What is the best natural deodorant for sensitive skin in New Zealand?
the quick version...
Most natural deodorant reactions are caused by bicarbonate of soda (bicarb), not natural ingredients in general. Slo Naturals’ Sensitive Bicarb-Free Deodorant uses magnesium hydroxide instead — a gentler active that works just as well without irritating reactive skin. At NZ$12.99, it’s one of the most affordable NZ-made bicarb-free option on the market, and it pairs with our Vanilla + Cacao Body Moisturiser and Lip Balm range to complete a full sensitive skin routine.
Why do natural deodorants irritate sensitive skin?
Not all natural deodorants are created equal. Many rely on bicarbonate of soda (bicarb) to neutralise odour — and while bicarb is effective, it’s highly alkaline (around pH 9), which can disrupt your skin’s naturally acidic barrier (pH 4.5–5.5). For people with reactive or sensitive skin, that mismatch can mean redness, itching, or a rash that takes days to settle.
It’s not a sign that natural deodorants don’t work. It’s a sign that bicarb isn’t right for every skin type — and that’s exactly why we created an alternative.
Our Sensitive Bicarb-Free Deodorant uses magnesium hydroxide instead — a gentler active that neutralises odour by adjusting the skin’s pH, without the alkalinity that causes bicarb irritation. It works with your skin’s natural barrier, not against it. The result is effective, all-day odour protection that reactive skin can actually tolerate.
Pair that with zinc oxide (antibacterial and soothing, commonly found in sensitive skincare) and shea butter (actively nourishing for post-shave or reactive skin), and you have a formula that genuinely earns its place in your routine.
What ingredients should sensitive skin look for in a natural deodorant?
Our Sensitive Bicarb-Free Deodorant is free from bicarb, aluminium, propylene glycol, SLS, parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrance. It contains just the ingredients that work — and nothing that doesn’t.
The key ingredients:
• Magnesium Hydroxide — gentle, effective odour neutraliser that works with your skin’s pH, not against it
• Zinc Oxide — antibacterial and soothing; a well-known gentle ingredient in sensitive skincare
• Shea Butter — nourishing and calming; particularly good for post-shave underarm skin
• Organic Coconut Oil — antifungal and moisturising; helps the formula glide smoothly and supports the skin barrier
No bicarb. No aluminium. No synthetic fragrance. Just a clean, considered formula that does its job without irritating your skin.
Available in two variants: Sensitive Vanilla and Sensitive Wild Orange — both the same gentle, bicarb-free formula, with a naturally-derived scent that won’t aggravate reactive skin.
What our customers say
We could tell you it works — but we’d rather let the people using it every day do that.
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“Best deo on the market. I doubted I’d ever find a good natural deo that’s bicarbonate free, and yet here we are. Been using this for a few years and won’t buy anything else.” |
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“I often tried natural deodorant but usually my skin flared up and I had to stop. This one is magic.” |
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“The first natural deodorant that works ALL day.” |
Results like these are what our products were made for.
How do you build a natural skincare routine for sensitive skin?
The same care that goes into our deodorant runs through everything we make. If you want to build a full daily routine around products that are genuinely kind to sensitive skin, here’s what pairs beautifully with the Sensitive Deodorant.
Our Vanilla + Cacao Body Moisturiser is made with organic cacao butter and organic coconut oil — nourishing, non-greasy, and free from synthetic fragrance, SLS, parabens, and phthalates. It absorbs easily and leaves skin soft without any of the ingredients that cause problems for reactive skin.
Our Lip Balm range (Vanilla + Cacao, Raspberry + Rosehip, and Cherry Blush tint) uses jojoba, rosehip, and cacao butter — gentle, well-tolerated oils that hydrate and protect without irritating. The skin on your lips is some of the most sensitive on your body, and a clean, toxin-free lip balm is one of the simplest upgrades you can make.
All three products are 100% natural and organic, PETA certified, and made here in New Zealand — in packaging that’s plastic-free and compostable.
Frequently asked questions
Why does natural deodorant cause a rash?
Most natural deodorant rashes are caused by bicarbonate of soda (bicarb), a common ingredient that is highly alkaline and can disrupt the skin’s natural pH balance. It’s not a reaction to natural deodorant in general — it’s a reaction to bicarb specifically. Switching to a bicarb-free formula like Slo’s Sensitive Deodorant typically resolves the irritation.
Is bicarb-free deodorant as effective as regular natural deodorant?
Yes. Slo’s Sensitive Bicarb-Free Deodorant uses magnesium hydroxide to neutralise odour-causing bacteria — the same principle as bicarb, but at a pH that works with your skin rather than against it. Customers consistently report all-day odour protection with no irritation.
Can I use natural deodorant if I have sensitive skin?
Yes — but the formula matters. Look for deodorants that are free from bicarb, aluminium, synthetic fragrance, SLS, and parabens, and that use gentle actives like magnesium hydroxide and zinc oxide. Slo’s Sensitive range was specifically formulated for reactive and sensitive skin.
Is Slo Naturals deodorant safe to use after shaving?
Yes. The Sensitive formula includes shea butter and zinc oxide, both of which are soothing and skin-calming — making it well-suited for use on post-shave underarm skin. Avoid applying immediately after shaving if your skin feels broken or very raw.
How long does it take to adjust to natural deodorant?
Most people adjust within one to two weeks. During this time, your skin may go through a short transition period as it recalibrates without aluminium-based antiperspirants. Using a gentle, bicarb-free formula like Slo’s Sensitive Deodorant minimises irritation during this adjustment.
Where can I buy Slo Naturals sensitive skin products in New Zealand?
Slo Naturals products are available online at slonaturals.com, with delivery across New Zealand. The Sensitive Deodorant (Vanilla and Wild Orange), Vanilla + Cacao Body Moisturiser, and Lip Balm range are all available individually.
All Slo Naturals products are 100% natural, vegan, PETA certified, and made in New Zealand. Our packaging is plastic-free and compostable.
