Best Paraben Free Deodorant
Every day, before I head out the door, I swipe on deodorant. It’s my trusty sidekick in battling body sweat and odor. Over the years, I’ve given nearly every product on the shelf a shot.
However, for me, the ingredient list is just as crucial as the effectiveness. And that means diving deep into what goes into my deodorant.
I’ve been pretty concerned about harmful additives lately. Why? Some of these sneaky chemicals could be harmful.
Case in point: paraben. This one’s a big no-no for me. Every deodorant I use must be paraben-free, and here’s my reasoning.
What is Paraben
So, what’s the big deal about paraben? Well, it’s often tucked away in cosmetics as a preservative to ward off mold and bacteria.
But here’s the kicker: it can act like estrogen in our bodies. Just imagine your body taking in extra estrogen it doesn’t need. This can mess with hormonal balances, potentially leading to reproductive or pregnancy issues. Even scarier, there have been whispers about its links to breast cancer.
Is There Paraben in Deodorant?
Although the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t police the use of preservatives in cosmetics too much, there’s a silver lining. They claim many deodorants out there are paraben-free now.
I’ve become a pro at label scanning. If I spot any of these:
- Methylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Butylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Parahydroxybenzoate (a sneaky name for paraben)
It’s straight back on the shelf for that product!
After testing out a bunch of deodorants, I’ve found my golden trio. Humble’s All Natural Deodorant steals the top spot. Not only does it treat my skin right, but it’s also kind to our planet.
Following Humble, I have another fantastic option that’s almost as good. And for anyone who’s pinching pennies (been there!), I’ve got a wallet-friendly pick too.
Ready to dive in?
Best Budget
CRYSTAL Mineral Deodorant Roll-On
Features
- Contains mineral salts and not aluminum
- A range of scents
- Doesn’t streak clothes
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Less than $4 a stick
Best Overall
Humble All Natural Deodorant
Features
- No harmful additives like paraben, aluminum, alcohol, or dye
- 24-hour protection
- Certified cruelty-free
- Hand-crafted
- Range of scents
Best runner up
Native Deodorant
Features
- Goes on dry and stays dry
- Full-day protection
- A range of scents for men and women
- Natural ingredients
- No animal testing
Humble All Natural Deodorant
Best Overall
Humble has gone all-out to make its All Natural Deodorant a winner. Every product is hand-crafted in New Mexico, and its commitment to the environment, and my skin, is why it’s my favorite.
What the Marketing Says
Picking up Humble All Natural Deodorant, the ingredient list catches my eye. Four core ingredients, a touch of essential oils, and botanical extracts for those who love their fragrances.
No paraben, aluminum, talc, alcohol, or dyes — just pure, clean goodness. Though they offer a bouquet of scents, I keep it simple with unscented.
The fact that it’s handcrafted in the desert mountains of Tao, New Mexico, gives it an authentic touch.
And the container? Crafted from 75% PCR-recycled material, making it as earth-friendly as it gets.
Plus, it’s a hit with everyone, regardless of gender. Perfect for the whole family.
How to Apply It
Humble All Natural is a deodorant; I only needed two swipes to feel protected.
Nowhere in its marketing does Humble state if this is a daily protection or not. It’s likely to affect people differently, but in my experience, I felt a daily application was necessary.
How it Affects Your Clothes
Armpit stains are one of the most unsightly things for me. If a deodorant can’t prevent my clothes from getting wet, I won’t use it.
Humble is designed as a moisture absorber, and I was thrilled to see no wet patches on my shirts while sitting at my desk all day.
Scent Range
I always choose the unscented ones where possible; it means I can wear whatever cologne I want, and there’s no clash of aromas.
In Humble’s case, there are 11 to choose from:
- Simply Unscented
- Rosemary Mist
- Bergamot & Ginger
- Black Spruce
- Lavender & Holy Basil
- Lemongrass & Sage
- Moroccan Rose
- Mountain Lavender
- Palo Santo &
- Frankincense
- Texas Cedarwood &
- Grapefruit
- Patchouli & Copal
Odor Protection and Perspiration
As for odor protection, I put this on before hitting the gym. Ninety minutes later, I still smelled fresh. I’m a bit of a stinker after a cardio session, so this was an excellent test.
Despite a workout session and the rest of the day spent at my desk, Humble kept me feeling dry and fresh all day.
