I’m very protective of my underarms, possibly to the point of obsession. I even stopped shaving them because I hated the irritation from constant hair removal. I occasionally get eczema flare-ups there, so I must be picky about what I use on them. I haven’t been a fan of aerosol deodorants because they’re trash for the planet, and breathing them in would make me gag. I started using natural deodorants many years ago, and I don’t think there’s one I haven’t tried.

They often get a bad rap because there are quite a few bad ones on the market, so bad that you could be putting tap water on your pits; they’re so ineffective. There is a misconception about aluminium-free deodorants and what makes them different from products containing them. Aluminum is the ingredient that stops you sweating by blocking your sweat pores. You’ll often have to go through a transition period when swapping to a natural deodorant, which can be anything from 2 to 4 weeks. You may feel that you’re sweating or stinkier more than usual as your body releases the aluminium your pores were blocked with. It’ll pass, I promise! A natural deodorant will absorb moisture and neutralise odour, but it won’t stop you from sweating. If your primary concern is sweating, a natural deodorant may not meet your needs. It’s not a fun or sexy subject, but it is a necessary one, so I’m going to share the natural and aluminium-free deodorants that actually work.

FOR CLARITY, ALL PRODUCTS RECOMMENDED ARE VEGAN & CRUELTY-FREE.

FUSSY

Featured on Dragons Den, Fussy is a natural and sustainable deodorant that came to rival some more prominent players in the game. They did their job. It’s plastic-free and refillable, completely natural, aluminium-free, paraben-free, and vegan. Once you’ve bought a case, you need to order refills. They ship in threes to minimise excess postage; you can even pick a plan to send out refills automatically when needed. You can switch around the scents, skip a refill if they last you longer than you thought, or change it to more frequently if you’re getting through them quickly. They say a refill should last 4-8 weeks, depending on use, and this is entirely accurate. My refills lasted about six weeks, and I would apply once to twice a day, depending on the level of exercise I had endured. It didn’t stain my clothing, but I always take caution with stick deodorants and let my pits dry out as much as possible before getting dressed. Fussy has the most excellent packaging of all the natural deodorants I've tried; it’s small enough to fit into your pocket! I’m a sucker for aesthetics, so I like that it can match my accessories as it floats about in my handbag! Scents include parma violets and various other citrusy, woody, tropical, floral, cotton, and minty options.

A Case & a refill + subscription is currently £8, usually £16

A case & 3 refills as a one-time purchase is £26

Fussy is available to buy from their website getfussy.com

DR ORGANIC

Probably the most popular choice in my household. The brand's name tells all: they’re a certified organic brand that makes skin-loving products that are always plant-based and housed in recycled & recyclable packaging. There are two reasons I love Dr Organic deodorants; the first one is convenience, as they’re available in Holland & Barett and regularly on offer. The second is how gentle they are on my eczema-prone pits, with plenty of options, such as Vitamin E, Aloe Vera or my recent new favourite, Moroccan Argan Oil. They’re aluminium, SLS, paraben and alcohol-free. They’re not the fastest-drying deodorants I’ve tried, but they’ve never stained my clothing if I get dressed before the product completely dries. Whilst I wish they were housed in a refillable container, I know that Dr Organic are very transparent about how their sustainability efforts are not done. I am sure that will be an option when they’ve figured it out. They are highly affordable and a perfect first transition into natural deodorants.

Dr Organic Deodorant is available from drorganic.co.uk, Holland & Barrett & Sephora.

They cost £5.99 for 50ml.

AKT

Not all deodorants are created equally, and AKT has taken its place as the best newcomer. They make a deodorant balm, and if you’re not sure what that entails, it means you apply the balm to your armpits just like you’d apply moisturiser to your face. You take a pea-sized amount (and I mean that less is more for this product), and you work it into dry, clean underarms. If using your hands isn’t for you, they have a Gua-Sha-inspired applicator you can add on. Once a day is all that’s needed for AKT, and due to how little you’re using - it’ll last you ages! The ingredients are so gentle you can use it anywhere you sweat: your forehead, chest, etc. It moisturises thanks to vitamin E, Shea butter and Calendula, but it keeps you dry due to Diatomaceous Earth and Arrowroot. It’s probably my favourite for odour elimination, using sodium bicarbonate and zinc oxide to keep you feeling fresh all day. It’s the deodrant I pick for spin class, let’s put it that way! I was sent a tube of AKT in June, and it’s not even close to being halfway done in October. The scents are creative and remind me of perfume note building; the one I own is “Halcyon Summers’ featuring mint, pomelo and tomato vine. There’s also “After Thunder”, “The Onsen”, “Orange Grove” and “Columbia Road”. Akt is best ordered via their website as they offer a subscription service delivered every six weeks (but you can change the frequency to more or less). Alternatively, you can opt for a one-time purchase to try it out first. AKT is like a well-built tube of toothpaste, so they’ve anticipated your needs by selling what they call “the assistant”, a tool that will help you get the last bits out when you’re nearing the end of your tube. We love a brand that thinks of everything!

AKT deodorant balm (60ml) is £16.15 on a subscription (can cancel anytime) or £19 for a one-off purchase.

AKT is available from aktlondon.com

NÉCESSAIRE

A beauty of a product, you can’t really deny. Howecer, the aesthetics matter little if you’re still a sweaty, stinking mess when using it. Luckily, you’ll be neither and you’ll have the best looking dedorant in the room if you have a stick of Nécessaire. The brand has a cult following in the states, with their shower gels and deodorant making waves for tackling multiple concerns at once. The roller bottle deodorant is a clear liquid that glides on with no build-up. It’s a fresh scent that should appeal to any nose. All of these things are lovely but they’re not what makes this deodorant stand out, it’s the active ingredients that brings in the fans. 5% AHA, Niacinamide and Panthenol means it’ll help improve skin texture, minimise KP bumps and treat hyperpigmentation. My good friend Stephanie Yeboah, a fellow beauty fanatic is a huge fan of this deodorant (and is the one who put me on!). It’s on the pricier side, but taking into account all of the added benefits - it feels like two products in one, so basically it’s a bargain!

Nécessaire is available exclusively at Space NK. It comes in Eucalyptus and Fragrance-Free. It costs £18 for 50ml.