We Tried Tonnes of Aluminium-Free Deodorants, But Only These 5 Passed Our Rigorous Tests

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Aluminium-free deodorants have gained popularity as a more "natural" alternative to the traditional antiperspirants and deodorants that have dominated the market for so long. But, if you have been using an aluminium deodorant or antiperspirant for a long time, you might be cautious about making the switch (I know I was). After all, no one wants to be left with a deodorant that doesn't cut it, leaving us high—and not so dry—at the end of the day.

So, what are the best aluminium-free deodorants? I rallied the Who What Wear UK team to test some of the best aluminium-free deodorants on the market. We've done all the legwork for you and have shared our honest reviews ahead. But first, what are aluminium-free deodorants?

What Are Aluminium-Free Deodorants?

Firstly, we need to clear some things up around the terminology of aluminium-free deodorants. You'll find that deodorants (which help to neutralise body odour) don't actually contain aluminium. Confusing, right? Aluminium is instead found in antiperspirants, which is the key ingredient that works by blocking the flow of sweat. However, "aluminium-free" antiperspirants aren't really a thing. Without aluminium, no other ingredient in a formula can stop sweat in the same way—despite what some brands may claim. So, this is the reason why products in this category are often referred to as aluminium-free deodorants or "natural deodorants", which instead use other, natural products to help minimise sweat and body odour.

Secondly, you might assume that because these products are labelled as "aluminium-free", those containing aluminium are "bad". But this isn't necessarily the case. In the past, it was thought that there may be a link between aluminium from underarm products to cancer and other health concerns, however, studies have proved this to not be the case. That being said, with many of us wanting to be more conscious about what we put on and in our bodies, and those with sensitive skin wanting more options for bodycare, it makes sense that wish to have more choices at our disposal.

And thankfully, in recent years, aluminium-free and natural deodorants have shrugged away their once "hippy" image, and formulations have come a long, long way in their efficacy. This new line-up of aluminium-free deodorants really work to help you feel and smell fresh throughout the day.

How We Tested Our Aluminium-Free Deodorants

Over a month, we each put an aluminium-free deodorant to the test. We wore them on busy commutes, at the gym and on the hottest, sweatiest days of the year to really put each one through its paces. Ahead, we share our honest reviews of each, and whether we would buy it again.

What Are the Best Aluminium-Free Deodorants?

1. AKT The Deodorant Balm

AKT

The Deodorant Balm

£21

Rating: 9/10

Price: £21

Pros:

Performs well, beautiful scents, non-sticky, dries instantly, a little goes a long way, plastic-free.

Cons: Relatively expensive for deodorant, topping up is a little inconvenient, unscented version might not be strong enough for hot days or exercise.

Customer Review: "I don't think I'm ever going back to normal deodorant, if I'm being honest. I was a little hesitant to get this at first [be]cause of the cost compared to other cheaper deodorants, but now I get it. The packaging, the smell, the feel. This is in another category. 10/10."

Our Verdict: AKT isn’t just the best natural deodorant I’ve tried (and I’ve tried many), but it’s one of the best deodorants I’ve ever used, hands down. It’s a cream/balm format that you squeeze out of a very chic tube and smooth onto your armpits, which sounds a bit weird if you’re used to spray or roll-on deodorants, but it’s just as quick and easy. The brand sells a gua sha-style brass application tool (£26) which is nice if you want to make your deodorant application more of an "experience", but it isn’t necessary.

The texture and scents make it luxurious enough for me, with five fragranced options and one un-fragranced for sensitive skin. I happened to already be using the unscented version when our beauty editor Eleanor asked me to review it, but I’ve also used 02 (cedar, eucalyptus and bitter orange) and 05 (amber, violet and tonka). They both smell gorgeous and are strong enough to mask any underarm odour but aren’t at all overpowering and don’t interfere with my perfume. I’m genuinely looking forward to trying the other scents, and I’ll probably reserve the un-fragranced iteration for winter now because I could do with a bit of a scent when I’m sweating more during the summer.

Extra-hot days aside, AKT performs really well overall, and this is coming from a sweaty girlie. I don’t generally have to re-apply, but this is where the cream format might fall short because you don’t really want to be touching your sweaty armpit to smooth on more deodorant. It’s pretty expensive for deodorant at £21 a go, but one tube lasts 6–8 weeks because you only need to use a small amount, and the brand offers a subscription at £18 with free shipping, which I think is worth it. I’d also recommend getting The Assistant (£11); a clever little tool which allows you to squeeze every last bit of product from the tube so nothing is wasted. Without it, you might end up (as I have in the past), accidentally forcing a split in the tube, which can get very messy.

