4th June 2026, by Tamara Corin | Read time: 4 minutes
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There are few beauty experiences more humbling than testing a natural deodorant during a busy week. Especially in London, where public transport, overheated offices, and the sudden appearance of one ray of sunshine puts me into holiday mode.
For years, natural deodorants had a reputation for lovely packaging, admirable ingredients, but absolutely no chance of surviving my commute on the Northern Line. But formulas have changed, and the new generation is significantly less ‘health food shop circa 2010’ and far more chic, effective, and bathroom-shelf-friendly.
What’s the difference?
Traditional antiperspirants use aluminium salts to temporarily block sweat glands and reduce perspiration. Natural deodorants don’t stop you sweating, but instead neutralise odour using ingredients like magnesium, zinc, and essential oils. After spending the past four weeks testing umpteen natural deodorants, these are the formulas that genuinely impressed me.
For years, natural deodorants had a reputation for lovely packaging, admirable ingredients, but absolutely no chance of surviving my commute on the Northern Line.
Fussy already had cool-brand status thanks to its Dragons’ Den moment and honestly, the hype makes sense. The refillable cases are genuinely chic, the scents smell expensive, and it’s one of the few natural deodorants that survived my commute without immediately giving up on me.
Wild has become the TikTok fave natural deodorant for good reason. It’s compact, refillable and doesn’t leave that dreaded white residue all over black tops. The scents also smell suspiciously luxurious, fun, and often themed packaging plus you can choose between a roll-on, spray or stick formulas.
Aesop’s deodorant is exactly what you’d expect from Aesop: minimalist, herbaceous and the kind of product that makes your bathroom shelf look fancy. The vetiver-heavy scent lingers beautifully and lasts all day and there’s a choice of a spray or a roll-on.
Caudalie somehow makes deodorant feel elegant. Lightweight, fresh, and quietly effective, it has that effortless French beauty quality where everything appears low maintenance despite clearly being extremely curated.
This was the formula I kept reaching for most. Fresh, modern, and genuinely long-lasting, it managed the rare feat of making me forget I was wearing a natural deodorant at all, arguably the highest compliment possible. 10/10
Born from two West-End actors complaining of their own BO on stage. AKT’s deodorant balm remains one of the chicest formulas on the market. It has its own gold applicator, and the rich cream texture somehow manages to feel luxurious rather than sticky. The crème de la crème of natural deos.
Straightforward, effective, and refreshingly unpretentious. Salt of the Earth is a fuss-free formula that feels like a reliable deodorant that quite simply does what it says.
Some natural deodorants can feel slightly aggressive on sensitive skin thanks to bicarbonate-heavy formulas. Dr Organic was one of the gentlest I tried, soothing, simple, and easy to wear daily without irritation.
Unsurprisingly, Neal’s Yard excels at making basic hygiene feel like a wellness ritual. The essential oil blends smell calming rather than overpowering and the packaging has a nice bougee feel. Plus, you can choose between a roll-on or a spray- both give great centl pay-off.
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One winner will receive Ancient + Brave products of their choice up to the value of £215 RRP plus one Ancient + Brave x Ocean Bottle Bottle worth £35 RRP. No cash alternative will be offered and any difference in value will not be refunded. The prize is non-transferable, non-resaleable, and subject to availability. The Promoter reserves the right to substitute products of equal or greater value if necessary. Open to UK residents only. Only one entry per person. Product selection and fulfilment will be arranged directly with the winner. The winner will be notified via email by The Handbook and contacted to organise the prize directly with Ancient + Brave. Product selection and fulfilment will be arranged directly with the winner and Ancient + Brave. The winner will be notified via email by The Handbook and contacted to organise the prize directly with Ancient + Brave. Product selection and fulfilment will be arranged directly with the winner and Ancient + Brave.
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1. Eligibility: This competition is open to residents of the United Kingdom aged 18 years or over only. Proof of age may be required.
2. Prize: The prize consists of: A £250 bar tab to be used at Electric Shuffle Canary Wharf 90 minutes of shuffleboard for a group of up to six (6) people at Electric Shuffle.
3. Redemption: The prize must be redeemed within six (6) months of the winner being notified.
-The prize can only be used at the Canary Wharf venue.
-The £250 bar tab must be used in one single visit. No change will be given for any unused portion of the bar tab.
-The shuffleboard booking for six people is for a duration of 90 minutes.
-Redemption of the prize is subject to availability.
-Advance booking is essential and should be made directly with Electric Shuffle, quoting the prize.
-Certain dates or times may be excluded due to high demand or private events.
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The prize includes food and drink from the Summer À La Carte menu, including wines and cocktails, up to the value of £300 (inclusive of service charge).
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