6 Best Vegan, Non-Toxic & Sustainable Deodorants - Republic of Green

6 Best Vegan, Non-Toxic & Sustainable Deodorants

The pain of searching for a vegan deodorant that’s also non-toxic – and that works – is real. You’re probably familiar with this scenario: You’ve found what may finally be the perfect natural deodorant. It smells delicious, is vegan, the texture is actually normal, and it comes in sustainable packaging. But after you wear it for a day, you find it has left a horrible greasy stain on your favorite shirt – or worse yet, has given you a rash. Can anyone relate?

To help you successfully end this endless odyssey, we’ve scoured the deodorant market for the best vegan, non-toxic, and sustainable deodorants available. After tirelessly researching ingredients, talking to friends, and sifting through reviews, we feel confident that the deodorants listed below are truly the best of the best – both for your health and the health of the planet.

Jump straight to our picks, or keep reading to learn about our methodology for choosing the best safe and ethical deodorants.

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Our Picks: Best Sustainable, Non-Toxic, Vegan Deodorants

We will review these eco-friendly, cruelty-free deodorants in detail below.

  1. Best Variety of Fragrances: Each & Every
  2. Most Affordable Deodorant: Love Beauty and Planet
  3. Most Sustainable Deodorant: Meow Meow Tweet
  4. Longest Lasting Deodorant: Native
  5. Best for Sensitive Skin Deodorant: Nubian Heritage
  6. Best Vegan Deodorant: Wild

Criteria: How We Picked the Best Non-Toxic, Sustainable, and Vegan Deodorants

Let’s start with the basics: what exactly is a deodorant? While many products are simply labeled “deodorants,” there’s actually an important difference between deodorant and antiperspirant.

To put it simply, deodorants stop you from smelling, but they don’t stop you from sweating. Deodorants do this by stopping odor-causing bacteria from growing in your underarm, and often by using other delicious scents like essential oils to cover up any less-than-delicious scents from you.

Antiperspirants, on the other hand, block sweat, usually using chemicals or salts that form a “plug” over your sweat ducts. While yes, we love the feeling of no-sweat days, antiperspirants often contain chemicals that some scientists suggest may be linked to health problems like allergic reactions or breast cancer. While more research is needed on this topic, many of us choose to avoid the chemicals found in antiperspirants in favor of a more natural solution.

All the products we picked are deodorants, not antiperspirants. This means that while they don’t stop you from sweating, they’re likely safer. Here are the main factors we took into consideration for choosing the best non-toxic deodorants that are also vegan and sustainable.

Health & Safety

Some traditional antiperspirants and deodorants use chemicals that make them more effective at stopping sweat and odor — but that also raise some health concerns. All the non-toxic deodorants we picked below are free from the following 4 harmful chemicals commonly found in deodorants and antiperspirants:

Aluminum: Aluminum is used in many conventional antiperspirants to block your sweat glands. In large quantities, aluminum has been linked to kidney problems and other health issues. While deodorants likely don’t contain enough aluminum to cause these issues, it might be best to go for aluminum-free deodorant just to be extra safe, especially if you have limited kidney function.

Parabens: Parabens are chemicals used to prevent fungal and bacterial growth on your deodorant. Parabens have been linked to hormone disruption, and at high exposures, breast cancer. While more research is needed, we recommend avoiding them anyways.

Triclosan: Triclosan (TCS) is used in deodorants to prevent bacterial contamination. Triclosan is a skin irritant that has also been linked to hormone disruption in animal studies. In fact, the FDA banned TCS in soaps in 2016, but not in other cosmetic products. This is definitely one to avoid.

Phthalates: Phthalates are a class of chemicals that help the deodorant and its fragrance stick to your skin. However, they also act as hormone disruptors, and have been linked to lower IQ and asthma.

We also made sure to pick non-toxic deodorants that don’t cause rashes or other allergic reactions, even in people with sensitive skin. That’s why we noted whether the deodorant includes baking soda, which is often included in natural deodorants to stop bacteria (and thus smell) from growing. However, some people’s skin is sensitive to baking soda, so it can take some testing to see if this ingredient bothers you.

Quality

Our baseline criteria for selection is that your deodorant doesn’t contain ingredient that will cause health problems. But we also want our deodorant to actually work and not ruin our clothes.  Based on our research that includes poring through customer reviews, our product picks will keep you odor-free all day AND won’t leave behind stains on your clothes.

