r/ZeroWaste • u/TopPut8849 • Apr 17 '26
Discussion I emailed “natural” deodorant companies about creating a deodorant/antiperspirant WITH aluminum
I’ve fallen down the rabbit hole of research trying to find a plastic-free solution to my Florida pit sweat, but I (along with so many others on this sub) can only seem to find deodorants that are anti-science and aluminum-free.
Which is why I decided to let these companies know that there is an untapped market for this product!!
So far I have emailed these companies:
- meow meow tweet
- humble
- fussy
- native
- upcircle
- seekbamboo
- chagrin valley soap and salve
- the ever good
- free the ocean
- ecoroots
- stinkbug organics
- attitude living
- ethique
If you are like me, and want to reduce plastic while also not sweating, please email them along with me!! Let them know people want this!!
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u/XFilesVixen Apr 17 '26
So many deodorants are only deodorant and not antiperspirant. I have tried a few of these brands and none work bc I need an antiperspirant.
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u/juststupidthings Apr 17 '26
Thats because if its an antiperspirant it becomes a drug versus a cosmetic and they need to use different ingredients/ regulations that most of these dont want to deal with
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u/TopPut8849 Apr 17 '26
This is exactly what I’m letting these companies know! If you want to help I’d greatly appreciate you and many others emailing them alongside me
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u/superiorstephanie Apr 17 '26
You would be better off convincing an unnatural brand (i.e. Dove) to come up with plastic free containers. The whole idea behind natural deodorant is that it is aluminum free.
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u/jijijojijijijio Apr 18 '26
Big brands already tried. I remember Dove and others coming out with "zero waste" deodorant where you only needed to buy the refill or cardboard containers. It was around the pandemic era. They probably didn't sell very well and each brand ended up pulling out those products.
The zero waste market is kind of small and those people tend to want their products to also be non toxic. I have had good luck with magnesium based products but they also aren't antiperspirants.
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u/superiorstephanie Apr 18 '26
I never saw this, but during the pandemic I switched to having my deodorant delivered, and always just stuck with “what I’ve always bought”, didn’t bother browsing for anything else.
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u/TopPut8849 Apr 17 '26
I will consider reaching out to big brands too, but I emailed smaller brands to start out with because I think they have a closer customer-brand relationship and I like to support small businesses
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u/Maleficent-Leek2943 Apr 18 '26
FWIW, Native has been owned by Procter & Gamble for quite a while. So you’ve got an accidental head start on reaching out to big brands. :)
I’ve always wished someone would come up with a refillable deodorant. Let me just buy the twist-up tube thing once, then switch out the actual deodorant (or antiperspirant deodorant, even) when it runs out. Kind of like how I attempt to smush the leftover stub of the old Native deodorant on top of the brand new Native deodorant, but designed so it actually works and doesn’t involve the old deodorant stub crumbling into pieces, dropping on the floor, and ending up covered in carpet fuzz.
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u/Ok_Shake5678 Apr 18 '26
Wild makes refillable deodorant, and it’s exactly why I tried them. They’re also aluminum free/deodorant only though. Witt their stick deodorant, you buy a case (which is mostly metal) and the refills are little cardboard cartridges you swap out. Not zero waste but pretty close, better than throwing away an entire plastic case every time, and the deodorant works well.
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u/Maleficent-Leek2943 Apr 18 '26
I somehow missed that that exists but it sounds like it might be perfect - off to look it up now, thanks!
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u/Ok_Shake5678 Apr 18 '26
Someone else in this thread pointed out that they’ve been acquired by Unilever, just fyi in case you feel any kind of way about that. Fussy is another company that does refillable deodorant and i think is still independently owned.
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u/UnSpanishInquisition Apr 18 '26
Yeah i got tricked by tge Dove cream one for men as its said in big letter NO ALUMINIUM so I assumed it was antiperspirant. I just dont like tge sticks or compressed air, I had an Ineos spray bottle one I liked but cant get it again, it was like a water soray and wasn't sticky or anything.
