Whether you shave and go bare or choose to let them grow wild and free, we all have armpits and armpits sweat! But you’re in safe hands. As a hairy pitted, sporty, vegan girl myself, I have been through the wringer trying to find those that work, so these are my top picks for vegan deodorants that leave you fresh as a daisy.
First, we must remember that every pit is different.
Diet, exercise, hormones and genetics can all affect the smell of them, so therefore each armpit will react differently to each deodorant, and the rate of application will vary person to person. Sweating is natural and healthy, as is the bacteria in our armpits causing the smell. Body odour is a result of the type of bacteria on your skin and how that bacteria interacts with sweat, not the sweat itself. Therefore we must never be ashamed of this brilliant evolutionary hack! If you want to manage the smell, first look at reducing sulphuric food, alcohol and caffeine, but none of us are perfect, so eat and drink on, just find the perfect deodorant for you.
The benefits of natural deodorants and dangers of antiperspirants:
Let’s get this sorted! Sweat. The liquid that leaks out of our bodies. This is natural! And nothing to be ashamed of. You need to sweat – it serves the very essential function of cooling our bodies and maintaining a regular temperature. It hydrates the skin, balances the body’s electrolytes and fluids, and contains pheromones, aiding us in finding the right partner, so what’s not to love?
Essentially, going for a deodorant over an antiperspirant allows you that natural function of sweating, while managing the smell, instead of straight-up blocking the glands. If you were raised on antiperspirants since puberty, it can be odd and uncomfortable to have sweaty pits for the first time in your life, but I promise you, within a week you get used to it.
Sweat trying to escape from plugged-up pores can cause irritation and discomfort so it’s better to avoid that altogether.
Dangerous ingredients to look out for:
Aluminium: can cause inflammation which can spread beyond the pit and this might aggravate existing conditions like prickly heat. More seriously, breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease have both been linked to aluminium compounds found in antiperspirants – it causes gene instability in the breast tissue.
Triclosan: a commonly used chemical has been linked to numerous health issues, such as reproductive problems.
Parabens: There is research that suggests that parabens – usually used as preservatives – can interfere with the human body’s production of oestrogen and other hormones.
Artificial fragrances: the majority of synthetic fragrances are in the chemical group- Petrochemicals. Petrochemicals have been linked to many allergic reactions, such as eczema and asthma attacks. They have also been shown to cause disruptions in hormone production and suppress the immune system. Most worrying of all though is their reputation as a known carcinogen. A carcinogen is any substance that is directly involved in the formation of cancerous cells.
Lastly, while you may think that it is controlling the stink, the chemicals alcohol, triclosan and aluminium actually react with the chemicals in your clothing’s fabric, making stains and increasing the smell. Lastly, excessive use of spray deodorants has also been linked with more serious problems such as allergic reactions, asthma and breathing difficulties.
So leave your natural bacteria alone to do its job, let the sweat run freely, and just manage the smell using deodorant.
Non-Vegan ingredients to be aware of:
– Squalene, or squalane, which can be extracted from shark liver oil.
– Stearic acid, derived from pigs’ stomachs.
– Lanolin, derived from sheep wool.
Not to be confused with the plant-based alternatives of squalene and stearic acid!
Make sure that your deodorant isn’t tested on animals either – many ‘natural’ ones are so look out for that leaping bunny logo.
My Top 20 Vegan Deodorant Picks
Personal favourites ☆
Type: Mineral stick and roll on
Eco credentials: 100% Natural, Vegan, Cruelty free, Made in the UK (apart from Crystal Deodorant), Free From Aluminium Chlorohydrate, Parabens, and Alcohol.
Varieties: 14
Price: £3.99- £5.99
Nuud ☆
Type: Paste
Eco credentials: No aluminium, no fragrances, no parabens, no dodgy chemicals, no alcohol. No microplastics, no nanoparticles. Cruelty free, 100% vegan. No clogging, no staining. Bioplastic sugarcane tube, biodegradable cardboard box. Sustainable production & distribution.
Prevents odour by neutralising bacteria with micro silver. Effective for 3-7 days, with one application. Sports, being active or showering have no effect on Nuud’s effectiveness. Super concentrated: 10 weeks with our 20 ml tube.
Varieties: n/a
Price: Starting from £11.95
Type: Stick
Eco credentials: 1 tree planted for every purchase, certified vegan and cruelty-free, no aluminium salts, parabens or sulphate.
