Last Updated on March 22, 2025 by NonToxicSwaps
Is Deodorant Bad For You?
Believe it or not, sweat alone does not have an odor. Body odor is caused by the interaction of sweat and bacteria. Deodorant is designed to reduce bacteria that interacts with sweat. This is how deodorant fights odor.
Unfortunately, ingredients like aluminum are used in deodorants because it can block the sweat glands. (Source). Fragrances are used to counteract any body odor that does occur. However, fragrance is a general term that can be any one of hundreds of harmful ingredients.
There are at least 20 lymph nodes in the armpit. Applying toxic deodorant chemicals over the armpits means these ingredients have direct access to absorbing into the lymphatic system and are more prone to affecting breast tissue.
Swapping out your deodorant will eliminate these toxins from being absorbed into your body on a daily basis.
What’s the Difference Between Deodorant and Antiperspirant?
Deodorant reduces the bacteria that interacts with sweat to produce body odor.
Antiperspirant blocks sweat glands to reduce sweating from occurring in the first place.
Mainstream deodorants can also target the blockage of sweat glands, giving them antiperspirant properties.
Ingredients to Avoid in Deodorant
Conventional deodorants contain ingredients that are dangerous for our health. The safest deodorant to use is one that does not include these toxic ingredients.
- Aluminum: neurotoxin (PubChem ID: 5359268), potentially linked to breast cancer (PMID: 16045991) and Alzheimer’s at a high rate of exposure (PMID: 26494454)
- Triclosan: antimicrobial associated with endocrine disruption, reproductive & developmental defects, bioaccumulative (PMID: 29182464); can degrade into dioxins (endocrine disruptor/carcinogen) when exposed to light and in water posing environmental pollution
- Polyethylene glycols (PEGs): ethoxylated ingredient that may be contaminated with 1,4 dioxane and ethylene oxide, byproducts of ethoxylation (see above for ethoxylated ingredient description)
- Parabens: preservatives linked to endocrine disruption (PMID: 29596967), known to be carcinogenic due to endocrine disruption (PMID: 36746253) Parabens may be listed as methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, and benzylparaben.
- Butylated compounds (BHA/BHT): linked to endocrine disruption at high doses, developmental & reproductive toxicity (PubChem CID: 31404); BHA is a known carcinogen, developmental & reproductive toxin (PubChem ID: 24667)
- Phenoxyethanol: deemed generally safe at a 1% concentration, however it’s production process, ethoxylation, can potentially contaminate phenoxyethanol with 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide (see above for ethoxylated ingredient description) (PubChem CID: 31236)
Baking Soda Vs Non Baking Soda Deodorant
Baking soda is often used in deodorants for its odor-fighting properties. While baking soda is not a toxic, it can irritate sensitive skin.
In the following recommendations, I point out which deodorants include baking soda and which do not.
Best Non Toxic Deodorants
Eliminate toxins by switching to one of these non toxic deodorants. This list is divided up by solid stick deodorant, spray deodorant, and cream deodorants.
Solid Stick Non Toxic Deodorant
1) thinkSport Deodorant

- Type: Stick deodorant
- Cruelty Free
- Leaping Bunny Certified
- Contains Baking soda
- Made in the USA
- B Corp Certification
- Scents available: Chamomile Citrus, Bergamot Cedarwood, Aloe & Tea Flowers
- Type: Stick
- Cruelty Free
- Leaping Bunny Certified
- Baking soda-free
- Made in the USA
- Scents available: Rose & Lavender, Coconut & Pineapple, Charcoal & Sage
- Type: Stick
- Contains Baking soda
- 25% discount with a DoTerra membership
- Type: Stick
- Vegan
- Cruelty Free
- Leaping Bunny Certified
- Baking soda-free
- Made in the USA
- Scents available: Charcoal Geranium, Lavender & Coconut, Charcoal Magnesium, Lemon Verbena, Cedarwood & Mint, Fragrance Free
- Type: Stick
- Organic
- Cruelty Free
- Leaping Bunny Certified
- OTCO-Certified (Oregon Tilth)
- Contains Baking soda
- Made in the USA
- Scents available: Calming Lavender, Bright Citrus, Ginger Fresh, Simply Non-Scents
- EARTH MAMA MINI DEODORANT 4-PACK: All four deodorants in mini size! See it here.