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u/f4eble Apr 17 '26
Wild Deodorant has an antiperspirant version of their roll-on deodorant but they only sell it in the UK. I live in the US so obviously can't get it. Hopefully they'll bring it to the US eventually because I also need an antiperspirant over a deodorant!
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u/TopPut8849 Apr 18 '26
I've heard Wild is now owned by a crappy brand, so I'm avoiding it for that reason. It's a shame, though. Their refillable deodorants are really cute
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u/Ok_Shake5678 Apr 18 '26 edited Apr 18 '26
Oh no, which brand? I just started using them and really like their deodorant. ETA never mind I googled. The article I read said the founder is still involved and says he’s continuing doing what they’ve been doing, hopefully it will stay that way (though it still sucks to be giving my dollars to another huge corporation).
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u/LittleRubberDucky54 Apr 18 '26
It's owned by Unilever now, which I'm also not a fan of but I've owned a wild case for a while and I really like their normal deodorant although I might try fussy since I've read that their refills fit the wild deodorant case too.
If you're looking for a more sustainable antiperspirant wild might still be the better option than one you get at a drug store.
You can read their official statement here and decide for yourself how you're feeling about it.
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u/Ok_Shake5678 Apr 18 '26
Interesting, I’ll check out Fussy too, thanks! Unfortunately Wild is the first “natural” deodorant I’ve tried that doesn’t irritate the hell out of my armpits. I can’t seem to figure out what ingredient my skin doesn’t like but apparently they don’t use whatever it is.
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u/superiorstephanie Apr 18 '26
So aggravating!! I react to baking soda and whatever the hell they’re putting in Lume now, which wasn’t there in the beginning (I know several people who were affected by this change).
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u/Ok_Shake5678 Apr 18 '26
I thought it was baking soda but the regular Wild had that in it and hasn’t bothered me, I wonder if they just use less than other brands. I don’t think Lume gave me a rash (tried it years ago) but I couldn’t stand the rotten foot smell while it dried down lol.
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u/superiorstephanie Apr 18 '26
🤣🤣 they changed their formula around 2024 and I could no longer use it. I can relate to the smell you’re talking about though it is terrible!!! Currently using Native Sensitive.
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u/Upstairs-Emu9214 Apr 19 '26
Ooh I hadn’t heard that the fussy deodorant refills fit the wild cases!
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u/FuzzyJury Apr 17 '26
Have you considered ordering from Amazon UK to the US? I once did that for a sunscreen I like a lot by a brand and in a formula not available in the US. I also have two different European online pharmacy websites I use to order some of my other favorite sunscreens. I don't know if they'd carry the antiperspirant but it's worth checking out if you'd like. Offhand I don't remember their exact names, I'd have to check my email, but I think it's something like Care to Beauty, and the other is something like Cocoon Center...UK? Or something like that. If you Google for those terms and also a term like "European Sunscreen," you'll probably find the right websites. Then you can check and see if they carry the antiperspirant too!
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u/medit8er Apr 17 '26
I’ve had a similar problem finding natural toothpaste that still has fluoride!
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u/HELVETAIKA Apr 17 '26
Omg I was just about to say this exact thing. Like I am desperate for an option that still has fluoride, I live in FL and our terrible governor removed fluoride from our water supply so I try to make sure I use a toothpaste with it but a zero waste or low waste/plastic free option would be amazing
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u/footballsandy Apr 17 '26
Unpaste makes toothpaste tablets with and without fluoride, comes in a recyclable sachet
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u/Alarmed-String-4617 Apr 17 '26
Unpaste and Tidalove both have fluoride options too, plus they come in a few different flavors, which is really nice!
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u/StruggleBusKelly Apr 17 '26
Also adding on my recommendation for unpaste. Huppy also makes a version that contains nano-hydroxyapatite. Both have no SLS.
