We’ve covered deodorant for adults extensively: we’ve talked about the best non-toxic deodorant brands for sensitive skin and why baking soda can be irritating for some, and we’ve evaluated some specific deodorant brands such as Native and Dove.
But in this article, we’re talking specifically about young people’s pits! We’re giving you the best non-toxic and natural deodorant for kids, tweens, and teens.
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Featured Image Credit: All Good
‘Why Do My Kids’ Armpits Smell!?’
Kids’ underarms smell for the same reason adults’ do. It’s not the actual sweat that smells, but rather the mix of bacteria and moisture. Although things like medical conditions can cause or exacerbate body odor, the most common cause for young people is a change in hormones.
These days, kids are hitting puberty earlier than ever. While there are a lot of different known and suspected reasons for this, research indicates that exposure to endocrine–disrupting chemicals (such as phthalates and parabens) can have impact on early puberty.
This is one reason why it’s important to choose non-toxic and natural products for kids whenever possible.
Other things like diet (increased sugar consumption), emotional stress, gender, genetics, race, and medical conditions can also play a factor in when a child hits puberty and starts developing body odor.
What To Look for in Non-Toxic & Natural Deodorant for Kids & Teens
When shopping for deodorant, stay clear of products that include ingredients like:
- “Fragrance” (hormone disruptors, allergens, and carcinogens can hide under this ‘ingredient’)
- Aluminum
- Parabens
- Talc (it can easily be contaminated with asbestos)
You can read more in-depth about the deodorant ingredients to watch out for in this article.
Instead, look for ingredients like:
- Baking soda, arrowroot powder, & corn starch (natural ingredients that absorb moisture)
- Coconut oil, avocado oil/butter, shea butter, castor seed oil, candelilla wax, & beeswax (to nourish the skin and prevent dryness or irritation)
- Activated charcoal (for absorbing bacteria and neutralizing odors)
- Essential oils for scent (provided your child doesn’t have any specific allergies to these)
Can Children Wear Normal Deodorant?
A common question parents ask is whether or not kids can wear “adult” deodorant. The short answer is yes… However, we recommend that kids and teens only use adult deodorant brands that use non-toxic and natural ingredients. In fact, you’ll notice that many of the brands below are fitting for people of a range of ages and genders.
What About Deodorant for Sensitive Skin?
Everyone’s body chemistry is different, so even natural deodorant ingredients can potentially cause skin irritation for some people. While many non-toxic deodorant brands use baking soda (it’s really effective at absorbing wetness), it can cause problems for some people since it can rearrange the body’s pH. So if a certain deodorant is causing problems for you or your child, consider trying a baking soda-free brand. You can read more about this issue here.
Other ingredients to keep an eye on when it comes to sensitive underarms include activated charcoal and various essential oils (like tea tree). Despite being safe, these ingredients are might just too harsh on some skin.
Of course, you should always consult your pediatrician and/or dermatologist, especially if your child has any allergies, eczema, or other skin or medical conditions.
The Safest & Most Effective Deodorant Brands for Kids, Tweens, & Teens
Below are our top recommendations for non-toxic and natural deodorants for young people. You’ll find that some of them are specifically made for kids, while others can be used by people of all ages. Some are more feminine in their scents and branding, while others are more masculine. Some of them contain baking soda, while others don’t.
So no matter the specific needs and preferences of your young loved ones, you can feel good about buying from these brands:
Prep U
Using only clean natural ingredients, Prep U provides products to instill confidence at any age.
Their natural deodorants contain zero toxic chemicals as well as no aluminum or baking soda. They are not antiperspirants so sweating will happen, it just won’t stink. Free of synthetic fragrances, choose between a citrus scent or a shower-clean activated charcoal blend perfect for young sensitive armpits.
Prep U is also available at Target.
Blume
Blume’s products only contain ingredients that are good for your skin and the environment. You’ll only find vegan, cruelty-free, non-toxic ingredients here, even in their unscented aluminum-free deodorant.
Harnessing the effectiveness of probiotics, jojoba oil, and coconut oil, Blum’s Hug Me Probiotic Deodorant prevents odor-causing bacteria from forming to give your teen that clean and freshly showered feeling.
Ursa Major
As a sustainable skincare company (and Certifed B Corp), Ursa Major brings the forest directly into all of its products.
They carry a range of aluminum-free deodorants in a variety of natural scents perfect for all skin no matter the age or gender. Choose between their plant-powered spray or stick options. The deodorant sprays are vegan but do contain alcohol (which can be a bit harsh for some people).
The stick deodorants are not antiperspirants but do contain odor-inhibiting baking soda (except for their unscented Base Layer Deodorant).
Public Goods
Public Goods’ deodorant is creamier than many of the other natural deodorant brands (which sometimes have a tiny bit of grit to them). This one goes on really smooth.
