Have you recently stepped into a pharmacy to buy deodorant?

Recently I did, and I couldn’t believe how 90% of the shelves are still stocked with plastic deodorant containers rather than the NEW-er plastic free deodorant tubes!

In the last 60 years, the plastic packaging on U.S. shelves has increased over 120 times! [1]

While many of us are working hard towards reducing plastic in our lives, plastic continues to be a cheaper option that the beauty industry leans towards in exchange for higher profits and quicker sales.  

Contrary to the evidence on our shelves today, plastic-free deodorant is slowly making its way into the mainstream market. Traditional brands like ‘Secret’ are even making the switch to cardboard packaging.  

Plastic-free deodorant is not only a better option for the planet but for your health too! In many cases, plastic-free deodorant options are aluminum free and include more natural ingredients than their counterparts.  

We looked at many plastic-free deodorant options to bring you this list. We chose options that have been proven to make you feel fresh and save the planet at the same time.  

Deodorant (click to read review)	Format	Buy
#1 Desesh	Cardboard Tube	Desesh
#2 Papr	Cardboard Tube	Papr Amazon
#3 Native	Cardboard Tube	Native Amazon
#4 Attitude	Cardboard Tube	Amazon
#5 Eco-Roots	Cardboard Tube or Paste	EcoRoots
#6 Ethique	Cardboard Tube or Solid Brick	Ethique Amazon
#7 Plantish	Solid Brick	Plantish
#8 Zero Waste MVMT	Cardboard Tube	Zero Waste MVMT
#9 Wild	Aluminum Refillable Tube	We Are Wild
#10 Natural Deodorant	Cardboard Tube	Zero Waste Outlet
#11 BioRock	Crystal Stone	Amazon
#12 Magsol	Cardboard Tube	Amazon

Although some of the links in this article are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission for suggesting them, we have done our best to suggest only the best quality out there. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases with the links provided in this article. In no way does this affect our description or review of their products. 

Why Packaging Matters?

Plastic packaging for deodorant is harmful to the planet. The plastic used is often a high-density polyethylene resin that cannot be recycled in combination with other plastics. To recycle a deodorant container, the different types of plastic must be dismantled and separated. Since none of us actually do this, deodorant tubes do not get recycled, and instead find their way into the landfills, sitting there for thousands of years.  

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Plastic-Free Deodorant Formats

Options, Pros & Cons

Cardboard Tube

The cardboard tube is becoming more popular. They work by filling the tube with liquid deodorant at high temperatures and once it is cool, consumers use it by pushing up the product from the bottom of the tube and applying it to the underarms.   

 The tubes can often be composted or recycled after use. Make sure to wipe out any additional residue if you are going to recycle it. One of the downsides of using cardboard tubes is that they can become swollen with the product at the opening, making it a little more challenging to close than a plastic tube. That being said, the cardboard tube did not deter us from buying MANY tubes in the past.

Paste

The paste format of plastic-free deodorant doesn’t appeal to everyone even though it can be very effective. Most of us have come accustomed to a tube of sorts. Using a paste requires you to apply ONLY a small amount to each underarm. Paste formats work best in the summer or warm climates as they tend to harden in cooler temperatures.  

Refillable Tube

Some companies are beginning to offer refillable aluminum, steel, or extra hard plastic tubes. This is a great option since you get the best of both worlds, tube format, and a hard container easy to open and close. The downside to refillable tubes is that you have to LOVE the deodorant you buy or else it’s another item that will eventually end up in the landfill. Most companies make refills to suit ONLY their own tubes and are not interchangeable.  

Crystal/Stone

Crystal or stone deodorant is actually a composition of naturally occurring mineral salts known as potassium aluminum sulfate. It has antimicrobial properties and has been used in parts of Asia for hundreds of years. A deodorant crystal works by wetting it under water and applying it to your underarms. It is scent free and can last a year or longer. Crystals can be bought in plastic, on their own, or in non-traditional packaging such as cork.  

Solid Brick

This option isn’t widespread, but it does exist.  Plantish makes a great deodorant bar that is wrapped in paper and easily applied with a bit of moisture. It is the ultimate zero-waste option and is great if you don’t mind finding your deodorant in a jar or container.  

