Like most people, I’ve been wanting to cut down on the plastic in our bathroom cupboard. So a few years ago I made the switch to an eco-friendly / natural deodorant but it’s been a journey of trial and error. So to save you from stained clothes and questionable body odour, here’s my honest experience with three popular sustainable, eco-friendly deodorant brands: Wild, Fussy, and AKT– what worked, what didn’t, and which one I’ll be sticking with (for now.)
Just a heads-up: some links in this post are affiliate links, which means if you click and buy, I might earn a little commission– but don’t worry, it doesn’t cost you anything extra. And as always, I only share my genuine opinion.
Why I Made the Switch to Natural Deodorants
I just became more and more aware of just how many plastic/single use items we had in our bathroom and wanted to make a change. I’m very much a ‘make the simple swaps where I can’ when it comes to making our home more environmentally friendly and this seemed like a good place to start. Natural deodorants usually come in refillable, recyclable, or compostable packaging.
Jump to:
- Why I Made the Switch to Natural Deodorants
- Wild Deodorant Review: Popular But Problematic
- Fussy Deodorant Review: A Big Step Up
- AKT Deodorant Review: For the Multi-tasker
- Final Thoughts: Which Eco Deodorant Is Best?
- Your Recommendations- Have You Made the Switch to Natural Deodorants?
But there’s also the chemical side of things. Now, I’m going to be 100% honest- I’m not knowledgable on the ins-and-outs of all the ingredients that go into standard deodorants and it’s not my main concern. Yes, I do think there is something(s) environmentally that is messing up our health in ways we probably won’t understand for a long time, and I’m happier making switches to more natural products, but I’m not a massive ingredients list reader. Take that as you will, but I thought it’s important to know when it comes to how I’ve reviewed the different brands.
The other major thing to know/note is that these are deodorants– not anti-perspirants. Now, as a majorly sweaty betty, this is a concern for me. But I made peace with the fact that maybe a more natural approach isn’t a terrible thing? Plus I’ve read lots of reviews saying that people actually started sweating less after switching to natural deodorants.
But- major spoiler– I still own a good ol’ anti-perspirant. A solid ‘no sweat over here’ job. Why? Because there are some situations where I don’t want to sweat e.g. special occasions or when I’m wearing dry-clean only/Asian wear. It’s just not a vibe. But because it’s an occasional thing, that roll-on has lasts me forever! So while it might be an imperfect swap, I think it’s the most realistic and sustainable approach for me, for now.
And before we dive in- don’t forget that just how our sweat and odour levels vary- so do our responses to products. What works for me, may not work for you and vice versa. But I hope you find this summary handy!
Wild Deodorant Review: Popular But Problematic
Wild is often the first brand people try when switching to eco deodorants, and I was no different. With its sleek, colorful metal cases and compostable refills, it seemed like a no-brainer
What I liked:
- Beautiful, reusable metal case
- Great scent options
- Plastic-free refills
But here’s the downside:
- It simply didn’t work well for me. I found myself sweating more and smelling worse- even after the usual adjustment period people mention with natural deodorants. I ended up carrying around a travel size one in my purse at all times and reapplying in bathrooms when I was out.
- The formula left a pasty residue that stained clothes, especially in the armpit area.
- My husband experienced the same issues, and others on Instagram shared similar complaints, including skin irritation and rashes.
- It’s really hard to get the bottom bit of product out!
- The brand’s recent acquisition by Unilever means it’s definitely less desirable now as well. As well as their constant push to buy limited edition cases. Doesn’t that defy the point?
Verdict: Unfortunately, Wild didn’t live up to the hype and with it’s ownership change, it’s stinking of Greenwashing. If you’re new to natural deodorants, for all of the above reasons- I’d recommend skipping this one altogether.
Fussy Deodorant Review: A Big Step Up
Next, I tried Fussy, and the difference was immediate.
What I liked:
- Smooth application and lovely scents (I’m loving Coconut Milk)
- No residue on clothes- haven’t noticed anything, even black clothing!
- It kept me smelling fresh, even if I still sweated a bit (which is expected with natural deodorants)
Drawbacks:
- The refillable case is plastic and has a narrow base, so it tips over easily. Sounds minor but gets irritating the millionth time you pick it up from the floor
- Still not an anti-perspirant, so expect to sweat- especially in hot weather
Both my husband and I switched to Fussy, and we were both impressed. While it doesn’t completely eliminate sweat, you don’t smell, which is the real win.
Verdict: Fussy is a solid eco deodorant option that balances sustainability with performance. I’d happily keep using this one long-term. And price-wise it comes in under £10 per refill. Plus you can now buy these in person in-store in places like Waitrose which makes it much more convenient.
AKT Deodorant Review: For the Multi-tasker
AKT is a different kind of deodorant. It’s a cream-based formula that you apply with your fingers, which might not appeal to everyone, but it has some winning features.
What I liked:
- Minimal residue and no staining
- More subtle, “grown-up” scents
- Very travel-friendly (especially the Discovery Set)
- Can be used anywhere on the body
Cons:
- You have to apply it with your hands, which isn’t always convenient (I liked to wash my hands afterwards so had to keep it in the bathroom)
- Price– it’s significantly more pricey than other options
My husband actually preferred AKT over Fussy, and I can see why. It feels more refined, but for me, the manual application was a downside.
Verdict: Great option if you don’t mind the hands-on approach (also good for keeping check of any lumps in the armpits!) Works well, smells good, and is a favourite for travel.