2. Susanne Kaufmann Deodorant Roll-On

Rating: 7/10

Price:

£25

Pros:

Fresh scent, rollerball applicator, sleek design, glass bottle.

Cons:

May require top-ups throughout the day, more expensive than most, can feel sticky.

Customer Review:

"This deodorant has become indispensable to me. I love how fresh it smells and how it dries down. I know it doesn't claim to be antiperspirant, but it leaves my underarms feeling nice and dry! I also find that, in a pinch, it will knock down body odour if I re-apply later in the day."

Our Verdict:

I’ve long been an aluminium-antiperspirant-and-deodorant-combo person. So testing aluminium-free deodorants this month has pushed me way out of my comfort zone. Thankfully for me, Susanne Kaufmann may have designed the chicest deodorant around, which certainly convinced me to give it a try.

The gel formula is housed in a weighty glass bottle with a rollerball applicator, and trust me: It smells as good as it looks. All of Susanne Kaufmann’s products are inspired by botanical ingredients found in the Alps, and this aluminium-free deodorant contains sage leaf water, sage leaf oil and barley extract. These claim to work in tandem to regulate sebum production and hydrate the underarms. As for the scent, it comes in one fragrance and is what you might expect with these ingredients. It’s a little herbaceous and marine-smelling without being overpowering—a great first impression.

The rollerball provides even coverage on the skin, and the gel texture is cooling on contact. Where I’m so used to aerosol deodorants and antiperspirants, I found the gel formula a little wet, and I kind of expected it to dry down. But, even hours after application, I could still feel the sensation of the gel—I can’t decide if this is a good or bad thing. On one hand, it means the gel is staying put and hopefully preventing odours, and it did feel refreshing throughout the day. But, it did also feel slightly sticky towards the end of the day. I think I'd prefer it to settle into a drier finish.

Day to day, I forwent my usual Mitchum antiperspirant and decided to jump straight in with using this deodorant alone. Throwing myself in the deep end, I found that it did keep me feeling fresh when at home, but on longer days out or commuting into the office, I felt I needed to top-up a couple of times to prevent odour by the end of the day. I finally found the courage to wear it to a Pilates class where I would normally work up a sweat, and whilst it didn’t prevent me from sweating (it would require an antiperspirant to physically stop sweat), I felt it kept me feeling fresh until I got home.

Would I recommend it? Yes and no. If you’re already using an aluminium-free deodorant and want to level up to a luxurious formula to enjoy each day, you'll love it. But if you’re like me and not quite ready to transition to a more natural formula, you may want to consider a more affordable option first to get used to it before investing in a more expensive one. Susanne Kaufmann recommends sticking with a natural deodorant for at least one month after using aluminium products, so I’m determined to persevere and see if I can make the switch for good.

3. Aesop Deodorant

Rating: 8/10

Price:

£27

Pros:

Sophisticated scent, small bottle is easy to transport.

Cons:

Can sting on sensitive underarms, more expensive than most, takes a while to dry down.

Customer Review:

"Any kind of natural deodorant leaves me a little sceptical as to how effective it will be, so I was apprehensive about this one, however, it’s been great! Does take a little while to dry down, but smells fresh and herby, and keeps me smelling clean through the day."

Our Verdict:

Trust Aesop to create the most stylish-looking natural deodorant in existence. I’m a big fan of the brand, but this is one product I’ve never tried (I’ve been a Mitchum girl for years). But if I could swap out my regular deodorant for one that’s kinder to my body and looks as chic as this one does, you know I would. Here are my honest thoughts.

I’ve always been a roll-on deodorant-er, so pivoting to Aesop’s spray iteration was an adjustment. It’s a lightweight, aluminium-free formula that comes in the brand’s iconic amber-glass bottle with its cream label. It feels like a very elegant alternative to standard deodorants, which this fashion editor considers a flex. The deodorant is formulated with natural ingredients such as zinc ricinoleate, sage leaf and witch hazel, which work together to neutralise odours without blocking perspiration, making it a great choice for those seeking an earthier option.

The product is available in two scents: the classic Herbal and a more recent interpretation simply coined Déodorant, which I tested for this review. Both, however, feature a blend of botanical notes like vetiver, coriander and lavender. The aroma is refreshing and sophisticated (I’d expect nothing less). I like that it lingers subtly on the skin and clothes throughout the day. I sprayed it in the gym, and unlike other spray deodorants that can fumigate the space, everyone turned around to find out what the delightful smell was. Two people asked me where my deodorant was from during a single visit.

