Eco Friendly Deodorant: 14 Best Sweet Smelling & Sustainable Brands
Looking for an eco friendly deodorant that actually works and is also cruelty-free, vegan and ethical?
The ethical personal care market has exploded with options in the last few years which is great. The problem though, is trying to find sustainable deodorants that are effective.
So, we’ve made a list of our favorites that are fit for purpose!
For those looking for a quick answer to sustainable stink-free pits, our top eco friendly deodorant maker is Ethique, whose bar form also makes them a zero waste deodorant.
Meow Meow Tweet offers deodorant creams from a company that’s been leading the world in vegan skincare for years.
Despite their name, Dirty Hippie will keep you smelling fresh with their traditional eco deodorant stick that’s still waste free.
Read more about our stink-free search criteria at the bottom of the page.
*This post contains affiliate links
1. MEOW MEOW TWEET
About Meow Meow Tweet’s Ethical Deodorant
Meow Meow Tweet make small batch cruelty free deodorant in zero waste stick and cream form.
They also make baking soda free options for sensitive pits.
All their deodorants are 100% vegan, cruelty free, palm oil free and natural. Many of their ingredients are USDA certified organic. They also have a huge fan base because they’re also extremely effective.
The packaging is 100% recyclable. But for a truly plastic free deodorant, we recommend the compostable cardboard sticks. Plus, then you don’t have to use your fingers to apply.
Like many on our list, they have mini sticks perfect for travel or for just trying it out to see if MMT is right for you.
For an eco friendly deodorant that works, you can’t go wrong!
About Meow Meow Tweet
Meow Meow Tweet is a small batch skin care company offering a cute range of body care, facial care, soaps and deodorants.
All their products are 100% cruelty-free, organic / natural, vegan and palm oil free.
They source all of their ingredients ethically including their cocoa butter, shea butter, sugar, coconut oil and coffee which are all from fair trade suppliers.
All their packaging is 100% recyclable and they support an impressive number of charities with ongoing monthly donations.
One of the most sustainable deodorant brands around!
Available: EarthHero
2. ETHIQUE
About Ethique’s Ethical Deodorant Bars
If you haven’t been able to tell yet, we’ve been big fans of Ethique since the the days when they were one of the first companies to really put zero waste shampoo bars on the map.
Now that we’ve switched to their deodorant bars and organic body wash as well, we’re even more enamored.
These eco friendly deodorant bars are both effective and one of the most sustainable options we’ve seen. They’re certified palm oil-free, cruelty-free, aluminum-free, and even baking soda-free.
In addition to anti-inflammatory zinc oxide, jojoba oil, almond oil, and essential oils, they also (uniquely, may we add) have bamboo, which is a natural absorbent, able to soak up 200% its own weight in sweat and oil.
About Ethique
Ethique is a New Zealand based certified B-Corp that makes all kinds of vegan hair care, facial scrubs, and soap in zero waste bar form. Everything is also vegan, cruelty-free, and palm oil free.
The third party audits required to maintain their B-Corp status ensure the supply chain is held to top-notch environmental and ethical standards.
Above and beyond that, Ethique is certified carbon neutral and donates 2% of yearly revenue or 20% of profit (whichever is higher) to charities.
Available: Ethique | Amazon | Holland & Barrett (UK) | Nourished Life (AU)
3. DIRTY HIPPIE COSMETICS
*Note: Dirty Hippie has announced that one of their suppliers no longer guarantees certain ingredients to be palm oil free. This does not pertain to their sunscreens but see below for products it does affect.
About Dirty Hippie’s Eco Friendly Deodorant
Dirty Hippie is one of our favorite cruelty free brands (you may have seen them on many of our lists!) because they tick all the boxes for us.
They offer a “Natural Probiotic Deodorant” paste that you rub into your armpits.
They come in either eco friendly compostable packaging or aluminum tins (depending on which size you get).
You can choose from 4 scents: Active (Virginian Cedar, Lime and Eucalyptus – this is the one we have used and it’s effective even when exercising); Fresh (Rose Geranium, Mandarin and Cypress); Earthy (Patchouli, Lavender and Vanilla) or Sensitive – which is also Bicarb Soda free (Sweet Orange, Atlas Cedar and Cypress).
