It’s Official: These Are The Best Zero Waste Deodorants

Two things I know for sure. Sticky armpits are a no-go and plastic stinks! Come on, I could not resist.

Natural deodorant used to have a really bad reputation for being too "hippie" and not effective enough at keeping smells away, but with the revolution of clean beauty, and now Blue Beauty, natural deodorant is now not only super effective but is also becoming mainstream. As we look to reduce our toxic load, many of us are also looking to say sayonara to plastic, and with these 12 zero waste deodorant brands, it's easier than ever!

Eco-friendly deodorants will leave your pits smelling lovely but they will not stop you from sweating. We are supposed to sweat, it's how our body gets rid of toxins. Bacteria build-up is what makes our pits stink.

These antiperspirant alternatives are made up of three key ingredients. Baking soda, which helps to absorb the sweat; essential oils to help your pits smell fresh; and antimicrobials, like coconut oil, to prevent bacteria.

If baking soda is not your vibe, I've included other deodorant alternatives like sticks, creams, and even bars for you to choose from.

Remember, the objective with zero waste is to send nothing to landfills. Instead, we want to opt for packaging that is either biodegradable, compostable, or reusable.

Zero Waste Deodorant Brands we recommend

Zero-waste deodorant alternatives are a great way to reduce your personal waste. Most deodorant comes in plastic packaging and because the container has extra parts that need to be removed before recycling (whoever does that?), they end up in the garbage.

1. Really Great Goods

Pin

The name says it all! Really Great Goods Aluminum-Free Deodorant Cream called Pit Paste is a good kind of smelly. It's made with 100% organic extra virgin coconut oil, arrowroot powder, baking soda, and neroli oil. It doesn't have any of the nasties in it, like additives, fragrances, or colors.

It's also vegan, palm-oil-free, cruelty-free, non-toxic, and amazing! I've been kind of reluctant when it comes to deodorant in the form of a paste, but this is so easy to use. Put a pea-sized amount on your fingers and gently rub it into each armpit until the cream turns clean. I like the consistency of this paste—it's easy to use and super effective.

This jar should last you about 3 months. If you have sensitive skin, I suggest you shave the night before then apply it in the morning.

This refillable deodorant is hand-made in Ontario in small batches, and I highly recommend you give it a try. I love the scent—the neroli is really pretty and fresh. It's packaged in a glass jar that you can keep and reuse, and if you live in the Toronto area you can actually refill it.

I've worked with Really Great Goods in the past and have used their yoga mat spray, which is amazing BTW! I also love their all-purpose cleaners, room/body sprays, and Epsom salts. Really, I love everything this company stands for. This is what they say on their website:

"Really Great Goods integrates positivity and affirmations into each product to invite people to reconnect with themselves and help them find inner peace and balance. Positivity and affirmations have enhanced our lives and we share this knowledge to help impact the lives of each of our customers."

Really Great Goods is run by two women who make beautiful products that are Vegan and Cruelty-Free, Plant-Based, Biodegradable, 100% Natural High Quality, Organic, or Wildcrafted.

2. I Luv It

Pin

I Luv It, you will luv it too! These are probably some of the best natural zero waste deodorants I have used. There are 8 creams to choose from (all made in Canada) and they're all designed to stop odors without stopping the body's natural sweat system.

There is a cream for everyone to LUV. They have a plastic-free deodorant for men (also dubbed a unisex scent) called Natural Trailblazer. It has a warm scent of sandalwood, which is gentle on the skin but packs a powerful punch against odor.

If you are sensitive to scents, you will LUV the Naturally Naked, a zero waste deodorant made for sensitive skin that is 100% scent-free and has no essential oil. It is made without baking soda and still works like a boss!

I've been using the Naturally Sensitive one. It has a light coconut scent and is infused with Tea Tree oil, which makes it kind of minty! It's creamy and not greasy at all. Once you apply it, it absorbs really quickly and leaves zero residues.