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What to Look for in Plastic-Free Deodorant?

Natural deodorants haven’t always had the best reputation. Today’s natural deodorant has come a long way from the sticky formulations that were once sold. They absorb more sweat and the texture often mimics the products you are used to.  

Companies producing plastic-free options are aware of this trend to move away from antiperspirants to traditional deodorants. Traditional deodorant still allows you to sweat but is designed to absorb sweat and keep you smelling fresh with natural scents.  

Baking soda, tapioca starch, bamboo powder (which can absorb 200% of its own weight in water), and arrowroot powder are some of the moisture-absorbing ingredients often found in natural plastic-free deodorants. Most natural deodorants have oils, such as coconut oil, almond oil, or jojoba oil, which are nutrifying for the skin.  

Natural fragrances or essential oils are a better option for fragrance and are often added. These ingredients absorb the sweat to keep you feeling dry and smelling fresh!

Baking soda is a great additive for natural deodorant but can create some irritation for those with sensitive skin.  

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Switching From Antiperspirant?

What You Need to Know

The ingredients in plastic-free deodorant can vary widely, but most companies have moved away from antiperspirant formulations and are moving towards more naturally occurring compounds.  

Antiperspirants contain aluminum and are used as a way to minimize sweating while also adding a strong toxic fragrance. This can create a myriad of health issues such as Alzheimer’s and breast cancer the aluminum.  

If you’re switching from antiperspirant to natural deodorant there are a few things you should know. Deodorant will not prevent you from sweating, rather it is a formula to help absorb the sweat and keep you smelling fresh.  

It may take some time for your body to transition to a deodorant. Some people report up to 30 days of sweating and smelling “off” while detoxing from the aluminum compounds. There is some evidence that antiperspirant actually changes the microbiome [2] in your armpits, which is why it may take some adjustments to make the switch.  

We recommend going the distance and sticking with the natural deodorant since that icky aluminum can only create health problems in the future.  

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15 Best Plastic Free Deodorants

#1 Desesh Plastic Free Deodorant

Format	Cardboard Tube
Scents	Mint & Bergamot Orange & Bergamot Lavender & Rose Coconut & Vanilla
Weight	3 OZ / 85 G
Moisture-Absorbing Ingredient	Arrowroot Powder Baking Soda
Contains Baking Soda?	Yes
Contains Aluminum?	No
Made In	Hawaii, USA

This company makes fantasti smelling deodorants that are made to last the entire day. Customers rave about how non-irritating and long-lasting this deodorant is. Desesh is a natural and eco-friendly company selling a variety of zero-waste products. We trust their quality ingredients and love how they have made a positive step towards plastic-free deodorant options. They only use non-toxic, clean ingredients in their products.

Desesh sells a wide array of natural and eco-friendly body care products. Desesh stands behind its products with a full 30 day money-back guarantee.

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#2 PAPR Plastic Free Deodorant

Format	Cardboard Tube
Scents	Grapefruit Musk and Ylang Ylang Lemongrass and Bergamot Cedarwood and Cypress Sea Grass and Plumeria Fragrance Free-Baking Soda Free
Weight	75 grams/ 2.65 oz
Moisture-Absorbing Ingredient	Baking Soda and Tapioca Starch
Contains Baking Soda?	Yes/No
Contains Aluminum?	No
Made In	California, USA

PĀPR deodorants go on smoothly as traditional deodorants do, but without the packaging problems of plastic. One or two swipes are all you need to keep yourself from smelling, and if you wait a minute or two to let it dry, you can be assured that it doesn’t leave stains.

If you’re looking for an option for baking soda-free, you’ll have to try out the unscented version which is extra gentle on the skin, while also super moisture absorbing.

Kim and Daniel, parents and owners of PĀPR, created the company as a way to reduce plastic and bring quality, safe and simple ingredients to customers. PĀPR plants a tree with every subscription to one of their specialized products.

They run a fully carbon-neutral company and the production process is fully solar-powered in Los Angeles, California.