Cruelty-Free

While not all the products on our list are completely vegan, we’ve made sure to research and note the 100% vegan deodorants. We also prioritized products with cruelty-free certifications like PETA’s “Beauty Without Bunnies” labels or fair labor certifications like Fair Trade.  We love that plant-based ingredients are not only cruelty-free for animals, but they are great for the environment too!

Sustainability

Finally, we prioritized deodorant brands that take clear steps to make their products more sustainable. Our list include eco-friendly deodorants that use plastic-free packaging, biodegradable packaging, or even refillable containers that reduce the amount of packaging needed. These are pretty darn close to zero-waste deodorant!

Pick any of the deodorants below, and you can rest easy knowing that it adheres to high standards of ethics, safety, and sustainability – and that it actually keeps you smelling fresh. Now let’s get into the reviews!


1. Best Range of Scents: Each and Every DeodorantEach & Every aluminum-free deodorant

Source: Each & Every

  • Aluminum free
  • Vegan
  • Baking soda free
  • Non-toxic
  • Plastic-free packaging
  • No rashes

As this natural deodorant brand says, “Each & Every ingredient matters” in their non-toxic, 100% plant-based deodorants. In fact, all of Each & Every’s deodorants are EWG Verified meaning that they don’t contain any chemicals of concern, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

Packed full of beautifully-scented natural essential oils (no synthetic fragrances here!), Each & Every deodorants are effective at reducing odor through active ingredients like tapioca starch, which absorbs wetness on skin, and dead sea minerals, which control odor. Not only does this deodorant not cause rashes no matter the skin type, but it even conditions skin using coconut oil. Out of nearly 18,000 reviews, only one mentioned a rash!

Each & Every natural deodorants come in 12 different fresh scents, from classics like “Lavender & Lemon” to exciting seasonal varieties like “Black Spruce & Fir.” While a few reviews note staining on white clothes if you put on a lot at once, most customers haven’t experienced any staining.

All of Each & Every’s deodorants are packed in plastic-free packaging made from sugarcane. If you save up 5 empties, the company will even recycle them for you and send you a voucher for a future order.

Downsides: The scent may fade throughout the day, especially if it’s a sweaty one! At over $16 bucks a pop, you definitely want to get your money’s worth and not be reapplying all the time. That said, one tube can last you over five months, so that helps make it worth it even if you need to use more product.

Check out this review: I’ve been buying so many different deodorants trying to find the one that won’t burn my armpits (baking soda) and that it doesn’t have toxic chemicals (triclosan, aluminum, propylene glycol, phthalates, parabens & fragrance) like every other deodorant in stores – for a while now… so I finally gave in and bought the lavender scented one. The smell is really nice, there’s so many oils in this product that the deodorant is beyond smooth. I’d love to give it 5 stars but since it’s so natural and not anti-perspiration, I sweat throughout the day and the scent goes away. I think I reapply the deodorant (to smell better) like 2x a day. However I believe once winter comes I won’t have to do that. Other than that, it is good! I haven’t seen any stains in my clothes nor does it burn my sensitive skin.” –AGiler 7

Visit the Each and Every Store on Amazon

2. Most Affordable: Love Beauty and Planet Deodorant

Love Beauty and Planet deodorant

Source: Love Beauty and Planet

  • Aluminum free
  • Vegan
  • Baking soda free
  • Non-toxic
  • Recycled packaging
  • No staining

People love Love Beauty and Planet deodorants. These coconut oil based deodorants don’t stain your clothes (hooray!) and smell great, leaving you stench-free all day long. While some natural deodorants are lightly-scented, these fragrances really bring it! And for the roll-on fans among us, you’re in luck – Love Beauty and Planet deodorants are among the only natural high-quality, vegan deodorants we found that are roll-on, not a stick.

True to the “Planet” part of their name, Love Beauty and Planet’s packaging is made from 43% recycled plastic. They also support environmental non-profits, such as their $250,000 donation to the Surfrider Foundation for ocean protection.

Downsides: With only 4 scent options, their fragrances are somewhat limited. However, the scents they do offer smell great. Additionally, if you have really sensitive skin, some reviews note rashes. However, most reviews actually note that they were surprised to find that unlike other natural deodorants they’d tried, Love Beauty and Planet deodorant didn’t leave a rash.

