The go-to choice for sensitive skin. Native's baking soda-free formula minimizes irritation risk while still providing reasonable odour protection at an accessible price.
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Rating Breakdown
Pros
- Excellent for reactive skin
- No baking soda irritation
- No fragrance irritation
- Great value
- Plastic-free packaging available
Cons
- Slightly less effective than baking soda formulas
- No scent experience
- Not refillable
Our Full Review
For those with sensitive skin, finding natural deodorant is often an exercise in frustration. Baking soda causes irritation. Essential oils cause reactions. Native Sensitive Unscented addresses both issues.
The Formula Difference
Unlike Native’s classic formula, the Sensitive line uses magnesium hydroxide instead of baking soda. This trade-off means:
Pros:
- Dramatically reduced irritation risk
- Gentle on recently-shaved skin
- No alkaline burn that some experience with baking soda
Cons:
- Slightly less powerful odour neutralization
- May need reapplication on heavy sweat days
For most people with sensitive skin, this trade-off is absolutely worth it.
Performance
We were impressed by how well this performs given the gentle formula:
- Light activity: Excellent. Full day protection, no issues.
- Moderate activity: Good. Held up well during normal daily activities.
- Heavy sweating: Adequate. May benefit from midday reapplication.
It won’t match the odour-fighting power of baking soda formulas, but for sensitive skin types, that’s not the priority - avoiding irritation is.
Skin Sensitivity Testing
We specifically recruited testers who had previously reacted to natural deodorants:
- 5 testers who react to baking soda: Zero irritation with Native Sensitive
- 3 testers who react to fragrances: Zero irritation
- 2 testers with eczema: Well-tolerated with no flare-ups
These results were significantly better than we see with most products.
The Budget Option
At £10, this is considerably cheaper than premium sensitive options like specialist dermatologist-recommended brands. For most sensitive skin types, it performs comparably at a fraction of the price.
Best Practices for Sensitive Skin
To maximize success:
- Apply to completely dry skin
- Wait after shaving before applying (ideally overnight)
- Use thin layers - more isn’t better
- Allow to dry before dressing
Final Thoughts
Native Sensitive Unscented is the sensible choice for anyone who’s struggled with natural deodorant reactions. It prioritizes skin comfort over maximum performance, and for sensitive types, that’s exactly right.