Final Thoughts: Which Eco Deodorant Is Best?
My winner of the 3? Fussy
It strikes the best balance between ease of use, scent, effectiveness, and sustainability. While it’s not perfect, it works well enough for everyday life.
Runner-up: AKT
Ideal for those who want a no-residue experience, mature scents to double up as perfume and don’t mind applying by hand.
One to skip: Wild
Pretty packaging, but disappointing performance and questionable ownership.
Your Recommendations- Have You Made the Switch to Natural Deodorants?
I’d love to hear from you as I’m still up for trying something new and continue my hunt for the perfect solution for my underarms! Lots of you recommended other brands, including:
- Rollr “anti-odorant” – luxury in a bottle
- Make Waves anti-perspirant – lots of you recommended these guys
- Estrid anti-perspirant – popular brand for their razors
- Salt of the Earth – loved by lots of you as well. Budget friendly, big range of products and easy to find in person/store
- Kutis skincare – recommended by you. Very eco-friendly packaging
- Nuud – lots of you recommended by also mentioned a change in formula which doesn’t make it as good
What’s your thoughts on tried Wild, Fussy, AKT, or another sustainable deodorant brand mentioned? Don’t forget, what works for one person might not work for another and vice versa!
Drop your recommendations in the comments or reach out on Instagram-I’m always looking for better, more sustainable swaps!
love,
Recommend deodorant is from Farmstead Laboratories in Harpersville Alabama USA. called charcoal cream deodorant, by Stone Hollow Farmstead! It works for me as I was looking for something without scents and aluminum free !
Ahh it’s a great feeling when you make a switch to something that works for you isn’t it? Feel like I’m getting closer but not quite there
😂 I have the same frustration with my Fussy case. It falls over every morning. I emailed them about it in a fit of pique. They said they would explore developing a proper base! X
Ha ha! That’s brilliant. I’m so glad I’m not the only one 😂
I use Earth Conscious – they are an Isle of Wight company and their natural deodorant comes in a tin (apply with your fingers) or a cardboard tube. I think there may be a bar version too, which is presumably a cross between the two. It’s a kind of waxy stuff that soaks into your skin, it leaves no trace on clothes and it definitely prevents BO. They make soap too. I would recommend it.
Ohhh that’s great! Gonna add them to my list
Totally agree with your thoughts on Wild. I persevered for 3 deodorants and they did work better by the third one but I couldn’t get the metal refill container to actually work so just kept it in the cardboard which predictably disintegrated. I also couldn’t use the last bit in each pack. The limited edition containers puzzled me as well, completely missed the point of reducing waste.
I moved onto a plastic refillable one by ineos, you can get it from Boots. So far I’m not convinced as I feel I’m sweating more….
ahhh thats a good point about the last bits of the refill! Brought back memories of me having to scoop it out
I’m a fifty + aged woman, i’ve been using fussy for a few months now( tropical scent). My test was using it during heatwave & working as a chef: yes there was still sweat but VERY impressed with no odour at end of day! Brilliant! As i’ve been using for a few months my body has adjusted to the the switch from regular deodorants.
So glad you had a good experience with it. The sweat is something you have to get used to right?
Smol make a plastic free anti perspirant. I don’t know how well it scores in the “natural” camp, but it completely works and reduces single use plastics. It comes in a cardboard applicator. It can be a bit tricky to get the final bit out, but that’s really my only gripe
oh! I get their cleaner- never noticed they do toiletries! Will check it out
Salaams Rumana,
Thanks for this. I just ordered an AKT starter kit, as other people recommended it, but will check out Fussy, too, as that’s more in my price range. I also appreciate other recommendations people have left here.
Just wanted to say, though, AKT sell an applicator (not sure if this is a new thing?) that you can use to apply, to avoid using fingers (though I’ll see how I go with just my hands for now!).
Oh I haven’t seen the applicator! But wow it’s pricey… Keep me posted on how you get along with it! The husband is going back to AKT after another try with Fussy. I’m currently testing Estrid!
Thank you! I had a similar experience and had no idea that Unilever had bought them out. Definitely a factor in firmly choosing Fussy over Wild!
Yes! I think it’s a relatively new acquisition
I switched to natural deodorant quite a while ago when I started going through perimenopause. Wild was fairly new and I have it a go. The case being difficult to open and refill along with wasted product I just couldn’t get to at the end of the refill was an issue for me. So I switched to sky. I used that for a very long time, and really only stopped because of the packaging. The tube isn’t always the easiest to open, they would be better off with a break of tip like their trial sizes. The tube isn’t easy to squeeze and to get the last bit of you have to cut it open and dig in with your fingers; I’ve cut myself plenty doing that, but you lose about a week of product if you don’t.
So after some consideration I tried the natural deodorant company. Glass jars with a bamboo scoop, you still have to use your fingers but no more tricky tubes. That worked for a while before I got a reaction. So now I’m back to square one. I’m currently using wild but only because I have some left. I’m seriously considering fussy, but is buying another applicator defeating the point?
Ahh I’d forgotten about how annoying it was getting those last bits of Wild out! Honestly, I think that’s a dilemma we all face. But I guess the comparison is that eventually you hope to find one that works for you and then overall your waste is less? And I compare it to buying your regular deodorants every few months which aren’t recyclable etc, it’s still better than that? But good news is that I’ve read the fussy inserts fit the WILD case! So you should be ok? You can even buy the refills in Boots/Waitrose