A guide to the best cruelty-free deodorants that will keep you smelling fresh and feeling even better.
Already know what you want? Check out the full list of featured cruelty-free deodorants here.
Let’s face it, deodorant isn’t a very sexy thing to talk about but finding the perfect cruelty-free deo is essential if you a) don’t want to smell and b) want to buy a product that doesn’t cause harm to animals. Luckily, there are a ton of different options out there, from classic stick deos to pots of deodorant cream, sprays, wipes and everything in between 
Even better? Most cruelty-free deodorants are also natural!
Why choose cruelty-free deodorant?
Cruelty-free products are made without testing on animals. Unfortunately, some companies still conduct animal testing. This is a pretty archaic practice that not only leads to unnecessary animal suffering but in some cases, it even leads to animal’s death. Only buying cruelty-free products is the best way to ensure that companies stop animal testing once and for all.
Buying cruelty-free is better for animals and makes you feel good which is a #winwin.
If you’re worried that an alternative deodorant to your staple won’t work, no worries – we’ve put together the best cruelty-free deodorants to help you make the switch to a kinder alternative while keeping BO on the DL.
You can learn more about cruelty-free here.
What makes deodorant cruelty-free?
When a product is cruelty-free it means that no part of the product was tested on animals at any point during production.
None.
This means that neither the individual ingredients nor the finished product was tested on animals by the company that labels the product or a third company on the company’s behalf. Additionally, the cruelty-free classifier means you’ll know that the company didn’t purchase raw materials from suppliers who tested on animals AND the company doesn’t sell in markets where animal testing is required by law.
How to tell if your deodorant is cruelty-free
There are three organizations that currently certify whether a product is cruelty-free: PETA, Leaping Bunny, and Choose Cruelty Free. You can tell whether a product is certified by one of these organizations based on the bunny logo which you can find on the side of packaging.
Since the term “cruelty-free” is unregulated, some companies claim to be cruelty-free without actually adhering to the cruelty-free standards so it’s good to always do your own research. If you’re unsure we recommend dropping the company an email to ask directly about their practices.
Best cruelty-free deodorant sticks
Deodorant sticks are an all-classic, tried and true deo option. Useful for keeping your armpits dry and smelling fresh, stick deodorants are made by mixing active ingredients with other ingredients like waxes and oils that mold the mixture into stick form.
Whether you’re looking for an everyday antiperspirant solution or a cruelty-free deodorant for throwing in your gym bag before a heavy yoga or workout session, the best cruelty-free deodorants allow you to get the job done, guilt free.
Great for travel, stick deodorants slide on smooth, without leaving your armpits feeling wet. The downside of stick deos is that they are more likely to leave white stains so be careful when wearing dark colors. Also, some cruelty-free deodorants can get a bit melty under high temperatures so keep those sticks chilled.
Blissoma Scentless Stick Solid Natural Deodorant
Why we love it | A mild, unscented deodorant that’s easy to apply and non-irritating
With super moisturizing mango butter and natural oils, this natural deodorant is formulated to be non-irritating while absorbing sweat. Less sweat = no BO. Like many natural deodorants, Blissoma uses baking soda to keep you from being a hot, sweaty mess and while some baking soda formulas can be a bit harsh on the sensitive pit skin, Blissoma uses a combination of zinc oxide, bentonite clay, and organic arrowroot powder to absorb sweat. This means the amount of baking soda is nearly half as much as other products out there. The formula is also scent free so it really is seriously non-irritating. Easy to apply and mild on the skin make this deodorant a great cruelty-free option.
Crystal Mineral Deodorant Stick
Why we love it | A cheap, long-lasting, natural alternative made from mineral salt
Unlike your traditional stick deodorant that’s made from a combination of active ingredients like baking soda and other ingredients that shape the deo into stick form, crystal deodorants are made from one thing – mineral salt. Crazy, right? Crystal deodorants are made from potassium aluminum sulfate, which is a salt. The mineral salts form a protective barrier on the skin against odor-causing bacteria and are free from the nasties typically associated with antiperspirants like aluminium chlorohydrate, aluminium zirconium, phthalates, and parabens. Not only is rubbing some salt on your armpit cool, at something like $5 per stick it’s super cheap as each stick can last for over a year. FYI you might need to detox off mainstream deos so the first few days might be a bit stinky. This should go away 
Green Beaver Natural Deodorant Stick
Why we love it | A stick deodorant formulated with a unique combination of odor controlling ingredients like citrus enzymes and lichens
Green Beaver is a Canadian company that makes all natural, certified Ecocert, vegan, cruelty-free, and biodegradable deodorants. Thanks to a unique formula, this deodorant has an anti-odor complex formulated with natural citrus enzymes and lichens. Free from alcohol, aluminum, ethanol, gluten, GMOs, parabens, propylene glycol, and synthetic fragrances, this deodorant is perfect for sensitive armpits. Non-irritating, smoothly textured, Green Beaver deo goes on without white residue.