Most of their deodorants are made with 6 ingredients or less. They are all hand poured and free of aluminum, parabens, sulfates, synthetics, toxins, or nasty unwanted chemicals. But, they're still packed with bacteria-stopping ingredients and gentle but effective clay and arrowroot to keep you dry.

You don't need to use very much. A pea-sized amount will work just fine. Make sure to rub it in completely. If you are shaving, wait 30 minutes, then apply it.

Not all of I Luv Its deodorants are vegan. Some do contain beeswax, but they are cruelty-free, Leaping Bunny certified, and never tested on animals.

I Luv It is run by a woman named Kristin Sayn, who is also a nurse. She brings a witty tone to the names of each deodorant that I love: Naturally Noble, Naturally Fresh, Naturally Sensitive. That last one is perfect for me.

Kristin says, "We are transparent around here. We don’t hide anything. We list everything we use. The word proprietary isn’t in our vocab. We don’t have anything to hide and neither does our deodorant! There’s no reason to masquerade when you’re handmade."

All the ingredients are sustainably sourced, each deodorant is hand-poured and because they use glass jars, there's no risk of chemicals leaching from plastic. The lid is metal, so that can be recycled too. But the best practice is to reuse the jar if you can.

3. Bare Nature

Pin

Bare Nature's compostable Deodorant Tubes are pretty awesome. Even the labels will break down in a compost bin. Choose from three different scents:

• Rosemary Sage: Tea Tree, Rosemary, Cedarwood, Sage, Lime
• Lemongrass: Tea Tree, Lemongrass, Lavender, Lime
• Tangerine: Tea Tree, Tangerine, Spearmint, Lime

I have tried all three. They smell wonderful and are not too overpowering at all.

I've been using the Rosemary Sage and it really holds up. I've had it on all day today and my pits still smell fresh. It glides on well as a stick and I have not had to re-apply it all day.

All three are packed full of beneficial ingredients like coconut oil, mango seed butter, and sunflower seed oil. They do contain baking soda, but I did not find this irritating at all—in fact, quite the opposite. It held up all day, even after a sweaty yoga sesh!

This small-batch skincare company is based in Okanagan, BC. All of their products are made in Canada, are plant-based, vegan and cruelty-free, and free of palm oil too. All their ingredients are safe, non-toxic, and free from nasty stuff. And many of them are certified organic.

Produced in small batches, each eco-friendly deodorant is hand-poured, hand-capped, and hand-labeled. 

Aluminum-free baking soda and non-nano particle zinc all go into ensuring that this deodorant is as clean and safe as possible. 

4. OLA Bamboo

Pin

OLA Bamboo is one of my top picks for zero waste deodorant with no baking soda. Instead, they use gluten-free tapioca starch and cornstarch to help absorb moisture. This deodorant also has other beneficial ingredients like coconut oil and beeswax, which are used as a natural antibacterial.

It's made in Canada and has no aluminum, sulfates, or parabens in it. The scent is light and fresh. It's cruelty-free (not tested on animals) and 98.3% naturally derived. It's also infused with aloe vera and cucumber for super fresh pits.

This sustainable deodorant comes in a 100% recyclable cardboard tube. Before you place it in your recycling bin, just make sure you remove all the left-over product (rinsing with hot water will help).

I really like this deodorant. I've been using it for just over 2 months now and have no complaints. I have sensitive pits and this did not irritate me at all. It's also super affordable at $9.99 a tube. It's got a very fresh scent. If you like aloe you will love this.

Please note this item does contain synthetic fragrance. When I asked OLA's team about this, here is what they had to say:

"We chose a perfume because there are often contraindications with essential oils, mostly for pregnant women. And because the scent was intense. We wanted a light perfume that most people will like. The deodorant is 98,5% natural. The fragrance represents only 1% of the product and the other 0.5% is a preservative, Ethylhexylglycerin."

"We wanted a deodorant that most people will want to use, a good one, an aluminum- paraben- sulfate- baking soda-free one, and above all a plastic-free deodorant."

