Looking for a natural deodorant that's aluminium-free, plastic-free and still keeps you fresh all day? Slo Natural Deodorant is an aluminium-free deodorant made in New Zealand from certified organic and natural ingredients. It uses magnesium and plant oils to neutralise odour, comes in a compostable cardboard tube with no plastic, and is vegan and PETA-certified cruelty-free.
Below, we explain what our deodorant is made of, how it keeps you fresh, which scent is right for you, how to switch from a conventional antiperspirant, and answers to the questions people ask most about natural and plastic-free deodorant.
What's in Slo Natural Deodorant?
Slo Natural Deodorant keeps you fresh by neutralising the bacteria that cause odour, using mineral and plant ingredients instead of aluminium.
|
Ingredient |
What it does |
|
Magnesium hydroxide |
A gentle mineral that neutralises odour by making skin less welcoming to odour-causing bacteria. |
|
Zinc oxide |
A skin-soothing mineral that also helps control odour. |
|
Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) |
A key odour fighter in our core range that absorbs moisture and neutralises odour. Not in our Sensitive bicarb-free range. |
|
Organic sunflower seed oil |
A light, nourishing base oil rich in vitamin E. |
|
Organic coconut oil |
Moisturises and has natural antibacterial properties. |
|
Shea butter |
Softens and soothes underarm skin. |
|
Rice bran wax, candelilla wax and castor wax |
Plant-based waxes that give the stick its shape and smooth glide. |
|
Caprylic/capric triglyceride (from coconut) |
Helps the balm spread evenly without stickiness. |
|
Vitamin E (tocopherol) |
An antioxidant that protects the oils and cares for skin. |
|
Pure essential oils |
Natural scent, such as bergamot and lime, cedar and sage, or pink grapefruit and mandarin. Our vanilla scents use natural vanilla fragrance. |
Truly plastic-free packaging
Slo Natural Deodorant comes in a single cardboard push-up tube that is home compostable. There is no plastic case, no plastic refill pod and no outer box.
|
Packaging part |
What it's made of |
|
Tube |
FSC-certified compostable cardboard (98.7% of the packaging) |
|
Film |
Plant-based cornstarch film (1.3%) |
|
Printing |
100% plant-based ink |
|
Lining |
Vegan wax paper |
|
Glue |
A tiny amount of glue to hold the tube together |
|
Outer box |
None. Single retail packaging only |
When your deodorant is finished, tear up the tube and put it in your home compost, or dig it straight into the garden. Each stick holds 50g of deodorant, and the tube is the only packaging, so nothing else needs to be thrown away or recycled. Read more about why compostable packaging matters.
What we leave out, and why
Slo Natural Deodorant is free from:
• Aluminium. Antiperspirants use aluminium salts to block sweat glands. We let your body sweat naturally and tackle the odour instead.
• Synthetic fragrance and artificial colours. Our scents come from pure essential oils and natural vanilla.
• Parabens, phthalates, SLS, PEG and propylene glycol. None of these are needed to make an effective deodorant.
• Animal ingredients. We're vegan and PETA-certified cruelty-free, and made in New Zealand, where animal testing for cosmetics is banned.
• Plastic. No plastic tubes, cases or refill pods. We just turned off the plastic waste tap!
Which Slo deodorant is right for me?
Most people start with our core range, made with magnesium and bicarb for all-day freshness. Choose your scent:
• Fresh citrus: Zesty Bergamot + Lime and Pink Grapefruit + Mandarin
• Floral: Lavender + Jasmine, Rose + Vanilla and Patchouli + Rose
• Warm and woody: Neroli Woods + Vanilla and Cedar + Sage
• Sweet and tropical: Pineapple + Coconut
Our bicarb-free Sensitive range, Sensitive Vanilla and Sensitive Wild Orange, uses magnesium without baking soda. It's a great fit for teens, first-time natural deodorant users and anyone with sensitive underarms. Read more in Sensitive skin? We made these for you.
How to use Slo Natural Deodorant for all-day freshness
1. Start with clean, dry underarms. Deodorant works best after a shower, once your skin is fully dry.
2. Push up 2 to 4mm. Press the base of the cardboard tube to raise the stick slightly. Avoid pushing up too much at once.
3. Warm it for a moment. Hold the stick against your skin for a second or two so the balm softens and glides on.
4. Apply 1 to 2 slow swipes. A thin layer is all you need. Too much can feel heavy or mark clothing.
5. Let it settle. Give it a minute to absorb before getting dressed.
6. Top up if needed. On hot days or after exercise, reapply as needed.
Store your deodorant below 21°C. Natural oils soften in heat, so in summer keep it out of direct sun and away from steamy bathrooms.
Switching from antiperspirant
If you're moving from an aluminium antiperspirant, your body may take some time to adjust. Antiperspirants block sweat, so when you stop, you may sweat a little more or notice odour more easily for the first 1 to 4 weeks. This is normal and settles down.
