Sweat is normal, and we are not trying to stop it. Everything here works on odor while letting your body do its thing. Since every body reacts differently, the base matters more than the brand.

• antiperspirants that plug your sweat ducts to stop you sweatingdeodorants that work on the bacteria behind odor, and let your body do its thing
• 1. Find your odor-control matchBaking Soda the strongest odor control, and a great fit for a lot of people. It is alkaline though, so it can irritate sensitive skin, or start to sting once the area is already aggravated.Magnesium Hydroxide also sold as milk of magnesia. A gentler, baking-soda-free base, and usually the first thing to try if baking soda burns. Still handles odor well.Zinc Ricinoleate made from castor oil. It traps and neutralizes odor molecules instead of raising your skin pH or blocking sweat, so it tends to be easy on skin.
• 2. Pick your formatCream or paste in a jar. Scoop a pea-sized amount and warm it between your fingers. Usually the easiest to refill.Push-up stick. The familiar swipe, in a compostable tube instead of plastic.Package-free bar or cube. No packaging at all. Warm it against your skin and rub it on.
• Making the switchGive it a couple of weeks. Coming off an antiperspirant, your body adjusts, and the first several days are usually the loudest.Less is more. A thin layer on clean, dry skin does more than a thick coat.If it stings or turns red, it is usually the baking soda. Move to a magnesium hydroxide or zinc ricinoleate formula rather than giving up on natural deodorant.Want a reset? An underarm detox bar is a gentle exfoliating wash step some people like while switching, or while finding the base that suits their skin.
• plastic sticks headed for the trashcompostable tubes, glass jars, refillable cream, and package-free bars
• synthetic fragrance blends, phthalates, and petroleum-based fillersessential oils and plant-based ingredients you can actually pronounce, plus unscented formulas if you would rather skip scent altogether

Every one of these is a deodorant, not an antiperspirant: nothing here contains aluminum, and nothing plugs your sweat ducts.