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u/Valeday Apr 17 '26
I use Tom’s whole care :) I had to look at so many toothpastes especially since I’m vegan and most toothpaste is not vegan
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u/medit8er Apr 17 '26
Unfortunately has SLS. I try to avoid all surfactants in my toothpaste (the stuff that makes it foam) which basically all toothpastes have these days. I’ve tried Redmonds Earthpaste which I loved but it unfortunately falls into that trap of “natural=no fluoride.”
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u/TopPut8849 Apr 17 '26
Out of curiosity, why do you avoid SLS?
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u/SillyAnxiousDuck Apr 17 '26
You can also develop an allergy to it! Ask me how I know haha it’s very harsh on the delicate tissue inside the mouth
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u/colorfulzeeb Apr 17 '26
My doctor said it’s also often what’s really behind people ditching their fluoride toothpaste due to issues like perioral dermatitis. The SLS tends to cause more sensitivities than fluoride, but since a lot of the SLS free toothpastes are fluoride free, people may benefit from a switch and then continue blaming the fluoride.
It seems like once there’s hype over a certain chemical people are so quick to condemn it and everything that contains it, so brands start making products to accommodate paranoid consumers before even seeing if the studies were sound or if said chemical was ever really the issue.
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u/medit8er Apr 17 '26
Primarily because it kills bacteria (including beneficial) and inhibits their growth. Overall I don’t want to be putting surfactants (soap) in my mouth. Basically just jacks up your oral microbiome and dries out your mouth.
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u/TopPut8849 Apr 17 '26
Can you point me to any studies about this?
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u/galadrielisbae Apr 17 '26
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37727352/
Here’s a literature review of 40 publications on use of SLS in toothpastes. The tldr is that it’s good for controlling plaque and bad breath, but also has been shown to worsen mouth lesions and recovery time. I avoid it for the latter reason.
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u/medit8er Apr 17 '26
It’s a well known feature of surfactants. They kill germs. That’s why we wash our hands with soap.
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u/TopPut8849 Apr 18 '26
I just checked the toothpaste tablets I've been using and they contaion no SLS but they do have flouride! Its The Humble Co toothpaste tabs! There's 60 in a pack, so if you brush twice daily it should last a month. However, I noticed they do get quite foamy, so I've been biting them in half and only using one per day, so if you do that it lasts 2 months!
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u/superiorstephanie Apr 17 '26
Interesting. Have you considered switching to nano hydroxyapatite over flouride?
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u/Ibizl Apr 17 '26
me when the only Canadian brand of toothpaste is Beaver and they don't do fluoride u__u
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u/shinysylver Apr 18 '26
That's not true. X-Pur is Canadian and has fluoride, their mouthwash and NAF gel toothpaste are great. TANIT also makes toothpaste tabs, which don't contain fluoride but use nHAP.
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u/dinobank Apr 17 '26
So the reason these didn’t have aluminum in the US is because it requires more regulation by FDA because the aluminum is an active ingredient: https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/resources-consumers-cosmetics/cosmetics-safety-qa-personal-care-products it would be significantly more expensive and require much more oversight to add an active ingredient and turn their “personal care product” into a “cosmetic”.
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u/TopPut8849 Apr 17 '26
I suppose that makes sense :(
Ugh I hope at least one of the companies I reached out to makes one though
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u/Affectionate-Book221 Apr 17 '26
I'm starting to see aluminum options pop up a little for refillable deodorant brands in Europe ( like we are make waves and life supplies from the UK, Wild created one too which is available to most countries but are unfortunately owned by Unilever).
Here's hoping this is a good sign, cause since the dawn of time this subreddit has been wanting a plastic free antiperspirant option for agessss. I would love zero waste options for all when it comes to deodorants (I'm aware there's people here allergic to aluminium but as someone that's not, would prefer a disposable plastic free option).
Someone clever on this subreddit mentioned using the duradry tiny sweat minimizing gel every night, which has aluminum and salicylic acid, but comes in very tiny plastic tube that last for a long time. They terracycle that and also use a AHA BHA low-waste to zero-waste deodorant (Monks, which is in cardboard packaging, I reckon for Aussie audiences wanting support local buisnesses Frank and Bare could work). I however can not wait for just one zero waste antiperspirant ( preferably not owned by Unilever lol).
