Natural Deodorant Sticks: Which One Should You Choose?

If you have ever stood in front of a shelf of deodorant sticks wondering which one to pick, this guide is for you. We make seven natural deodorant sticks, two sizes, so there is a bit to choose between. Here is how our sticks work, how refilling works, how to apply one properly, and which scent might suit you.

Salt of the Earth is a family-owned natural deodorant brand making deodorants in Chandlers Ford, Hampshire since 1993. Our deodorant sticks are certified 100% COSMOS Natural by the Soil Association, Cruelty Free International and registered with the Vegan Society.

How does a natural deodorant stick work?

A natural deodorant stick works by helping to neutralise odour, not by blocking sweat. They are deodorants, not antiperspirants. You still sweat (that is your body doing its job), but the stick helps keep odour-causing bacteria in check so you stay fresh.

The actives are sodium bicarbonate (in the scented sticks), magnesium hydroxide, magnesium carbonate hydroxide, zinc oxide, arrowroot powder and diatomaceous earth. Together they help absorb moisture and help neutralise odour. All of that sits in a base of caprylic/capric triglyceride, shea butter, coconut oil, carnauba wax and sunflower oil, which is why the stick glides on smoothly and dries to a soft, powdery finish rather than a sticky one.

If you are switching from a conventional sweat-blocking product, give your armpits a little time to adjust. We have written about why in why your armpits need a few weeks to settle in.

What is the difference between the 84g refillable stick and the 75g card tube?

The 84g stick comes in a refillable case you keep. The 75g stick comes in a card tube and is designed to be used on its own or pushed into your 84g case as a refill. Same formula, same scents, two ways to buy it.

Here is how refilling works. When your 84g case runs out, pick up a 75g "Use or Refill" stick from our stick refills range. Slide the fresh stick out of its card tube, push it into the empty case, and you are back in business. No tools, no fuss. If you would rather skip the case altogether, the card tube works perfectly well as a standalone deodorant too. That is why we call it "Use or Refill" and not just "Refill".

We have been making refillable deodorants since 2013, and refilling is the single easiest way to cut down on single-use plastic deodorants without changing anything else about your routine. Our post on refillable deodorant and how it works goes into the detail.

How do you apply a deodorant stick?

Hold the stick against your skin for a second to warm it, then apply two or three swipes per underarm. That is it. Our sticks are made with shea butter and coconut oil, so they soften slightly on contact with warm skin and spread evenly. A thin, even layer does the job; if you can see a white layer, you have used too much.

Apply to clean, dry skin and let it settle for a moment before getting dressed. Twist the base to raise the stick only as far as you need, as raising too much at once is the easiest way to snap it.

Who are deodorant sticks good for?

Sticks suit people who want a deodorant with a dry, solid feel. If you have tried sprays and found the wet-then-wait stage annoying, a stick solves that: it is dry from the moment it goes on.

They are also brilliant for travel and for the gym bag. A solid stick is not a liquid, so it is not subject to the 100ml hand luggage rule at UK airports (rules vary, so check with your airport and airline). Nothing to leak, nothing to spill in your kit bag, and no aerosol restrictions to think about.

If you grew up using a conventional solid deodorant, a stick will feel like the most familiar format when you switch to natural. Our woody scents are popular with men and the floral and fresh options below are popular with women, but the only real rule is to pick the one you like the smell of.

Which deodorant stick is best for sensitive skin?

The Unscented Natural Deodorant Stick is the one to start with. It is the only stick in our range with no sodium bicarbonate, and it has no fragrance at all. It still has magnesium, zinc oxide, arrowroot and diatomaceous earth to help absorb moisture and help neutralise odour, so you are not sacrificing performance. 

Our scented sticks 

Our two most popular sticks with men are Vetiver & Citrus and Amber & Sandalwood. Both are woody, both are properly grown-up, and neither smells like a changing room.

The Vetiver & Citrus Natural Deodorant Stick opens with crisp citrus, then settles into forest-like woody notes over a base of tonka, sandalwood and vetiver. It is fresh without being sharp, and it is the one we would hand to someone who says they "don't really do scented deodorant".

The Amber & Sandalwood Natural Deodorant Stick is warmer and richer: spice, citrus and floral notes with vine-ripened berries, over a base of labdanum, cedar and sandalwood. If you like your aftershave on the warm, resinous side, this is the one.

Lavender & Vanilla and Ocean & Coconut are the two our female customers reach for most, although we would gently point out that noses do not have a gender and you should pick whatever you like the smell of!

The Lavender & Vanilla Natural Deodorant Stick is rated 4.80 from 10 reviews. Cardamom and lemon on top, a heart of geranium and lavender, and a soft vanilla and cedarwood base. It is calming without being sleepy.

The Ocean & Coconut Natural Deodorant Stick is the holiday one: soft ocean-style notes with melon and coconut over a vanilla base. The same fragrance in our spray format is our second most-awarded scent, so it has form.

If none of those grab you, the range also includes Neroli & Orange Blossom (zesty bergamot and orange with a sweet floral heart) and Melon & Cucumber, a light, fruity scent that is a favourite in our kids collection.

Should I buy the refillable case or the card tube first?

Buy the 84g refillable case first if you plan to stick with sticks, then switch to the 75g card tubes as refills. If you are only trying the format out, start with a card tube: it is £1.50 cheaper and you can decide later whether to invest in a case.

The Unscented Natural Deodorant Stick Use or Refill is our most-reviewed stick refill, with 12 reviews averaging 4.58. Every scent above is available as a Use or Refill tube at £9.99.

Stick, roll-on or spray: which format should you choose?

Choose a stick if you want a dry, solid feel. Choose a roll-on or spray if you prefer a water-based formula or want the biggest plastic saving through refills.

• Sticks: dry on application, ideal for travel and gym bags. Refill by pushing a 75g card tube into the 84g case.
• Roll-ons: water-based, with potassium alum and aloe vera. Give them 30 seconds to dry. Refillable from a 525ml bottle or 225ml pouch.
• Sprays: the same water-based formula as the roll-on in a 100ml spray. Quick to apply and refillable too.

All three are certified 100% COSMOS Natural, made in Chandlers Ford and refillable. The right one is the one you will actually enjoy using every day.

Frequently asked questions

How do you refill a deodorant stick?

When the 84g refillable case runs out, buy a 75g Use or Refill stick in a card tube, push the new stick into your existing case and carry on. The card tube can also be used on its own as a standalone deodorant.

Can I take a deodorant stick in hand luggage?

Yes. A solid stick is not a liquid, gel or paste, so it is not subject to the 100ml hand luggage rule at UK airports. Rules vary by airport, so check with your airport and airline before you fly.

Still torn between two scents, or got a question about switching to a stick? Feel free to contact our customer services and we will answer it ourselves.