I’m Scared Of Natural Deodorants But I Tested 4 So You Don’t Have To

Is anyone else way too nervous to try natural deodorants?

Summer is a sweaty couple of months. Actually, because I live in Australia, it's a sweaty nine months. Deodorant is pretty much a necessity.

FX

BUT it's also not the greatest thing for your body. Anti-perspirant has aluminium which can build up under your skin - have you ever noticed little bumps in your armpits? That's why natural deodorants have become a popular alternative lately.

FOX

I was low-key scared to try natural deodorants, and kinda fine with plugging my body with chemicals if it means I don't sweat or stink. But I figured I'd try four out to see if any actually work.

Nickelodeon

First off, let me clarify that there's a difference between anti-perspirant and deodorant. Anti-perspirants stop you from sweating, while deodorants stop you from smelling bad. There's no such thing as a 100% natural anti-perspirant, but some natural deodorants can reduce the wet feeling that comes from sweat.

Some people swear by doing an armpit detox before switching to natural products, to make sure all the aluminium is out of their pores. I didn't do this, but still had success regardless.

WooHoo, $10.95

BuzzFeed

Most natural deodorants come as a paste that you rub onto your armpits. That idea kind of grossed me out at first but I got used to it after a few days. WooHoo is a more solid formula than the other ones I tried, so I really had to scoop it out of the tub and work hard to turn it into a spreadable paste. It doesn't have much smell but kept me feeling ~fresh~ all day, even after walking around in the sun. The formula stops you smelling but also helps to absorb moisture, which I definitely noticed. I was still a little damp in my armpits on super-humid days but never smelled bad. The tub is HUGE and last for ages, so I'll be using it for a while.

Buy it online and in various pharmacies and health food shops.

No Pong, $5.95

BuzzFeed

OK, this one is definitely my fave of all the ones I tried. The paste is soft enough that it's really easy to use, and the tin is small and easy to travel with. I tried two scents which both smell really good, but weren't strong enough to interfere with my perfume. It did a pretty good job of keeping my pits dry. There was one really hot and humid day where I got pretty sweaty – but also I shouldn't have worn a gray t-shirt, which was a bad choice. But I still never smelled bad, it's really effective at eliminating odour. They also have a bicarb soda-free version if you have sensitive skin. I'm going to be using this one every day from here on out.

Buy it online.

Black Chicken, $18.50

BuzzFeed

I'd seen this one a lot on Instagram so I had high hopes...unfortunately I wasn't a fan. Again, the texture was a little too hard, and it didn't have a nice smell. It did the job of keeping me from smelling bad, which is a definite plus. Especially considering the cost, I preferred the other ones a lot more. Side note: this is a sample size, I didn't pay $18 for a teeny tiny tub.

Buy it online and in some health food stores.

Earths Purities, $12.95

BuzzFeed

Firstly, I'm a fan of a roll on: it's easy and clean. I love love love the scent of this deodorant. It's slightly tropical but also floral and zesty, I want to bottle it and use it as perfume. However in terms of a deodorant, it didn't check any boxes for me. I felt like I had pretty sweaty armpits, even when it wasn't that hot. The nice smell wore off by the middle of the day, and by the time I got home after work I didn't smell great.

Buy it online, or I got mine at About Life.

You're never going to get a natural product that stops you sweating, but switching is better for you and the planet. If you're happy being a little ~damp~ then I definitely would suggest trying to find a brand that works for you.

Disney

Some of these products were provided to BuzzFeed free of charge, but with no guarantee of a review.

Getty / BuzzFeed

It's As/Is week at BuzzFeed Oz! We're focusing on Aussie style and beauty posts for a whole week, click here to check out more.