We actually schvitzed to write this post. Surprisingly, so many deodorants do not work. All the products you see here are tried-and-true better-for-you deodorants that actually work well.
When we shared our sunscreen roundup, several readers asked if we could include more options for those looking for products with simpler ingredient lists and fewer ingredients they prefer to avoid. We heard you.
Sunscreen is an essential part of our daily routine and we had lots of favorites. The face sunscreens we included in our roundup were ones we genuinely feel good about using every day. As for body sunscreen, we typically use it less frequently, so clean ingredients hadn’t been as much of a focus.
Deodorant, on the other hand, even though it’s something we use daily year-round, it was harder to find versions with cleaner ingredients that we were confident worked well. So, we tested a lot of options with simpler ingredient lists—but only a handful performed well enough to make this list.
We’ve gradually moved away from aerosol spray deodorants. While they’re convenient, they can be inhaled during application, so we generally prefer stick or roll-on formulas. The one exception is Shabbos, when many people prefer a spray because sticks and roll-ons can raise halachic concerns related to smoothing the product onto the skin.
It’s worth noting that current scientific evidence has not shown that aluminum-containing antiperspirants cause cancer or Alzheimer’s disease. Still, many people choose to avoid certain ingredients based on their own preferences, and we wanted to offer great options for those readers.
So we schvitzed for you.
And if you’re really into ingredient deep dives, we also checked every product in the Yuka app. Yuka scans ingredient lists and provides a rating based on its analysis of the ingredients, making it easier to understand what’s inside the products you’re using.
These were the “better for you” deodorants for daily use that actually work.
BETTER FOR YOU
Primally Pure Deodorant
Good for you and for your sensitive skin, with a light floral non-toxic fragrance.
BETTER FOR YOU
Jason Dry Spray Deodorant
This is a clean ingredient spray deodorant that we like for Shabbos.
BETTER FOR YOU
Native Deodorant
Native Deodorants are our personal favorite, including this better-for-you Shabbos option. See more about Native below.
TOP PERFORMING
Degree Ultra Clear Total Protection
The more natural and clean ingredient deodorants are not antiperspirant, so if you’re looking for that protection, we like the way Degree keeps you drier.
TOP PERFORMING
Degree Antiperspirant Dry Spray Pure Fresh
On Shabbos, we use the spray version of the Degree deodorant/antiperspirant mentioned above.
RUNNER UP
Lume Body Deodorant
Although the “good for you” reviews on this one aren’t great, we decided to include it because it is a full body deodorant that works well.
Native is one of our favorite brands and the reliable go-to. The whole line works well, has a good rating, has beautiful branding, and smells great.
Savvy Fit Soaps Natural Deodorant is a good-for-you line that works! Small batch, locally made, this deodorant smells great and keeps you fresh all day long, without the questionable ingredients and fragrances. Our personal favorite fragrance is Lavender & Patchouli but they are all good.
Men and Boys
Our men and our boys have different needs. Some deodorants will cause yellow staining in white shirts, but we have solutions for that.
Degree Dry Spray Black + White
This is the deodorant you need to use to avoid yellow underarm stains. See this post for more on that.
Degree Men Ultraclear
Here is the stick version
