I Tried Glossier's All-Natural Deodorant That Defies Nature

Welcome to Deep Reviews—your one-stop destination to discover the absolute best products and brands the beauty industry has to offer. Every month, the Who What Wear staffers you already know and trust will research, test, and review the market's most sought-after and buzzed-about products to see which formulas (of the hundreds up for consideration) are truly worth your hard-earned money and attention. You can expect honest, completely uncensored feedback and no-BS recommendations our hard-to-please testers endorse without reservations. To put it simply, stick with us, and buyer's remorse will be a thing of the past.

The majority of our Deep Reviews will feature our editors' honest, ultra-hot takes on entire product categories or multiple products from a particular beauty brand, but every so often, we'll sprinkle in a special single-product format called Honestly, I Love It. As the name suggests, these reviews will hone in on one standout beauty formula our editors quite literally can't shut up about. This time around, I'm highlighting Glossier's Deodorant ($22). 

I've always prided myself on being a good judge of products that will make a difference in my lifestyle. It's always a plus when one of those products may also make a difference in my environment. In the past few years, the beauty industry has made notable strides toward taking environmental responsibility. More brands have begun to create clean beauty products that are fully refillable, reusable, and recyclable, cutting down waste and promoting a system that relies on the participation of their consumers to shift the narrative.

One of the brands that has done this especially well is Glossier, with the recent release of its natural, aluminum-free deodorant. It comes fully assembled with a reusable deodorant stick and case with clear instructions on how to make the best of your product (including switching out your finished deodorant stick for another without needing to toss the whole thing away). Whether consumers decide to fully participate in this effort is up to them, but it does feel good knowing that there are options to change our habits when it comes to shopping for products we use every day.

When I'm on the hunt for a deodorant, one of the biggest things I look for is longevity. What good is a deodorant that's aesthetically pleasing and smells good if it doesn't actually last? I'm sure a lot of people have had the experience of reapplying deodorant throughout the day to combat odor and perspiration. I can personally attest to the matter, as I'm always on the move, and unfortunately, I have a wardrobe that's at least 95% white and cream. That's right: Deodorant stains have no mercy on your gorgeous garments. That's where Glossier's Deodorant comes in.

While I'm definitely a fan of natural deodorants, I'm not expert. That's why I reached out to Rebecca Marcus, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Maei MD, for the scoop on what sets natural, aluminum-free deodorants like Glossier's apart from everyday antiperspirants. Marcus explains why aluminum is so widely used and why there's a sudden increase in products marketed as aluminum-free.

"Aluminum salts are the active ingredient in many antiperspirant deodorants. They work by blocking sweat glands and preventing sweat from leaving the body," begins Marcus. "This not only helps with sweating but also helps to control odor, as odor occurs when sweat mixes with bacteria and microorganisms on the skin." Marcus also dispels the false yet popular belief that aluminum is toxic to the body. While those with diminished kidney function may wish to avoid it, studies generally indicate aluminum as being safe for all others. 

So why make the switch from aluminum-based antiperspirants to natural ones? For one, your clothes won't suffer from pesky yellow stains caused by the ingredient. Deodorants that are aluminum-free function by masking odors with the use of fragrances and essential oil. In Glossier's case, the brand's deodorant is formulated with magnesium hydroxide and potato starch.

Marcus also breaks down how the two aforementioned ingredients function. Magnesium hydroxide alters the pH of the skin to produce an alkaline environment, one in which odor-creating bacteria can't thrive. Potato starch helps by absorbing sweat on the surface of the skin, keeping whoever gets their hands on Glossier's viral deodorant smelling and feeling fresh for hours on end. What's better than that?

Let's get into my experience with the product. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to try Glossier's deodorant in each of the four fragrances it's available in (Unscented, Orange Blossom, Sandstone, and of course Glossier You) in its refillable sticks and deodorant cases. The first detail I noticed about these deodorants was how compact and minimalistic they were, which makes them easy for on-the-go use and a pretty addition to the other beauty products I use daily. The process of putting the refillable deodorant together was easy: Just pop the deodorant refill stick into the case, and then twist upward to pop the safety cap off.

Because I have already been using natural deodorants, my body quickly adjusted to Glossier's. I event felt confident enough to begin wearing the deodorant to my morning Pilates classes, making sure to try each scent to determine which I liked best. I'm happy to report that the deodorant kept me feeling clean and dry for every class I took and the entire day afterword. The formula really does melt into the skin, leaving no trace of its presence, just whichever scent I picked to get me through the day.

I also love that this deodorant is refillable, cutting back on the unneeded waste that contributes to environmental impact. Once you've purchased Glossier's deodorant (which comes with a refillable deodorant stick already in its recyclable and reusable case), you don't have to worry about making the same investment more than once. When you're ready for more deodorant, you just pop out the used stick and replace with another. Voilà! An easy system that benefits both you and the environment. 

If you keep an active lifestyle and love any and all products that keep you looking and feeling your best, I would highly recommend giving Glossier's Deodorant a try. I can't see myself going back to everyday antiperspirant anytime soon.

Next up, I'd Gatekeep This Dark Hair–Friendly Dry Shampoo, But It's Too Good Not to Share