- Type: Stick deodorant
- Contains Fair Trade ingredients
- Contains Baking soda
- Organic
- Made in the USA
- Scents available: Blue Tansy, Geranium, Lavender, Vanilla + Citrus, Lemongrass, Tea Tree, Unscented
- Type: Stick deodorant
- Activated coconut charcoal adds detoxifying benefits
- Contains Fair Trade ingredients
- Contains Baking soda
- Organic
- Made in the USA
- Type: Stick deodorant
- Vegan
- Cruelty Free
- Contains Baking soda
- Plastic free & biodegradable packaging
- Scents available:
Sandalwood, Herbal Musk, Sea Salt, White Tea Leaves, Lemon Leaves, Red Vine Leaves, Orange Leaves, Olive Leaves, Unscented
- Type: Stick
- Leaping Bunny Certified | Cruelty Free
- Contains Baking soda
- Made in the USA
- Packaging: Shipped in recyclable brown paper envelopes or cardboard shipping boxes
- The Original formula containers are made from 75% post consumer recycled plastic.
- Original Formula Scents: Bergamot & Ginger, Black Spruce, Lavender & Holy Basil, Lemongrass & Sage, Moroccan Rose, Mountain Lavender, Palo Santo & Frankincense, Patchouli & Copal, Rosemary & Mint, Simply Unscented, Texas Cedarwood & Grapefruit
- Plastic-Free Original Formula Scents: Bergamot & Ginger, Moroccan Rose, Palo Santo & Frankincense, Patchouli & Copal
- Type: Stick
- Leaping Bunny Certified | Cruelty Free
- Baking soda-free
- Made in the USA
- Packaging: Shipped in recyclable brown paper envelopes or cardboard shipping boxes
- Containers are made from 75% post consumer recycled plastic.
- Vegan & Sensitive Formula Scents: Vegan Moroccan Rose, Vegan Bergamot & Ginger, Vegan Mountain Lavender, Vegan Palo Santo & Frankincense, Vegan Patchouli & Copal, Vegan Simply Unscented
- Type: Stick
- Vegan
- Cruelty Free
- Baking soda-Free
- Plant-based packaging
- Scents Available: Lemon & Lavender, Cedar & Vanilla, Cannabis & Green Tea, Fragrance Free, Cardamom & Ginger, Coconut & Lime, Rose & Vanilla, Citrus & Vetiver, Geranium & Snow Mushroom, Sandalwood & Black Pepper
- Type: Stick
- Vegan
- Leaping Bunny Certified | Cruelty Free
- Plastic-free
- Baking soda-Free
- Packaging: shipped plastic-free, in a cardboard box, with paper ‘bubble wrap’, all sealed with paper tape. Compostable packaging!
- Scents Available: Rustic (Citrus & Earthy), Botanica (Floral), Minimalist (Unscented)
- Type: Stick
- Vegan
- Cruelty Free
- USDA Organic
- Baking soda and baking-soda free options available
- Made in the USA
- Small Business
- Baking Soda-Free Varieties: Cherry Vanilla, Geranium Lime, Lemon & Clove
- Contains Baking Soda: Super (Patchouli Lemon Clove), Spring Lilac, Almond & Coconut, Orange Vanilla, Spearmint & Tea Tree, Lemongrass, Lavender & Vanilla, Jasmint
- Type: Stick
- Vegan, Gluten-Free, Hypoallergenic
- Leaping Bunny Certified | Cruelty Free
- Non-GMO, most ingredients Organic
- Baking soda-Free
- Made in the USA
- Family-owned
- Helps support detoxification
- Scents available: Lavender, Citrus, Unscented, Woods, Spring Blossoms, Rustic, Vanilla Bean, Blue Bliss
- Type: Stick
- Vegan, Gluten-Free, Hypoallergenic
- Leaping Bunny Certified | Cruelty Free
- Non-GMO, most ingredients Organic
- Baking soda-Free
- Made in the USA
- Family-owned
- Helps support detoxification
- Scents available: Lemon-Mint, Ginger-Lime, Unscented, Grapefruit-Juniper, Pumpkin Spice
- Type: Stick
- Vegan
- Cruelty Free
- Baking soda-Free option
- Made in the USA
- Plastic-Free
- Scents available: Basil Mint, Vanilla Coconut, Grapefruit Bergamot, Unscented, Lavender Vanilla
- Baking Soda-Free: Charcoal Magnesium
- Type: Cream
- Organic
- Non-GMO
