The Best Vegan Deodorants + Top Tips For Buying, Ingredients to Avoid, and Top Brands
A lot of people forget that veganism goes way beyond the food on your plate. Animal testing is a huge issue and one that vegans stand firmly against. Therefore, the cosmetics that vegans use have to be cruelty-free, from your toothpaste to your deodorant.
Vegans stink too (but possibly less than meat-eaters), but many of your regular body deodorants use chemicals tested on animals or animal-derived ingredients.
This article will go through the best vegan deodorants on the market and some top tips for buying.
First, let’s get to the good stuff. Here are the top vegan deodorant products on the market right now and where you can buy them.
The Top Vegan Deodorants On the Market for Men and Women
To help you decide the best vegan natural deodorant for you, I have split this section into men’s deodorants and women’s deodorants.
Is there a difference between men’s sweat and women’s sweat? Well, all people sweat slightly differently, regardless of gender. But, most studies suggest men sweat more than women, so they need a little strong protection.
The Best Men’s Vegan Deodorants
Herban Cowboy Deodorant - Dusk
Herban Cowboy is an innovative and PETA-Approved brand that provides ultra-strong and effective vegan deodorant for men. There is no aluminum, no talc, no phthalates, or triclosan. All ingredients are animal-safe and animal-testing-free.
The Herban Cowboy Dusk deodorant will keep you smelling fresh and your pits dry, even in the face of intense exercise. They also have wild, unscented, musk, and forest editions plus a line of deodorants for women.
Tom's of Maine Long Lasting Wide Stick Deodorant
Tom’s of Maine is a top brand for vegan men, they use natural ingredients, and this particular deodorant offers 48-hour odor protection. Great for the sweaty man on the go.
It is aluminum-free with no preservatives or artificial ingredients. Tom’s of Maine does not test on animals. This deodorant uses a mix of odor neutralizing botanicals that will keep you fresh each day.
Sam's Natural Deodorant
Made in the USA, Sam’s provides this brilliant natural men’s deodorant specially formulated for long-lasting protection and freshness. It is, of course, aluminum-free and also certified vegan and cruelty-free.
Sam’s is also free of phthalates, parabens, sulfates, and dyes. You won’t find anything nasty in here. There are a few versions to try, but the original is best. You also get a free 30-day return if not satisfied.
Every Man Jack Deodorant - Cedarwood
Every Man Jack produces cosmetics just for men. This deodorant is aluminum-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, dye-free, and cruelty-free. It also comes in a charming and great-smelling cedarwood fragrance that uses natural fragrance.
It’s made in the USA and comes in five other scents. It provides long-lasting protection and uses witch hazel, which naturally soothes the skin and allows sweat to evaporate more quickly.
Native Natural Deodorant
Native is a no-nonsense and transparent brand that provides excellent vegan products at a reasonable price. This unscented version is a great way to ward off smelly pits and lasts for well over 24 hours.
You won’t find any aluminum, parabens, phthalates, or talc. They do not test on animals and instead test on willing human beings. This is an award-winning vegan deodorant that is great for men but also suitable for women.
Schmidt's Natural Deodorant - Cedarwood + Juniper Vegan
A full 24 hours of protection using all-natural ingredients and is certified cruelty-free. Schmidt’s are an award-winning brand, and their products are loved for their sensitivity to the skin.
All you need is 1-2 swipes for this deodorant to be effective, meaning one bottle goes a long way. The natural ingredients used include activated charcoal, magnesium, and essential oils like tea tree and lavender.
The Best Women’s Vegan Deodorants
Love Beauty And Planet Deodorant
This excellent vegan deodorant uses Murumuru Butter, and Rose is aluminum-free and certified vegan and cruelty-free. The main ingredients are ethically sourced, and in some cases, handpicked.
Love Beauty and Planet will keep you smelling fresh all day. The packaging is also eco-friendly, using 43% recycled plastic bottles.
Spirit Nest Lavender Moon Organic
Using 100% natural animal-safe ingredients, Spirit Nest has created one of the best smelling vegan deodorants on the market. It’s effective too, lasting way over 24 hours. There are no nasty ingredients, and it is free from aluminum.
