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Sweating. It happens to us all (except Prince Andrew circa 2000 of course).
Deodorants/antiperspirants are one of the hardest things to buy if you want to be ethical. Usually the ingredients are quite harsh and the big brands – who aren’t cruelty free – really own this market.
However, we’ve sweated, tested and curated this list of the best cruelty free deodorants available to buy here in the UK.
Whether you’re a light sweater, a heavy sweater, a smelly sweater (have I gone too far with this list?), we’ve got recommendations for cruelty free antiperspirants, natural deodorants and even deodorant powder!
What’s on this page?
We’ve kept this list to the best of the best, but within here, there is something to suit every armpit and budget.
Best Cruelty-Free and Vegan Deodorant Balms
The Natural Deodorant Co – Deodorant Balm
Natural Deodorant Co’s Deodorant Balm is another all-natural, chemical-free deodorant. But in balm form. Which is very new to us too.
The balm format has such a soothing texture. And – when applied to your skin – almost melts away. A really high quality, creamy deodorant balm that’s ideal for sensitive skin.
- £12.50
- 55g
- Cruelty-free & vegan
- Aluminium and alcohol-free
- Paraben, GM, microbead and sulfate-free
- Plastic-free, recyclable packaging
- Palm-oil-free
- Organic
Made from an odour-controlling blend of magnesium oxide and sodium bicarbonate. And whilst the coconut scent is peculiar for deodorant, it’s a really beautiful product.
Battle Green Lavender & Tea Tree Natural Deodorant
This deodorant looks very pretty. But it’s not just pretty – the packaging is also plastic free, biodegradable and can be recycled.
Anyway, onto the good stuff: this stick (or balm as they call it) smells great (I have the Lavender and Tea Tree stick) and it completely neutralises odours. And when you buy it, you’re supporting a lovely independent company based in North Wales.
- £8.95
- 100g
- PETA Certified cruelty-free & vegan
- Ships from the UK
- Aluminium-free
- Paraben, synthetic colour and fragrance-free
Read our cruelty-free review of Battle Green here.
Best Cruelty-Free and Vegan Roll-on Deodorant Sticks
Salt of the Earth Natural Deodorant
Cruelty-free brand Salt of the Earth make some absolutely brilliant, cruelty-free, eco-friendly deodorants. They’ve made thousands. And The all-natural Crystal Deodorant Stick is the pick of the bunch. It works by leaving a thin layer of mineral salts on your skin, preventing the formation of body odour.
It’s a 100% natural deodorant, that is fragrance and synthetic chemical-free. Even approved by The Vegan Society and the Leaping Bunny Program.
- £4.85
- 90g
- Certified cruelty-free and vegan
- Paraben, GM, aluminium chlorohydrate and sulfate-free
- Plastic-free, recyclable packaging
- Palm-oil free
With no white marks or plastic – the packaging is a cardboard box instead of a plastic-sleeve – this one ingredient deodorant is an incredible eco-friendly, cruelty-free product.
Earth Conscious Lavender and Tea Tree Deodorant
Earth Conscious’ Jasmine and Rose Deodorant Stick is a floral, planet-friendly antiperspirant.
Occasionally jasmine can be a touch sickly. But coupled with rose’s soft, floral tones it makes for a subtle, vibrant deodorant.
As it is made with high quality carriers – typically a high fat oil like coconut oil – and essential oils, it’s a long-lasting all-natural scent. No chemicals here.
- £6.99
- 100ml
- Cruelty-free and vegan
- Plastic-free, recyclable packaging
- Completely biodegradable
- Palm-oil free
- Manufactured in the UK – in the Isle of Wight
- Paraben, phthalate and SLS-free
In a terrific gesture, Earth Conscious supports the ‘Marine Conservation Society’ by donating a percentage of deodorant sales towards cleaning our oceans.
Procoal Natural Deodorant Stick
Arguably the most natural deodorant on the list, Procoals Natural Deodorant Stick is an all-natural, anti-irritant deodorant designed for those with sensitive skin.
Whilst this model is only 50ml, we’ve found it lasts just as long as it’s larger counterparts. An all-natural odour-neutraliser with completely recyclable packaging.
And that’s unfortunately that’s unusual for deodorants. It’s difficult to make sure the whole pack can be recycled.
Luckily Procoal have found a way!
- £7.98
- 50ml
- Vegan
- Aluminium and alcohol-free
- Paraben, GM and sulfate-free
- Recyclable packaging
Jason’s Lavender Deodorant Stick
Arguably the most natural option on the list, Jason’s Lavender Deodorant Stick is a surefire, calming way to minimise patches and smell fantastic.
A really gentle cruelty-free deodorant, if you’re prone to heavy sweating – and that’s your MO here – then this probably isn’t the deodorant for you.
