11 Best Natural Deodorants for Heavy Sweaters [2023 Edition]

It's the million-dollar question: are there any natural deodorants that actually work well against odor and sweat? Natural deodorants are better for your skin and the environment. Still, many products aren't strong or effective enough for people who sweat excessively.

In our quest to find the best aluminum-free deodorant for heavy sweaters, we put 11 highly-rated products to the test. Here are the criteria we used:

• How well (and how long) they neutralize odor
• Texture and application
• Ingredients
• Safety
• Melting point
• Scent
• Price

Best Natural Deodorants for Sweat in 2023

Here are our picks for the best natural deodorants this year:

1. Kopari
2. Dove 0% Aluminum
3. Pretty Frank
4. Schmidt’s
5. Arm & Hammer
6. Type: A
7. Truly’s
8. Native
9. Secret Aluminum-Free
10. Ursa Major
11. Real Purity

Let’s see how these 11 natural deodorant brands stack up!

1. Kopari Coconut Deodorant

Kopari is a plant-based deodorant that glides on clear and is great for sensitive skin. Scents include Coco, Driftwood, Beach, Tropical, Coastal and Gardenia, along with a fragrance-free version.

Check out Kopari’s Performance Plus formula, designed to provide 24-hour odor protection for those who need a little extra.

Pros:

• No aluminum, parabens, sulfates, silicones, GMOs or baking soda
• Made with coconut oil, which is naturally antimicrobial and anti-bacterial
• Glides on smooth
• Doesn’t leave white, sticky residue

Cons:

• Contains synthetic fragrance and alcohol
• Contains propylene glycol

Price: $16

2. Dove 0% Aluminum

We love that traditional deodorant and antiperspirant brands are now stepping into the natural deodorant game.

Dove's 0% Aluminum deodorant is an excellent choice for those who want to avoid the weird transition to all-natural deodorants and need something at a more affordable price point. Even sweaty reviewers rave about the scent, which lasts all day.

Pros:

• Aluminum-free
• Available in popular scents with 24-hour odor protection
• Contains 1/4 moisturizers and 0% alcohol formula, ideal for sensitive skin

Cons:

• Contains propylene glycol

Price: $6.89

3. Pretty Frank

Pretty Frank, formerly known as Primal Pit Paste, offers options for both deodorant sticks and deodorant paste. Deodorant stick options include Lavender, Jasmine, Woodlands and Coconut Lime, along with their original Pit Paste formula in Patchouli.

Compared to other natural deodorants, the scent is somewhat strong but fades quickly.

We should also mention that this product leaves behind residue and yellow stains, like aluminum-based antiperspirants.

Pros:

• Contains 100% natural ingredients
• Has a stronger scent for combating body odor
• Available with and without baking soda for those sensitive to it

Cons:

• The deodorizing effects last approximately 4 hours
• Caused yellow stains with heavy application
• Left a residue after showering
• Difficult to apply

Price: $14

4. Schmidt's

Made in Portland, Oregon, Schmidt's natural deodorant contains a mixture of natural ingredients, including essential oils, arrowroot powder, shea butter, candelilla wax and coconut oil.

Schmidt's is very effective at keeping odor at bay throughout the day but can also contribute to yellow armpit stains on shirts. Additionally, Schmidt's rough, gritty texture may not be ideal for some.

Pros:

• Contains 100% natural ingredients
• Free of propylene glycol, parabens, phthalates and artificial fragrance
• Has a stronger scent for combating body odor

Cons:

• The stick might lose consistency and texture at 100 degrees, which isn't ideal during warmer weather
• Caused yellow stains with heavy application
• The rough and sticky texture is not easy to apply

Price: $9.99

5. Arm & Hammer

Arm & Hammer Essentials is free of aluminum, parabens, colorants and animal-derived ingredients. Although this product contains propylene glycol, it's incredibly effective for heavy sweaters.

Arm & Hammer Essentials does work — especially for the low price. So if you’re cost-sensitive and using propylene glycol in deodorant doesn’t bother you, give Arm & Hammer Essentials a try.

Pros:

• Paraben-free and colorant free, made with natural plant extracts
• Effective at stopping odor with one to two applications
• Low cost
• Easy to apply
• Does not cause yellowing
• Won't melt in warmer conditions

Cons:

• Contains propylene glycol

Price: $2.98

6. Type:A

Type: A adds a new twist to your daily hygiene routine. This deodorant cream features sweat-activated technology that works harder as you perspire, so sweat protection lasts all day.

Using the tube applicator, squeeze out the deodorant and swipe it onto your armpits (rather than apply the cream with your hands). This application is simple and mess-free. Plus, the cream dries quickly, goes on clear and doesn’t leave any residue behind.

If you're looking for a trustworthy cream-based natural deodorant that's safe on clothes and tough on sweat, try Type: A.