By the end of the day, I felt like it was wearing off, so I’d consider this a daily application.
How it Feels on the Skin
Many roll-ons I’ve tried have a sticky feeling straight after application, but not Humble. It goes on dry and stays dry.
Humble has a disclaimer on the label to discontinue use if skin irritation occurs. I suspect this is due to the baking soda, which could upset some sensitive people. I had no issues, though.
Ingredients
As marketed, it really does only contain these four ingredients:
- Caprylic/Capric triglyceride (MGT)\
- Zea Mays non-GMO corn starch
- Sodium bicarbonate (Baking soda)
- Cera alba (Beeswax)
Humble doesn’t test any of its products on animals and is classified as cruelty-free by the Leaping Bunny Certification Programme.
What Other People Say
More than 5,000 customers rate Humble All Natural deodorant with 4.3/5 stars.
Many agree with me that the unscented product is the way to go, with some of the other aromas being slightly overpowering.
Some users mentioned rashes forming due to the baking soda.
The Verdict
With its positive approach to environmental protection and no harmful additives, it’s hard to go past Humble All Natural deodorant. For 24-hour protection from odor and sweat, it’s my first choice.
Pros
- No harmful additives like paraben, aluminum, alcohol, or dye
- 24-hour protection
- Certified cruelty-free
- Hand-crafted
- Range of scents
Cons
- May cause skin irritation
CRYSTAL Mineral Deodorant Roll-On
Best Budget
When I’m on a budget and want a reliable deodorant, CRYSTAL Mineral Deodorant has been my go-to for several uses.
Retailing for under $4.00, it’s distinct from both Humble and Native, mainly because its key ingredient is mineral salts. Let me take you through my experience.
What the marketing says
Having a rich history spanning 35 years, CRYSTAL was the pioneer in using mineral salts as the primary ingredient in deodorants.
Unlike the commonly used aluminum in most deodorants that prevents odor by blocking pores, CRYSTAL’s active ingredient, Potassium Alum, works differently. It doesn’t clog my pores from sweating; instead, it provides me with 24-hour odor protection.
I’ve learned that CRYSTAL is dermatologist tested, which assures me of its hypoallergenic properties, and I found it gentle on my skin.
In its commitment to clean and healthy formulations, none of CRYSTAL’s deodorants contain parabens, sulfates, phthalates, artificial fragrances, or colors. What adds fragrance to their range? Pure essential oils.
How to apply it
I found the application of CRYSTAL as straightforward as with Humble and Native; a couple of swift swipes under each arm did the trick.
The brand is transparent in its marketing, claiming 24-hour protection. From my personal experience, it didn’t quite last that long, but my activity level played a role in its effectiveness.
How it affects your clothes
Just like with Humble and Native, CRYSTAL left my clothes unstreaked and devoid of any pesky white marks. It’s becoming clear that brands causing such stains need a formula overhaul.
Scent Range
Delving into the scent range of CRYSTAL, I discovered their use of essential oils in crafting their fragrances. While I have a penchant for the unscented version, they also offer delightful choices:
- Lavender & White Tea
- Chamomile & Green Tea
- Coconut Vanilla
- Vanilla Jasmine
Odor Protection & Perspiration
The uniqueness of CRYSTAL lies in its use of potassium alum, a departure from most brands that use pore-clogging aluminum. While aluminum stops my sweat, the mineral in CRYSTAL prevents odor onset, allowing my pores to breathe.
Choosing the unscented variant was intentional on my part. I often question if fragrances merely camouflage body odor. With CRYSTAL, while I did sweat post my gym session, there was no foul odor.
How it Feels on the Skin
Upon my initial application, I detected a slightly greasy sensation. Fortunately, this was short-lived, as my skin quickly absorbed it.
A common thread I’ve noticed, similar to Humble and Native, is the presence of baking soda in CRYSTAL. For those with sensitive skin, it might be a point of concern, though I faced no issues.
Ingredients
I’ve grown fond of products with minimalist ingredient lists. CRYSTAL meets that preference, effectively using:
- Water
- Potassium Alum
- Cellulose
- Sodium Bicarbonate
- Benzoic Acid
- Zinc Gluconate
From an ethical standpoint, I appreciate that CRYSTAL is both vegan and cruelty-free. Its recognition as a Clean Label Project Purity Award recipient speaks volumes.
