The Natural Deodorant Story: Bicarbonate Free, Aluminium Free, and Made to Actually Work

Most natural deodorants on the market lean heavily on bicarbonate of soda to neutralise odour, and for a huge number of people, that’s exactly what causes the irritation. So when I sat down to formulate ours, going bicarbonate free (alongside aluminium free, obviously) was non-negotiable from the start.

I didn’t set out to make a deodorant because it felt like an obvious product to add to the range. I made it because I couldn’t find one that ticked every box: genuinely natural, free from both bicarbonate and aluminium, and actually effective through a full day. Most options forced a trade-off somewhere. So I formulated one from scratch, tested it on myself for months, and only put it out into the world once I trusted it completely.

I keep the ingredient list short and purposeful, nothing is in there just to pad it out. Here’s the breakdown:

• Shea butter and cocoa butter – the emollient base, keeping the formula smooth and skin-conditioning rather than drying

• Beeswax – gives the balm its structure and helps it glide on rather than drag

• Tapioca starch and arrowroot root powder – these do the heavy lifting for absorbing moisture through the day, without the harshness of baking soda

• Kaolin clay and bentonite clay – natural absorbents that help draw out moisture and keep you feeling fresh

• Zinc oxide – supports odour control and is gentle on skin

• Jojoba oil and coconut oil – lightweight conditioning oils so the formula never feels claggy

• Neem oil – a small but important addition for its naturally purifying properties

No bicarbonate, no aluminium compounds, no synthetic fragrance. Just ingredients doing a specific job.

I could never bring myself to do a single-note scent. A deodorant sits against your skin all day, so I wanted each version to smell considered, not like one essential oil dropped into a base. Every scent is a blend of four oils, layered so it develops rather than smelling flat, and that’s the little bit of everyday luxury I wanted to build in.

The floral one – geranium, ylang ylang, palmarosa, and sweet orange, layered so it’s soft and warm rather than sweet. This is the blend behind Wild Petal, which won silver in the Green Parent Awards 2026, which still doesn’t feel real to type out.

The grounding one – frankincense, patchouli, sandalwood, and a touch of pink pepper. Deeper and earthier, with real depth rather than one dominant note.

The fresh one – lemon, bergamot, lavender, and rosemary. Bright and herbaceous, the one I reach for most on busy school-run mornings or workouts.

Because this is a genuinely concentrated balm rather than a gel or a spray, it applies as a thick white stick, and it can leave a white cast that needs a quick rub in with a finger to fully absorb. I’ll be upfront about that rather than pretend otherwise. In my experience, and in the feedback I get from customers, that ten extra seconds is a small price to pay for a formula that holds up through most of the day. It’s the same principle behind everything I make: I’d rather the product actually work than look effortless in the pot.

If you’re moving over from an antiperspirant, it’s worth knowing what to expect. Antiperspirants work by blocking sweat glands with aluminium compounds, so when you stop using one, your body needs a bit of time to recalibrate and start sweating normally again through those pores. This “adjustment period” is often mistaken for the natural deodorant “not working,” when really it’s your body catching up.

1. Give it two to four weeks. This is genuinely the biggest factor. Most people who give up on natural deodorant do so in the first week, right when the adjustment period is at its peak.

2. Reapply if you need to. Unlike antiperspirant, this isn’t designed to override your body’s sweat response, it’s designed to work with it. A midday top-up is completely normal, especially early on.

3. Exfoliate gently once or twice a week during the switch. It helps clear any residue and keeps the skin under your arms comfortable.

4. Don’t panic if you notice more odour initially. It usually settles once your body’s natural bacteria balance resets.

Underarm skin is thin, absorbent, and sits right next to your lymph nodes, so what you put there matters. I formulated this deodorant the same way I formulate everything else: by asking what the skin actually needs, not what’s cheapest or quickest to produce. It took a long time to get right, but that’s kind of the point. This concentrated balm also last a considerably long time too!

If you’ve been curious about making the switch, I’d love for you to try it. And if you’ve already made the leap, I’d love to hear how it’s going for you.

Is this deodorant aluminium free?

Yes, completely. It’s also free from bicarbonate of soda, so it’s a good option if you’ve reacted to other natural deodorants in the past.

Because it’s oil and butter based rather than alcohol based, it can occasionally leave a faint mark on dark fabrics if you apply too much or don’t let it absorb fully. Applying a thin layer and giving it a moment to sink in before dressing solves this for most people.

The formula is a concentrated balm rather than a gel, which is what makes it effective for so long. Rubbing it in with a finger after the stick application clears the white cast in a few seconds.

This varies by how much you apply, but most customers get several months of daily use from one stick.

It’s formulated without bicarbonate of soda specifically because that’s the most common irritant in natural deodorants. Everyone’s skin is different, so if you have particularly reactive skin, patch test first as with any new product.

This is the adjustment period, not the deodorant not working. Antiperspirants block sweat glands with aluminium, so your body needs a couple of weeks to recalibrate once you stop. Give it two to four weeks before judging how well it’s working for you.

https://www.bloom-skin.co.uk/products/bloom-skin-deodorant-balm