There’s a lot this creamy, nonsticky stick is missing, like petrochemicals, mineral oils, phthalates, silicone, sulfates, parabens, and aluminum. But what Lavanila healthy deodorant does have — a vanilla-scented, skin-conditioning formula — is all market director Danielle needs.
Available at lavanila.com, $18.
If it looks like a bar of soap (but can be applied streak free to underarms — or as Chicago editor Emily tested — on feet without streaking), smells like a bar of soap (fresh and clean), and staves off stink throughout a workout, it’s not a bar of soap: It’s Lush Aromaco bar deodorant.
Available at lushusa.com, $7.
With so many unexpected ingredients (aloe, seaweed, vitamins A and E, extracts of grapefruit seed and olive leaf) in the Real Purity organic roll-on, deputy editor/beauty editor Crystal was surprised at how light and unhippie it proved to be and that it actually worked so fantastically well.
Available at realpurity.com, $10.
Lugging all your junk to the beach is already a hassle of steamy proportions. Lighten your load with Secret Clinical Strength waterproof (yes, waterproof) deodorant that keeps you dry even through the trek home, editorial assistant Jillian says.
Available at soap.com, $8-$24.
Any deodorant that gets the job done is pretty sweet in managing editor Jay’s book, but quick-drying, no-residue Sugar roll-on deodorant antiperspirant, with its lemony scent and witch hazel (instead of alcohol), is straight-up, well, fresh.
Available at fresh.com, $18.
Tisserand Refreshing roll-on’s label bragged of having a slow release, which left London editor Malika a little uneasy at first. But the scent of real roses and the lovely lack of chalky white marks made her a convert.
Available at tisserandusa.com, $12.
When it comes to working around the clock, it’s a given for alcohol and some sort of chemical to be involved. Much to the surprise of L.A. editor Evvie, the barely there-scented Nuxe Tonific deodorant’s 24-hour natural formula gets the job done without the help of either.
Available at dermstore.com, $15.
Research editor Steph swiped a handy La Fresh wipe on after a postworkout shower. She can’t seem to recall what happened next, which we’re taking as a good sign: Had anything gone wrong, the memory (among other things) would have lingered.
Available at amazon.com, $4.50.
Put the lime in the coconut? Nah, put it in your pit like editor Lauren L. did. The fragrance of Hugo Naturals’s Mexican lime and bergamot dual-action deodorant was surprisingly refreshing, subtle, and not too feminine. She was even able to lift her arm to hold onto the higher rail on the oppressively hot NYC subway, a feat in itself.
Available at hugonaturals.com, $7.
Dove Ultimate Original Clean is thick, creamy, and smells like fresh laundry, so production assistant Kristin says you’d be in the clear if you want to get a morning-after wear out of that burnout tee.
Available at amazon.com, $6.
Silk shirt-tested, armpit-approved, Desert Essence’s Dry by Nature calendula and chamomile blend of botanical extracts kept Deals editor Holley dry all day without the use of harsh aluminum salts. It even left a little cooling tingle that she found really refreshing.
Available at desertessence.com, $6.25.
We’ll hand it to the French: They sure do know their beauty products, and deodorants are no exception. Darphin Comforting Softness’s nonirritating, long-lasting, and mild formula makes it well worth the price tag, editorial intern Rachel says.
Available at neimanmarcus.com, $25.
Copy editor DeAnna says she never got so many compliments on smelling good with only her armpits bearing fragrance. Function-wise, Degree Classic Romance Solid gets the job done without leaving any residue.
Available at drugstore.com, $4.
As to be expected, the always-fragrance-free Clinique antiperspirant deodorant roll-on was simple and effective. Assistant editor Emily threw the conveniently sized bottle into her purse for a day out on the town, but a reapplication was never needed.
Available at clinique.com, $11.
Though Deals copy editor Lauren N. had been conducting some independent research, she hadn’t had much luck in the deodorant department till Aubrey Organics’s refreshing, light calendula spray showed up. It didn’t quite get her through a hot, humid moving day, but it is the first natural formula she said she’d use again.
Available at aubrey-organics.com, $9.
Web intern Steven, an Old Spice vet who claims to not be much of a sweater, agreed to test Arm & Hammer Essentials natural deodorant stick. His findings? Quick drying; no redness, white streaks, or EOD stink; and a new affinity for the essential oils of geranium, citrus, and coriander. We smell success.
Available at drugstore.com, $3.
Alba Botanica deodorant sticks in lavender and tea tree are all-natural olfactory extravaganzas that keep BO at bay. The lavender made assistant Web editor Jennifer feel like she was in Provence (not in Tompkins Square Park), while the tea tree transported promotions editor Hali right into a luxe lounge (instead of New Jersey).
Available at albabotanica.com, $3-$7.
For editorial director Ashley, the pros of Clarins Gentle Care (smelled good but not too strong, kept her dry during an all-day shopping jaunt in 90-degree weather, and no traces of white on her black tank) outweighed the pits (wet and gooey at first, ample drying time needed before getting dressed).
Available at clarins.com, $16.
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