What Other People Say
Amassing feedback from over 20,000 users, CRYSTAL holds a respectable 4.2/5 star rating.
While many share my positive sentiment on its odor protection, a common feedback thread is the need for reapplication, especially after intense physical activities. This aligned with my observation post-workout.
The Verdict
Priced at nearly half of what Humble or Native cost, CRYSTAL emerges as an excellent budget deodorant for preventing odor. However, for those who frequently engage in intense workouts, heavy perspiration, or manual labor, there might be better choices.
Pros
- Contains mineral salts and not aluminum
- A range of scents
- Doesn’t streak clothes
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Less than $4 a stick
Cons
- Not ideal for sweat prevention
Native Deodorant
Best Runner up
Having tried numerous deodorants over the years, Native Deodorant stands out as a favorite of mine.
Its rich history and reputation as a pioneer in the world of “healthy ingredients” deodorants make it stand out. Only Humble’s slightly longer-lasting effect edged it out for the top spot in my book.
What the Marketing Says
From my research into Native, I learned that:
It’s marketed as a universal product for every gender.
Made from naturally derived ingredients, it proudly boasts an absence of aluminum, parabens, gluten, phthalates, or talc.
Their range spans various aromas, categorizing some for men and others for women.
They offer different types of applicators, including roll-ons. Notably, some come in plastic-free packaging, a nod to the eco-conscious, and they also provide antiperspirant sprays.
Native claims its product is light upon application and offers odor protection throughout the day.
How to Apply It
In my personal trial, I tested the roll-on stick. A couple of quick swipes under each arm sufficed.
Although the promotional materials didn’t specify whether it offers 24, 48, or 72-hour protection, the emphasis on feeling dry all day hinted at the need for daily application.
How it Affects Your Clothes
I’ve experienced some deodorants that betray their presence with unsightly white residue on my clothes, especially by day’s end.
Native, however, was a breath of fresh air. It went on dry and impressively maintained that state, leaving no marks or residue on my attire.
Scent Range
During my exploration, I discovered that Native Deodorant has a diverse scent palette, including:
- Eucalyptus & mint
- Charcoal
- Citrus & herbal musk
- Powder & cotton
- Sea salt & cedar
For those who are environmentally conscious, the following scents come in plastic-free containers:
- Unscented
- Cucumber & mint
- Coconut & vanilla
- Lavender & Rose
Some limited edition scents are available directly from Native’s website but are in short supply.
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Odor Protection and Perspiration
While I generally lean towards unscented options, I gave Native’s charcoal scent a go. It was refreshingly subtle and didn’t overpower.
During my test, not only did I detect no body odor after my usual 90-minute workout, but I also remained dry under the arms.
However, by the end of a long day that included an intensive morning workout and a subsequent 8-hour desk job, I began to notice some dampness.
It seems that, for me, Native didn’t have the lasting power that Humble did. Still, I recognize that deodorants affect individuals differently.
How it Feels on the Skin
One of the standout features for me was the sensation Native delivered upon application – dry and refreshingly cool. Throughout the day, it never felt sticky.
However, just like Humble, it contains baking soda, which I’ve heard can be a concern for those with sensitive skin.
Ingredients
Native Deodorant contains more ingredients than Humble, and they are:
- Caprylic/Capric triglyceride (MGT)
- Coco nucifera (coconut) oil
- Ozokerite
- Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
- Magnesium hydroxide
- Dextrose
- Cyclodextrin
- Butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter
- Tapioca starch
- Synthetic and natural fragrances
Native doesn’t test any of its products on animals, only on ‘humans who willingly volunteer to try.’
What Other People Say
Native, with its longstanding presence in the market, has amassed feedback from nearly 30,000 users and holds a commendable 4.5/5-star rating.
Many resonate with my experiences, praising its ability to provide odor protection and ensure stain-free clothing throughout the day.
However, a few have reported skin rashes, presumably from the baking soda content.
The Verdict
Having Native in my daily routine for several years, I’ve grown fond of it. While Humble slightly outperformed in terms of longevity, Native’s easy accessibility compared to the hand-crafted Humble makes it a stellar alternative.
Pros
- Goes on dry and stays dry
- Full-day protection
- A range of scents for men and women
- Natural ingredients
- No animal testing
Cons
- May cause minor skin irritation