- Vegan
- Baking soda Free
- Cruelty Free
- Scents: available: Charcoal Seaside, Lavender, Orange Vanilla, Unscented, Woodlands
- Type: Stick
- Cruelty Free
- Baking soda and baking soda-free options
- Made in the USA
- Contains baking soda: Pure Haven Deodorant
- Baking soda-free version: Pure Haven Baking Soda-Free Deodorant
- Type: Stick
- Cruelty Free
- Baking soda-free
- Scents available: Lavender & Tea Tree, Lemon Vanilla
- Type: Solid
- Cruelty Free
- Contains Baking soda
- Scents available: Lavender Tea Tree
- Type: Solid
- Vegan, Gluten-Free
- Cruelty Free
- Contains Baking soda
- Varieties available: Scented (with essential oils), Unscented
- Type: Solid
- Vegan, Gluten-Free
- Cruelty Free
- Contains Baking soda
- Made in the USA
- Scents available: Lavender, Vetiver Citrus, Floral Spice, Jasmine Rose, Orange Vanilla
- Type: Solid
- Cruelty Free
- Contains Baking soda
- Made in Canada
- Scents available: Eucalyptus, Super Strength, Lavender
- Type: Stick
- Cruelty Free
- Contains Baking soda
- Small Business
- Plastic-free, Zero Waste
- Biodegradable & Compostable
- Scents available: Lemon & Tea Tree, Tea Tree & Rosemary
- Type: Spray
- Cruelty Free
- Made in the USA
- Scents available: Jasmine Verbena, Rose Lemon, Orange Blossom Vanilla
- Type: Spray
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
- Cruelty Free
- USDA Certified Organic
- Non-GMO
- Baking soda free
- Made in the USA
- Eco-friendly packaging
- Scents available: Lavender Vanilla, Spearmint & Tea Tree, Jasmint, Truly Herbal, Lemongrass Rosemary, Lemon & Clove, Lemongrass & Tea Tree, Geranium Lime, Super (Lemon Clove Patchouli)
- Type: Spray
- Gluten-free
- Cruelty Free
- Contains Baking soda
- Made in the USA
- Vegan
- USDA Certified Organic
- Palm oil free
- Scents available: Almond Coconut, Geranium Lime, Jasmint, Lavender Vanilla, Lemon & Clove, Lemongrass, Orange Vanilla, Spearmint & Tea Tree, Spring Lilac, Unscented, Super (Patchouli Lemon Clove), Wild Rose
- Type: Cream
- Vegan
- Cruelty Free
- Gluten free
- Contains Baking soda
- Packaging is made from recycled ocean waste plastic and post-consumer recycled material.
- Type: Cream
- Cruelty-free
- Contains Baking soda
- “Packed in cardboard on the outside and 100% post consumer recycled plastic on the inside.” – Routine
- Type: Cream
- Vegan
- Cruelty Free
- Organic
- Non-GMO
- Recylable container
- Contains Baking soda
- Type: Cream
- Cruelty Free
- Organic
- Non-GMO
- Recylable container
- Baking soda-free
33) Meow Meow Tweet deodorant Cream
CONCLUSION: NON TOXIC DEODORANT
Below are summarized lists of the non toxic deodorants from this post:
Baking Soda Free Deodorant – Solid
- milk + honey Baking Soda Free Deodorant
- PureHaven Deodorant
- Pretty Frank Natural Deodorant Stick
- Cleo+Coco Natural Deodorant
- Earthly Mineral Deodorant PLUS
- Earthley Mineral Deodorant
- Bubble and Bee Pit Putty Organic Deodorant
- Ethique Solid Deodorant
- Each & Every Deodorant
- Humble Deodorant | Vegan & Sensitive
- Acure Deodorant
- Think Magnesium Deodorant
Baking Soda Free Deodorant Sprays
Baking Soda Free Deodorant Cream
Non Toxic Deodorant Sticks with Baking Soda
- thinkSport Deodorant
- DoTerra Balance Natural Deodorant
- Earth Mama Organics Deodorant
- Primally Pure Deodorant
- Primally Pure Charcoal Deodorant
- Attitude Deodorant
- Humble Deodorant | Original Formula
- milk + honey Extra Strength, Aluminum Free Deodorant
- PiperWai Natural Deodorant
- Green Tidings Natural Lavender Deodorant
- Lovefresh – Natural Super Strength Deodorant
- BeNat All Natural Deodorant