Traditional deodorants contain ingredients like aluminum that may be carcinogens, may complicate pregnancy, exacerbate allergies, or even contain ingredients that haven’t been evaluated for safety.

Yet, natural deodorants have a bad reputation for being ineffective.

Determined to find a natural deodorant that worked, I tested five popular products. The bottom line? Though everyone’s body chemistry reacts differently to deodorants, there are some effective, affordable options on the market.

First, a quick word about my testing methods: I wore each deodorant for one week (with one exception). Each deodorant ran the gauntlet of errands, dog walks, a couple workouts, and nights on the town.

Kiss My Face Active Enzyme Fragrance-Free

$5.99, Lavender scent, amazon.com

The Kiss My Face deodorant fell to the bottom of my list. The waxy formula is actually a mix of baking soda and clay. Recently, kitty litter manufacturers have come under eco-fire for using clay as an odor absorber in their products because strip-mining methods are used to collect the clay, and the dust particles produced by clay can cause upper respiratory infections, among other problems. Though the odor-absorbing properties of the deodorant were effective, I’d probably avoid this product due to the clay components.

Tom’s of Maine Natural Long-Lasting

$4.99, amazon.com

I do not have sensitive skin, nor do I have any allergies. In fact, I’ve never even had poison ivy (knock on wood). But the first time I applied this deodorant, my arms broke out in red, itchy bumps. I wiped it off, and tested it again the next day. Same thing. Of the five deodorants I tested, this was the only one I couldn’t wear. Though everyone’s body chemistry is different, after some online research, I discovered that this is a common problem with this particular brand.

Burt’s Bees Herbal

$8.00, amazon.com

The mist application is a simple and refreshing alternative to the typical stick of deodorant, though if you apply it right out of the shower, make sure your underarms are completely dry or else it will run off. There isn’t an unscented version available, and the mist’s fragrance is spicy and strong. The deodorant required several reapplications throughout the day regardless of activity level, so at $8 a pop, this is an extremely expensive option.

Naturally Fresh Crystal Roll-On

$3.99, amazon.com

This deodorant is the lowest-priced option out of the bunch. It’s hypoallergenic and unscented, and it has chamomile added to soothe underarms. Upon application, the liquid deodorant is runny, so you need to allow a couple minutes for it to dry completely. It works well to eliminate odors, though reapplication was necessary after walking the dogs.

JASON Natural Cosmetics Fragrance-Free

$5.99, amazon.com

Of all the natural deodorants I tested, this stick felt the most like a traditional deodorant. The paraben-free formula was gentle enough to use immediately after shaving. Though the stick was labeled fragrance free, I detected a scent that most likely comes from the sage and green tea components. Overall, this deodorant worked extremely well and required fewer reapplications. Of the five deodorants I tested, this was the clear winner for best in show!

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