Dear Natural Deodorant:
We really want to like you, but oftentimes, you just don't stop the stink.
Yet, we frequently read about celebs who use natural formulas (like Jessica Alba) and want to find the right one for us—a high-performance version made without aluminum, phthalates or triclosan.
Now, we have to admit that as far as science tells us, these ingredients aren't exactly killers: They've long been used to help minimize body odor. And while there are some reports that have linked chemicals used in deodorants and antiperspirant to cancer, the National Cancer Institute maintains that such evidence is inconclusive. Ditto for the claim that aluminum, which helps stop sweat from coming to the skin's surface by plugging ducts, is linked to Alzheimer's Disease, according to the Alzheimer's Association.
Even so, considering the sheer number of beauty products we use (which, for this editor, is far more than anyone should), we like to err on the side of caution and minimize our chemical load. In the spirit of this crusade, we've tried dozens of the latest formulas on the market—sticks, sprays roll-ons and creams—and have found a couple that rise to the challenge.
In the roll-on category, we love Korres Equisetum 24 Hour Deodorant. The formula itself carries a botanical scent, which feels pleasant, not perfumed. Like any roll-on, it goes on wet but dries quickly and doesn't sting, burn or irritate our pits like other liquid versions. It doesn't contain phthalates, which burgeoning research links to liver tumors and fertility issues in lab animals, or triclosan, a bacteria killer that may mess with our hormones and is absorbed by the body; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found it to be present in 75% of the population. But most importantly, it got us through the workday—and we are no dainty sweaters—and to the gym with no offensive odor takeover. Win!
Another formula to pass muster? Jack Black Cool CTRL Natural Deodorant. The cream stick is free of phthalates, triclosan and aluminum and is scented with a pleasant essential oil blend (which includes lavender, grapefruit, rosemary and eucalyptus). It doesn't leave white marks on clothes, like many sticks can and thanks to ingredients like aloe and glycerin, didn't irritate skin either. Most importantly, it fought the funk that a 10-hour work day can bring.
Will using these unconventionally formulated B.O.-repellers support our overall health in the long run? It's hard to tell. But at least we smell good.
Korres Equisetum 24 Hour Deodorant, $19; Jack Black Cool CTRL Natural Deodorant, $18