Kaia Takesumi Detox Charcoal Deodorant
Why we love it | A powerful detoxing deodorant made from activated charcoal and artisinally blended essential oils
An all-natural deodorant that uses activated charcoal to draw toxins from your pore like a magnet, while simultaneously fighting odor-causing bacteria. Kaia glides on easy and dries to a clear powder finish and is made with artisanally-blended essential oils created by a renowned perfumer. This unique, cruelty-free charcoal deodorant leaves your underarms free to breathe 
Natural, vegan, cruelty-free, and free from baking soda, parabens, aluminum, propylene glycol, and synthetic fragrances.
Kiss My Face Active Life Deodorant
Why we love it | Clinically proven to keep you dry and confident
Kiss My Face deodorants offer effective protection that will last all day long with its clinically proven formula that will keep even the most active wearer fresh, and confident. The deo combines botanicals like coriander, hops, and rosemary while odor absorbing ingredients keep you smelling nice and staying cool. Free from parabens and aluminum chlorohydrate and white mark free Kiss My Face is one of the most widely available vegan and cruelty-free deodorants.
Lavanila Healthy Deodorant
Why we love it | An award-winning cruelty-free deodorant #nuffsaid
This award-winning deodorant is 100% natural, safe, and effective. Formulated with soothing essential oils blended with beta-glucan technology to keep you smelling fresh while soothing, conditioning, and nourishing your sensitive pit skin. Clinically tested, dermatologist recommended, and allergy tested it also goes on clean without any sticky wetness. Lavanila’s deodorant is free from an impressively long line of yucky ingredients, including aluminum, sulfates, parabens, formaldehyde, phthalates, mineral oil, and synthetic fragrances.
LOVEFRESH 100% Natural Deodorant
Why we love it | A cruelty-free deodorant with a less is more approach to ingredients
You can be sure that you’re only putting natural ingredients on your sensitive underarm skin with this deodorant that’s made from fewer than 10 ingredients, including shea butter, coconut oil, kaolin clay, sodium bicarbonate, coconut-derived emulsifying wax, arrowroot powder, natural beeswax, and natural organic essential oils. It goes on creamy, gliding on extra smooth without fading throughout the day.
Meow Meow Tweet Baking Soda Free Deodorant
Why we love it | Zero waste, natural, baking soda free, and cruelty-free deodorant
Some people who make the transition from mainstream deo to natural (and cruelty-free!) alternatives find that baking soda, the ingredient commonly used to absorb moisture, can cause skin irritation. Enter Meow Meow Tweet – one of the coolest baking-soda free and cruelty-free deodorants currently on the market. In a fun biodegradable and zero waste package, this deodorant is formulated with a dream team of plant oils and mineral powders in an easy to use push-up paper tube. Also available as a cruelty-free cream deodorant.
Nourish Organic Deodorant Stick
Why we love it | A company that puts its money where its mouth is with an impressive range of eco-creds
With ingredients like deodorizing cornstarch, vegetable protein, shea and cocoa butters, beeswax, and coconut oil, Nourish’s deodorant is super nourishing and extra gentle on sensitive skin. Nourish has an impressive range of seals to its name as well, including USDA organic, cruelty-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, made in the USA, and a B Corp. Additionally, this deodorant uses Fair Trade certified ingredients and is free from aluminum and talc. Oh yeah, and it comes in a range of yummy scents like almond vanilla, fresh fig, lavender mint, and forest.
Now Foods Nature’s Deodorant Stick
Why we love it | An all natural, crystal based deodorant that leaves you feeling fresh
Another crystal-based deodorant that leaves a thin layer of odor-controlling mineral salts when applied. It offers long-lasting, natural protection and is free from harsh chemicals, oils, alcohol, preservatives, harmful forms of aluminum. It’s also gluten-free, vegan, and cruelty-free.
Schmidt’s Naturals Deodorant Stick
Why we love it | An award-winning deodorant with cool girl creds
A cool girl approved, award-winning deodorant that actually works. With features by big names such as NBC, Fox News, The Today Show, Allure, Forbes, InStyle, Elle, MSN, Yahoo, Allure, Glamour, Self, Nylon, and many more this deo is a can’t miss. Formulated without nasty ingredients like aluminum, propylene glycol, phthalates, parabens, and triclosan, Schmidt’s is healthy, smells nice, and cruelty-free. And they refuse to compromise on quality with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Also available as a cruelty-free cream deodorant.
