The Best Sensitive Skin Deodorant: Your new #1 Choice

Sensitive skin deodorant can be elusive. If you have sensitive skin, you may have struggled to find a deodorant that doesn’t irritate your skin, but that actually works.  I have a highly allergic body- I have had a variety of skin irritations and allergic reactions over the course of my life. Many of my allergies are now controlled by allergy injections (and also tamed by this probiotic).  However, for topical uses, I still have to identify products that don’t irritate my skin.

Products that work

• For facial moisturizer and sunscreens, I use Neutrogena.
• For makeup, I have been most successful with Clinique, but also with certain products from other lines, like Mary Kay, and even Maybelline.
• For cleansing, I choose soaps handmade by a friend, or, when my stash runs low, Dove for sensitive skin.
• For facial cleansing, I have used Neutrogena wipes for years, with no problems.  For a more sustainable choice, I like the foaming cleanser from Clinique or the Tula probiotic cleanser that was in a recent Fab Fit Fun Box. Norwex face cloths are also gentle, and environmentally-friendly.
• For body moisturizers, I have been happy with CeraVe for bumpy skin, Weleda products, or, more recently this cream from Lavido that was in a recent Fab Fit Fun Box.  

Finding a Sensitive Skin Deodorant that Works

But the hunt for a deodorant that didn’t irritate AND actually worked was much more difficult.

I had been using Dove deodorant for years when a skin flare-up landed me in the dermatologist’s office.  While the initial recommendation had been to NOT change any products, so as to better isolate what the problematic allergen might be, at one point I figured I just HAD to try something else.  

What Didn’t Work So Well

A friend had shared a post on Native deodorants, so I figured I would try it.  It worked decently, but the irritation continued.

My next choice was a Schmidt’s product that was near the checkout line at Costco.  It said all natural so I figured it was worth a try. It worked, but there was still irritation, so I kept trying.  

I tried another natural product, called Primal Pit Paste, which smelled lovely in the container, but was messy to apply and didn’t work well.  

Next, I ordered a version from my favorite natural cleaning company, Norwex.  Not the first place you’d think to buy a personal care product, but I figured it was worth throwing in my online cart with my laundry detergent and EnviroCloths.  Unfortunately, while it didn’t irritate my skin, it also didn’t do much to combat odor.

I went back to Target.com, combing through the app for alternatives I had yet to try, and filled up my cart.  I was determined to find an option that both worked and worked for my skin.

First up Yes to Lavender (from the same line as Yes to Carrots).  Very similar in design and substance to the Norwex product, it smelled awesome, didn’t irritate, but also didn’t work.

I also found a version of Schmidt’s for sensitive skin.  Being as the original version was a product that had actually worked, but had irritated my skin, I was hopeful.  I chose a pineapple-coconut milk version, both because I enjoy tropical scents, and because I had read that coconut milk was a natural odor deterrent.  

The Answer!

Eureka!  This was the answer.  After more than a year of trying various options, I had a solution.  

But my last online shopping trip had resulted in a few more products left to try – so I did experiment with those as well.  

One was a package of Pacifica Pineapple Underarm Deodorant wipes – also with coconut milk.  With these, I tossed them in my bag, and used them midday, after one of the less effective brands had failed me.  This turned out to be a great solution, and they have made it into my rotation for travel going forward.

The other was a citrus spray from Weleda.  This was also an effective add on for a midday freshener, (and though less travel-friendly the wipes, it is in a 3.4 oz spray bottle, so it technically meets TSA requirements). I think it will be a useful tool this summer when a quick spritz can be used to freshen up.  

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