Application is straightforward and quick; just a couple of sprays per underarm is all that’s needed—I recommend letting the liquid dry into your skin before dressing, otherwise you might see some initial wet transfer. That said, the deodorant dries fairly quickly without leaving any sticky residue. In terms of performance, it holds up well during the day. I’m not a big sweater anyway, but I did find that if it was especially hot or on days that I was moving a lot, I required a secondary spritz at some point. I’ve never been the person to lug around a bulky aerosol deodorant in my handbag, but the compact size of this spray means it fits into even my smallest bags, so top-ups really aren’t a hindrance. It looks chic, too, so there are no issues there. The biggest consideration, however, is cost-effectiveness.

There’s no getting away from the fact that Aesop’s spray deodorant is on the pricier side (I would never be able to tell my mum that I spent £27 on it!), but its clean formulation, elegant packaging and refined scent profile make it a worthwhile indulgence for those who prioritise natural ingredients and design aesthetics. I’ve been using it nonstop for weeks now and there’s still a good bit in the bottle, which I suspect will last me at least another month or so. Depending on how you currently use deodorant, you might find it lasts you longer or much less—it's quite hard to predict when a product like this will run out as everyone uses theirs differently.

One thing I have to mention is sensitivity. I didn’t realise my armpits were as sensitive as they are until I tried this product! Upon initial application, I did find it was followed by a slight sting. No redness ensued and lots of other people who have tried it say it’s the only deodorant that doesn’t cause their sensitive skin any issues, so I am prepared to deal with the temporary jolt. That said, on shave days, I’ve learned to leave it as long as possible before I spritz my pits—the sting was real.

4. Nécessaire The Deodorant Gel

Rating: 7.5/10

Price:

£18

Pros:

Fresh scent, rollerball applicator, fragranced and non-fragranced options.

Cons:

May need top-ups, some ingredients may irritate sensitive underarms.

Customer Review:

"After using this product daily for a little over a month, I can say that it works pretty well! I have noticed that my underarms are not as dark, and the scent is very natural and light. If you are used to wearing deodorants with a strong scent, then you may feel as though it is not doing enough at first. However, I have gone on runs and heavily exercised after applying this deodorant, and it still smells fine. You definitely have to be consistent to see results, and a little goes a long way."

Our Verdict:

Nécessaire’s The Deodorant Gel comes in the form of a roll-on stick, making application easy and convenient. The first thing that I noticed about the product was the incredible smell. The eucalyptus fragrance is beautifully fresh and a very pleasant alternative to traditional deodorant fragrances. However, it also comes in a fragrance-free version if you prefer. The fragrance lasts well throughout the day and helps to mask any sweat as the day goes on. The product is aluminium free and instead uses AHA and Niacinamide to combat odour. These specialised ingredients also work to smooth the skin, reducing bumps with wear. I found that after continued use my underarms were smoother and less red.

The downside of these potent ingredients is that if I ever slightly cut myself when shaving, then it would burn a little on application. Whilst not as effective as a typical (non-natural) deodorant, the product was comfortable to use and lasted well throughout the day. On the majority of days I didn’t feel like I needed to reapply the deodorant, but on days when I was extra active then a second application helped to keep any odour and sweat at bay. I was consistently pleased with the deodorant’s performance and would happily repurchase it.

Nécessaire

The Deodorant Gel Eucalyptus

£18

5. Malin + Goetz Deodorant

Rating: 9/10

Price:

£22

Pros:

Stick applicator, great smelling scent

Cons:

More expensive than some

Customer Review:

"I absolutely love it. It keeps me sweat free all day long, it doesn’t stain my clothes or irritates my skin. And the scent is so fresh."

Our Verdict:

The Malin + Goetz botanical deodorant is a semi-translucent stick that comes in 100% recyclable polypropylene packaging. The deodorant glides on smoothly, leaving no residue or stains, which is a common issue with some stick deodorants. It contains witch hazel extract and antioxidant-rich coconut oil to help neutralise odour-causing bacteria, while barley powder works to absorb moisture.

I tried three different scents, and my favourite was the botanical blend, a refreshing combination of 12 natural plant extracts. The semi-transparent formula was a huge plus as it absorbed into the skin and was easy to apply to clean dry underarms.

I was pleased with the results. The scent was not only amazing but also had an expensive, yet still natural, aroma. It effectively kept body odour at bay throughout the day. While I did find the need to reapply after exercising, it worked much better than other natural deodorants I’ve tried in the past. The product absorbed well and didn’t leave any marks or artificial smells, which I sometimes encounter with drugstore stick deodorants.

In terms of pricing, I believe it is justified, as the deodorant will last a long time. If you’re someone who is willing to spend a bit more on personal care, this is the natural deodorant for you.

The natural scents were fantastic. My favourite was the botanical one, but the eucalyptus scent was the strongest and reminded me of Australian native oils from back home. The bergamot deodorant offered a more citrusy aroma.