For close to a decade, I’ve been searching far and wide for a natural deodorant that actually works—and until I came across By Humankind deodorant, I was almost ready to give up. The sustainable, aluminum-free option eliminates odor like a charm, and it looks great too. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
Antiperspirant and natural deodorant differ in their ingredient lists; the former stops sweating by “plugging” sweat glands with aluminum, while the latter works to neutralize body odor without it. While some people believe aluminum is toxic, there’s no strong evidence that the ingredient increases cancer risk, per the American Cancer Society—but it does strongly contribute to sweat stains. Tired of my favorite shirts becoming yellowed and unwearable, I swore off traditional antiperspirants years ago.
While the switch saved my wardrobe, it didn’t exactly work wonders for my armpits. I’m a chronic sweater. I simply cannot escape it, especially when I’m anxious or overheated. So without the sweat-stopping convenience of antiperspirant, I scoured supermarkets, natural food stores, and Instagram startups for a natural deodorant that would actually keep odor at bay. Two years ago I came across By Humankind during a Google deep dive. I’ve been a devoted fan ever since.
From the very first swipe, the deodorant impressed me. The brand offers scents like eucalyptus, coconut, and lemongrass, all of which smell great but aren’t overpowering. (My personal favorite is lavender-citrus.) Each one also neutralizes odors exceptionally well, leaving me fresh even after a full day at work or a long night out. The brand claims its formula eliminates body-odor-causing bacteria 40% faster than other natural options, and I’m inclined to believe it.
And although it’s not technically an antiperspirant and contains no aluminum, I’ve noticed I sweat much less when wearing By Humankind deodorant. In fact, its smooth, nonirritating formula—a mix of botanicals and minerals—is even safe enough to eat (not that I’ve tried). Each stick lasts me six to eight weeks, depending on the weather, more than justifying its $12 price tag. Slightly discounted subscription options are also available.
The deodorant is just as remarkable for its sustainable bona fides too. It comes in compostable tubes that slide into a reusable twist-up container, cutting down on the single-use plastic that so many other brands rely on. Adding a new stick is as easy as unlocking the bottom and slipping a new tube in—it’s a truly refillable product that you’ll want to keep using. Plus, By Humankind ships its products in completely recyclable packaging, and the brand has been carbon-neutral for years.
If you’re hung up on a good-enough option, I understand: There are plenty of other cute, great-smelling options that I’ve trusted in the past. But those dalliances have only lasted a few months at most, leaving me with lurking odors, mountains of single-use containers, and even nasty rashes. Your deodorant should be the entire package—don’t accept less than you deserve.
As peak sweaty season approaches, I’ll be trusting this option alone to get me through another hot, humid summer. This is the most effective natural formula I’ve ever found, and the fact that it’s sustainable makes it even better—By Humankind’s deodorant is a true holy grail.
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