In years past, I used clinical strength deodorant/antiperspirant because – well – a girl has to do what she has to some times. However, in time, even those began to not work so well; perhaps it is something with my body’s chemistry. In any event, I began exploring the wild world of natural deodorants. There were a few I tried initially that were shortly discontinued as mostly ineffective including Tom’s and Jason. I did not end up using those long at all, so we will not go in depth on my thoughts with that. The ones that I had at least moderate success with or have stronger feelings about include: Lavanila, Schmidt’s, Native, and Crystal Invisible Solid.
Let’s start from the beginning:
I found out about Lavanila from YouTuber MakeupbyTiffanyD back in the day. I think she has since moved on to a different deodorant. But Lavanila used to be her jam and I decided to try it out. Lavanila is sold at Sephora and there are full as well as travel sizes available. The full size is 14 dollars and 8 dollars for the travel size. If I recall correctly, my favorite scent was the Vanilla Coconut. It did work; however, less so in the warm summer months. So if you live in a warm climate it is likely a no-go. I also did have issues with it lasting through the entire day regardless of the temperature. This is a nice one to dip your toe into if you are interested in aluminum free deodorants. There are also a nice variety of scents to choose from. You can find it at Sephora, here.
Price: $14 (full size), $8 (travel size); found at Sephora, Amazon, Lavanila, Anthropologie, and Ulta.
Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (Aloe Juice, Water), Propanediol (Corn Derived), Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Sodium Stearate (Coconut Derived), Silica, Carrageenan (Seaweed Derived), Stearyl Behenate (Coconut Derived), Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon Peel Oil), Inulin (Artichoke Derived), Saccharomyces Ferment, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide (Sugar Derived), Yeast Beta Glucan, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Usnea Barbata (Lichen) Extract, Valeriana Officinalis Root Extract (Valerian), Hydrastis Canadensis (Goldenseal) Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract (Goji Berry), Botanical Fragrance Blend. (Listed on Sephora’s website.)
For a time, I went back to antiperspirants but again they became ineffective and I worried about the effects of using those long-term considering the ingredients such as aluminum. I cannot recall where I heard about Schmidt’s from first. It could have possibly even been from Facebook. I decided to give it a try and wow! It worked better than any deodorant I had tried EVER. The scent smelled amazing and it even kept the wetness of sweat down, despite not being an antiperspirant. I also never had any issues with it not lasting all day. My preferred scent was the Bergamot & Lime. Initially, I tried the solid that you have to scoop out. I still sort of miss that method of application as it was easier to figure out how much to apply. I busted through an entire container and purchased another. That was when disaster struck! I developed a terrible, painful rash that even began to blister. For a time, I did try different scents and even the fragrance free as well as trying the regular stick version. However, it appeared to be something within the formula itself because the irritation continued to recur. Some research led me to believe that it may be a reaction to the baking soda, which unfortunately is likely also what made it so effective. At the time, I began trying it this was not widely available. However, these days it is much easier to track down. If you do not have a sensitivity to baking soda, this would be the one I recommend above all others!
Price: $8.99 for stick and jar. There are sets available on Schmidt’s website. Also available at Lucky’s Market, Fresh Thyme Farmer’s Market, Target, and Amazon.
Ingredients: Maranta Arundinacea (arrowroot) Powder, Sodium Bicarbonate (baking soda), Cocos Nucifera (coconut) Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (fractionated coconut oil), Euphorbia Cerifera (candelilla) Wax, Simmondsia Chinensis (jojoba) Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (bergamot) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia (lime) Oil, Tocopherol (vitamin E; sunflower-derived). (Listed on Schmidt’s website.)
After that reaction happened, I had to go back to the drawing board as well as letting my poor pits heal. While perusing the aisle at Lucky’s Market, I happened upon the invisible solid version of Crystal (Vanilla Jasmine) and loved the way it smelled. In the past, I dabbled in the original version that you had to wet first. It worked well enough but was just a little too fussy for my taste. I fell in love immediately. It keeps me dry but not irritated. Some days I do need a little refresh after working all day, but with the exception of Schmidt’s that has been the case across the board with any deodorant or antiperspirant, for that matter. It also does not leave that annoying white residue on my clothes. In point of fact, I’m not sure any of the four deodorants I am mentioning today do that. Crystal smells delightful and keeps me dry without getting all over my clothes. Love it and highly recommend! It is interesting to look at the ingredient deck for this one as it also appears to have baking soda in it (Sodium Bicarbonate); perhaps Schmidt’s has a higher concentration. Very interesting.
Price: This one is a little all over the place. Not to mention, it looks like my preferred scent is harder to find. On the Crystal website it is $6.15. It also appears to be available on Target.com but is not available at my local Target. I found mine at Lucky’s Market, if you have one nearby. There are also scents available on Amazon.com, including Vanilla Jasmine.
Ingredients: Propanediol, Water/Aqua, Polyglyceryl-10 Caprylate/Caprate, Stearic Acid, Ethylhexlglycerin, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Hydroxycitronellal, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Mimosa Tenuiflora Leaf Extract, Viola Odorata Flower/Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera (Lotus Blossom), Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Fragrance (parfum). (Listed on Crystal’s website.)
Oh, Native. You are so beloved on the internet. I wanted to love you so much. Your packaging is so pretty and clean. Unfortunately, you are my least favorite of the four listed today and the second most expensive. I wish I could explain why but this deodorant did not work…at all…for me. I picked it up at Target just because I was excited to see it in store. It didn’t make me smell worse or anything; it just simply didn’t work. The scent I picked up was Jasmine and Cedar, which smelled delicious in the container. And like I said, it wasn’t an issue where I didn’t like the scent. It just didn’t work. I smelled like how I smell without deodorant. I am really bummed this doesn’t work for me since it seems to be everyone else’s deodorant savior. *sigh*
Price: $11.99 at Target. Also available on the Native website and Amazon.
Ingredients: Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Fractionated Coconut Oil), Tapioca Starch, Ozokerite (Earth Wax), Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda), Magnesium Hydroxide, Cocos Nucifera Oil (Coconut Oil), Cyclodextrin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter (Shea Butter), Dextrose, Lactobacillus Acidophilus (Probiotics). (Found on Native website, but I really had to dig for them. Jeez!)
There you have it. My opinion on four natural deodorants. It is interesting to see visually how different the ingredients are. I really would love for the Native to work based on the amazing ingredient deck. I will also include in the bottom of this post, my Amazon affiliate link that I would love for you to use if you decide to try any of these and build your own opinion.
Until next time, have a great day and be kind!