There are just five natural ingredients that are all-natural and even edible. The bottle is BPA-free and is 100% recyclable. Spirit Nest is B-Corporation certified, USDA certified organic, certified non-GMO, and certified vegan.
Botanik Organic Deodorant for Women
It doesn’t get more natural than Botanik. This deodorant is specially formulated for women and is made using certified organic ingredients, including coconut oil, shea butter, arrowroot powder, and a blend of essential oils.
It is cruelty-free, vegan, and gluten-free. It is a very gentle deodorant that will keep you fresh all day and come in beautiful scents. All products are made in the USA, and the bottle is BPA-free, the label is tree-free, and it’s even recyclable.
You won’t find any toxic chemicals such as synthetic fragrances, phthalates, or parabens.
Each & Every All Natural Deodorant for Women
No Aluminum. No Parabens. No Phthalates. This is a 100% natural deodorant from the excellent brand Each & Every. It has been specially formulated for sensitive skin and is free of all the usual nasty ingredients found in regular deodorants.
All six natural ingredients used are approved safe by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). It is long-lasting and smells beautiful.
Pacifica Beauty Underarm Deodorant Wipes
Something a bit different from Pacifica. No roll on here, just deodorant wipes. Roll-ons simply don’t work for everyone, so this is a great alternative. There is no harsh chemical, it’s 100% vegan and cruelty-free.
They come in a few different fragrances, including coconut milk & rose and coconut milk & essential oils. The former smells much better, in my opinion—an excellent choice for people that hate roll-ons.
Good For You Girls Natural Deodorant
Good For You Girls makes specially formulated deodorants for women only. They’re free from parabens, sulfates, phthalates, silicone, synthetic fragrance, and dyes. Each bottle is made in the USA and is certified vegan and cruelty-free.
This deodorant will have you smelling fresh for a very long time. Natural ingredients used include aloe, arnica, lavender, chamomile, calendula, white, green, and black tea extracts.
Why Choose A Natural Vegan Deodorant?
There are three main reasons you should consider buying a natural vegan deodorant.
Less Impact on the Environment
Aluminum is the main component of regular deodorants on the market. More specifically, aluminum-chlorohydrate. To source this component, mass open-pit mining is required to extract the aluminum, which wreaks devastation to the local and global environment.
These mines destroy all local natural landscapes, including grasslands and trees, and any animals living in the area. The once lush landscape is replaced with heavy trucks and diggers that help excavate the mine, and then the extracting begins.
The extraction of aluminum is a very intense process in which the metal is heated to 1000º C. This heat is provided by burning vast amounts of coal, which is detrimental to our atmosphere, releasing millions of tons of C02. Aluminum is a highly unsustainable material for cosmetics.
A Sustainable Choice
Natural vegan deodorants use natural and renewable ingredients because they’re sourced from plants. You don’t need to excavate vast land areas, rip the earth open, and emit millions of tons of C02 to source natural deodorant ingredients.
Natural vegan brands are also moving towards sustainable ways of conducting business. Many are moving to reduced or carbon-neutral manufacturing. Brands are also adopting eco-packaging that uses recycled and biodegradable materials. Some brands are even going zero-waste with refillable metal containers.
Natural Is Better For Health
Studies have consistently found that using chemical-laden antiperspirants are bad for our health. Chemicals like triclosan and propylene-glycol have both been linked to allergic reactions and skin irritation.
If you use an antiperspirant and suffer from eczema or psoriasis, you may have noticed your symptoms worsen with certain deodorants. This is highly likely the result of harsh chemicals in the product.
It’s worth remembering that sweating is as natural as breathing when it comes to bodily functions. Putting a sudden halt to such a natural process also has its implications, such as dry skin conditions. Our natural sweat is also full of chemicals that actually attract other human beings. Our natural perfume can be aphrodisiac.
But, the type of sweat that turns people on is not the stinky sweat after not washing for 24 hours. It’s the light smelly sweat after a few hours. Those that have incredibly bad-smelling sweat should consider a natural deodorant to keep them fresh.