They use skin-loving ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and several different kinds of plant-based oils. Ingredients like baking soda and arrowroot powder absorb wetness without being harsh on the skin. The scent is very light, but pleasant!
Plus, it’s vegan, plastic-free, and compostable, too.
Dirty Kids Organics
Made specifically for youth of all ages, Dirty Kids Organics provides body care products that are 100% natural, USDA Certified Organic, Certified Vegan, aluminum-free, and cruelty-free.
Choose from three different deodorant scents: Lavender, Forest, or Unscented. Inside each stick, you’ll find skin nourishing coconut oil and shea butter, aluminum-free baking soda to neutralize odors, plus therapeutic grade essential oils for fragrance.
They come in packs of 1, 2, or 3 so you can get all the same scent or mix and match for all the kids in your life.
Meow Meow Tweet
There’s something about small-batch organic, vegan body care products in fun biodegradable paper packing that is hard to resist.
Meow Meow Tweet’s deodorant sticks come in a variety of natural scents. You’ll also find some baking soda-free options if those work better for you. The plant oils and butters found inside are perfect for sensitive underarms.
They have deodorant cream, too, which you apply with your fingers (which some kids and teens might not like). Instead of baking soda, it contains dietary magnesium and arrowroot powder to control odor and moisture.
Piperwai
Earth-friendly and good for ever body and skin type, Piperwai products are vegan, cruelty-free, and aluminum-free.
Choose between their naturally scented or unscented sticks or cream. All contain natural ingredients, but the big feature here is the activated charcoal to absorb moisture and prevent body odor. You can even purchase one of their “imperfect” fragrance-free sticks at a discount to prevent them from going to waste.
All Good
Created with people and the planet in mind (another Certified B Corp), All Good products are made from the safest natural botanical ingredients.
Their deodorant sticks contain no aluminum, parabens, propylene glycol, or phthalates. Instead you’ll find naturally occuring enzymes to fight odor causing bacteria, arrowroot powder to dry your young ones’ underarms, while aloe vera and calendula soothes their skin. Choose between three different scents that come from essential oils instead of synthetic fragrance.
Starling
Specially formulated with kids in mind, Starling’s all-natural organic deodorants provide safe, odor-free protection for your little ones. These are made without any aluminum, toxins, irritants, synthetic fragrances, gluten, or allergens.
They also have baking-soda free options for tweens (and teens) with extra sensitive underarms which contain zinc instead to fight odors.
Truly’s
Born from a desire to reduce the founder’s family exposure to toxic chemicals, this kid-friendly product is so safe you can eat it.
Available as a cream that needs to be applied with your fingers, the non staining, non-stinging, fragrance-free formula is made with organic coconut oil, baking soda, beeswax, and organic powered sugar. Sugar? Yes! It combines with your child’s sweat to create a hyper osmotic solution which prevents the growth of odor causing bacteria.
Mona
Designed with only the best all-natural and non-harmful ingredients, these vegan stick deodorants were designed by a doctor, who also happens to be the father of a teenager.
Available in three scents—Orange, Honey Dew, and Vanilla Spice—these hypoallergenic, aluminum- and baking soda-free deodorants use magnesium oxide and zinc oxide to naturally combat odors while keeping sensitive armpits healthy without irritation or staining clothes.
TBH Kids
Voted Best First fragrance-free deodorant by Parents Magazine, this stick deodorant was made with tweens of any gender in mind.
TBH products are free from all the usual harsh chemicals found in most body care products. The deodorant features baking soda, charcoal, and arrowroot powder to absorb wetness and draw out toxins while coconut oil soothes and hydrates skin while getting rid of body odor causing bacteria.
Play Pits
Designed specifically for smelly kids, Play Pits is great for the whole family with its all natural ingredients free of aluminum, parabens, synthetic fragrances, and other harsh chemicals. They won Good Housekeeping’s award for Best of Natural Deodorant for Kids and Preteen 2022.
The three fun scents —Suga, Happy, & Sonshine —are full of plant-based essential oils and also contain shea butter, coconut oil, baking soda, and zinc oxide to keep sensitive underarms smelling great no matter how active your children are.
Good for You Girls
Developed by the mom of two tween girls, only natural plant-based ingredients were the way to go for this brand.
Good for You Girls roll-on deodorants are free from all the typical harsh chemicals found in beauty and skincare products. Instead, you’ll find aloe, arnica, lavender, chamomile, calendula, and white, green, and black tea extracts to keep underarms healthy. Probiotic technology inside each product prevents odor-causing bacteria growth while a natural blend of essential oils keep your child’s pits smelling great.
Conclusion
Puberty is hard enough as it is and dealing with body odor doesn’t make it any easier! The good news is that there are plenty of non-toxic and natural deodorant brands for kids and teens that are not only safe but are also effective and easy to use.