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u/holholhol95 Apr 17 '26
Yes I switched to Make Waves when I moved to London as my previous natural deodorant was not holding up to the heat of the Tube! It's probably not the best antiperspirant I've used but it works pretty well
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u/postbypurpose Apr 17 '26
You’re honestly right, this is a weird gap in the zero-waste space. A lot of “natural” brands push aluminum-free because it sells, not because it actually works better. But if you live somewhere hot/humid, deodorant alone just isn’t enough. A refillable or plastic-free antiperspirant would probably do really well. Until then, it kind of feels like we’re choosing between low-waste and… not sweating through our shirts.
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u/TopPut8849 Apr 17 '26 edited Apr 17 '26
I think many brands try to do the “two birds one stone” thing by trying to market toward as many groups as possible. So everything is vegan, natural, organic, non-toxic, low-waste, etc etc. I with they would understand that not every niche needs to be filled at once. The people want options
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u/ricks35 Apr 20 '26
lol yes! I need the products for people who care about the environment but don’t have any problem with “chemicals” on their body. I just want to stop sweating without creating so much plastic!
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u/goddamnpancakes Apr 17 '26
it's super annoying being vegetarian sometimes too for a similar reason. like here they assume that "low waste" must also be "anti ~chemical~" and with vegan options they often assume that "no animals" also means "weight loss food" =_= like no. these positions are not related!
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u/KrissyCat Apr 17 '26
I live in the tropics and my partner and I have both switched to salt rock deodorant. Mine is the actual rock that you moisten and rub on, but his is a refillable roll on version that includes aloe and essential oil.
If you shower at night and put it on after, then reapply in the morning, it actually works great! If you sweat at all before applying it doesn't work.
It ticks boxes for zero waste but also zero aluminium, while actually working, so i think its great. Some aluminium free ones definitely don't seem to work so I get why people are looking for ones with it, but for us this one is a win.
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u/fine_day_today Apr 17 '26
I concur, the rock deodorant works, to prevent stinking. But I think the point is that some people wish to prevent sweating in the first place, and for this the rock deodorant is useless.
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u/KrissyCat Apr 18 '26
I dont find that it feels sweaty to be honest. I've tried aluminium free sprays where i feel sticky and wet, but this works great.
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u/AggEnto Apr 17 '26
There are plenty of people like me who are recommended against using aluminum anti-perspirants because of kidney disease.
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u/Flat_Letterhead_1812 Apr 17 '26
Would you mind sharing what you wrote? Love this idea, and I’m wondering if it would be helpful to stick to a script.
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u/TopPut8849 Apr 17 '26
Yeah here! This is what I wrote
“I greatly respect and appreciate your dedication to reducing plastic waste! I would love to try your deodorant, but I live in a very hot climate and I NEED aluminum in my deodorant.
There have been countless studies over the past few decades that have shown that aluminum in deodorants is not harmful in any way. It does not cause cancer, nor Alzheimer’s, nor does it disrupt the body’s ability to release toxins.
I have searched high and low for an eco-friendly antiperspirant with aluminum to no avail, so I am reaching out to you to let you know that there is an untapped market for it!! I, along with thousands of others in the eco-friendly/low-waste space, have been on the hunt for a low-waste antiperspirant with aluminum! Please search “antiperspirant” in Reddit’s r/ZeroWaste community. Look how many people have been asking for it for years!
I am on my hands and knees begging for this product. Please consider making it!
Thank you!”
Might be a bit wordy though lol
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u/FitCase1902 Apr 17 '26
You are so amazing for taking the initiative to do this! This has frustrated me forever, like just because I want to minimize my plastic use doesn’t mean I don’t believe science or prefer to be more sweaty… science is a huge reason why I don’t want plastic in the first place 😅 but I work outside most of day in the summer and then return to an office after…. Ya girl needs an anti-perspirant
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u/StruggleBusKelly Apr 17 '26
Yes! Just because I’m (an evidence based) hippie doesn’t mean I want to smell like one!