They also offer a Sensitive Skin Spray On Deodorant which is Magnesium based (aluminum free) and comes in the same scent options.
All Dirty Hippie’s products are cruelty-free, vegan, certified organic and palm oil free. They also accept empties and provide refills!
This is one of the most sustainable deodorant options available on the market today.
About Dirty Hippie Cosmetics
Hailing from Australia, Dirty Hippie Cosmetics are one of the most sustainable brands we’ve had the pleasure of covering.
They create handmade, organic and clearly top quality products (like their non toxic perfume).
They’re cruelty-free and vegan friendly. They grow their own raw ingredients or purchase through fair trade channels or buy locally.
However, their Olive and Coconut oils (aka Cetearyl and Sorbitan olivate, respectively) suppliers no longer guarantees these items to be palm oil free.
While Dirty Hippie is is in the process of moving to a Palm Oil Free supplier, it hasn’t happened yet.
Be aware there may be some palm oil in their concealers, mascaras, eye liners, and Hydrating Hempseed and Red Raspberry Facial Primer vegan moisturizers.
Their packaging is earth conscious.
For example, their lip balms, sunscreens, deodorants and small and large eco tubs are made using compostable recycled paper. Otherwise they use tins and glass bottles which can be recycled or reused of course!
Their labels are printed with refillable veg-ink and their operations (which currently have a 50% carbon offset) will be powered with solar when they move into their new HQ.
Their lab (based in their own zero waste community) also makes use of naturally collected rain water!
And they’re involved in a number of charitable initiatives and projects from raising awareness for suicide prevention to animal rescue to support for cancer sufferers.
Available: Etsy | Biome Stores (AU)
4. BOODA ORGANICS
About Booda Butter Eco Friendly Deodorant Cream
Booda Butter deodorant creams are USDA certified organic, using only food-grade non-GMO ingredients purchased through Fair Trade suppliers.
They’re also cruelty-free, vegan, palm oil-free and gluten free and come in plastic-free glass jars.
A plastic free deodorant indeed!
They believe in product pureness that it only comes in unscented Naked Coconut.
It works by blocking body odor, rather than just covering it with other fragrances or aluminum.
We’ve tried this product ourselves and the scent is delicious – one of the best smelling sustainable deodorants on market. It’s also super easy to apply. Pity it’s only really available in the USA!
About Booda Organics
Booda Organics began in 2010 and prides itself on its award winning sustainability (being completely palm-oil free and vegan certified by Leaping Bunny and Vegan.org) and strict ethical sourcing policy.
Each handmade item is backed with a 100% Happy Guarantee and company profits are used to donate to over 30 different organizations. “Spread the love” isn’t just a marketing catch phrase; it’s their mission statement.
Available: Booda Organics
5. LIVING NATURALLY ORGANIC
About Living Naturally Organic Deodorant Cream
We tried Living Naturally while living in London and found it most effective for our active lifestyles and easy to apply which is often less than easy with many natural deodorants.
Key ingredients include organic shea butter, coconut oil and arrowroot, it feels lovely and the citrus scent smells delicious.
Interestingly, this deodorant is also made with Living Naturally’s signature anti-fungal & anti-oxidant Organic Soapnut Extract and is free from: Aluminium, parabens, phthalates, propylene-glycol, and GM ingredients.
This ethical and sustainable deodorant is cruelty-free, vegan, palm oil free and they use organic ingredients, certified either by Soil Association or EcoCert.
About Living Naturally
Living Naturally was the first “soapnut apothecary” in the world, founded to provide biodegradable, hypoallergenic, sustainable and environmentally friendly products (for both laundry detergent and personal care).
Their range is super impressive and is also palm oil free, vegan, cruelty-free, organic (or biodynamic) and gluten free.
Living Naturally put a lot of thought and care into their sourcing policies and their packaging (they cater to those living a zero waste lifestyle) and focus on being as sustainable as they possibly can be.
While they use primarily biodegradable or compostable mailbags, they also honestly admit that packaging methods may use some plastic (which is completely recycled), though they are happy to accommodate paper-packaging requests.
