If you’ve checked out my big post all about aluminum-free, natural, non-toxic deodorants, you know that some are really great and some are barely functional. There’s a wide range of products on the market, so how do you choose? I start with the ingredients and look at reviews. I also research the company, where the product is made and if I’ve tried or liked anything else from the brand.
I stand by my rankings, but something weird happened to my body after I had my daughter (“yeah, no sh*t!” — all the moms). Products that used to work really well on me, or scents I used to really like, no longer cut it.
So while I still think this post should be your go-to for my thoughts on aluminum free deodorants (the non-DIY variety, that is), here are the products I’ve been using the past year, in order of how much I like them:
- Lavanilla, Pure Vanilla. Gentle formula and feels smooth and luxurious going on. Lasts a while on me and I like the vanilla scent. It dissipates pretty quickly but it’s nice for a little while. Pure vanilla is my favorite but they have some interesting combinations like Grapefruit Vanilla, etc. In Burlington, VT you can get it at Mirror, Mirror.
- NEW Ursa Major Hoppin’ Fresh Deodorant. Brand new and really lovely. I enjoy the spa-like fragrance (probably from eucalyptus) and the formula is smooth and doesn’t irritate my skin AT ALL. It’s a wonderful product all around. However, it doesn’t last that long on me. By late afternoon (sometimes I can stretch it until dinnertime), I don’t feel hoppin’ fresh. So, I reapply mid-day. This isn’t a huge deal for me, unless I forget. In Burlington, VT you can get it at City Market, Healthy Living and hopefully soon other places that carry Ursa Major (like Common Deer, etc.)
- Tom’s of Maine Long Lasting Apricot Deodorant. Yup, it’s true. While I fell out of love with a lot of the deodorants on my original list, this one has remained a favorite for it’s fruity scent. The scent actually lingers for a while, which I like, but may be a detractor for some people.
- Primal Pit Paste, Jacked up Jasmine. The lemongrass scent and I felt out of love after my pregnancy (hormones are weird), but I LOVE the jasmine scent and the formula works well and truly lasts all day. Unfortunately I’m one of those people who is sensitive to this powerful formula so I can’t wear it every day without experiencing some redness and a mild rash. Note: PPP does offer an unscented, sensitive version for people like me but I haven’t tried it yet.
I’ve used up my Lavanille and Tom’s and won’t be repurchasing for a while since I’ll be moving on to testing out DIY recipes in the new year. However, I still have a stick of Ursa Major and Primal Pit Paste in my bathroom, ready to take over if my foray into creating my own deodorant goes wrong.
xo, Meredith
Meredith Tested 
Meredith, appreciate the update. (Yes, I know, deodorant is not a glam topic but it’s very useful.) As you might remember, I am a regular user of the Tom’s Apricot but I’d like to try other options as well since I can be tough to find.
Yeah, deodorant … not so glam. Though neither is being stinky, haha! Not sure if I ever told you but I typically find Apricot at my local “conventional” grocery store – sometimes not even in the ‘natural’ section. The natural stores tend not to carry it for some reason, so odd! Do you stock up when you see it?
Yes, I do too. Tom’s parent company is Colgate-Palmolive so I find it at my local drug store. I usually buy two at a time, however it’s often out of stock in the Apricot version.