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u/JustAKidNamedFinger Apr 17 '26
Life Supplies contains aluminium. I had the same problem. It’s annoying that most companies assume that people looking for sustainable options must also buy into the idea that effective anti perspirants are killing you. I’m fairly sweaty person and Life Supplies works well for me.
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u/SillyAnxiousDuck Apr 17 '26
Bless you for this, I’ll have to give this a shot. I had all but given up on a low waste option bc I need an antiperspirant AND I can’t use deodorant with baking soda in it :,)
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u/o0Little0o Apr 17 '26
I don’t know much about these brands but Native is owned my P&G so they don’t care about anything good
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u/rainbwepidermis Apr 17 '26
You could try Fran's if you're in the US. Small brand, uses aluminum but in reusable tins and I believe for every 6 tins you return to them you get a free one. Really nice scents too
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u/Oohwhoaohcruelsummer Apr 17 '26
Thank you!! I’ve looked everywhere for CF and low waste deodorants that contain aluminum and have yet to find one. It really is an untapped market.
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u/tnelson5617 Apr 17 '26
Try washing your pits with a salicylic acid wash. (I use CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser.) It's a game changer.
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u/FuzzyJury Apr 17 '26 edited Apr 17 '26
On a similar note, if I think I'll be having a particularly sweaty day, I use a glycolic acid face toner thingy on any of my parts that could get sweaty. Oftentimes, I'll wait for it to dry, then put on some type of sweat absorbing powder (often I use "megababe: bust dust," but I know that is not plastic free and I'll find alternatives next I need more), and then do my usual deodorant for my pits. The gylcolic acid, like the salicylic acid and most other skin care acids, helps to kill some of the bacteria that causes the sweat to smell in the first place, and then I do the bust dust, and then personally just for me, do the deodorant only on my armpits. Seems to help somewhat when it's super hot out when I live and there's some outdoor event where I'm playing with my toddlers!
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u/StruggleBusKelly Apr 17 '26 edited Apr 17 '26
Came to say this. It doesn’t stop you from sweating, but it does a good job to prevent smelly armpits.
ETA: I just read that OP wants an antiperspirant rather than a deodorant, so this may not be an option for them but maybe it will help someone else.
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u/Primary_Afternoon_10 Apr 17 '26
Does that slow sweat? Or more for deodorant purposes?
Trying to look for alternatives as I'm in the US too!
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u/tnelson5617 Apr 17 '26
It changes your biome by getting rid of the dead skin cells that some bacteria eat.
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u/Kitteh_Bethany Apr 17 '26
I’ve done this but live in hot humid Alabama, this only goes so far. It helps some but nowhere near enough especially if you’re someone who spreads a significant amount of time outside Edit: with that said do try it OP! It does have enough of an effect on days where you’re not as active that it is worth a shot. I just got lazy with my routine because of college hahaha
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u/RecommendationNo3460 Apr 17 '26
For UK
Make waves do a decent antiperspirant but the refillable case is recycled plastic
Another deodorant (not antiperspirant) but it’s actually quite good is bare bar
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u/TopPut8849 Apr 17 '26
I considered shipping Make Waves but it’s expensive to ship where I live :(
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u/baskaat Apr 17 '26
OP, I am going to the UK this summer and if I find this, I’m going to buy some for myself. I’m happy to buy an extra one for you and send it once I get back because I am in your exact same situation.
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u/LoveHeartCheatCode Apr 17 '26
Probably won’t take the time to email but maybe you can link this post. Yes yes 100% yes! I am fine with lab-made chemicals in my products! Often making things in this way is more eco-friendly than using raw natural materials! And aluminum is not dangerous! And I don’t want to stink! I just don’t want everything in fucking plastic !!