They also give generously to a variety of charities!
Available: Amazon UK | Living Naturally
6. DEMES NATURAL BEAUTY
About DEMES Natural Beauty ‘Get the Funk Out’ Deodorant Spray
DEMES makes an eco friendly deodorizing and disinfecting spray that will “Get the Funk Out” of whatever gets stinky in your life.
Maybe it’s you, your yoga mat, your vegan shoes, your couch, or your teenage son’s bedroom.
One spritz and stink be gone!
Best of all, it contains no synthetic or toxic ingredients, and it’s entirely vegan, cruelty-free, and palm oil free.
For ingredients, you’ll just find distilled water, witch hazel, non-palm oil derived vegetable glycerin, essential oils, and alcohol.
Just note that alcohol is sometimes ill-suited to extra dry or sensitive skin, but it helps dry out really sweaty pits.
The sprays in a glass bottle with a plastic spray top. You can also purchase refills in recyclable aluminum jars.
About DEMES Natural Beauty
Canadian-based DEMES (the initials of the family founders: Daniel, Evan, Michelle, Erik, Skippy) was founded more than a decade ago.
Over the last decade, they’ve developed a wide range of vegan face, bath, and body products.
Everything they make is palm-oil free, and they’re Leaping Bunny certified as well as part of the Humane Society International’s #BeCrueltyFree Canada.
On the non-toxic front, they have taken extra steps to register all products with Health Canada and the U.S. FDA.
Available: Amazon US | DEMES
7. EACH & EVERY
Note: We have attempted to confirm these policies directly with this brand and have not received a response to date
About Each & Every Worry-Free Deodorant
Each & Every makes a “Worry-Free” eco friendly deodorant.
Whether you’re concerned about the poor recyclability of deodorant tubes, animal testing, or aluminum and other toxic ingredients, they’ve got the solution.
These cruelty free and vegan tubes contain no aluminum, parabens, synthetic fragrances, baking soda, or gluten. In fact, there’s only five ingredients, all rated low risk by the EWG’s Skin Deep database.
These ingredients include coconut oil, tapioca starch, earth wax, Dead Sea salt, and antioxidant salt.
They then use high quality essential oils to craft one of their many scents, like Vanilla, Juniper & Mint, Citrus & Vetiver, Coconut & Lime, and more.
Their plastic-tube deodorants are made from plastic, although they are recyclable and Each & Every has implemented a Recycling Program so you can send in your empties to ensure they gets properly recycled.
But you need to make sure you actually do that!
About Each & Every
Each & Every has only been around since 2017, when Lauren and Mikah combined their knowledge and backgrounds in the beauty industry with a frustration at the lack of better natural deodorant options.
Now, this cruelty-free company operates with the goal of making “each and every person to feel good about the products they use on their body. Without compromise.”
They worked hand in hand using the EWG’s amazing resources to develop this stink-free sustainable formula they feel accomplished just that.
They now also make cruelty-free and vegan perfumes.
Available: Amazon
8. BATTLE GREEN
About Battle Green Natural, Eco Friendly Deodorant Balm
Battle Green may be a newly founded (2019) ethical deodorant maker, but they’ve already garnered so many great reviews. It’s easy to see why.
Aside from being PETA-certified vegan and cruelty-free, they’re zero waste and come in either reusable tins pots or compostable cardboard tubes (depending on the size you order).
With three natural scent blends to choose from (including Lavender and Tea Tree, Grapefruit and Mint, Orange and Patchouli) they have a small variety, but a little something for everyone.
Theses deodorants are also palm oil free. You’ll also find arrowroot powder, baking soda, organic shea butter, organic coconut oil, soybean wax, and various pure essential oils on the ingredient list.
About Battle Green
Battle Green is based in Wales, more specifically in the northern mountains of Snowdonia. Their line of eco friendly skincare and personal care products are all made by hand in small batches. We’ve talked a bit(e) about their zero waste toothpaste before.
Aside from using zero waste packaging for all their products, they reduce global pollution but being active members of the Surfers Against Sewage 250 club. This means they regularly volunteer at and sponsor local beach clean-ups.
We are reaching out to confirm their sourcing policies.
