Best Natural Deodorants for Sensitive Skin (2024)

The Sensitive Skin Challenge

Finding natural deodorant for sensitive skin is notoriously difficult. The ingredients that make natural deodorants effective - baking soda, essential oils, certain plant extracts - are often the same ones that cause irritation.

We recruited testers with documented sensitive skin (eczema, rosacea, or previous deodorant reactions) to find products that actually work without causing problems.

What Makes Skin React to Deodorant

Before the recommendations, let’s understand the common culprits:

1. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) - The #1 cause of natural deodorant reactions. Creates alkaline environment that disrupts skin’s acid mantle.

2. Essential oils - Concentrated plant compounds that can trigger contact dermatitis, even “gentle” ones like lavender.

3. Fragrances - Both synthetic and natural fragrances can cause reactions.

4. Propylene glycol - Common in conventional deodorants, can irritate sensitive skin.

Our Testing Methodology

We tested each product with 10 sensitive-skin volunteers over 3 weeks. We evaluated:

• Irritation (redness, burning, rash)
• Effectiveness (odour control)
• Long-term tolerance
• Overall user satisfaction

The Winner: Fussy Bare All

Irritation Score: 0.5/10 (minimal reactions) Effectiveness: 9/10 Price: £14

Fussy’s probiotic formula proved exceptional for sensitive skin. Zero baking soda, zero fragrance, and the probiotics work without irritating.

Why it won:

• Completely baking soda-free
• Fragrance-free (truly unscented)
• Probiotic approach is naturally gentle
• Excellent odour control despite gentle formula

The only downside: Premium price point.

Runner-Up: Native Sensitive Unscented

Irritation Score: 1/10 (very few reactions) Effectiveness: 7.5/10 Price: £10

Native’s Sensitive line uses magnesium hydroxide instead of baking soda, making it well-tolerated by most sensitive skin types.

Why it’s great:

• Specifically formulated for sensitive skin
• Uses magnesium hydroxide (gentler than baking soda)
• Fragrance-free option available
• Excellent value

Trade-off: Slightly less effective than Fussy for odour control.

Also Recommended: Wild Fresh Cotton & Sea Salt

Irritation Score: 2/10 (some reactions) Effectiveness: 8/10 Price: £12

While Wild’s classic formula contains baking soda, their Fresh Cotton scent has lower essential oil concentration and was reasonably well-tolerated by our sensitive testers.

Caveats:

• Contains baking soda (not ideal for very sensitive skin)
• Has light fragrance
• Better for “mildly sensitive” rather than “very reactive” skin

Products We Don’t Recommend for Sensitive Skin

High Baking Soda Formulas

Any product listing “sodium bicarbonate” in the first few ingredients. Look for magnesium hydroxide, zinc, or probiotic alternatives instead.

Strong Essential Oil Blends

Products with multiple essential oils, especially citrus, mint, or tea tree. Even “natural” doesn’t mean “gentle.”

Budget Unknown Brands

Stick with established brands that have sensitive-specific formulas. Generic “natural deodorants” often have harsh formulations.

Tips for Sensitive Skin Success

1. Patch Test Everything

Apply to inner arm 24-48 hours before using on armpits. This catches reactions before they cause problems.

2. Timing Matters

Never apply right after shaving. Wait at least 2-3 hours, or better yet, shave at night and apply deodorant in the morning.

3. Less Is More

Sensitive skin often reacts to quantity as well as ingredients. Use thin layers rather than loading up.

4. Keep Skin Dry

Apply to completely dry skin. Moisture can increase ingredient penetration and irritation risk.

5. Have a Recovery Plan

Keep fragrance-free aloe vera or colloidal oatmeal lotion on hand for any irritation.

When to Avoid Natural Deodorant

Be honest with yourself: some people’s skin simply cannot tolerate natural deodorant, no matter how gentle the formula. This is especially true if you have:

• Severe eczema in the armpit area
• Multiple chemical sensitivity
• History of reactions to multiple natural products

In these cases, working with a dermatologist to find a tolerated conventional product may be the better choice. Your comfort matters more than any eco-credential.

Our Final Verdict

For sensitive skin, Fussy Bare All is our top recommendation. Its probiotic formula delivers excellent protection without the common irritants, and our testing showed minimal reactions even among very sensitive participants.

If budget is a concern, Native Sensitive Unscented offers impressive performance at a lower price point.

The key principle: Fewer ingredients, no baking soda, no fragrance. Follow this rule and you’ll dramatically increase your chances of finding a natural deodorant that works for your sensitive skin.