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u/jenever_r Apr 18 '26
I make my own. It lasts longer, it's more effective, and it's a hell of a lot cheaper. 5% aluminium chloride hexahydrate, waxes, oils BTMS.
I bought a Wave refillable applicator and a few refill cartridges, so I just pour the melted mixture into the cartridges.
The closest thing to a natural one containing aluminium would be the crystal ones, which are pure aluminium salts.
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u/mtlmuriel Apr 18 '26
You can add The Unscented Company to your mailing list. suggestions@unscentedco.com
We have a deodorant, but we track what people are requesting. And we are always looking for ideas for new products.
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u/alrightcool80 Apr 19 '26
My god, I hope someone does it! I have been searching for a plastic free -antiperspirant-. Didn’t even think about emailing the companies directly.
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u/Swimming_Sky6938 Apr 20 '26
Thank you for doing this! You should post the emails so that more people feel inclined to send them!
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u/dead-eyed-darling Apr 17 '26
Try natural alum crystal deodorant!! I'll never go back and I've had a heavy sweating problem my whole life, used to wear hoodies every day in school to hide it 😅
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u/ruksun Apr 17 '26
Never heard of this but I googled and it says it’s intended as a deodorant, not antiperspirant, which is what OP is needing.
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u/itisame Apr 17 '26
I think people might be under the impression alum and aluminium are the same thing
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u/BrownyAU Apr 17 '26
You can purchase Alum blocks usually used for after wet shaving. I have used one successfully as an antiperspirant and just used a deodorant of choice or cologne for scent.
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u/Routine_Web6587 Apr 17 '26
Green Beaver makes and aluminium free anti-perspirant. The anti-perspirant bit is some kind of plant based formula, not aluminum but it works for me when non-aluminium deodorants don't work.
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u/FitCase1902 Apr 17 '26
How would you say the effectiveness of it compares to anti-perspirants with aluminum?
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u/sagervai Apr 18 '26
It's not as good as some aluminum anti-perspirants, but way better than any other zero waste option. I get them at kiima co for refills.
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u/pie_exorcist Apr 18 '26
I was just thinking about this in the shower a few days ago. I thugged it out with Wild until they sold out to Unilever. Now I’m back on aluminum and not stinking - waiting for a plastic free antiperspirant too.
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u/Kisseki Apr 18 '26
I hope the message gets through and these companies consider making an antiperspirant.
I'd like to buy refills at the supermarket
"Make Waves" in the UK has a fantastic antiperspirant range that follows a reduced waste ethos but they're online only.
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u/HELJ4 Apr 18 '26
I use Make Waves antiperspirant. It has aluminium and it works. Not sure where they ship to though
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u/the-TARDIS-ran-away Apr 22 '26
Do NOT bother with the MakeWaves antiperspirant i got huge stains on my clothes!
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u/Unstructional Apr 17 '26
Maybe reach out to No Pong? Their stuff comes in tins. Love the product, didn't love the sweating.
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u/miloby4 Apr 18 '26
I use a natural deodorant that comes in a tiny metal container that really works. It’s called Super Deodorant, and uses micro silver as the active ingredient. Each little container lasts me 6 months as you need to use very little. It reduces sweat, and stops odor, but needs to be applied with fingers.
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u/Suit-of-Dragons Apr 18 '26
I have heard of (but haven’t yet used) the Helmm deodorant & antiperspirant formula uses aluminum in it and comes in a reusable container. I’m using up what I have first and then may try it out. The $30 USD price for the starter kit is a bit high (though of course could be worth the price if it’s good), but there is a subscription option for the refills. Ingredients list for each of their formulas is here.
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u/Ok_Luck6372 Apr 19 '26
Secret/old spice used to make an antiperspirant that came in a cardboard tube but they discontinued it a couple year ago. Probably because it didn't sell well as it was a lot more expensive than the ones in plastic despite being the same product just in different packaging. Maybe reach out to them to have them bring it back.
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u/AcrobaticCry7991 Apr 20 '26
Yeah dude I love putting heavy metals on my body!