A reusable deodorant applicator made from aluminium that will last you a lifetime. Then you buy the refills made of bamboo pulp. Every time you refill your case, you’ll save 30 grams of plastic going to landfill.
Varieties: 7 different scents
Price: £12- £32 initially. Monthly subscription, £5 a refill.
Type: Mineral stick, roll-on and non-aerosol spray
Eco credentials: Vegans & Cruelty Free, Gender neutral (fragrance free) variants for men, women and everyone beyond the binary. Dermatologically tested. Free from Aluminium Chlorohydrate or Aluminium ZirconiumFree from Parabens, SLS/SLES, Propylene Glycol, Alcohol and Silicone
Varieties: 5
Price: £4.50- £6.99
Type: Mineral stick
Eco credentials: Made without Aluminium Chloride/Chlorohydrate/Zirconium, Parabens, Phthalates, and Fragrance. Unscented. Vegan and Cruelty Free. The ingredients are non-toxic and the packaging’s eco-friendly. A mineral based hypoallergenic deodorant.
Varieties: 5
Price: £5.50
Type: Stick
Eco credentials: Vegan, 12 natural plant based ingredients. Cruelty free. No baking soda or aluminium. Ethically sourced natural ingredients.
Varieties: 2
Price: £15
Type: Stick and balm
Eco credentials: 100% natural and vegan. 100% aluminium-free formula. Free from Potassium alum a.k.a Potassium Aluminium Sulphate. Unisex formulation & scent. Long lasting protection & good for the planet. Plastic-free packaging. Made in UK
Varieties: 1
Price: £7.99 and £9.99
Type: Balm
Eco credentials: Natural ingredients, Cruelty free, Vegan, Plastic-free
Varieties: Clean Deodorant- 5, Gentle- 3, Active- 4
Price: £12.50
Type: Balm
Eco credentials: Vegan, Cruelty-free, a mixture of plant ingredients and herb oils
Varieties: 5
Price: £8
Type: Stick
Eco credentials: Vegan, cruelty-free, no parabens, no petrolatum, no phthalates, no sulphates, no parabens, no GMOs.
Varieties: 4
Price: £5.99
– Vegan Deodorant For Men
Type: Stick and spray
Eco credentials: Made without Butane, Animal Ingredients, Triclosan, Aluminium, Artificial Colours, Parabens and Phthalates
Varieties: 5 stick, 3 spray
Price: $10/ from £6.30
Type: Stick
Eco credentials: aluminium free, alcohol free, cruelty free, vegan, no sulphates, no parabens, made in the UK, Made from recycled plastics.
Varieties: just the one
Price: £8
– Stocked at Wearth London
Here at Wearth, we have a great selection of natural, eco-friendly deodorants, approved by our team, and recommended by us.
Type: Balm
Eco credentials: Handmade, Made in the UK, Natural Ingredients, Plastic Free, Social Contribution, Sustainable Materials, Vegan Friendly
Varieties: 5 tubes and a tin
Price: £6.77
Type: Cream
Eco credentials: Handmade, Made in the UK, Natural Ingredients, Organic, Plastic Free, Vegan Friendly
Varieties: 7
Price: £9.50
Type: Cream
Eco credentials: Handmade, Made in the UK, Natural Ingredients, Organic, Plastic Free, Vegan Friendly
Varieties: 3
Price: £11
Type: Spray
Eco credentials: Handmade, Made in the UK, Natural Ingredients, Organic, Vegan Friendly
Varieties: 3
Price: 20
Type: Cream
Eco credentials: Handmade, Made in the UK, Natural Ingredients, Organic, Plastic Free, Vegan Friendly
Varieties: 3
Price: £8.99
Type: Balm
Eco credentials: Made in the UK, Natural Ingredients, Plastic Free, Recycled Materials, Sustainable Materials, Vegan Friendly
Varieties: 1
Price: £7.50
Type: Balm
Eco credentials: Handmade, Made in the UK, Natural Ingredients, Vegan Friendly, Sustainable Materials, Plastic Free, Aluminium free
Varieties: 7
Price: £12
Type: Stick
Eco credentials: Handmade, Made in the UK, Natural Ingredients, Plastic Free, Vegan Friendly
Varieties: 7
Price: £8.45
So let that sweat flow! And be safe in the knowledge that no one will smell a thing, and your armpits will be the happiest and healthiest they can be. 🙂 Make sure you tag us on Instagram if you try any of these out, as we’d love to see if this list has helped you. Veganism and sustainability take one step at a time, so congratulations for moving to vegan pits. Click here to shop our full range of sustainable vegan deodorants.