If you have extremely bad BO, check your diet. A poor diet that is lacking in fresh fruit and vegetables can lead to foul-smelling armpits.
Deodorant Vs. Antiperspirant: What’s the Difference?
People often don’t realize that deodorant and antiperspirant are different. Here are some interesting facts about deodorant and antiperspirant.
- Deodorant helps to control odor, not sweat.
- Antiperspirant blocks sweat, but no odor.
- Using both can help stop both sweat and odor.
- You can get sweat stains with either.
Deodorant is preferable to antiperspirant because it allows you to sweat (which is natural and vital for the body), but it removes the odor. The reason people choose antiperspirants is that they hate sweat stains or feel embarrassed about their sweat stains. Some people sweat far more than others.
Body odor is caused by bacteria mixing with your skin. So, areas of the body where skin rubs together but the air is limited, odor is found. Think armpits, crotch, and feet (when wearing footwear).
So, if you care more about odor, you will need a deodorant. If you care more about sweat stains, then you need an antiperspirant. If you care about both, you need both.
Natural Vegan Deodorant Ingredients
Natural vegan deodorants are designed to work much like regular deodorants. They’re designed to control odor while allowing you to naturally sweat.
Which Ingredients You Should Avoid
Before buying any natural vegan deodorant, you should read the label and ensure they don’t contain any of the following ingredients.
Aluminum
As discussed earlier in this article, aluminum is an unsustainable and environmentally friendly component used in deodorants. Creating aluminum-chlorohydrate is highly intensive using lots of fossil fuels, and the mining of the material wreaks havoc on the local environment and workers.
Parabens
Parabens are synthetic preservatives that are prevalent within the cosmetic industry. Common parabens include:
- Methylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Butylparaben
Parabens have been shown to mimic hormones and disrupt functions of the endocrine system. Extensive use of parabens have been linked to breast cancer, early puberty, and decreased sperm levels.
Triclosan
More research needs to be done on triclosan effects, but it’s currently advised that you avoid this common ingredient. It’s commonly used for antibacterial properties that help with removing odor in your sweat, making it perfect for deodorants.
But research has found that too much exposure to triclosan may:
- Alter hormone regulation.
- Contribute to antibiotic-resistant germs.
- Be harmful to your immune system.
Which Ingredients You Should Look For in Vegan Deodorant
Now we know what to avoid, here are the ingredients in vegan deodorant that are safe and you should look for when buying.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is an incredible product. It can keep the odor of anything at bay, including your armpits. Baking soda also addresses wetness, so if you find a deodorant with baking soda, it may well keep you smelling fresh and keep you dry.
Hops
Everybody knows hops are the main ingredient in beer. It’s used in beer to keep it from smelling bad but can also be used in cosmetics for the same purpose. Hops extract serves as an antimicrobial agent keeping you fresh.
Mineral Salts
Unlike aluminum, mineral salts don’t plug your sweat pores. Instead, they form a temporary layer on your skin, which prevents the growth of foul-smelling bacteria. Mineral salts won’t irritate your skin either.
Essential Oils
Artididcla perfumes are very common in today’s cosmetic industry, But, in most cases, the natural ingredients are far better for health and give off a natural and pleasing scent. Some of the oils used have natural antibacterial properties that help fight bacteria growth under your arms. The most notable essential oils include rosemary, lichen, sage, lemongrass, and tea tree oil.
Witch Hazel
For those with very sensitive skin, witch hazel is an ingredient worth looking out for when you buy your next natural deodorant. Witch hazel is renowned for its skin-soothing properties and works as an astringent in deodorants. This means it shrinks the pores of your skin and allows any sweat that does escape to evaporate.
Final Thoughts
Stop buying nasty deodorant or antiperspirant that is full of aluminum. You can get the same results with a natural vegan deodorant that is friendly to your armpits, animals, and the planet. Remember, sweating is a normal and vital bodily function. You need to take control of odor, not the sweat stains.
When buying a natural vegan deodorant, be sure to look for the official vegan and cruelty-free logos and the safe ingredients listed in this guide. I hope you enjoy your new life with a natural deodorant. Let me know how it goes in the comments.
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