Check out this review:Lovely scent. I switched to deodorant-only (not antiperspirant) a few years ago and haven’t looked back. Goes on smoothly, no irritation, lasts all day, and no aluminum or residue. This stuff even works if you’re going through hormonal changes, which seem to bring out the worst in me.” –Paula K.

Check out the Love Beauty and Planet deodorant on Amazon.

3. Most Sustainable: Meow Meow Tweet Deodorant

Meow Meow Tweet Deodorant

Source: Meow Meow Tweet

  • Aluminum free
  • Vegan
  • Some baking soda free, others aren’t – they’re all labeled.
  • Non-toxic
  • Compostable packaging
  • No staining

Given their animal-inspired name, it’s no surprise that Meow Meow Tweet deodorants are completely vegan and organic, made from clean ingredients like tapioca flour, shea butter, and jojoba oil.  Their deodorants, which come in a traditional stick and as a cream that you simply scoop out and rub on, are made in small batches to maintain freshness. And boy do they smell like it! Customers rave about their scents, from simple “Grapefruit” to “Eucalyptus Lemon.”

While not all their deodorants are baking soda free, their site makes it very clear which are which, with a special section dedicated to baking soda free deodorants. Reviews also note no rashes, and no staining – no more pesky yellow or white marks on your t-shirts here!

Not only are their deodorants made from natural ingredients, but they’re packaged in sustainable materials. Meow Meow Tweet made the first deodorant that comes in a compostable tube! Their deodorant creams are even more sustainable, as they come packed in a refillable glass jar. This is as close to zero-waste deodorant as you can get!

Downsides: Scooping deodorant out of the jar with your hands can be a little annoying. If that sounds like an issue, go with their stick deodorants instead.

Check out this review: I have been looking for a deodorant that will work on sensitive skin and actually, you know, work. Finally, after trying many different products, this is the first one that has actually not caused any irritation or red skin after using it for many weeks…

Finally I came across this product and gave it a try and I just hope they never stop making it! Again, it is the only product (after testing about 15 different ones) that actually works for me…Personally, for me, this product smells like grapefruit when applying it. It leaves no sticky residue or dampness. I remain dry all throughout the day (desk job) and when I am active, such as mowing the lawn in 90 degree weather, I don’t have any odor issues at all.” –Dusty

Currently unavailable on Amazon though you can still read reviews there. Check out the Meow Meow Tweet website.

4. Longest Lasting: Native Deodorant

Native Deodorant

Source: Native

  • Aluminum free
  • Not 100% vegan, but cruelty free
  • Some baking soda free, others aren’t – they’re all labeled
  • Non-toxic
  • Some of their products are plastic-free
  • No staining
  • No rashes

Perhaps one of the most well-known natural deodorant brands, Native truly deserves their reputation as a solid deodorant that will keep you smelling great for hours. Native is most similar to a conventional deodorant in many ways, as the deodorant texture is comparable, and offers familiar scents like Coconut & Vanilla.

While Native does offer plastic packaging, to cut down on plastic waste, we recommend their plastic-free deodorants, which come in a compostable cardboard tube sourced from responsibly managed forests. Or, pick their Sensitive Deodorant, which is formulated without baking soda. No matter which you pick, you can rest assured that you’ll avoid rashes and staining while keeping those pits smelling fine – even if you’re a real heavy sweater.

Downsides: Native deodorants are not 100% vegan, but are completely cruelty-free. They’re also owned by Procter & Gamble, which is not a cruelty-free brand. You may also need to re-apply a few times on particularly hot and sweaty days.

Check out this review: Let me start by saying that I sweat like an absolute BEAST…I’ve tried somewhere between 15-20 all natural deodorants since I switched from dangerous, chemical-laden antiperspirant/deodorants about 2 years ago…I had basically given up and resigned myself to a life of chemicals or smelling terrible. Until I found Native. I’d heard of it, but assumed it was just like all the others, which smell good at first but don’t last more than a few hours at best, or worse, are too much for my sensitive skin. I tried Native almost as a last resort, and I’m so, so, sooo happy that I did…As far as I can tell, this is the ABSOLUTE BEST PRODUCT OUT THERE! I can’t recommend it highly enough, and while I can’t guarantee it will work for everyone, it is most definitely worth the $13 to try it out and see for yourself. Right now I’m a super happy girl about not having stanky pits after years of searching in vain for a product that delivers like Native does.” –sadiekins07

