Our beauty editor tested the Salt & Stone natural deodorant.Even though she sweats a lot and has sensitive skin, she loves how it helps keep odor away all day, goes on super smooth, doesn’t leave residue or stains, and smells really good.It works better than most natural options, but it’s not truly 48-hour protection and isn’t the best pick for super hot, extra sweaty days.
I am the opposite of the usual customer of natural deodorant. I take a sweaty, packed Subway twice a day; I frequent hot yoga and boxing classes; and I have sensitive skin that’s irritated by baking soda and strong essential oils. I’m really fun at dinner parties, trust me! All that said, though, I’ll still give most aluminum-free deodorants a shot, no matter how much people yell at me to stick with the hard stuff (aka aluminum-filled antiperspirants). I’ve tried pretty much everything out there with a mixed bag or results. But the one I always come back to? Salt and Stone’s Deodorant.
People constantly ask me about it. “Is the Salt & Stone deodorant really the best natural deodorant?” “Are there any natural deodorants that actually work? I’ve thought about trying Salt & Stone.” “What do you think of the Salt & Stone deodorant? I got an ad for it, and it looks good.” I wade through these questions constantly, whether people just found out I’m a beauty editor or my close, long-term friends. And instead of replaying the same answer over and over again (yes, I love it, it’s totally worth it), I figured I’d finally just distill all my thoughts in one place. A full review of Salt & Stone’s famed natural deodorant, if you will. But first, lemme give you the down-low on the product.
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About the deodorant:
Salt & Stone’s natural deodorant is an aluminum free formula, meaning it won’t prevent you from sweating, but it does fight off odor. It’s also made without paragons, phlalates, and alcohol. But this deo goes beyond protecting you against B.O. (which it claims to do for 48 hours, btw). The stick comes in five fragrances that mimic high-end quality perfumes like santal and vetiver, bergamot and hinoki, and saffron and cedar. And it’s formulated with skincare ingredients too, like probiotics to help balance microbiome to help reduce odor, hydrating spirulina, niacinamide to smooth uneven skin texture and calm irritation, and antioxidants to soothe skin.
Beth Gillette for Cosmopolitan
My review:
First of all, I love how smoothly it glides over my skin. This is often my complaint with deos in general, but especially natural ones. They’re usually a little crumbly, leaving behind flecks of white deodorant on my arms that both get on my clothes and just overall look icky. This one doesn’t do that. The formula is lightweight and soft against my skin, leaving behind no frustrating residue. Keep in mind; This formula can sting a bit right after shaving. It’s packed with soothing niacin amide and hydrating spirulina, which def helps counteract this, but keep it away from any broken skin to be safe. One thing, though, is that it also doesn’t yellow my shirts—another common issue with natural deos.
On the odor-resisting front, I find this formula comparable to aluminum-filled deodorants. Obviously, it’s not getting rid of sweat, so there will still be a slightly damp feeling under my arms on super-hot days. But I don’t smell bad after a long day, which is a strong feat. I normally have to reapply other natural deodorants after five or so hours. This one truly lasts all day long, even well into the late evening when I’m out at a dinner that ends up turning into late-night drinks. I’ve even worn this on first dates when I’m nervously sweating and haven’t had any issues.
Now, does it last for 48 hours? Definitely not, but even my clinical strength deodorants still need to be reapplied every day. However, I will say, of every natural formula I’ve tested, this one definitely keeps me smelling fresh the longest.
I’m also a huge fan of the scents. Santal and Vetiver is my go-to and absolute favorite (I use the body mist in this scent as well)—it smells like a high-end sandalwood perfume, but the scent is light enough that it doesn’t overpower my actual perfume either. Other scents I love include Black Rose & Oud (a deep, sexy floral) and Neroli & Basil (a fresh, clean scent).
Final thoughts:
Of every natural deodorant I’ve tested (and trust me, I’ve tried a gazillion), Salt & Stone is always the one I go back to. I keep it in my gym bag, at my desk at the office, and stashed in my bathroom. Is it what I’m choosing on the hottest, sweatiest day ever? Probably not, but I wouldn’t go for any natural deo in that case, tbf. But if I’m wearing aluminum-free deodorant, best believe it’s Salt & Stone.
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Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with more than seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you “have to try.” Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair ‘do every few months.