But if you’re looking for an all-natural, armpit-friendly soft antiperspirant, then Jason’s Deodorant Stick is a fantastic choice.
- £4.99
- 75g
- Certified-cruelty-free & vegan
- Made from recycled materials (completely recyclable)
- Aluminium, paraben, SLS, and phthalate-free
Also available in tea tree.
Certain Dri ‘Prescription Strength Clinical Antiperspirant’
This isn’t the most natural deodorant on the list, but if you are prone to heavy sweats, then this is the perfect cruelty free answer. Certain Dri’s most effective product is the ‘Prescription Strength’ Clinical Roll-On, which has high levels of Aluminium Chloride, which prevents sweating.
This deodorant is strong (it stings and itches a little when you first put it on), so I wouldn’t recommend it for sensitive skin.
I am a nervous sweater – in case you were wondering – so I use this ahead of big events/days with big meetings and I don’t sweat at all!
- £12.10
- 35.5ml
- Certified cruelty-free & vegan (not stated but no animal derived products listed)
- Ships from the UK (Amazon is their main retail partner)
- Not aluminium-free (contains high levels)
I am a nervous sweater – in case you were wondering – so I use this ahead of big events/days with big meetings and I don’t sweat at all!
Best Cruelty-Free and Vegan Deodorant Sprays
Lavera Basis Sensitive Deodorant Spray
Lavera’s Basis Sensitive Deodorant Spray is a gentle, aluminium-free deodorant spray with a subtle floral fragrance.
An all-natural deodorant spray that is both organic and paraben-free. And one of the few on the list that we know is dermatologically tested. Which is very rare for a deodorant spray.
Hence why it’s so gentle on sensitive skin or armpits.
- £9.95
- 75ml
- Cruelty-free & vegan
- Paraben, SLS, mineral oil and phthalate-free
- Organic
- Sustainable palm-oil
- Recycled, recyclable packaging and tube
Superdrug ‘Soft Pink Less White Residue Antiperspirant’
People often forget/don’t realise that all Superdrug’s own products are cruelty free and vegan.
Their own products are just as good as Nivea, Sure etc, but are a fraction of the price.
For instance, this roll-on is under a pound! This range is also available in other fragrances too, it’s a perfect budget buy.
- £0.99
- 100ml
- PETA certified cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Ships from the UK
- Not aluminium-free
The Best Cruelty-Free and Vegan Deodorant Powders
Lush The Greench Deodorant Powder
I wasn’t too sure about the concept of powder deodorant at first, but wanted to give it a whirl. And I’m glad I did! It’s a bit odd to pat on, but you get used to that quickly.
The ingredients are great – tea tree (antimicrobial), lycopodium powder (keeps the skin dry) and it feels really nice on the skin. It does the job on a relaxed, no exercise day.
Read our cruelty-free review of Lush Cosmetics here.
- £9
- 75g
- Certified cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Ships from the UK
- Aluminium-free
Wrap up: the best cruelty-free deodorant
Firstly, it’s up to you to decide if you want an antiperspirant (stops sweat) or a deodorant (stops odour). I have both in my cabinet and use antiperspirants on stressful days, and deodorant as the norm.
The deodorant market is competitive and many of the bigger brands are not yet cruelty free.
FAQs
Superdrug own brand, Dove, Salt of the Earth, Lush, Battle Green, Certain Dri, Wild, Schmidt’s, Dr Organic, Soft & Gentle.
Yes deodorant spray is bad for the environment. Consumer aerosol products – particularly air fresheners and deodorant sprays – release a significant amount of volatile organic compounds.
Incredibly erosol products now account for 6.1 per cent of all VOC emissions in the UK, according to researchers at the university of York.
Yes. In fact scientists have urged consumers to utilise roll-on instead of spray to reduce the noxious emissions.
Roll-on deodorants don’t release any volatile organic compounds into the air. Whereas sprays contribute more than the UK’s entire fleet of cars. And these sprays are now the UK’s biggest source of smog pollutants.
Through a lot of product testing and product analysis, but to be more specific, all products featured in our list had to be:
– Cruelty free, either certified by PETA or via a cruelty free guarantee
– Vegan. While not all the brands are vegan, all the products featured here are
– Used by me. I have used them all so I can give some personal insight, rather than just regurgitating marketing materials from the brands themselves (although all of the marketing is truly excellent, which is why I bought them in the first place!)
– Affordable. We haven’t featured anything truly outrageous. We also have a mix of small, independent and large retailers.
– A mix: we wanted to provide some basic cruelty free alternatives to your everyday brands (like Sure), but also wanted to highlight some more natural, organic and ethical choices too!
