Native Was My First Natural Deodorant, and I Keep Coming Back

I’ve never been particularly interested in turning my bathroom into a shrine to clean beauty. I’m more of a does it work, does it smell good, and is it comfortable? kind of girl. If the answer to all three is yes, we’re probably going to get along just fine.

Unfortunately, back around 2019, my armpits decided they were no longer interested in cooperating with my deodorant of choice. We’re talking an angry rash, an uncomfortable lump, and a rather unpleasant trip to the doctor’s office. Not exactly the glamorous beauty journey I had envisioned for myself.

So, I needed a new deodorant. Preferably one that wouldn’t make my underarms declare war on me.

That’s when a friend introduced me to Native, an aluminum-free deodorant brand that had only been around for a few years. Back then, the scent selection was considerably smaller than it is today, and one of its signature fragrances was Coconut & Vanilla.

I’m a vanilla girl through and through. Throw a little coconut into the mix, and you’ve basically designed a product specifically to separate me from my money.

Thankfully, Native turned out to be more than just a pretty smell.

So, is Native deodorant actually worth the money? After seven years of using it on and off, I’ve got some thoughts.

More body, more problems?

Historically, I’ve been pretty terrible at taking care of myself. Find a weird bump? It’ll probably go away. Mysterious bruise? No idea where that came from. Sore tooth? Surely that’s a problem for future me.

It’s not exactly a strategy I’d recommend.

Part of that comes from being afraid of finding out something is actually wrong, and part of it comes from spending years feeling uncomfortable in my own body. As a plus-size woman, I spent a long time believing that health problems were simply something I should expect, and, even worse, that I somehow deserved them.

Thankfully, I’ve done a lot of work to leave that particular mindset behind. But back in 2019, I was still very much a let’s pretend this isn’t happening kind of person.

Which brings us to my armpit.

I have psoriasis, so unexpected rashes aren’t exactly unfamiliar territory. When I noticed an angry-looking rash developing under one arm, I initially assumed it was another flare-up. Except this one was taking over practically my entire armpit, and a few days later, an itchy, uncomfortable lump appeared.

Naturally, I did what any responsible adult would do.

I called my mom.

To be fair, she was a nurse for 20 years, so this wasn’t entirely an unreasonable decision. Unfortunately, her professional opinion was that I should stop ignoring it and make a doctor’s appointment.

Rude, but fair.

Enter Native deodorant

Around the same time, my friend Nicole had been singing the praises of Native deodorant. She’d switched to the aluminum-free formula, loved it, and suggested I give it a try.

Given that I have a history of skin sensitivities, including reactions to certain metals, I figured switching deodorants was worth a shot. And since Native happened to make a Coconut & Vanilla scent, I didn’t exactly need much convincing.

I ordered my first stick for around $12 USD, and when it arrived, I promptly tossed my old deodorant and went all-in on Native.

Was that a little premature? Absolutely. I had no idea whether it would actually work for me, but apparently I’d decided we were committed.

By the time I made it to the doctor about a week and a half later, my rash was already clearing up and the lump was shrinking. My doctor suspected my old deodorant was the culprit and sent me for an ultrasound to be safe.

By the time that appointment rolled around, both the rash and lump were gone, and the ultrasound supported her original assessment.

And just like that, Native had earned itself a permanent spot in my bathroom.

So, what is Native deodorant anyway?

I’m not a cosmetic chemist. I couldn’t tell you what half the ingredients on a deodorant label do, and frankly, I have no plans to make that my next hobby.

But here’s the gist of what Native tells us its deodorant is supposed to do.

Unlike antiperspirants, which use aluminum-based ingredients to reduce sweating, Native is designed to tackle body odour while letting your armpits do their sweaty little thing.

According to Native, its deodorant is made without aluminum or parabens, and its ingredients are intended to help neutralize odour and absorb moisture. The brand also advertises up to 72 hours of odour protection, which seems ambitious for something I’m putting on my armpits, but okay.

It comes in a traditional twist-up stick, with a ridiculous number of scents to choose from, including my beloved Coconut & Vanilla. There are also sensitive-skin options if your underarms are particularly dramatic.

That’s the sales pitch, anyway. As for my experience? Naturally, I’ve got some thoughts.

Does Native actually work?

For me? Yes. And not just on days when I’m sitting around doing absolutely nothing.

I’ve been using Native on and off since 2019, including almost five years where I lived in tropical Mexico. If you’ve never experienced the Yucatán heat, imagine stepping outside after a shower and immediately feeling like you need another one.

It’s hot, it’s humid, and your deodorant has its work cut out for it.

So, here’s how Native has held up for me:

Odour Protection

I generally apply Native once a day, usually after showering. One or two swipes, depending on how generous I’m feeling, and I’m good to go.

And yes, it really does last all day for me.

I tend to be fairly active.

I spend a ton of time outdoors, regularly have days where I’m on my feet for hours and hit somewhere between 20,000 and 30,000 steps in a day (purposefully, you guys!).

And when you’re walking that much, keeping body odour under control is only half the battle. I’ve also got a few tricks for preventing chub rub, because nothing ruins a perfectly good walk quite like your thighs deciding they’ve had enough.