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#3 Native Plastic Free Deodorant

Format	Cardboard Tube
Scents	Coconut Vanilla Sea salt & Cedar Buttercream & French Vanilla Powder and Cotton Eucalyptus Mint Cucumber Mint Citrus & Herbal Musk Lilac & White Tea Lavender Rose Charcoal Unscented/Baking Soda-Free Pina Colada Ginger Mule Tie-Dye Vanilla Warm Cider & Cinnamon
Weight	75 grams/ 2.65 oz
Moisture-Absorbing Ingredient	Baking Soda
Contains Baking Soda?	Yes/No
Contains Aluminum?	No
Made In	USA

NATIVE deodorant is a crowd pleaser, and now they are making almost all scents in a plastic-free version. The deodorant works and works really well. If you are switching from an antiperspirant, you may not even notice the difference! The formulation is so similar, it glides on very well and doesn’t ever stain your clothing.  

They only use non-toxic, clean ingredients in their products, making them simple and safe. If baking soda is an irritant for you, they do offer an unscented, baking soda-free option available.    

If you are interested in more reviews about NATIVE products, take a look at some of the other NATIVE Reviews.  

I’ve tried several of their scents and I find that the scent of eucalyptus mint is very reminiscent of men’s deodorant smells. I bought this for myself because I love the scent of both eucalyptus and mint and ended up giving this to my husband since it felt too “manly” of a smell for me. I love the lavender before bed and the Coconut Vanilla for everyday use.   

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#4  ATTITUDE Plastic Free Deodorant

Format	Cardboard Tube
Scents	Orange Leaves White Tea Leaves Sandalwood Olive Leaves Lemon Leaves Sea Salt Vine Leaves and Pomegranate Camomile Baking Soda-Free Argan Oil Baking Soda-Free Unscented Baking Soda-Free
Weight	85g/ 3oz
Main Moisture-Absorbing Ingredient	Baking
Contains Baking Soda?	Yes/No
Contains Aluminum?	No
Made In	Canada

I’ve only tried the Lemon Leaves scent so far, and I can say that it really works. The formula is similar to a traditional antiperspirant stick. It glides on well and doesn’t leave marks. I never smell it throughout the day, but I do have a hard time smelling the lemon leaves 5 minutes after it has been applied. It keeps me dry all day too!  

ATTITUDE is a great company with many home & body solutions. I have used a myriad of their products for cleaning, soap, body, and hair, and I can attest that they make great quality goods at a decent price. All of their products are verified with the EWG safety seal, making them a great fit for my family with allergies, asthma, and sensitive skin.  

This is my first time writing about ATTITUDE, but I will be putting together a more in-depth review of their products in the future.  

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#5 Eco-Roots Plastic-Free Deodorant

Format	Cardboard Tube  Pit Paste Cream
Scents	Coconut Unscented Lavender Eucalyptus Mint
Weight	3oz/ 85gr
Moisture-Absorbing Ingredient	Arrowroot Powder
Contains Baking Soda?	No
Contains Aluminum?	No
Made In	Colorado, USA

Another great homegrown American product! EcoRoots has been on our radar for some time now. They not only make a great deodorant that will keep you dry and smelling clean all day, but they also sell bundles and kits to help you around your home. They are a truly Eco-Friendly company, constantly striving to put out low-waste products and donating a portion back to the environment.  

(We also reviewed their laundry detergent sheets which made the top of our list! Take a look here)

The deodorant comes in both tube and paste form. This is a personal preference, but if you’re looking to use every last bit of your product, give the paste a try! It’s easy to scoop out and you only need a tiny bit to make it work!  

The tube format is larger than other companies and tends to last a long time, even with daily use. The baking soda-free version is great for anyone, especially those with sensitive skin. The cardboard hold, like many other brands, gets a little worn by the end of the stick. If you’re having trouble pushing up the product, hold it in your hands (or under your arm) first to warm it up a little, it will come up much easier. 