To make the switch easier, wash your underarms well each day, wear breathable natural fabrics like cotton, drink plenty of water, and keep your deodorant with you to reapply during the first few weeks. For a full guide, read How to switch to natural deodorant (and actually make it work).
Natural and plastic-free deodorant FAQs
What is the most sustainable deodorant?
The most sustainable deodorants use natural ingredients and packaging that leaves nothing behind. Look for plastic-free packaging that is home compostable, no outer box, and ingredients that are organic and vegan. Slo Natural Deodorant ticks all of these: a single compostable FSC-certified cardboard tube, plant-based ink, certified organic and natural ingredients, and made in New Zealand.
Is a cardboard deodorant better than a refillable one?
Both cut plastic, but in different ways. Refillable systems use a reusable case, usually metal or plastic, plus a refill that comes in its own packaging every time. A compostable cardboard tube is the only packaging, and when it's empty it goes in your compost with nothing left over. If you want zero plastic and no extra case to buy, cardboard is the simplest choice.
Does natural deodorant actually work?
Yes. Natural deodorant works by neutralising the bacteria that cause odour, rather than blocking sweat. Slo uses magnesium hydroxide, zinc oxide and, in most scents, baking soda to keep odour under control all day.
Does natural deodorant stop sweating?
No. Only antiperspirants stop sweat, by blocking sweat glands with aluminium. Natural deodorant lets you sweat normally, which is your body's way of cooling down, while stopping the smell.
What's the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant?
Deodorant controls odour. Antiperspirant reduces sweating, usually with aluminium compounds. Many products sold as "deodorant" are actually both. Slo is a pure deodorant with no aluminium.
Why do I smell more after switching to natural deodorant?
When you stop using antiperspirant, your sweat glands start working normally again, and the bacteria on your skin rebalance. You may notice more sweat or odour for 1 to 4 weeks. This adjustment period settles down, and washing daily and reapplying during the day helps in the meantime.
Is the deodorant "detox" real?
There's no scientific evidence that your armpits "detox" toxins. What people notice is an adjustment period while sweat glands and skin bacteria get used to life without antiperspirant. It usually lasts a few weeks.
Is aluminium in antiperspirant bad for you?
Antiperspirants are approved for use in New Zealand. Many people still choose aluminium-free deodorant because they prefer natural ingredients, want to let their body sweat normally, or find antiperspirants irritating.
Why does natural deodorant give me a rash?
Underarm skin can react for a few reasons: applying straight after shaving, applying too much, or skin that's sensitive to a particular ingredient. Wait a few hours after shaving, use a thin layer, and if your skin is sensitive, try our bicarb-free Sensitive Vanilla or Sensitive Wild Orange.
What is the best natural deodorant for sensitive skin?
Look for an aluminium-free deodorant with no synthetic fragrance. If your underarms are sensitive, a bicarb-free formula is a gentle fit. Our Sensitive Vanilla and Sensitive Wild Orange deodorants use magnesium to neutralise odour without baking soda.
Will natural deodorant stain my clothes?
Natural deodorants contain oils, so applying too much can mark clothes. Use 1 to 2 slow swipes and let it absorb for a minute before you get dressed.
How long does natural deodorant last during the day?
Slo Natural Deodorant is made to keep you fresh all day for most people. On hot days or after exercise you may want to reapply.
How long does one stick last?
Each Slo deodorant holds 50g. Used daily, most people find a stick lasts around 3 to 6 months.
Is natural deodorant safe for teens?
Yes, natural deodorant is a gentle option for teens starting to use deodorant. Slo is free of aluminium and synthetic fragrance, and our bicarb-free Sensitive range is a great first deodorant for teens.
Can I use natural deodorant while pregnant?
Many people choose natural deodorant during pregnancy. Some essential oils aren't recommended in pregnancy, so check with your midwife or doctor. Our Sensitive Vanilla is scented with natural vanilla rather than essential oils.
Is Slo deodorant vegan and cruelty-free?
Yes. All Slo products are vegan and certified cruelty-free by PETA.
Where can I buy plastic-free deodorant in New Zealand?
You can buy Slo Natural Deodorant online at slonaturals.com, and from selected New Zealand stockists including New World and Chemist Warehouse. Find your nearest on our store locator. Our Sensitive range isn't stocked at Chemist Warehouse, but you can always buy it online.
Make the switch to Slo
If you want an aluminium-free natural deodorant in NZ that keeps you fresh all day without synthetic fragrance or plastic, Slo Natural Deodorant is made for you. Choose from all ten scents in our natural deodorant range, or try our bicarb-free Sensitive range if your underarms are sensitive.
Shop all natural deodorants · Shop Sensitive Vanilla · Shop Sensitive Wild Orange