OLA Bamboo is a one-stop-shop for all of your online zero waste needs. They carry a wide range of bamboo products, including zero waste toothbrush that is manufactured ethically and mostly made in Canada. They work closely with their factories in China to ensure that workers are being paid well and are in safe working and living conditions.

Most of their zero waste products are made from bamboo — a much more sustainable option than plastic. Bamboo is considered a sustainable resource and when grown and harvested responsibly can yield many benefits. Most Bamboo grows naturally at a rate of up to 4 feet per day without the addition of any chemical substances.

5. No Pong

Pin

No Pong does not believe in "snake-oil cures, they believe in science", and that's why their deodorant cream is a cult classic.

You don't need very much; a pea-sized amount to your armpits and smell will be gone! They offer five different formulas: the Original B.O. Buster which is formulated with baking soda; the B.O. Bicarb Free which is for sensitive skin; the Spicy Chai Original; the Spicy Chai Light; and the Vegan/Fragrance-free. You are bound to find one you love.

No Pong's Zero Waste Deodorants are Cruelty-Free certified, palm oil-free, and aluminum-free. They are not 100% vegan because the original formulas do contain beeswax. Although all of the essential oils are certified organic, not all of the ingredients are certified organic.

No Pong is available online at well.ca. This Made In Canada brand comes in a small tin that can be reused or recycled. They don't use any plastic or aluminum in their cans and they are designed to be strong and light to help keep shipping costs down.

6. Element Botanicals

Pin

I love this Canadian brand that makes a range of deodorants, including one specifically formulated for men. All of their deodorants are free from aluminum, parabens, talc, phthalates, gluten, and irritants. They do contain baking soda though.

Their organic zero waste deodorant is made with ethically sourced ingredients like comfrey, calendula, plantain, rosehip, and chamomile, all of which deliver nutrients and antioxidants to the skin to promote overall skin health.

The team at Element Botanicals makes everything from scratch by cultivating ingredients, distilling essential oils, and striving to be as self-sufficient as possible in creating their natural products. They choose the most effective ingredients for their formulas, pick wild plants when they are in season, and acquire any additional ingredients from ethical sources. I kind of love this!

Most of these deodorants come in a cardboard tube, but note that this brand does sell deodorants in plastic too. But I still love what they stand for, so I just choose the cardboard.

Although some ingredients are organic, this company is not certified organic and some of their other products do contain beeswax.

7. Meow Meow Tweet

Pin

With Meow Meow Tweet, you can choose between a zero-waste deodorant stick or a cream-based formula. Both have a baking-soda-free version. I love the fact that all of their deodorants are palm oil-free, vegan, and made with natural and USDA-certified organic and fair trade ingredients like coconut oil and shea butter.

These deodorants have a cult following with thousands of reviews online praising their effectiveness.

Meow Meow Tweet also carries zero waste skincare essentials for the face, body, and hair. The deodorant comes in either a compostable tube (my preference) or a glass jar. They are really big on "creating circular systems that eliminate waste entirely" and were in fact the first-ever deodorant company to make a compostable tube. Their bulk program is a closed-loop refill system and 100% zero waste.

Each month they choose a new charity to donate to, with a heavy focus on grassroots-focused, BIPOC- and queer-led organizations that align with their values.

8. Green and Frugal Deodorant Cream

Pin

I adore this company and its natural deodorant cream. I've been using Grapefruit and Lime. I simply love anything with a citrus scent. If you are sensitive to baking soda then you will love this. It's also free of aluminum, beeswax, coconut oil (which some people are sensitive to), and other synthetic ingredients.

A lot of the ingredients they use are organic, but they are not officially certified organic. This natural deodorant alternative leaves a satiny finish once applied, it's not greasy at all and contains powders like arrowroot which help to absorb moisture.

Grapefruit and lime essential oils help to fight bacteria. It's called "happy" for a reason. No smell = happy pits!