Available: Etsy
9. PIPER WAI
*Note: Not all options come in sustainable packaging but their jars of cream are glass, making them fully reusable or recyclable.
About Piper Wai Activated Charcoal Deodorant Stick & Cream
As seen on ABC’s Shark Tank, Piper Wai is aiming to make natural deodorant more mainstream.
Their charcoal deodorant products are available as creams, sticks, and underarm oils.
Other than application preference, the main difference is that their sticks contain aluminum-free baking soda while the creams are baking soda free for sensitive pits.
They are palm oil free and certified vegan and cruelty-free.
They’re made in the USA under fair labor conditions with ingredients fully ethically sourced there as well. Their B-corp certification requires all this and audits yearly to ensure continued compliance.
These gluten-free formulas include “super-absorbent” activated charcoal for its absorbent properties, organic and unrefined coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, pure vitamin E oil, and a blend of 11 essential oils.
About Piper Wai
As mentioned above, PiperWai got its start on ABC’s Shark Tank in 2015 but the journey actually started in 2014. Childhood friends Sarah Ribner and Jess Edelstein were cleaning out their bathrooms and decided there were just too many chemicals in commercial personal care.
They decided to make a safer and more sustainable alternative to at least one of them: “It’s no secret we spend a majority of our time up close and personal with our deodorants. So why not choose a product you can feel safe about using on your body.”
Using a community kitchen, they crafted over one hundred test batches and tested their final one on a sweaty trekking trip to Central and South America.
Available: Piper Wai
10. ALPINE PROVISIONS
About Alpine Provisions Natural Deodorant Sticks
Alpine Provisions makes unisex deodorants that aren’t just kind on the plant, but on you, too.
The detoxifying activated charcoal helps keep bad bacteria away (thus keeping you from smelling) while probiotic bacillus ferment promotes the growth of good bacteria so you can maintain a healthy body biome.
Plus, with scents like Fir & Sage, Cedar & Sandalwood, Lavender & Juniper, Lavender & Juniper (the only Charcoal-free option), they can help “elicit your own, joyful connection to nature, even if the jungle you’re navigating that day happens to be made of concrete.”
Note that these deodorants do contain caprylic/capric triglyceride, but they confirmed directly with us that theirs is derived from coconut oil not palm kernel.
Alpine Provisions told us directly their ingredients are ethically sourced.
About Alpine Provisions
Based in Boulder, CO, Alpine Provisions creates many different body and personal care products ranging from Castille soaps, to lip balms. Everything is made from sustainably sourced ingredients like mountain-born saps and oils, and the final products contain a minimum of 70% organic ingredients
They’re also entirely vegan except for their lip balms, Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free, gluten-free, and petroleum-free. Currently all products are palm oil free as well, though they will soon be launching some zero waste bar soaps that will contain RSPO-certified palm.
Mountain farmer Joshua Scott Onysko is the creator of this company, and he writes:
“Ostensibly, I started Alpine Provisions because I desire to offer the world access to affordable, sustainable, organic products — but that’s just a front. The real reason I started this company is to give the next generation an opportunity to know and love nature by providing them with true wilderness experiences.
[…] I believe that if we want to improve the future of this planet, we have to show our youth there is more to the world than the constructed reality of social media and the constant demands that ping and buzz and direct our attention toward our little screens. We must inspire kids to value leadership over power, and stewardship over ownership. Yet, how can we expect future generations to be stewards of this planet if they don’t have the opportunity to explore it? “
To encourage youth to get outside and inspire them to protect the planet, he donates 5% of all sales to Colorado’s Outward Bound program. This provides underprivileged youth with three-week immersive experiences in outdoor leadership.
To further reduce their environmental impact, all Alpine Provisions team members not involved in the actual making work remotely from home.
Plus, exciting news: Alpine Provisions is going entirely plastic-free, so be on the lookout for their new zero waste deodorant packaging at some point!
Available: Amazon
11. THE NATURAL DEODORANT CO.
*Note: We have attempted to confirm policies directly with this brand with no response to date
About Natural Deodorant Co.’s Deodorant Balm
We tried 2 jars of of The Natural Deodorant Co.’s Clean Deodorant Balm when we were living in the UK which we thought held up particularly well to busy days and the scents were delicious.
