The Ultimate Guide to the Best Natural Deodorants in India
The top 12 natural deodorants that banish BO and nix nasties for round-the-clock freshness
Our sweaty ancestors knew a thing or two about sourcing fragrances from nature. They crafted concoctions from simple ingredients like rose, cardamom, cinnamon, and lily to more unconventional ones like ostrich eggs and tortoiseshells. Ancient fragrances were also matched with a person’s personality type and had healing properties. For instance, jasmine was used to invigorate the gentle, rose helped a chest infection and a few drops of kewra flower soothed an upset stomach.
Deodorants are an extension of this tradition.
Now, natural, has no singular definition, nor a guideline.
The best bet is to look for deodorants that are aluminum-free (An ingredient found in anti-perspirants which plugs your pores and stops you from sweating).
Instead, natural deodorants use ingredients such as arrowroot power, cornstarch powder, kaolin clay, baking soda, all that work well to absorb moisture. (Check out for baking soda sensitivity)
For international brands, you can also go through the Environmetal Working Group (EWG) Skin Deep for a verified logo or for acceptable ingredients. I also like INCI Decoder that parses down products and ingredients. Unfortunately, in India we do not have an equivalent.
Ultimately, you need to use a product that is not only gentle, but suits your body and its needs.
However, certain ingredients such as baking soda or essential oils can potentially react with sensitive skin. Always perform a patch test before slathering on natural deodorants and avoid applying them on raw skin. ( baking soda + freshly shaved skin is a recipe for burn!)
It’s best to shave or wax, apply aloe vera gel or a moisturiser, allow your skin to settle down overnight, and then use a natural deodorant if your skin is very sensitive.
Also, keep in mind that in extreme heat or gym workouts, certain natural deodorants may not be as effective as their chemical counterparts. Once opened, always check the shelf life and use the products within that time frame.
We have curated a list of our favourite mindful, BO-banishing brands that serve as a great alternative to antiperspirants, which contain aluminium salts that block sweat and impede your lymphatic system. These natural options are gently effective and safe.
As with any skincare product, start slowly and see what leaves your pits smelling like roses. BeejLiving has shortlisted the best available in India.
Caudelie’s refreshing Vinofresh Natural Stick Deodorant has been formulated from 98% natural-origin ingredients deodorant like organic grape water and eucalyptus, nixing bacteria, while doing the heavy lifting. Vegan, it is suitable for sensitive, even freshly shaved skin and boasts of being effective round-the-clock without clogging your pores. The stain-free gentle formula is free from no-nos like parabens, phenoxyethanol, phthalates, mineral oils, PEGs, silicones, sodium laureth sulfates and animal-derived ingredients, and can be used safely by pregnant and breast-feeding women.
Sol de Janeiro
The Rio Deo transports you right to the beaches of Copacabana with fragrances synonymous with the brand’s cult bum bum creams. Aluminium and baking-soda-free, the 98% naturally derived formula with ingredients such as gently exfoliating papaya enzyme, coconut oil, tapioca starch, and mango seed butter, is said to lower the skin’s pH, preventing pong-creating bacteria from forming. Free from gluten, parabens, artificial colourants, phthalates, PEGs, talc, sulfates, mineral oil and microbeads, Rio Dio is also vegan and cruelty-free. It’s available in two beachy scents: Cheirosa ’62, a fragrance suffused with pistachio and salted caramel and Cheirosa ’40, a delicious black amber plum and warm vanilla woods.
Coming in three soft girl fragrances-Floral Sunset, Sweet Summer and Citrus Sea as well as a fragrance-free option, Carmesi claims that these wee-sized deodorants are made of 95% natural ingredients, such as olive oil and liquorice extract. I personally love the redolent fragrances of coconut and vanilla in Sweet Summer and the fresh gust of brine and lemon in the Citrus Sea. However, these mild deodorants are great when you’re luxuriating in your slow-girl summer era and not working out vigorously in the gym. They leave no white cast. Also, I wish they came in a larger size than these tiny roll-on bottles.
Juicy Chemistry’s deodorants contain a laundry list of natural ingredients such as beeswax, shea butter, cocoa butter, apricot oil, arrowroot powder, grapefruit powder, patchouli, tea tree, peppermint essential oil and much more. Safe for all skin types, the vegan and cruelty-free deodorants come in two scents– Grapefruit and Patchouli and Blood Orange and Geranium. Anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory, they’re certified organic, free from artificial fragrances, alcohol, chlorofluorocarbons, and other petrochemicals. I love the zero-waste packaging; however, keep the cardboard tube away from water. But I wish it’s reformulated as the deodorant is prone to crumble, leaving granules, especially in very hot weather.
