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These innovative new launches will actually keep you dry

Peak pandemic, I was welcomed into a newly opened holistic spa by a therapist who sincerely told me they ‘wore their mask on the inside’ – and this is exactly the kind of person I long assumed to be keeping the natural deodorant industry afloat. But as it turns out, there are natural deodorants out there that actually work, performing just as well as a traditional, non-natural antiperspirant might.

The reason for the natural boom is really two-fold. First, there’s the vague yet wide-reaching belief that your old-fashioned deodorant is obliterating your healthy skin cells, causing a range of health issues that science largely disputes. Scaremongering sells!

Secondly, there’s the far more sensible reason to pivot to a natural deodorant: lots of them are exponentially better for the planet, arriving in innovative, much less wasteful packaging and formulated with sustainably harvested ingredients.

Aerosol deodorants release potentially volatile particles into the atmosphere with every spray, while roll-ons usually come in packaging that’s impossible to recycle. But natural deodorants mostly arrive in more sensible, considered formats, meaning less waste and a lower environmental footprint.

The main difference between natural and traditional deodorants is that most old-fashioned formulas are categorised as anti-perspirants, whereas chemical-free options are not. In short, an anti-perspirant contains ingredients (namely aluminium, which blocks the sweat glands) that stop you from sweating, whereas a deodorant doesn’t – it simply disguises the smell associated with that sweat.

It’s easy to see why not all natural deodorants are a wise move, especially in the heat of the central line, or that eight-hour Bank Holiday BBQ you're planning. But don’t rule them out just yet, because there are a few standout options on the shelves that are boosted with absorbent ingredients to keep you dry, and fragranced with essential oil blends that smell really quite nice.

One thing to note: if your new natural deodorant doesn’t impress at first swipe, stick with it. When you've been soaking your sweat glands in aluminium salts for as long as we all have, there’s an inevitable transition period involved. Essentially, your sweat glands will need to release the lingering aluminium you’ve been so loyally topping up each day for eternity – a process that can take a couple of weeks. Be persistent. Greta will thank you.

Here, see the best natural deodorants to see you through the summer.

This entirely plastic-free balm deodorant was made by two West End performers and tested on an entire cast of professional dancers, so you can trust it really works. The secret is the brand’s own blend of botanical powders, which absorb sweat continually and are even effective enough to see you through a HIIT class (or an enthusiastic rendition of Hamilton). There’s a range of fragrances to choose from, and it can even be used on your forehead and feet.

No prizes for guessing which iconic fragrance inspired the scent of this natural deodorant. So much nicer than the nose-burning blend of your traditional roll-on, this perfumery-grade deodorant also delivers all-day odour elimination, thanks to the probiotics that kill the source of your sweat aroma, rather than simply masking over it.

A low-lift way to reduce your landfill contributions is to invest in a refillable deodorant case. Wild’s offering ticks all the boxes: the aluminium outer can be continually topped up with the brand’s vegan-friendly deodorant bars, which contain tapioca starch to soak up sweat and come in a host of potent fragrances. Your order will fit straight through your letterbox, and you can even personalise the case, if that’s something you’re into (you do you).

Fussy’s refillable natural deodorants are certified carbon neutral, vegan friendly, and arrive in compostable packaging. Not only an exemplary eco choice, the formula really works, too: it’ll neutralise the bacteria that cause your sweat to smell and, according to the brand, keep under-arms dry for up to 24 hours (although surely after that amount of time, a shower should be involved).

Spray deodorants aren’t going to be quite as effective in keeping you dry, as they don’t contain sweat-absorbing ingredients. However, Aesop’s cooling formula will keep you smelling fresh on WFH days, and can be topped up with ease.