These certified cruelty-free vegan deodorant balms are also natural & organic and palm oil free.
The tubs are made of glass and can either be reused or recycled.
About The Natural Deodorant Co
The Natural Deodorant Co is a neat little deodorant specialist based in the UK and run by Laurie who started the business when she realized how limited the options were for natural, organic and eco friendly deodorants.
Certified as vegan and cruelty-free, the Natural Deodorant Co’s products are made in small batches in the UK. We haven’t been able to confirm any further information about their sourcing policies.
Available: Ethical Superstore
12. MIESSENCE
*Note: while Miessence’s deodorants are palm oil free, 5 of their other products do contain palm oil. We have attempted confirming these policies with this brand with no response to date.
About Miessence’s Deodorants
Miessence offers a range of vegan, cruelty-free, organic and palm oil free deodorants.
They use non-GMO ingredients and no aluminum compounds.
Their Milk of Magnesia Ultrasensitive Roll-on Deodorant seems to be the most effective for mild activity days. Probably best to use these for no exercise days. All Miessence deodorants come in recyclable containers and last at least a couple of months (depending on use).
About Miessence
Based in Queensland Australia, Miessence was the world’s first certified organic cosmetic and skincare range. All their products are organic, palm oil free, cruelty-free and vegan (with the exception of a few products that contain beeswax).
Miessence is 110% carbon negative, they use renewable wind energy and they only source ingredients from fair trade protected growers.
Their products are all available in plastic containers and while we assume these are recyclable, there appears to be no public guidance from Miessence on this.
Available: Biome Stores (AU)
13. BLACK CHICKEN REMEDIES
*Note: We attempted to confirm policies directly with this brand but no response has been received. While their deodorant is vegan, Black Chicken is not an entirely vegan brand
About Black Chicken Remedies Axilla Deodorant Paste
Black Chicken’s Axilla deodorant paste is an eco friendly deodorant that works. Definitely one of the most effective we’ve tried.
Besides having to rub it on it’s also one of the easier pastes to apply.
With a simple list of ingredients that are simple to understand this has a pleasant and understated scent. But the most impressive factor, again, has to be that it’s a workhorse of a deodorant – even for vigorous exercise.
Their deodorant is cruelty-free, vegan, palm oil free and 100% natural. It also comes in a recyclable container. Though we’d love to see Black Chicken use more sustainable packaging material to make this a truly sustainable deodorant.
About Black Chicken Remedies
Besides their off beat name, Black Chicken Remedies is a great brand.
All their products are 100% cruelty-free, palm oil free, organic & natural and are mostly vegan, with the exception of a couple of products (that contain beeswax or silk).
All their packaging is recyclable (although plastic is still used) and every product is designed to “make a difference on a physical, mental and emotional level”.
There is no public information available on their sourcing policies.
Available: All Natural Collection | Nourished Life
14. TRAIL BOTANICA
About Trail Botanica Natural Deodorant for Outdoor Activity
Trail Botanica (formerly Apothecary Muse) makes a super sustainable and ethical deodorant stick.
They offer 4 scents: Trailblazer Lavender & Sandalwood, Righteous Rebel Patchouli Clay, Awaken Adventure Alpine Citrus, and Wise Lemongrass Sage (which is specially designed for heavy sweating and athletic use).
They contain paraben-free and non-toxic natural ingredients like coconut oil, arrowroot powder, bentonite clay, jojoba wax, witch hazel extract, non-nano zinc oxide, pine and tea tree, lemongrass and sage, rosemary, illipe butter, and grape seed extract.
Rather than use beeswax for a sweat-proof agent, these deodorants use vegan candelilla wax.
The result is a deodorant that claims to be effective for up to 12 hours and the many positive reviews don’t dispute.
About Trail Botanica
As an avid outdoorswoman, founder Eryn Hughes felt there simply weren’t enough natural and eco friendly products aimed at that particular niche in the market.
Hence her “Adventure Skin Care” which is aimed to nourish and protect skin from all the harsh elements of nature.
