Let’s face it, nobody likes a stinky pit. Thank the lord for vegan deodorant! This is the product that has been our saving grace pretty much since we entered puberty. Vegan deodorant is the everyday superhero that keeps nasty smells away and gets us fresh and ready for our day. What would we do without it?

Plant-based deodorant is probably the one product we all rely on. Whatever your age, gender, size, or style, vegan deodorant is a must-have staple. The average human produces a liter of sweat every day, so we can see why it is such an essential! Vegan deodorant is the most basic self-care product that freshens us up 365 days a year. 

If you are not using it, you probably should be. If you are using it, you probably can’t live without it. 

However, because vegan deodorant is such a staple, we probably don’t give much thought to how it works, how to choose the best vegan deodorant, and how we should use it. Let’s get those questions answered. Here’s everything you need to know about the best plant-based deodorants to get you ready to buy vegan deodorants now!

What are Vegan Deodorants?

Plant-based deodorant is a product that can be sprayed, wiped, or dabbed onto a specific area of your skin to counteract the smell of body odor and keep you smelling fresh. Most commonly, deodorant is used to mask the odor of sweat and it is applied to the underarms both before and after sweating. However, vegan deodorant can be applied anywhere on the body you sweat (except in areas with mucous membranes such as eyes, noses, ears, and genitalia). 

How does Deodorant Work? 

To understand how vegan deodorant works, we first have to understand what makes our armpits smell in the first place. Well, that’s sweat, right? Wrong. The plot twist is that sweat is actually odorless! So, what causes the odor? Odor is generally caused when sweat mixes with the bacteria on our skin. This is where deodorant comes in. The role of deodorant is not to eliminate sweat, but to get rid of bacteria. It works by killing bacteria on the surface of the skin, so when you sweat there is no smell! They also often contain a fragrance that makes you smell sweet, sweat, or no sweat. 

Why is deodorant good? Using vegan deodorant does not interrupt your body’s ability to sweat, just the smell it produces. This is a massive benefit to deodorant because sweating helps regulate your body temperature and may also help get rid of some toxins.

What ingredients do Vegan Deodorants Contain?

When it comes to vegan deodorants, every deodorant is different because companies will use different ingredients to make their product. Also, while some companies opt for all-natural ingredients, others won’t. However, there are some common products that reappear across plant-based deodorants. For example, baking soda is a common agent used to neutralize the smell of bacteria. Similarly, shea butter, coconut oil, and aloe vera are all ingredients commonly used to soothe and moisturize your underarm skin, and essential oils are often used to get them smelling nice.

What is an Antiperspirant? 

Antiperspirant is similar to plant-based deodorant - the aim is to stop the smell of sweat. But, it works in a different way. Instead of killing bacteria, the role of antiperspirants is to stop us from sweating. It uses an active ingredient (usually an aluminum compound) to react with the electrolytes we sweat out. This creates a thick gel that clogs our sweat pores, stopping us from sweating. 

Usually, vegan deodorants we buy nowadays also contain antiperspirants, meaning they also reduce the amount we sweat, as well as kill the bacteria that make us smell. There is some debate over whether antiperspirant is always good for us because it stops us from sweating which is a natural process, however, generally, they are considered completely safe to use.

Are Antiperspirants and Deodorants Safe To Use?

Some people worry that the chemicals and aluminum sometimes found in deodorants and antiperspirants are harmful to your health. However, there is no evidence that this is the case - otherwise, they would not line our supermarket shelves. But, if you are still worried about these ingredients, why not opt for an all-natural deodorant. An all-natural deodorant will contain no nasty chemicals, so it should help give you peace of mind. 

Which Vegan Deodorant is best for the Planet?

Unfortunately, often deodorants can contain some chemicals which are great for making lovely smelling perfumes, but not so great for our planet. Also, with all of the one-use plastic, the packaging is not so good for the environment either. 