Green and Frugal are local to Toronto, but you can purchase any of their zero waste products on their website. I've featured them before on The Eco Hub, most recently in my alternatives to Amazon post.

Because they are a small batch comany and make everything by hand, they are super affordable. All of their ingredients are ethically sourced and they cut out the middle man which also helps to reduce prices quite a bit. I hope you will check them out. Use the code THEECOHUB15 at check out.

9. Chagrin Valley

Pin

Chagrin Valley is a made in the USA, zero-waste, biodegradable deodorant stick. It's also cruelty-free and USDA-certified organic. All of the ingredients are sourced in an environmentally and ethically responsible manner.

It's packed full of really good stuff, like organic coconut oil to moisturize your pits, beeswax to act as a natural anti-fungal, and cornstarch and baking soda help to balance the PH and absorb sweat!

Chagrin Valley makes a range of body care products that are non-GMO and free from artificial and synthetics nasties. They also have some pretty impressive environmental commitments like making sure all the packaging is actually biodegradable, working with suppliers to ensure transparency, and even outfitting their office and manufacturing space to be more sustainable.

These awesome deodorants are available at EcoRoots, one of my absolute favorite places for anything and everything eco! Have you checked them out?

Please note they do use certified palm oil and beeswax!

10. Apothecary Muse

Pin

If you love to spend time in the outdoors, then you will love this little Etsy shop. I love the branding so much. You have the choice of "Wise Lemongrass Sage", "Awaken Adventure" (scented with Alpine and Citrus); "Trail Blazer" (scented with Lavender and Sandalwood); and "Righteous Rebel" (scented with Geranium and Patchouli). I mean with names like these, how can you possibly go wrong?

All of these deodorants are formulated without aluminum, parabens, or other artificial or synthetic ingredients. They are packed with organic goodies like coconut oil, candelilla wax, arrowroot, bentonite clay, and zinc — all so beneficial for your pits.

This little Etsy shop is located in the USA, and you will also find zero waste deodorants, soaps, and sunscreens. All the products are vegan and free from palm oil. The deodorants are packaged in compostable cardboard tubes for easy disposal.

The owner, Eryn, prides herself on ethically sourcing all of her ingredients. She even grows some of them herself, stating:

"I try to grow and ethically wild harvest ingredients within the seasons for the most efficacy and relevance. I avoid genetically engineered or unsustainable products and choose certified organic ingredients whenever possible. I practice full ingredient disclosure to demonstrate a commitment to product integrity and I comply with all labeling regulations so the consumer can make informed and safe choices."

Now that's something we can stand behind!

11. Erbaviva

Pin

If you are looking for an all-natural deodorant spray instead of a paste or stick then this one from Erbaviva is for you. It's formulated with certified USDA organic lavender & geranium essential oils which work together to balance perspiration and naturally fight underarm bacteria. The base is an organic grain alcohol that evaporates quickly and will not stain your clothes.

This zero waste deodorant may also be used on fabric, carpets, and yoga mats to freshen things up. It's aluminum- and chemical-free and comes in a glass bottle that you can keep. It's actually the perfect size for a DIY hand sanitizer.

Although is deodorant is vegan, Erbaviva does use palm oil in their soap and beeswax in their nursing balm. They carry a lovely range of products for new mamas.

This company has been around the clean beauty space since 1996 and boasts a really impressive lineup of certifications. The COSMOS organic certification, for example, guarantees products adhere to strict guidelines when it comes to the kinds of ingredients that are used.

They are also certified by Demeter, which "independently certifies that the farmers and distillers from which we source our ingredients meet rigorous biodynamic requirements, in addition to practicing organic growing methods." And.... they are a certified B CORP business.

12. Routine

Pin

Made near the Rocky Mountains in Calgary, Canada, Routine is one of the most effective natural deodorants on the market today. It's packed full of wholesome ingredients like shea butter, coconut butter, magnesium, and charcoal, all of which aid the body and help regulate your PH. These deodorants are also free of aluminum zirconium, aluminum chlorohydrate, parabens, triclosan, and propylene glycol.

