Best Deodorant Creams to Try Now
Thinking of making the switch to a deodorant cream? Learn the benefits, discover the best deodorant cream brands, and get tips for using them effectively.
My daily deodorant routine has always been a no-brainer. Grab the stick, slather it on the pits and go.
The biggest change-up was when I switched from using conventional deodorants to a more natural deodorant in order to ditch the parabens, artificial fragrances and other nasty chemicals found in conventional deodorants and other personal care products.
But then I decided to try something new. Instead of the stick, I started reaching for a deodorant cream.
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Benefits to Using Deodorant Cream
Cream deodorants have grown in popularity, most likely because people are willing to change things up a bit in order to get effective products they can feel good about.
Deodorant creams typically contain fewer ingredients than conventional deodorants and the ingredients used are safer, more natural and better for your skin. The trade off is a tiny bit of extra effort (applying cream to your armpits and then washing your fingers or applicator) – but that’s not a lot to ask, now is it?
Another benefit of deodorant creams is that they often come packaged in sustainable glass jars or metal tins instead of plastic – and a WIN for the planet is always a good thing! 🌎🌎🌎
Read my full review – Natural Deodorants that Work
Do Deodorant Creams Work?
As an experiment, I tried using deodorant creams almost exclusively for a couple of months. At first it seemed odd to be dipping my fingers in a jar and smearing cream under my pits but it didn’t take long to accept it as my new routine.
The products I’ve tried definitely kept up their end of the bargain – no stinky pits for me, even after intense exercise!
The only caveat is that the active ingredient in many deodorant creams is baking soda, which may sting your skin after you shave (apparently not everyone experiences this, but I do). On shaving days, I either wait a couple of hours to apply the cream or I grab my trusty old stick deodorant if I’m running out of the house and can’t wait.
My husband even gave deodorant creams a go. He reported back that it stood up to power yoga just as well as anything else he’s used and it smelled a heck of a lot better (he hates those artificial “men’s” fragrances). FYI – he also noted that it’s easier to apply if your pits are a bit damp instead of completely dry.
We both agreed that while it’s hard to break the pit-stick habit, once you’ve switched to cream it’s no big deal.
Best Cream Deodorant Brands
If you are intrigued by the idea of a deodorant cream and ready to try one out, you’ve come to the right place! Over the years, we’ve sampled quite a few of them.
Here are the deodorant creams we’ve tried, researched and recommend:
1. Little Seed Farm
Little Seed Farm is a small, independent goat farm in Tennessee making natural deodorant creams by hand. All formulas are baking soda free.
- Key Ingredients: tapioca powder, magnesium hydroxide, jojoba oil, beeswax, glycerin, essential oils
- Scents: blue tansy rose, grapefruit lemon, lavender, cedar vanilla, unscented and more. Plus seasonal scents!
- Certifications: Leaping Bunny Approved
- Vegan: NO
- Packaging: Glass jar with recyclable metal lid. Includes a free wooden scoop stick.
- Price: $13.99 for 2.4 oz (the most affordable deodorant cream per ounce that I’ve found!)
- My take: I love the smooth texture of this cream – it spreads super easily on the skin. The scents I’ve tried are really nice too. This is my favorite deodorant cream right now!
2. Purely Great
Purely Great is an all natural deodorant cream made with only three simple ingredients (plus essential oils for scent). One jar provides 2 to 3 months of daily odor control.
- Key Ingredients: natural soda, corn starch, vegetable glycerin, essential oils
- Scents: lavender, citrus cream, floral cream, patchouli cream, spice cream, unscented
- Certifications: EWG Verified
- Vegan: Yes
- Packaging: Plastic jar
- Price: $13.99 for 1.76 oz
- My take: I tried this one many years ago and liked it. I did notice that the formula stings after shaving so it’s best to wait to apply. Note: stir the product before using as the vegetable glycerin tends to rise to the top.
3. Soapwalla
Rachel from Soapwalla set out to make effective skincare products that would not exacerbate her skin issues due to an autoimmune condition. One of the products she created was a deodorant cream which quickly gained a cult-like following.
