Soapwalla Deodorant Cream

First things first: the jury is still out on the health risks associated with the ingredients in commercial deodorants and antiperspirants. But even if future studies show that there's no need to worry about parabens and aluminum salts, some of us will always feel better using beauty products with fewer chemicals, either because of allergies or just a desire to have a more natural lifestyle. And if they smell delicious, so much the better.

With that, I present to you the best natural deodorant currently on the market, in my humble opinion. Soapwalla Deodorant Cream is vegan and made of gluten-free and organic ingredients. It's also the only natural deodorant I've ever used that didn't stop working after a few hours … or a few months of use. It even keeps you reasonably dry, which as natural deodorant enthusiasts know, is the unicorn of green anti-stink products.

This stuff is flat out amazing. I've worn this deodorant on a run, in August (just once, I'm not crazy) and it held up. During ordinary use, I've found that I can even skip a day and still not scare the neighbors. If you're a sweaty person like me, that's really saying something.

When my deodorant arrived, in the height of summer, it was slightly liquefied, which is normal for cream deodorants. I mixed mine up with my finger, to get the clays and other ingredients on speaking terms again, and stuck it in the freezer for 20 minutes, as suggested on Soapwalla's site. It solidified nicely into an even, creamy consistency.

The cream absorbs quickly and feels more like a skin cream than a deodorant. It smells light and clean and won't overpower any other perfumes or lotions.

I have really sensitive skin, so I'm always a little apprehensive when trying a new product, but my skin loved Soapwalla. The only time I ran into any problem at all was when I used it right after shaving (which Soapwalla owner and chef Rachel Winard specifically advises you not to do on her site). Then, my armpit was a little red for a day. Once I switched to shaving in the evening and applying the cream in the morning, I had no trouble at all.

On the other hand, if you do give it a go and find that some ingredient isn't agreeing with your pits, it's worth it to contact Rachel and see if decreasing one or more ingredients will make it a better fit for you. Rachel mix custom batches for just a few bucks more and work with clients to identify sensitivities and possible irritants.

I'd never used a deodorant cream before I tried Soapwalla, so it took a minute or two for me to get used to putting cream on my armpits instead of using a stick or a spray, but once I got acclimated, it didn't seem strange at all. Just be gentle -- the cream will absorb quickly all its own. There's no need to press on your armpits to blend it in, and you can irritate your skin that way.

Super good. I bought a two-ounce jar of Soapwalla Cream Deodorant in the summer and it lasted me until Thanksgiving -- and as previously discussed, I do not skimp on deodorant.

Price: $12 for the standard formula; $15 for custom blends.

Is It Worth It?

Totally. This product works just as well for me as the chemical-heavy, store-bought deodorants I used to use. Heck, it works just about as well as most of the antiperspirants I used to wear. All of that, plus it's all-natural and made with love by a small businesswoman. I'd give this product its own holiday if I could.