Trail Botanica’s products include zero waste sunscreen, muscle salves, and cold-process soaps (which come wrapped in plantable wildflower seed paper!).
All of which are vegan, cruelty-free, and palm-oil-free.
To source the ingredients for these products, Eryn forages locally for what she can and buys from local, organic companies that “share the values of fair trade, giving back to the community, and reduced impact” when she can’t.
Aside from compostable or reusable packaging, she uses biodegradable adhesive labels, and ships in only FSC-certified compostable materials.
For local orders, she actually delivers them herself by bicycle. If that doesn’t demonstrate a business that truly cares about the planet, we don’t know what does.
Available: Etsy
FINDING ETHICAL & ECO FRIENDLY DEODORANTS
If this is your first time visiting Sustainable Jungle, our approach to sustainable beauty is to look for brands and products that are:
- vegan
- cruelty-free
- non-toxic
- palm oil free
- have ethical ingredient sourcing policies and
- use thoughtful, ideally zero-waste packaging (meaning it either has no waste at all, or waste that is compostable or widely reusable).
We know that’s a tall order and it takes a fair bit of time to find these brands! While we can’t always get every box ticked, this list prioritizes cruelty free and vegan friendly products.
ALUMINUM AND WHY IT HAS NO PLACE IN NATURAL DEODORANTS
This additive has got a lot of bad press over the last few years.
Heaps of off the shelf anti-perspirant deodorants use aluminum. It’s used to prevent sweating. It does this by literally plugging the ducts on our skin’s surface. Which prevents a clammy under arm and the spread of odor causing bacteria.
This would be a great solution if it wasn’t totally unnatural. Unfortunately, we are mammals and that means we sweat. It’s how we stay cool and eliminate toxins. Which is why aluminum is definitely not the answer.
Recent studies have shown that once absorbed, aluminum induces estrogen-like effects which may be increase the likelihood of breast cancer. The jury is still out on whether this is conclusive, however, it goes without saying that it’s probably best to avoid exposing ourselves until more research is done.
But it’s also not just aluminum that’s the problem.
There are a host of other synthetic, chemical and other noxious chemicals (e.g. sulphates, phthalates and parabens which are known to affect hormone function among other negative effects) found in almost every single off the shelf deodorant.
That’s why we always opt for a truly natural cruelty-free deodorant alternative. They’re healthier and less damaging to the environment.
As a rule of thumb, if you can’t quickly understand the ingredients in your deodorant then our advice would be to steer clear. If there’s aluminum, parabens, synthetics, phthalates, sulphates and any other ingredients containing the likes of “poly”, “-eth-” or “oxy” then it’s not a truly safe deodorant.
ANIMAL BYPRODUCTS YOU SHOULD AVOID IN AN ETHICAL DEODORANT
Look out for the following common animal ingredients to ensure it’s a vegan and ethical deodorant:
- lanolin – also found in a lot of cosmetic products like lipsticks and makeup removers
- chitin – crushed exoskeletons or shells of crustaceans (e.g. crabs, shrimps, prawns), insects and arachnids
- gelatin – a variety of boiled animal parts from skin to ligaments to bones
- collagen – widely used in all sorts of cosmetic products. The naturally occurring protein found in animal tissue.
- elastin – another protein, usually found and extracted from the neck ligaments
- stearic acid – the naturally waxy solid usually derived from animal fat but can also be derived from vegetable oils
Also, the list of ingredients should ideally be short and to the point. We don’t need 30+ additives.
Apart from the formulation of the eco friendly deodorant, it should be as zero waste as possible. Plastic free deodorant is really the future so the packaging should be compostable, re-usable and at the very least recyclable.
Have a read here for a list of specific zero waste deodorant options, all of which are also cruelty free and vegan friendly.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON SUSTAINABLE, ECO FRIENDLY DEODORANTS
Cruelty free vegan deodorants are non-negotiable. With so many options on the market today it’s so easy to tick this ethical criteria. Though, it’s not so easy to find truly effective options that are also as environmentally friendly as possible.
With that said, we hope this list gives you a few options to try that satisfy exactly that. Truly sustainable deodorants that do the job!
As always, reach out if you think we should feature other eco friendly deodorants on this list.