Check out Native Deodorant on Amazon

5. Best for Sensitive Skin: Nubian Heritage Deodorant

Source: Nubian Heritage

  • Aluminum free
  • Not 100% vegan, but cruelty free
  • Baking soda-free
  • Non-toxic
  • No rashes
  • No staining

Nubian Heritage is a natural personal care brand whose deodorants come in a wide range of scents from across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Mediterranean, such as “African Black Soap” and “Raw Shea Butter.” Started in Harlem in 1992, Nubian Heritage continues to work today to produce bath and beauty products from non-toxic, high-quality ingredients.

Their deodorants, while not 100% vegan (meaning they do use some animal products), are completely cruelty free, meaning they’re not made using any animal testing and are PETA-certified. Many of the ingredients they use are also fair trade ingredients! We also love that their scents are quite subtle, and the deodorant doesn’t feel “sticky,” like some natural deodorants do, when you first put it on. Don’t take our word for it – Nubian Heritage products have a dedicated fan following, with several reviewers noting they’ve been using Nubian Heritage deodorants for years.

Downsides: While the scents are great, they don’t last quite as long as we’d like when it comes to being active. Additionally, Nubian Heritage is owned by personal-care giant Unilever, which does use animal testing for some of their other products. The deodorant tubing is also made of plastic, so it’s definitely not a zero-waste deodorant option.

Check out this review: Best deodorant I’ve ever used in my 35 years of life. No white stains, scent and order protection last over 24hrs. Made with all natural ingredients makes me feel good about using this product. A lil pricey, but totally worth it. Stay fresh!!” Jed Mesh

Check out Nubian Heritage Deodorant on Amazon

6. Best Vegan Pick: Wild Deodorant (UK brand)

Wild deodorant

Source: Wild

  • Aluminum free
  • Vegan
  • Baking soda-free options
  • Non-toxic
  • No rashes
  • No staining

Wild’s deodorants are truly one of a kind. Here’s how it works: you buy a deodorant, which comes in a refillable deodorant case made from eco-friendly recycled plastic and aluminum. When you’re done, you simply buy a refill, rather than an entirely new tube! This helps cut down on waste – and their subscription pricing plan, where you get multiple refills in a bundle, actually saves you money as well.

Wild offers a variety of scents, from fresh “Mint & Aloe Vera” to more unusual fragrances – “Toasted Marshmallow,” anyone? The consistency of the deodorant can be a bit flakey, which can get on your clothes. However, this washes off easily in the wash and doesn’t leave a stain.

While some of their products contain baking soda, they do make a few formulations for sensitive skin that use the same refreshing scents as their other products. Customers consistently note how easy it is to apply these deodorants, and how good it feels on the skin – no rashes here!

Finally, all Wild deodorants are certified by the Vegan Society, and are never tested on animals.

Downsides: The strength of the fragrance varies from scent to scent. Some of their deodorants have a very light scent and don’t feel like they last that long. However, others seem to be much stronger, with reviews noting that the scent is “too powerful.”

Check out this review: I bought this after watching an online video that seemed tailored to me “has your deodorant given you a rash? Are you wanting to use less plastic packaging?”, but was somewhat skeptical that a deodorant that is “powered by plants” would give the coverage I need! I’m now one week into switching to wild completely and so happy with it! It’s given good coverage (even with a couple of exercise sessions), my rash has disappeared, and it’s a lovely scent (I went for the green variety – sea salt). I’ve recommended to friends and family, and am so pleased there’s a little less plastic use in my everyday!” -Jennifer Clarke/U.K. Amazon customer

This is a U.K. brand, not available on U.S. Amazon. You can find it on U.K. Amazon.

Final Thoughts on Choosing a Sustainable Deodorant

When it comes to selecting a vegan or sustainable deodorant everyone is unique. What has one person giddy with happiness with their new find, doesn’t work for someone else due to skin sensitivities or body chemistry. So, it is hard to predict what might work best for you. You might even like certain formulations or scents better than others that are made by the same brand. So, the only way to know for sure is to take the plunge and try them out!  We think we have given you some excellent candidates that get rave reviews from others, so hopefully you’ll find one here that you can rave about too! Tried a few out? Let us know how it went in the comments!

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