- Key Ingredients: shea butter, cornstarch, baking soda, sunflower seed and jojoba oils, kaolin clay, glycerin and essential oils
- Scents: the original formula has a mix of lavender, sweet orange, peppermint, and tea tree essential oils
- Baking soda free version for sensitive skin also available
- Certifications: none
- Vegan: Yes
- Packaging: Glass jar
- Price: $18 for 2-oz
- My take: The creamy formula is easy to apply and your skin will drink up the nourishing oils. Love the scent too!
4. Piper Wai
Piper Wai specializes in deodorant made with activated charcoal, which is beneficial for absorbing wetness and odor control.
- Key Ingredients: activated charcoal, coconut oil, baking soda, tapioca starch, witch hazel, cocoa butter and essential oils
- Scents: it has a light minty, citrusy scent
- Low baking soda content makes it suitable for most people with sensitive skin
- Certifications: none
- Vegan: Yes
- Packaging: Plastic jar
- Price: $18 for 1.7-oz
- My take: I was worried that it would stain my clothes but it didn’t. Even though the cream looks grey it rubs in clear.
5. Pit Putty
Pit Putty makes a certified organic deodorant cream that is available in a variety of essential oil based scents.
- Key Ingredients: arrowroot, shea butter, coconut oil, sunflower oil, baking soda
- Scents: vanilla & orange, geranium & lime, almond & coconut, lavender & vanilla, spring lilac and more.
- Baking soda free version available for those with sensitive skin
- Certifications: USDA Organic
- Vegan: Yes
- Packaging: Glass jar
- Price: $13.95 for 2-oz
- My take: I appreciate the creamy formula and the Geranium Lime scent is amazing!
6. Meow Meow Tweet
Meow Meow Tweet is a small business with an emphasis on sustainability, making deodorants that are effective and plastic free to boot!
- Key Ingredients: arrowroot powder, baking soda, coconut oil, shea butter, kaolin clay, jojoba oil and essential oils
- Scents: lavender, tea tree, rose geranium, grapefruit, unscented
- Certifications: none
- Vegan: Yes
- Packaging: Glass jar
- Price: $16 for 2.4-oz
- My take: I’ve seen this brand in a lot of gift stores but I have not tried it yet (need to!)
Find more plastic-free deodorants here!
How to Use a Deodorant Cream
There’s no denying that using a deodorant cream is a different experience than using a traditional deodorant stick. But once you get used to the new routine, it’s easy-peasy!
Here are a few tips for applying deodorant cream successfully:
- Wet armpits first to help facilitate cream going on smoothly
- Use only a pea-sized amount – a little goes a long way!
- Apply the cream using a silicone makeup applicator or a wooden applicator stick instead of your fingers.
If you follow these steps, you’ll be surprised how easy it is to get used to the deodorant cream experience and appreciate the benefits!
Are you ready to make the switch to a deodorant cream?
This is great! I’ve been using Soapwalla for years. I’m about to give Primal Pit Paste a try. I’ll have to add the others to my list.
You’ll have to let me know how you like the Primal Pit Paste Lori!
Very cool, I’ll have to check some of these out. I didn’t even know this was a thing !
Seems there’s always something new to try Lindsay! I think you’ll appreciate the minimal, safe ingredients!
whew knew? I use baking soda but this would be very useful when I have to travel!
great find!
I brought mine on a trip recently Michelle. Since they are only 2-oz, you can carry them on a plane which is nice.
I’ve been using Pit Putty from Bubble & Bee for over 5 years. There’s no going back!!! They have both a stick and cream, and I usually use a combo of both. They also have several YUMMY scents 🙂
Christy – I’ve tried the Pit Putty stick but never the cream. It sounds similar to the Schmidt’s deodorant.
I’ve never heard of cream deodorant before, but will look out for it now. I always try to find products that as natural as possible.
Yvonne – If you can’t find a cream deodorant locally, check online at places like Abe’s Market or Vine.com.
I switched to a cream last year. I couldn’t fibd a natural stick or spray that worked for me. The cream is great. It even stood up in Las Vegas in August heat.
Hi! I’m just wondering how many other free products of this natur (deodorant) you received and tried that did not make the short list….or were these the only ones?
Hi Karen – these are the only deodorant creams I’ve tried. I know there are others out there – but I have not tried them – at least not yet!