Tarte Clean Queen Vegan Deodorant
Why we love it | Glamorous, clean and natural deodorant made from natural plant starches
A sweet smelling hypoallergenic, long-lasting deodorant made from natural plant starches. With soothing aloe to condition and smooth sensitive or irritated skin. Tarte’s cream-to-powder formula goes on without white marks or streaks and won’t leave your armpits feeling wet. Aluminum and alcohol-free this is a glam inducing, cruelty-free deodorant that will leave your underarms feeling healthy and clean. Vegan, hypoallergenic, and dermatologist tested.
*Note: Tarte is cruelty-free but their parent company is not.
Tom’s of Maine Long-Lasting Deodorant
Why we love it | A cruelty-free deodorant from one of the OG’s of natural products
Tom’s of Maine Long-Lasting Deodorant uses odor-fighting hopes to keep you feeling and smelling fresh for up to 24-hours. Free from aluminum, fragrances, and preservatives while being cruelty-free and not containing any animal ingredients. Tom’s have also turned their well-known brand into a vehicle for change working to maximize the recycled content and recyclability of their packaging and giving back with 10% profit share.
*Note: Tom’s of Maine is cruelty-free but their parent company is not.
Best cruelty-free deodorant creams
Deodorant creams might be one of the best-kept deo secrets out there. While stick deodorants have to be made from a specific set of ingredients to maintain their stick shape, cream deodorants don’t need to stay in a stick shape so the different varieties of active ingredients that can be mixed together are basically endless. Plus, many creams create a layer that contains an emollient that keeps the active ingredient on longer and since you apply the cream with your fingers you get total control over where and how much you use. Basically, creams work harder, longer.
Also, creams typically come in jars, instead of plastic containers which means a zero waste win 
Meow Meow Tweet Baking Soda Free Cream Deodorant
Why we love it | A whipped baking soda free deodorant with a smooth and creamy texture
Meow Meow Tweet’s cream deodorant is another one of their cult faves. Free from baking soda or clay, this deo is perfect for sensitive pits as it uses dietary magnesium and arrowroot powder instead to control moisture and odor. It’s also formulated with nourishing plant oils and butters to make this extra conditioning to your skin. The consistency is whipped and smooth so it goe son easy and keeps you smelling fresh throughout the day.
Pretty Frank Baking Soda Deodorant
Why we love it | Aluminum-free, paraben-free deodorant that makes your pits smell like a tropical vacation
Formerly Primal Pit Paste, Pretty Frank deodorants are formulated with organic and all natural ingredients. Baking soda effectively neutralizes body odor and is mixed with organic arrowroot powder to keep you feeling fresh and dry. No harsh chemicals, aluminum free, paraben free, synthetic fragrance-free, gluten-free, and propylene glycol free. Contents are vegan, cruelty-free, and biodegradable and come in a lovely white glass jar.
Routine Natural Deodorant Cream
Why we love it | A high-end deodorant formulated with activated charcoal, magnesium, and prebiotics
This power-packed gem includes activated charcoal, magnesium, and prebiotics for those days when you need a little something extra. The charcoal detoxifies, the magnesium helps to reduce stress sweats, and the prebiotics help to keep your skin healthy and glowing. This cream deo also includes just a touch of baking soda, has delicious scent combos, and is vegan. One jar should last for 3-6 months of regular use. Oh yeah, and they offer a full exchange policy if your skin reacts to any of the formulas they’ll let you trade it in for a different one free of charge.
Schmidt’s Natural Cream Deodorant
Why we love it | A popular cream deodorant in a sustainable glass jar with a money-back guarantee
Made with only six ingredients, Schmidt’s is the natural and cruelty-free deodorant with all the cool girl creds. This cream deodorant comes in an elegant and sustainable glass jar while neutralizing odor and keeping you fresh all day long. Free from aluminum, propylene glycol, parabens, phthalates, and artificial fragrance. Goes on non-greasy, non-sticky and is easily absorbed. And it’s certified vegan and cruelty-free. Also available as a stick deodorant.
Cruelty-free deodorants: A-Z
Blissoma Natural Deodorant
Crystal Mineral Deodorant Stick
Green Beaver Natural Deodorant Stick
Kaia Takesumi Detox Charcoal Deodorant
Kiss My Face Active Life Deodorant
Lavanila Healthy Deodorant
LOVEFRESH 100% Natural Deodorant
Meow Meow Tweet Baking Soda Free Cream Deodorant
Meow Meow Tweet Baking Soda Free Stick Deodorant
Nourish Organic Deodorant Stick
Now Foods Nature’s Deodorant Stick
Pretty Frank Baking Soda Deodorant
Schmidt’s Naturals Cream Deodorant
Schmidt’s Naturals Deodorant Stick
Tarte Clean Queen Vegan Deodorant
Tom’s of Maine Long-Lasting Deodorant