But, here is the good news. More and more companies are aware of this and are innovating new ways of making eco-friendly deodorants and natural deodorants that are good for us and our planet. Take the Nfuse Natural Magnesium Roll-on for example. It is a cruelty-free natural deodorant that contains no artificial ingredients, making it better for the planet and us! So, if you asked us to pick the best vegan deodorant, this one would be up there! But, here at PlantX, we have a great range of eco-friendly deodorants, so why not have a browse! 

How to choose a Vegan Deodorant?

It is completely up to you which kind of vegan deodorant you want to pick. If you sweat a lot and you would prefer not to, it is probably a good idea to try a plant-based deodorant with antiperspirant to stop you from sweating so much. However, if you want to keep it simple, an all-in-one deodorant will go down a treat! If you are conscious of the environment, try looking for some all-natural deodorants and eco-friendly deodorants that don’t contain any chemicals. 

Basically, whatever your priority is, there is a vegan deodorant out there for you, all you have to do is find it! With our great range of the best plant-based deodorants, designed to cater to your every need, the PlantX page is a great place to start looking - time to buy deodorant now!

Our Top Vegan Deodorant Products

So, if you are looking to buy a vegan deodorant, where should you start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you. For an all-natural vegan deodorant that you can rely on, try Tom’s of Maine Lemongrass Long-Lasting Deodorant - it gives 24hr odor protection.

The Alaffia Everyday Coconut Charcoal Deodorant and the Acure Charcoal Geranium Deoderant are other great options too, using the power of charcoal to keep you smelling great. 

If you prefer a spray deodorant, why not try the totally organic EO Deodorant Spray made with essential oils? Or, if you are looking for a quick fix while you are out and about, the EO Deodorant Lavender Scented Wipes are a great option to keep you smelling great when you are out and about. 

The Ultimate Battle: Benefits of Roll-on vs Spray Deodorant

Round 1: Smell: Both roll-on and spray do well in this round, they both provide the vital ingredients to mask that sweat smell. However, spray often contains more noticeable perfume elements, so if a stronger smell is for you, spray wins Round 1!

Round 2: Size: When it comes to size, a roll-on is a more practical choice. It is small and more compact, which makes it easier to slip into your bag, use on the go or take on holiday. Roll-on wins Round 2. 

Round 3: Speed: When we are applying deodorant, speed is not our biggest worry. However, if you are in a rush, a quick spray will sort you out right away, while a roll-on needs a few minutes to dry off. Round 3 goes to spray.

Round 4: Look: While both types of deodorant are typically invisible, when you put your clothes on, deodorant can cause those dreaded white marks. Although you have to wait for it to dry, roll-on generally doesn’t cause white marks, which is why it is the winner of Round 4.

Round 5: Effectiveness: Effectiveness... this is the big one. Both roll-on and spray are effective at keeping our armpits smell-free. However, thanks to its compact and direct application, a roll-on ensures full and direct coverage of the offending area and a few swipes is all you need for long-lasting protection. Thanks to this directness, you also only need a little bit to go a long way. For this reason, roll-on takes the crown! 

So, in this contest, it looks like roll-on just pips spray to the post, but it’s a close one. Who is your winner? You decide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are All-Natural Deodorants Vegan?

Technically, all-natural deodorants may not be vegan, because natural products can be tested on animals or made from animal products too. For example, the natural ingredient beeswax which is sometimes used in deodorants is not vegan. However, the good news is that almost all-natural deodorants are made by ethically conscious brands that care about making their products better for the planet -and vegan too! So, double-check your natural deodorant before you buy it, but the chances are it is 100% vegan. And, if you are shopping on PlantX, you have nothing to worry about, because all of our products are vegan too!

Is There Talc in Antiperspirant Deodorants?

Some antiperspirants contain talc. Talc is a soapy mineral extracted from rock, and it can be used in deodorants to make sure the product glides onto your skin easily. There has been some discussion as to whether talc is safe, however, these concerns have been investigated and the FDA maintains that talc is completely safe to use in antiperspirant deodorants. But, if you still have concerns, there are deodorants that don’t use talc in their products, so, why not opt for one of these?