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#6 Ethique Plastic-Free Deodorant

Format	Cardboard Tube Solid Block
Scents	Botanica Rustic Minimalist
Weight	2.47oz/70g
Moisture-Absorbing Ingredient	Bamboo Powder
Contains Baking Soda?	No
Contains Aluminum?	No
Made In	New Zealand

Ethique is really making its mark across the globe. This company has exploded in recent years with its zero-waste/plastic-free packaging! I’ve tried many of their products and the deodorant is just as effective as the rest. It will keep you dry most of the day in a hot climate–you may have to reapply once if you’re exercising.

The formula is made from bamboo powder and natural scents. Bamboo powder is great because it can absorb its weight in water by 200%! The scents are fragrant while not being too strong. If you like vanilla, the Botanica has a vanilla blend, while the Rustic can easily be used by both men and women.

Ethique has a mission to save the earth’s resources, with a specific focus on water. The company makes solid versions of various bath and body products, to avoid the heavy energy costs associated with shipping water. Ethique is also a plastic-free company, making sure everything that is sent, is done so without plastic tape or packaging.

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#7 Plantish Plastic-Free Deodorant

Format	Block
Scents	Unscented Rose Citrus
Weight	3.5oz/99g
Moisture-Absorbing Ingredient	Arrowroot Powder
Contains Baking Soda?	No
Contains Aluminum	No
Made In	USA

Plantish wins for simplicity. The company sells single bars subtly wrapped in a cardboard sleeve. They also sell the largest bar that we found, coming in at 3.5 oz. They sell an unscented and a rose citrus blend, which smells so pretty. It is also very effective at keeping you dry and smelling fresh in both warm and cool climates alike.

Since most of us have become accustomed to having a dispenser of sorts, this option isn’t the most popular, but don’t discount it right away. Those who use the deodorant block find that it is very useful for conserving and using every last little piece since the tube will waste the last little bit of deodorant most of the time. It is easy to store in a dry container or keep on your counter for easy access.

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#8 Zero Waste MVMT Plastic Free Deodorant

Format	Cardboard Tube
Scents	Grapefruit Lavender & Bergamot
Weight	70g, 2.5 oz.
Moisture-Absorbing Ingredient	Sodium Caproyl/ Lauroyl Lactylate
Contains Baking Soda?	No
Contains Aluminum	No
Made In	Canada

This deodorant works a little differently than others, rather than having a moisture-absorbing ingredient like baking soda or bamboo powder, it offers a sodium salt that is antimicrobial and gentle on the skin. If you’re looking for a deodorant that will resist crumbling and is sleek and smooth to apply, you have found your match. It will feel a little “wetter” than other natural deodorant sticks, but it dries quickly and will keep you smelling fresh all day. 

This product is a little smaller than the rest, but it is said to last about 3 to 5 months on average. They sell it in a convenient 2-pack, which makes life easy without having to re-order more.  

Zero Waste MVMT products have been on our favorites list for a while now since the company excels at making effective products in cardboard or paper wrapping. They sell eco-friendly solutions for the kitchen, home, bath, and beauty. We loved their plastic-free shampoo so much, it made our list too!

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#9 Wild Co. Plastic Free Deodorant

Format	Refillable Aluminum Container
Scents	Toasted Marshmallow (Limited) Toasted Marshmallow-Sensitive Mint and Aloe Vera Pomegranate and Pink Peppercorn Fresh Cotton and Sea Salt Jasmine and Mandarin Blossom Jasmine and Mandarin Blossom-Sensitive Coconut and Vanilla Sandalwood and Patchouli Orange and Neroli
Weight	40 grams per refill
Moisture-Absorbing Ingredient	Baking Soda/Tapioca Starch
Contains Baking Soda?	Yes/No
Made In	Netherlands, Europe

Wild plastic-free deodorant has broken the mold! They offer sleek aluminum cases with a variety of scents as refills. They have both a regular line and a sensitive-skin line which doesn’t contain any baking soda. We love the variety of scents and the ability to buy more than one case, making it easy to keep one at home and one in the gym bag.

Two to three swipes are all you need for Wild deodorant to work at reducing moisture and keeping you smelling fresh all day. We love how the refills come in biodegradable material, and the packaging is entirely cardboard. They offer both a subscription plan, as well as a one-time single or bundle purchase. It’s great how they tailor the scents to the season, releasing limited-time scents.

