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5 Cruelty-Free Antiperspirants and Deodorants You Should Try ASAP

Billie/Unsplash

Billie/Unsplash

Searching for cruelty-free personal care products doesn’t mean you have to compromise in order to keep a clear conscience. In fact, while looking, you might even come across brands that you’re proud to say you use–even if they are just deodorants and antiperspirants. From settling for harsh chemicals and products that wimp out after an hour at the gym, finding an ethically-made deodorant or antiperspirant that gets the job done can seem a little like stumbling across the Holy Grail.

Lucky for you, we’ve compiled some of the best cruelty-free antiperspirants currently on the market. While many ethical alternatives to mainstream personal care brands have a hard time gaining traction with the bulk of consumers, these companies have established great reputations among customers who will likely never go back.

That’s right–the following cruelty-free antiperspirant and deodorant brands are guaranteed to keep you fresh no matter your lifestyle. See below for the breakdown of our top picks to best suit your individual needs.

SCHMIDT’S

SCHMIDT’S

Zero Waste and Recyclable: Schmidt’s

$10 at time of publication

This certified vegan and cruelty-free brand goes above and beyond with its efforts towards sustainability and accessibility. Oregon-based and gaining high esteem for the past decade, Schmidt’s has fine-tuned plant and mineral-based formulas that are free of aluminum, parabens, and countless artificial ingredients.

Devoted to never compromising on quality, these natural products have ranked a fan-favorite among consumers seeking kinder alternatives to many mainstream deodorant and antiperspirant brands.

Whether you opt for the traditional stick or glass jars, Schmidt’s deodorant is priced. Its product scents range anywhere from flowery to rustic, and of course, fragrance-free, to keep you feeling fresh and clean all day.

The company also promotes its Recycling Club: simply empty five of their sustainable glass jars and receive a free deodorant of your choice. All around, Schmidt’s a frontrunner if you’re looking to stay fresh-smelling and zero-waste.


LAVANILA

LAVANILA

For Sensitive Skin and Pleasant Scent All Day: Lavanila

Lavanila boasts its dedicated use of the purest ingredients that are harvested ethically and sustainably. Made without parabens, synthetics, and aluminum, Lavanila’s cruelty-free deodorants pass extensive clinical training to ensure safety for even the most sensitive skin types. Not only do its products leave a pleasant, long-lasting fragrance, but they’re packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and natural oils to replace the many harsh chemicals found in popular deodorants.

Moderately priced, Lavanila 2oz sticks come in a handful of vanilla-fusion scents and recyclable packaging. Using pure, multitasking essential oils, Lavanila deodorants effectively mask body odor on even the most sensitive skin, as they’re dermatologist recommended. Winner of the Allure Best of Beauty Award in 2016, this brand proves a great investment for healthier, quality ingredients when it comes to proper odor protection.


Certain DRI/AMAZON

Certain DRI/AMAZON

Heavy Duty and Sweat Resistant: Certain Dri

$8 at time of publication

If you live an incredibly active lifestyle or are just prone to excessive sweat, Certain Dri has you covered with its clinical-strength, cruelty-free antiperspirants and deodorants. While each of its three effective formulas contain varying amounts of aluminum, an entire section of its website is devoted to dismantling myths about the active ingredient with real research.

Many natural brands stray from using aluminum altogether, but it is “aluminum-based [compounds] that temporarily [plug] the sweat ducts and [prevent] you from perspiring” and make for effective antiperspirants, according to Certain Dri.

For an over-the-counter product, Certain Dri is reasonably priced at $9 and provide all-day wetness and odor protection. While its ingredients may not be as pure as that of some of our other top picks, Certain Dri gets a job well done while being certified cruelty-free. What more can you ask for?


TOM’S OF MAINE/AMAZON

TOM’S OF MAINE/AMAZON

Unisex Scents and Hardy Wear: Tom’s of Maine

$9 at time of publication

Tom’s of Maine is a company that has long been driven by a passion to deliver natural personal care products. Since 1970, this cruelty-free brand has worked to polish formulas for efficacy and sensitivity.

One of the oldest tricks in the book for those who don’t find women’s deodorants sufficient is to experiment with men’s. Not only does Tom’s of Maine provide, but they also produce wonderfully fragrant women’s and unisex scents that are just as highly raved about. You can even find a mix of cruelty-free antiperspirants and deodorants from this esteemed brand as an inexpensive option at your local drugstore.


Crystal

Crystal

Versatile Applications Galore: CRYSTAL

$7 at time of publication

CRYSTAL leads the pack for manufacturers of mineral-based hypoallergenic deodorants, with 35 years of experience to show for it. Vegan and cruelty-free, this company proudly produces with non-toxic ingredients and eco-friendly packaging.

So, what’s so special about this brand? Aside from its 24-hour wear and array of scents, it’s one of the only brands among our favorites with four different application types: roll-on, spray, solid stick, and mineral stick & stone. It also remains one of the more affordable sources for natural, cruelty-free antiperspirants and deodorants.