpower the other perfumes you use which can give you a headache.
Things to look for when choosing a zero-waste deodorant
- Made in small batches
- Organic ingredients
- Made in glass jars, stainless steel tins, zero packaging or compostable cardboard tubes (some refillable deodorants exist as well)
- No animal testing/vegan
- Ability to be composted at home
The Best Plastic Free Deodorant Products
1. Hey Humans Deodorant
I originally found this one at Target which is super convenient since you don’t have to buy it online.
I was pretty blown away by how well it works! It truly stays put during sweaty workouts and just day-to-day life stuff. It also comes in a bunch of different scents that aren’t too overpowering.
Why we love Hey Humans deodorant sticks:
- Vegan and cruelty free
- Clean & naturally derived
- Made from recyclable paper
- Paraben free
- Made in the USA
2. Native Deodorant
Since they offer both types of packaging, a more traditional one and a cardboard one I think this is the best brand to go for if you are brand new to a natural deodorant and are worried about transitioning.
This deodorant can also be found at many grocery stores and shops that you probably go to anyway so it makes it easy to simply choose the more eco friendly option. There’s no going to extra stores etc.
Why we love Native:
- Contains Naturally Derived Ingredients
- Manufactured in the U.S.
- Made from paperboard sourced from responsibly managed forests.
- Vegan and cruelty free
- Aluminum-free
{RECOMMENDED POST: Ultimate List of Sustainable Body Care Products We Guarantee You Will Love}
3. Lush Deodorant Stick
If you want a completely plastic-free deodorant experience then Lush is where you need to shop! Although they have some products in little recyclable tubes, many of their products come with absolutely zero packaging-which is amazing!
I love that they use minimal ingredients to create their deodorant and the main scent is patchouli. If you love that earthy, grounding smell then you will for sure fall in love with this deodorant.
I will say, the only downside to this is that the cream will of course get on your hands leaving them feeling a bit greasy. You can always use a towel to apply the deodorant or wash your hands after but it is something to consider.
This may seem like a small thing but to make sustainable habits, well sustainable, you want to ensure it is something you can seamlessly add into your normal routine.
Be sure to find a little stainless steel tin or plate to store your deodorant bar in so that it stays intact and doesn’t melt.
The price point for this bar sits at around $10 which is pretty decent for a sustainable body care product.
4. Meow Meow Tweet Deodorant Cream & Stick
Luckily, my local zero waste store carries this brand so I was able to easily get a hold of it. Over all, I love the ethics that this company maintains and its wide selection of low-waste hygiene products.
I was also really impressed by their deodorants effectiveness. For full transparency, I did not love the cream deodorant because I didn’t like how it made my hands feel sticky. That’s just a personal preference so try it out and see how it works for you! Luckily, they also have a standard deodorant stick option as well.
I was happy with the unscented option and felt like it lasted a full day of running around and staying busy. This is also a great deodorant if you have sensitive skin and just want a product that gets the job done without irritating your skin.
They also offer baking soda-free options if that works better for your skin!
Why we love meow meow tweet:
- Certified b corporation
- Climate neutral certified
- Leaping bunny certified
- Plastic negative certified product
- Vegan
- Made in small batches
{RECOMMENDED POST: 9 Genius Essential Oil Storage Ideas To Organize Your Essential Oil Collection}
5. Ethique Deodorant Stick
So for full transparency, I have yet to use this deodorant but it had to be on the list because A. I’m obsessed with their chapstick which also comes in plastic-free tubing so in a way it is similar and B. It is just a great company that offers a range of products that are plastic free with incredible ingredients.
- Cruelty free & vegan
- Plastic free packaging
- Home compostable
- Biodegradable products
- Fair trade ingredients
6. Bonus! Crystal Deodorants
I was a little on the fence about adding crystal deodorants because they can be so hit or miss and the only one I have used was in thick plastic packaging. But they can be bought as just the stone!
Instead of tons of random chemicals in your deodorant, you can just use the mineral salt stick on wet skin and it will help to prevent you from smelling. You will still sweat but it cuts down on the smell.
I think the main benefit of this kind of deodorant is that you will not have any white stains or marks! This is really convenient and hard to find in some other natural deodorants.
This is the one I used if you want to do more research on it and this is a plastic-free crystal deodorant I found that seems to have good reviews.
How to use plastic free deodorant?
Sometimes with zero waste products there can be a really big learning curve with how to use the reusable option. Luckily with plastic free deodorant, it is pretty easy to transition to!
Something I have noticed is that the stick tends to be thicker than a regular deodorant stick. In order to get the deodorant to slide onto your pits you just have to make sure your body and the stick are dry yet warm. You can hold it to your armpit for a bit to warm it up if need be.
If you live in a warm climate this shouldn’t be an issue though and it will slide right on. All you need is a few swipes of your natural deodorant and you’re good to go!
How to store plastic-free deodorant?
Natural deodorants are best stored in a room-temperature environment. Steer clear of storing it in a moist bathroom with high temperatures. Be sure to keep the stick out of direct sunlight to ensure the efficacy of the product as well.
Where can you buy plastic free deodorant?
The world is shifting and many of the nontoxic deodorants on this list can be found at larger stores like Target and Amazon.
If you prefer to not shop at these stores and want to support a local small business (or their online shops!) start there and see what they carry. If they don’t carry these exact brands you could always see what they do have or request they widen their plastic free body care selection to include them.
Lastly, there are tons of recipes online to make your own DIY deodorant. Proceed with caution and do your research! I’ve heard that the effectiveness can be off with homemade deodorant.
How to make your own natural and plastic free deodorant?
I feel like this post wouldn’t be complete without a simple diy deodorant recipe.
After doing some research it seems as though the main natural ingredients in DIY deodorants are a combination of:
- Coconut oil
- Jojoba oil
- Cocoa butter
- Almond oil
- Shea butter
- Arrowroot powder
- Vitamin e
- Essential oils (tea tree, lavender, etc.)
I love that when making a DIY deodorant you can thrift a cute little glass jar to store it in and know the exact ingredients that are in your homemade deodorant.
All that to say, there is no shame in skipping the diy zero-waste projects and just wanting the convenience of a premade deodorant. There are many different ways you can participate in the zero-waste lifestyle and everyone has different needs.
How to switch to a natural deodorant from traditional deodorants?
Just like other beauty products, there can be a bit of a transitional period before the deodorant starts to work its magic.
Be sure to do a patch test on a small portion of your skin before skipping the deodorant all over. You never know what your skin will react to and it is better to be safe than sorry.
Some people have mentioned there is a bit of a detox phase your body has to go through before a nontoxic deodorant works well for you.
Try to be patient as you wait to see if one of these deodorants will be a staple in your body care routine!
Have you tried any of these natural plastic free deodorants? If you have any other favorite zero-waste deodorants, let us know in the comments below!
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Stay well,
Maggie
This post was all about the best plastic free deodorant for your body care routine.
Other posts you may like:
Our Favorite Basic Sustainable Skincare Routine For Oily Skin
9 Genius Essential Oil Storage Ideas To Organize Your Essential Oil Collection
9 Eco friendly Evening Routine Products to Get the Best Sleep of Your Life
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