Pros:

• Contains ingredients like arrowroot powder, coconut oil, beeswax, vegetable glycerin and more
• Easy, mess-free cream application
• Protection lasts all day and improves as you sweat

Cons:

• Contains some synthetic ingredients, including heptyl undecylenate, dimethicone and diisopropyl adipate

Price: $14.99

7. Truly's

Truly's Natural Deodorant is another cream-based deodorant that you apply by hand. It features organic ingredients such as powdered sugar (which kills bacteria in large amounts). Of all the natural deodorants, Truly’s has one of the purest ingredient lists.

However, pure, 100% all-natural ingredients are not known to be effective against heavy sweat. If you have hyperhidrosis, you may want to skip this natural deodorant.

Pros:

• Contains 100% natural ingredients

Cons:

• Poor scent
• Effects wear off quickly
• You have to apply by hand

Price: $9.99

8. Native

Heavy sweaters love Native Deodorant for its highly effective odor-neutralizing benefits. However, it contains "fragrance" as an ingredient, which can signal chemical components.

After reaching out to the brand, a Native representative assured us they use natural oils to create the scent. According to their website, Native refers to these oils as “fragrance” per FDA recommendations.

Over-application can cause yellow stains, so try starting small and wait for it to dry before putting on your shirt.

Pros:

• 100% natural ingredients
• Effective at fighting odor (perfect for excessive sweaters)
• Variety of scents for men and women

Cons:

• Can cause yellow stains
• Contains “fragrance” (the ingredients aren't listed)
• Firm consistency (but not as gritty as Schmidt's)
• May lose consistency and texture at 90 degrees, which isn't ideal in warmer weather

Price: $13

Learn more: How to Make Deodorant at Home [All-Natural Recipes]

9. Secret Aluminum-Free

Secret has also recently entered the natural deodorant arena. If you enjoy using Secret's top-rated, sweat-stopping antiperspirants, you might enjoy this aluminum-free version as well.

Priced at around $7, this product is worth a try if you're looking to start using natural deodorant and want to avoid going through a full armpit detox.

Pros:

• Free of aluminum, parabens, dyes and talc
• Applies smoothly
• Prevents odor for up to 48 hours
• Certified cruelty-free by PETA

Cons:

• Not 100% all-natural

Price: $7

10. Ursa Major

Ursa Major natural deodorant is designed with performance in mind. This product features unique cooling properties that help mask odors throughout the day. Other natural ingredients include aloe and eucalyptus, which also have odor-fighting properties.

Overall, Ursa Major is a great choice for natural deodorant lovers. Still, the price is high for what you're getting.

Pros:

• Made without aluminum, petrochemicals, SLS, SLES, parabens, synthetic fragrance or color, glycols, silicones or PEGs
• Choose from great scents like "Hoppin Fresh" or "Forest Fix" with cooling sensations
• Designed to eliminate odor and absorb moisture

Cons:

• Not ideal for sensitive skin - contains baking soda
• Small size at a higher price point

Price: $18

11. Real Purity

Real Purity's roll-on deodorant is a solid choice for natural deodorants. However, essential oils are a key ingredient in this product, which can be a hit or miss depending on your preference for fragrance.

This deodorant is designed for sensitive skin, and its easy application means no hard, gritty feel like other natural deodorants.

Pros:

• Easy to apply, roll-on deodorant
• Doesn't leave a residue
• Fights odor and sweat fairly well

Cons:

• Great application consistency, but it can thicken up in the bottle over time
• Heavy fragrance smell

Price: $12.99

Read more: 12 Deodorant Alternatives to Keep Your Pits Dry

Natural Deodorant Transition Tips

When switching from an aluminum-based antiperspirant to a natural product, your armpits undergo a detoxification phase. As a result, you may sweat and smell worse than usual for a few weeks while your pits purge themselves of the aluminum built up in your pores. However, you’ll experience drier and fresher-smelling armpits once you get through the detox process.

Here are a few tips to help speed up the detox phase:

• Increase your exercise to sweat it out! Exercise helps promote removing toxins naturally, especially through a deodorant detox. During the detox period, refresh your natural deodorant throughout the day for extra odor protection.
• Drink lots of water and reduce your intake of refined foods and alcohol.
• Choose natural materials such as cotton, wool, or silk to ensure optimal comfort and coolness. For extra protection against sweat stains and odor, add a sweat proof Thompson Tee for an instant confidence boost.

• Consider exfoliating your underarms to slough off dead skin and aluminum residue. 

A Note About Propylene Glycol

Some natural deodorants on our list include propylene glycol as an ingredient. Is this something you should be concerned about?

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), propylene glycol is a synthetic liquid used to absorb water and is “generally recognized as safe” for use in food. However, it's worth noting that some people may experience skin irritation when exposed to propylene glycol, so consider that when selecting a deodorant that contains this ingredient. Try a patch test on your skin first to ensure safety.

The Most Effective Natural Deodorant for Heavy Sweat

We commend trying the brands listed above for offering natural deodorant solutions. But to this day, few natural deodorants work well for people who sweat a lot.

Natural deodorants work best with other non-toxic protection measures, such as a Thompson Tee sweat proof undershirt. Applying deodorant correctly and wearing a Thompson Tee is your best (and most natural) defense against heavy sweating.