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Zero Waste Deodorant: 5 Brands to Check Out

zero waste deodorant
Photo: CC0 Public Domain / Pixabay - Silviarita

Want a natural deodorant that smells good, has eco-friendly packaging, and works? Look no further! We’ve gathered a list of some of the best natural zero waste deodorants.

Zero waste is becoming less of a trend and more of a lifestyle – and with good reason. While it’s not possible for most of us to achieve this principle in its entirety, every little change in the way we consume has an impact on the environment. There’s a reason more and more companies are hopping on the bandwagon and offering their products in a more sustainable way.

Making the Switch to Zero Waste Deodorant

zero waste deodorant
Contrary to popular belief, switching to natural deodorant can make you smell better by balancing your body’s pH levels. (Photo: CC0 Public Domain / Unsplash - Priscilla Du Preez )

Almost everybody sweats. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. How we choose to deal with that sweat, however, varies from person to person. Traditional deodorants and antiperspirants contain numerous chemicals designed to block sweat and odor – which can also change your skin’s pH balance and make you smell worse in the long run. 

Zero waste deodorants are almost all natural deodorants, which makes a lot of sense. If you’re actively trying to do better for the environment, chances are, you’re trying to make healthier choices for your body as well. You’ll find that most all-natural deodorants include three things: 

  1. Antibacterial ingredients like tea tree or coconut oil
  2. Essential oils for a pleasant smell
  3. Absorbent ingredients such as baking soda, arrowroot powder or cornstarch

One of the biggest complaints about natural deodorant is that it doesn’t work. There are a few things to keep in mind when making the switch: 

  • Natural deodorant covers smell, not sweat
  • There will be a transition period while your armpits rebalance their ecosystem. If you can, leave your pits deodorant free for at least two weeks before applying natural deodorant for the first time.
  • Not every zero waste deodorant is the same: you may need to try a few out before finding the one that works best for you.

You can also make your own deodorant: Homemade Deodorant: An Easy DIY Recipe

Top Zero Waste Deodorant Brands

1. Ethique Deodorant Bar

Ethique is a huge name in the zero waste market, selling products ranging from shampoo and conditioner to moisturizer and deodorant. Everything they sell is in solid block form, with no plastic waste. They’re a certified B-Corporation committed to sustainability. They donate 20% of their profits to various charities and plant a tree for every order

Their zero waste deodorant bars are aluminium-free, baking soda free and palm oil free. They come in lavender and vanilla, lime and eucalyptus or unscented. An added bonus is that you can purchase their travel-sized bars first to ensure they’ll work for you. 

How to Buy: you can purchase them in MOM’s Organic Markets, Erewhon Markets, on Amazon** or directly through the Ethique website. A bar will cost you around $13.

2. Meow Meow Tweet

Meow Meow Tweet are known for their ethical, low-waste, cruelty-free, small-batch products. They offer their deodorant in two zero waste forms: as a deodorant stick or as a cream in a glass jar. For those with sensitive pits, they offer baking soda free options. You can purchase sample sizes so you don’t have to break the bank finding a natural deodorant that works for you. If you’re making the transition to natural deodorant for the first time, they also sell an underarm primer to help soothe angry and irritated pits. 

How to Buy: purchase directly through the Meow Meow Tweet website, or you can add it to your cart on Amazon**. Depending on size and form, Meow Meow Tweet’s deodorant costs anywhere from $4.50 for a sampler size to $45 for a bulk size. 

3. Apothecary Muse: Supporting Local

Pittsburgh-based Apothecary Muse cares about purchasing local ingredients, keeping costs as low as possible and zero waste packaging. Their zero waste deodorants are free from aluminium, parabens, artificial fragrances and plastic packaging. They come in 4 different natural scents and are available in 3 different strengths. 

How to Buy: they believe so strongly in keeping things local that they don’t sell through third-party websites, preferring instead to cultivate relationships with brick and mortar shop owners. You can also purchase it directly through the Apothecary Muse website for $10 a tube.

4. Attitude

This Canadian company focuses on natural personal care and household products. They are Environmental Working Group (EWG) verified and ECOLOGO® certified – not to mention hypoallergenic and cruelty-free. Attitude believes strongly in reforestation, so for every product ordered, they plant a tree. Their natural deodorants are aluminium free, packaged in biodegradable paper, and come in a variety of scents.

How to Buy: these zero waste deodorants are available directly through the Attitude website or on Amazon**. One tube will cost you between $12 – $16, or you can buy a three-pack for additional savings.

5. Native: Making the Transition

They’ve made a name for themselves in the natural deodorant market, and now they’re focusing their sights on plastic-free packaging. While most of the deodorant still comes in plastic sticks, Native has launched their most popular scents as plastic-free. Native donates 1% of the sales of their plastic-free deodorants to environmental nonprofits. Their zero waste deodorants come in a nice variety of scents like charcoal, cucumber and mint, or coconut and vanilla (to name a few). 

How to Buy: while you’ll find their plastic packaged deodorant sticks in drug stores across the country, to purchase their zero waste deodorant you’ll have to stick to the Native website for now. One tube will set you back $13, or you can subscribe and save. 

Important Information regarding Health-related Topics.

** Links to retailers marked with ** or underlined orange are partially partner links: If you buy here, you actively support Utopia.org, because we will receive a small part of the sales proceeds. More info.

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