Wild offers a 30-days guarantee, so if it doesn’t work for you, you can easily return it or switch out the scent.

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#10 All-Natural Deodorant 

Format	Cardboard Tube
Scents	Lavender and Lemongrass  Eucalyptus and Mint.
Weight	2oz
Main Moisture-Absorbing Ingredient	Baking Soda and Arrowroot Powder
Contains Baking Soda?	Yes
Contains Aluminum?	No
Made In	USA

This deodorant made us think of no-nonsense, grassroots deodorant that does the job without the frills of marketing. It just works. It is simplistic and comes in two scents, Lavender and Lemongrass (which contains tea tree), or Eucalyptus and Mint. The scents are fresh and simple, yet the deodorant is effective and lasts most of the day.

The tube is sold in a smaller format than others, but you don’t have to use it much, so a tube should last you 2-3 months. It works well for both cold and hot climates. It does have baking soda though, so if your skin is a little sensitive, you might want to try another brand.

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#11 BioRock

Format	Crystal Salt Rock & Cork
Scents	None
Weight	120g/4.25 oz
Moisture-Absorbing Ingredient	salt
Contains Baking Soda?	no
Contains Aluminum?	no
Made In	China

This deodorant solves the problem that many people have had with crystal salt-type deodorants: they can slip out of your hands and shatter. This deodorant is wrapped in a protection layer of cork, and secured to a cork base. It works very well and does not easily slip out of your hands.

This is by far the best value that we have come across. One deodorant stone will last for years! After a year of using it, it looks very similar to that when it was new! The application process of this deodorant is a little different than traditional deodorant, having to add moisture to either the stone or your underarms beforehand.

The deodorant is basically scent-free, having only a mild salt scent–so it is perfect for anyone who suffers from fragrances. It kills any odor-causing bacteria and keeps you pretty dry, even in above 100° weather!

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#12 Magsol

Format	Cardboard Tube
Scents	Fresh Rose Hunter Sweet Jasmine Sandalwood Patchouli Lavender Sweet Orange Lemongrass
Weight	2.8oz/80g
Main Moisture-Absorbing Ingredient	Magnesium Oxide*
Contains Baking Soda?	No
Contains Aluminum?	No
Made In	Houston, Texas. USA.

* Magnesium Oxide is an inorganic salt of magnesium. Even though it contains high amounts of magnesium, it has low absorbability in the body. Magnesium oxide may be used for different reasons. Some people use it as an antacid to relieve heartburn, sour stomach, or acid indigestion. Magnesium oxide also may be used as a laxative(before surgery, for example).[3][4]

One of the best things that we can say about this deodorant is that it’s super gentle and doesn’t irritate sensitive skin. The deodorant is easy to apply and made with only 4 ingredients: almond oil, beeswax, magnesium oxide, and natural oils. It is safe for both teenagers and pregnant women since the ingredients are naturally occurring and the scents are essential oil based.  

Another unique feature of this deodorant is that it is made with magnesium oxide versus baking soda or tapioca starch, since magnesium oxide is even safe for internal consumption for short-term use, it is a great way to absorb sweat safely without toxins. Depending on how much you sweat, this deodorant has a good track record to last anywhere from 3-10 hours before having to reapply.  

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What Next?

Switching to plastic-free deodorant is a great way to continue your eco-friendly lifestyle. Plastic-free deodorant can help us reduce millions of plastic containers thrown into landfill each year! They can be easily thrown into your home composter, or recycling bin after use. Reducing our plastic consumption within our society should be a goal that governments and individuals alike work towards.  

If you’re interested in more eco-friendly products, take a look at some of our favorite things! 

Know that you are making a difference with your dollars, every dollar spent towards better products tells the market that there is more need for clean health & beauty, and household goods that help not hinder our earth! 

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References

[1] https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/beauty-personal-care-industry-plastic?loggedin=true

[2]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4741080/ 

[3]https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/magnesium-oxide

[4]https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601074.html