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Natural deodorant: aluminum-free labels and price per ounce
Updated · By the RipePrice team
Deodorant and antiperspirant are different products in the United States, so read the label to see which one you are buying, and compare by price per ounce, since the sizes are small.
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At a glance
Deodorant versus antiperspirant
In the United States, an antiperspirant is regulated as an over-the-counter drug, which is why it carries a Drug Facts panel with active ingredients.
Reading a natural deodorant label
Aluminum-free: the product does not contain aluminum compounds.
Stick, cream, spray or crystal
Sticks are the most common and easy to compare.
Quick picks
Aluminum-free deodorant
Check the ingredient list, then compare the price per ounce.
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Deodorant versus antiperspirant
In the United States, an antiperspirant is regulated as an over-the-counter drug, which is why it carries a Drug Facts panel with active ingredients. A deodorant is treated as a cosmetic. An aluminum-free product is a deodorant, since the active ingredients in antiperspirants are aluminum compounds. This page covers deodorants only. We do not make any claims about whether a deodorant or antiperspirant works for you, because results vary from person to person.
Reading a natural deodorant label
Aluminum-free: the product does not contain aluminum compounds. It describes an ingredient that is left out and says nothing else.
Natural: has no single legal definition for deodorants. Read the ingredient list instead.
Fragrance-free or scented: many natural deodorants use essential oils for scent. Essential oils are still fragrance ingredients to some people's skin.
Baking soda: an ingredient in some deodorants. Some people find that it bothers their skin, so check the list if you have sensitive skin.
Hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested are hints from the seller, and neither promises a product will suit you.
Stick, cream, spray or crystal
Sticks are the most common and easy to compare. Creams come in jars or tubes and are applied by hand. Sprays are quick but hard to compare by ounces. Mineral salt crystals are a solid that you wet before use, and they last a long time. Pick the format you will actually use.
Our angle: small sizes make price per ounce jump
Deodorant sticks are small, so the price per ounce looks high and swings a lot between brands. A stick that costs more per ounce but lasts longer for you can still be the better value. Track how many weeks one stick lasts, divide the price by the weeks, and use that to compare. Refillable cases and refill sticks can lower the cost per stick, so compare a refill with a new stick.
Find the ounces on the stick and calculate the price per ounce.
Note how long a stick lasts in use.
Compare refills with complete sticks on the same basis.
What is the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant?
In the United States, antiperspirants are regulated as over-the-counter drugs and list active ingredients on a Drug Facts panel. Deodorants are treated as cosmetics. We do not make claims about whether either works for you.
What does aluminum-free mean?
That the product does not contain aluminum compounds. It is a statement about one ingredient and does not describe how the product will perform for you.
Is natural deodorant gentler on skin?
Not automatically. Natural is not defined for deodorants, and some natural ingredients, like baking soda or essential oils, can bother some people. Check the ingredient list.
How do I compare deodorant prices?
Divide the price by the ounces, and note how long a stick lasts for you, because the sizes are small. Compare refills with complete sticks.
When should I see a doctor?
If your underarm skin is painful, very red or getting worse, stop using the product and ask a dermatologist or doctor.