The Natural Deodorants That Actually and Truly Work

One of the first products I tried—and my uncontested favorite—is a citrus-y formula called Meow Meow Tweet. The cream had the texture of cake batter, and feels like you're about to taste-test a batch of frosting as you dip your finger in. The grapefruit scent has the added benefit of smelling like lemon cream pie, and lasted me through an entire sweaty, panicky news day. Bonus: baking soda-free formulas like these are less likely to irritate skin and cause rashes. I promise I wasn't heavily biased by the ridiculously cute non sequitur name.

A similar batter-y texture to Meow Meow Tweet's, this classic cream formula—supposedly the OG one that launched a natural deodorant craze—from Soapwalla smells like tea tree oil and applies easily. Other ingredients include lavender, sweet orange, and citrus-y bergamot, for a clean, refreshing scent that stays strong through hours of sweating.

This stick deodorant preferred by French beauty editors and celebrities alike goes on smoothly and comes in a range of scents. Lavanila has a sport variation specifically designed for hotter, sweatier days, but I prefer this light coconut variety that's small enough to stick in a tiny clutch, or better, in your travel makeup bag.

Curie, run by a marvelous female founder who named the company after Marie Curie, is all about these three principles: clean, safe, and effective. They can add "yummy" to the list, too. Their range of deodorants are made for humans in motion, without the harmful chemicals in many other anti-perspirant products. If you prefer a spray deodorant, they've got one for you.

I can't recommend Native enough! Choose the scent that most appeals to you—my personal favorites are the Coconut & Vanilla, or the Eucalyptus & Mint. Not only will this deodorant stop any sweaty, muskiness from coming through, but the scent you choose will actually make you smell good. Make sure to check in every few months for Native's seasonal scents. Every one is a gem!

This deodorant uses multi-acid and multi-mineral ingredients to keep your underarms smelling like you just stepped out of the shower (and washed up with Nécessaire's signature body wash $25). This clean product will make sure you don't get mid-afternoon smelly, and will help prevent any uncomfortable wetness. Plus, the eucalyptus scent might remind you of a Parisian woman's shower. Nothing wrong with that!

While this deodorant is certainly creamy, it's still in a stick formation, meaning you don't need to apply it with your fingers. You still get that hit of moisture, without having to wash your hands after. The hero ingredients in this product help de-odorize your underarms while keeping them dry, too. If your pits suffer from razor bumps or irritation, this deodorant can help replenish those woes.

...

For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.

subscribe here