Coming in cutesie tin boxes, Sahar Mansoor’s Bare Necessities is one of India’s original zero waste brand with quality offerings. The solid perfumes are thoughtfully crafted with ingredients like arrowroot extract, cacao seed butter, oils of coconut and apricot, vitamin E and essential oils. They are available in three fragrances-Garden of Eden, a refreshing floral, Rock N’ Roll, a refreshing citrusy blend, and Round The Clock, a refreshing, earthy perfume. Plant-based and plastic-free, the magnesium oxide neutralizes odours while the arrowroot power absorbs moisture leaving you powder fresh.
Free from aluminium, alcohol, silicone and bicarbonate of soda, Necessary’s natural roll-on deodorant varieties come in two lovely scents-my favourite white musk and aloe vera and cucumber, the latter however, didn’t suit my skin. With ingredients such as aqua, vegetable glycerin, mandelic acid, niacinamide, aloe vera leaf juice, and lactic acid, the deodorant glides on smoothly, reducing discolouration while keeping your pits hydrated. White Musk is a current favourite, I love the scent and the fact that it doesn’t leave a white cast or dry out my skin.
Jallandhar-based Sunayna Gupta’s Raw Beauty Wellness takes an honest approach to beauty. The products are made in small batches and come in glass packaging. We love the variety of deodorants on offer-probiotic gel deodorants (my favourite), balm deodorant with baking soda (use with caution on raw skin) and balm deodorant with alum and clay. Vegan, the deodorants are crafted using ingredients such as noni, bearberry, kaolin clay, coconut oil, alum and daisy. The scents are dreamy across the different types, but I prefer to stick to the gel variety as it’s easy to use and leaves no white cast.
While Caveman Naturals conjure up images of hairy, sweaty Neanderthals, the gender-neutral, aluminium and alcohol-free deodorants have been rigorously tested in Indian conditions and is strong enough to hold up in our hot, humid summers and tough workout sessions (I’ve not tried that though). Gentle on skin, non-greasy and quick-absorbing, the products are vegan and not tested on animals. Available in two variants which I’ve enjoyed, Alpine and Sublime, the deodorants are formulated using minerals extracted from the ocean for better absorption as well as tea tree oil for its antibacterial power. They also contain nourishing jojoba oil and raw shea butter. But be prepared to sink your fingers in a sticky jar.
The brainchild of two brothers, Mikail and Mishal, TreeWear’s repertoire includes a range of organic clothing, personal care and natural wellness products, and natural deodorants. What we love is their drive to create zero-waste products and their compostable packaging. In fact, each product bought contributes to several tree plantation projects around India. Available in four scents – herbal infusion, citrus burst, forest fragrant and spice infusion, the deodorants are child-friendly formulas and come in eco-friendly cardboard tubes, using no preservatives. Along with the usual essential oils, and anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, the deodorants also contain organic coconut oil as a base along with cocoa butter. Keep the cardboard tube away from water, and remove the inner plastic lining when discarding.
If you’re looking for travel-ready deos, look no further than Vilvah’s two tiny yet powerful deo shots in rose and vanilla and lavender and sage use a combination of natural ingredients to help absorb wetness, neutralise odour and help you smell literally like a flower. Said to last for at least five hours, the natural deodorant shots contain shea butter, virgin coconut oil, cocoa butter, arrowroot powder, kaolin clay and sage essential oil. Not tested on animals, the shots contain no parabens, sulphates, silicones, or artificial fragrances. But don’t expect these button-sized containers to last for many uses.
Started by Bubbles Singh and Simrita Singh, Au Naturel has on offer different types of natural deodorants: deodorant balms and creams in jars and a deodorant spray. The products use ingredients like arrowroot, zinc, magnesium, kaolin clay and essential oils, butter a healthy dose of shelf-stable probiotics, and even silver, known for its microbial properties. You can choose from different scents such as woody, floral and citrus. However, applying from jars can get a little messy.
Inspired by The Indus Valley civilization and Ayurveda, the deo stick uses ingredients such as almond oil, coconut, witch hazel, aloe vera, amla, chamomile, henna etc. They offer a range of five – Deep Forest (Men), Unscented, Lavender, Lemongrass and Wicked Cool and are free from parabens, aluminium and alcohol, are vegan and have not been tested on animals. Affordable as compared to its peers, the brand claims that they will last for 12 hours.