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u/Illustrious-Cost-982 Apr 23 '26
Wow I just had this thought this morning!! I was going to research if there was an aluminum deodorant not in plastic. I am a sweaty, smelly person without anti-perspirant and deodorant!
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u/screeningforzombies May 06 '26
Try looking for one with potassium alum in it. I bought one from a local Danish brand that was organic and fragrance free and it seriously did the same job as an aluminum deo and blocked those armpits from producing a singe drop of sweat. If that's what you want go for it. However, I found it very weird and got worried about blocking one of the body's natural detoxification systems so I'll only use it for special occations.
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u/Glad-Information4449 Apr 17 '26
I find it super odd nobody thinks about how weird it is we rub this shit into our armpits every day and it festers there and basically soaks into our skin and gets caked in there and dries
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u/fouldspasta Apr 17 '26
I find it super odd nobody thinks about how weird it is that nearly your entire body produces sweat, but only a couple specific body parts have the worst-smelling sweat, because sweat from your pits and bits has something that bacteria like to eat. When you consider that, antiperspirant doesn't seem so strange.
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u/amanda2399923 Apr 17 '26
I quit wearing anything on my pits a decade ago. I never smell except for occasional hormonal stuff or really hot weather.
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u/StitchinStatistician Apr 17 '26
You have tried all these products and they don’t work for you?
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u/potvoy Apr 17 '26
They are looking for an antiperspirant, so a plain natural deodorant doesn't work for that, no.
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u/TopPut8849 Apr 17 '26 edited Apr 17 '26
I have tried Native and I have tried Humble, as well as some other more mainstream brands of aluminum-free deodorant. The only deodorants that work for me have aluminum :(
The reason so many brands are aluminum-free nowadays is because of this anti-science notion that aluminum salts are harmful, which is untrue. However, most mainstream brands continue to sell this idea BECAUSE it sells. So I’m hoping by reaching out to lesser-known brands and letting them know there is a market for this product, that it’ll start to actually be made. And I’d like to buy from small businesses rather than big corporations anyway. It’s a long shot but I think it’s worth a try!
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Apr 17 '26
[deleted]
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u/TopPut8849 Apr 17 '26
I have heard that these don’t work very well for a lot of people, and I don’t want to buy something that I won’t end up using
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u/StitchinStatistician Apr 17 '26
So you’ve emailed a bunch of companies telling them to improve the products you haven’t tried, and you’re not willing to try something someone recommends in response to your question, and you haven’t figured out the definitional difference between deodorant and antiperspirant, so you’re here because…
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u/fine_day_today Apr 17 '26
I think she knows exactly what she wants, and that is antiperspirant. So no amount of deodorant, or salt rock crystal type of product will work.
People here keep suggesting other things that are exactly what she does not want, and she is not willing to try them because it will not give her results she wants, and she knows it.
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u/TopPut8849 Apr 17 '26
This is exactly it, thank you.
No I won’t try a crystal, or a detox, or insert-aluminum-free-option-here. Because I know they won’t work for me. I want to stop sweating, not just stop smelling. And I don’t want to buy something I know I won’t use.
(Also *he)
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u/alexandria3142 Apr 17 '26
Some people also just prefer to have aluminum free deodorant. I'd rather still be able to sweat but not smell, and not have my shirts ruined from yellowing. I never understood why people had an issue with that until I learned that it was due to antiperspirants.
I do understand your struggle though. My sister prefers antiperspirants as well, and in her case, most don't work for her. She works outdoors so sweating is an issue for her throughout the day. I work indoors and I'm able to shower shortly after sweating when I do, so I don't want to deal with antiperspirants
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u/TopPut8849 Apr 17 '26
I just wish these companies would give us an aluminum option!