You can choose from 11 fabulous scents and 5 different formulas including vegan, sensitive (baking soda free), and activated charcoal. Routine has all-natural deodorant for men, women, and everyone in between.

It's ethically crafted with the health of our planet as a priority and 100% palm-oil-free. Tested on friends, never animals.

Several of their products are scented with organic, natural, and delicious (they are even edible!) flavored oils. These oils are the same products organic candies are flavored with. They are not 100% vegan, but the Sexy Sadie is a vegan formula.

You can choose from a glass jar (the lid looks plastic, so maybe inquire about that) or a cardboard tube.

14. Attitude Living

Pin

If you're a regular reader of The Eco Hub blog, you know how much I enjoy and use Attitude Living's products! This is a Canadian brand based in Quebec that makes products for your home, including natural cleaning products, refillable cleaning products, and much more. Their plastic-free deodorant stick comes in a biodegradable all-paper package designed to reduce single-use plastic.

It's aluminum-free and made from natural, non-toxic ingredients such as arrowroot and cornstarch, which absorb moisture and eliminate unpleasant odors naturally. It's also EWG VERIFIED™, organic, cruelty-free, and vegan!

I've used all three of them and my top pick is the Olive Leaves, which is made with olive leaf extract, known for its antioxidant and hydrating properties. I simply love it. It lasts all day and smells divine! I love the applicator — it just works so well.

Attitude has stringent standards in place for sourcing ingredients and takes sustainability seriously in all aspects of the business. They own their own lab, which is uncommon for a personal care company, which allows them to have full control over the quality, ingredients, and process.

They are also ECOLOGO® certified. A pioneer in promoting a sustainable economy, ECOLOGO certifies environmental leaders in over 120 categories — from household products to electrical equipment and toys — to help consumers understand, identify, and trust the world’s most sustainable products and services.

USE CANDICEB10 at checkout for 10% off.

15. Well Earth Goods Zero Waste Under Arm Detox Bar

Pin

If you have been using aluminum-based deodorant with antiperspirant, it's a good idea to give your pits a bit of a detox. Especially if you are making the switch to natural deodorants, there will likely be a transition period as your body adjusts.

This detox bar is perfect to help you on that journey and check all the boxes. It's fragrance-free, palm-free, detergent-free, vegan, hand-made, fair-trade, and organic. It will gently exfoliate your pits — just wet it, lather it, wash your pits, wait about a minute, then give it a good rinse. Wait for about 30 mins before applying your natural deodorant.

Well Earth Goods is one of my favorite online shops for zero waste shopping. All of their products are packed in 100% recyclable paper-based materials including recycled paper tape, recycled labels, recycled mailer envelopes, and recycled paper for cushioning.

How to make a DIY zero waste deodorant

DIY deodorants are really popular online and a great way to reduce waste and save money. And you know I love a good DIY! Here is a super simple recipe for a DIY zero waste deodorant you can make at home.

A final word on zero waste deodorant

As mentioned at the beginning of this post, the goal of zero waste is to create little to no trash, which is easier said than done when it comes to most things.

Zero waste deodorant alternatives help us to keep some of that garage out of landfills and that's a really good thing in my opinion. It's small steps like these that ultimately make the biggest impact.

There are so many fantastic brands to choose from as you can see from all of them featured here.

Like with all things on The Eco Hub we look for companies that are sustainable in every facet of their business and we take the following into account when featuring beauty items on The Eco Hub:

• Corporate Responsibility
• Ethical sourcing
• Natural or organic ingredients
• Environmentally - conscious packaging (plastic alternatives)
• Corporate responsibility
• Inclusivity
• Who can access and use this product?
• Equity and cost
• No animal testing or derivatives, and zero palm oil

Do you have a favorite zero waste deodorant? Share in the comments below.

If you found this post helpful, please help someone by sharing this article – sharing is caring 🙂 !

Pin