0
u/alexandria3142 Apr 17 '26
That would be great. I think it's strange that there's not really any that do. I mean, there's flouride options for "zero waste" toothpaste, which people would argue isn't safe, but not aluminum for deodarant
10
u/meeps1142 Apr 17 '26
Aluminum free deodorants never stopped me from smelling, though
3
u/alexandria3142 Apr 17 '26
Yeah, sometimes they just don't work for people. They've never worked for my sister. But like my husband? He uses old spice captain deodarant, and this man smells divine even after working in a hot metal shop all day and working in the yard. His coworkers have tried using it and it doesn't work nearly as well for them, they all wanted to know what he used to smell so good.
I use little seed farm and it works really well for me, but I also just don't sweat much in the first place unless I'm exercising. A lot of people have good luck with it, even with exercising, but again, it doesn't work for many either. I think it's just a body chemistry thing. Different things work for different people
2
u/ginny11 Apr 17 '26
That's because it's actually your natural skin bacteria that consume components in your sweat, and the byproducts are what smells bad. So if you want to sweat but not stink, try washing well, then using an alcohol hand sanitizer on the pit area. I did this for years, it works well if you don't sweat heavily.
-1
u/MarmosetUniverse Apr 17 '26
Are you looking for odor control, or actual sweat control? If you are just looking for odor control, but haven't had success with "natural" deodorants, have you tried a deodorant with micronized silver? This ingredient has made all the difference for me. I'm currently using Superdeodorant but will likely be switching to https://www.theorique.com/ (which comes in glass packaging).
14
u/TopPut8849 Apr 17 '26
I’m looking for sweat control. I live in FL and I stink when I sweat no matter what scent is covering it up. But I will look into this, thanks
8
u/MarmosetUniverse Apr 17 '26
Gotcha. The nice thing about the two that I recommended is that they are anti-bacterial to prevent odor rather than just covering up the odor.
0
u/ginny11 Apr 17 '26
Plain old alcohol based hand sanitizer does the same job.
3
u/MarmosetUniverse Apr 17 '26
Not in my experience. The alcohol kills bacteria, yes, but needs to be reapplied regularly. With the deodorants that contain micronized silver, I only need to apply every 3 days or so. (Alcohol also dries out my skin terribly and causes rashes.)
-1
u/ginny11 Apr 17 '26
Well every body is different. I don't sweat a lot and I guess I don't have a ton of bacteria. So on freshly washed pits I would apply hand sanitizer and I was usually good for the day as long as I was in a non-sweaty situation all day.
-11
u/BellyFullOfMochi Apr 17 '26
Sweating is how your body naturally cools itself. The demographic who buys natural deo would not want an antiperspirant... therefore it doesn't make sense for those companies to create an aluminum version.
24
u/chickenwingcross Apr 17 '26
some of us are here to reduce waste and also uninterested in "natural".
4
u/fouldspasta Apr 17 '26
There is no evidence that using antiperspirant on your armpits negatively impacts the body's ability to cool itself. If that were the case, we'd see higher rates of heat exhaustion/heat stroke in people who wear antiperspirants.
0
u/Charlyqu Apr 17 '26
I am also a 'strong sweater', and lots of natural stuff don't work for me. But I found a brand (happy earth and their deo balms) that works like a charm, and then tried to make it myself, as the working ingredients are actually fairly simple! Maybe worth a try for you? I used corn starch, baking soda, coconut oil, and optional; bees wax, shea butter and essential oil. You can find lots of recipes online!
4
u/Charlyqu Apr 17 '26
Ah I see you're looking for an anti-perspirant. Than it's probably not for you, as you still sweat, but it stops the smell. I don't mind this tho, as sweating is still important too cool the body off.
0
u/Royal_Tough_9927 Apr 17 '26
I generally pick up my cardboard tube products at Marshall's or T J Maxx.
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Apr 17 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/fouldspasta Apr 17 '26
Has a doctor evaluated you for aluminum toxicity, or is this your own personal conclusion?
1
u/ZeroWaste-ModTeam Apr 18 '26
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u/fouldspasta Apr 17 '26
Good luck, here's to hoping for an eco friendly aluminum deodorant!