That’s all to say I’m a decent test on whether or not deodorant actually works.

I rarely reapply my deodorant. Even living in Mexico where I’d spend a time in the pool, ocean and blistering heat, a single swipe was all I’d go for.

Now, to be fair, the fragrance doesn’t necessarily hang out throughout the day. But that doesn’t mean it’s stopped working. While I’m not routinely sticking my nose into my armpits to check, it’s pretty obvious when something’s off.

And with Native, that generally isn’t a problem.

To be clear: Native isn’t an antiperspirant. That means it doesn’t actually stopped sweating. It just helps deodorize the smell when you do.

And, on that, Native delivers.

Application

One thing I really like about Native is how easily it applies.

The stick glides smoothly over my skin without dragging. I don’t find it sticky, greasy, or tacky. Once it’s on, I don’t really notice it.

There is one catch, though: the deodorant itself is white.

If you’re wearing a dark shirt and accidentally swipe the stick against the fabric, you’re probably going to leave a mark. It’s deodorant, not magic.

But on my actual skin, I don’t find it leaves any noticeable residue or uncomfortable buildup.

Sensitive skin

As you can probably imagine, having psoriasis makes finding products that don’t irritate my skin a bit of an adventure.

Sometimes certain fragrances or formulas trigger irritation, sometimes I end up with an eczema-like flare-up, and sometimes my skin apparently just decides it doesn’t like something anymore.

Thankfully, Native has never caused me any irritation.

That’s a pretty big deal for me, especially considering the whole reason I started using it was because my body decided years into my last brand that it was suddenly friends-off.

I do still occasionally experience clogged pores around my underarms. But that’s my body for you and they’re considerably less. In fact, these days they’re usually associated with a particular psoriasis patch rather than the area where I actually apply deodorant.

Sadly, Native hasn’t magically eliminated every skin issue I’ve ever had. But, importantly, it hasn’t added any new ones!

Longevity

Apparently, I don’t use very much deodorant.

A standard stick of Native typically lasts me around two to three months, sometimes longer. I don’t know whether that’s because I use less than the average person or because one or two swipes genuinely does the job for me, but I’m certainly not complaining.

What I find particularly impressive is how well the sticks held up in Mexico.

I brought several unopened Native deodorants with me when I moved, and my mom later smuggled a few more in when she visited (jk you guys, Native isn’t illegal in Mexico).

Most of those sticks spend considerable time sitting in storage before I got around to using them. I don’t know what you know about ocean-side tropical climates but between the heat, humidity and salty coastal air, I’ve seen more than one perfectly good product crumble, rust, bubble and completely disintegrate over time.

Oddly enough, Native never did that.

Not one of my sticks dried out, crumbled, changed consistency or grew a new green organism with three arms named Carl. Even after spending months in the Yucatán climate. I used every stick until it was completely gone.

A love affair with coconut & vanilla

I have a type. Apparently, it’s anything that smells like it belongs in a bakery.

Coconut & Vanilla was the first Native deodorant I bought back in 2019, and seven years later, it’s still my favourite. It’s sweet, warm, a little tropical, and exactly the kind of scent that makes me forget I’m spending money on something I’m going to rub under my arms.

Honestly, Native could probably put vanilla in just about anything and I’d at least consider buying it.

But I have ventured beyond my beloved Coconut & Vanilla.

When I moved to Mexico, I brought a little collection of Native deodorants with me, including Buttercream & French Vanilla and Sweet Peach & Nectar. My mom later brought me another supply, which included Eucalyptus & Mint.

Because apparently importing deodorant through visiting family members was a perfectly reasonable part of my international relocation strategy.

One thing I like about Native’s fragrances is that they’re noticeable without being overpowering. I can smell Coconut & Vanilla when I first apply it, but I’m not walking around all day in a cloud of artificial cupcake.

The scent gradually fades, which doesn’t bother me. As long as the deodorant is still doing its job, I don’t particularly need my armpits to smell like dessert at six in the evening.

Native has also expanded its fragrance selection considerably since I first started buying it. Between the regular lineup and the seasonal releases, there’s no shortage of options if you like switching things up.

Me? I keep coming back to Coconut & Vanilla.

I’m nothing if not predictable when it comes to vanilla.

Of course I tried other stuff too…

When I find a brand I like, I’m absolutely going to check out what else they make. And Native is no exception.

Over the years, I’ve tried their body wash, toothpaste, shampoo, and conditioner. And while the deodorant is the product I keep coming back to, I’ve actually had pretty good experiences with the rest of the lineup.

The Coconut & Vanilla body wash smells absolutely delicious. Honestly, if there’s one thing Native understands, it’s how to make everyday bathroom products smell like something you’d rather be eating.

Their Charcoal with mint toothpaste was an interesting experience. Honestly, the black kind of freaked me out when I started brushing my teeth with it (honestly, they’re not supposed to be that colour right?) but it felt great to use.

As for the Coconut & Vanilla shampoo and conditioner: I actually have small bottles of them in my travel case.

That said, it’s not my main squeeze hair wise because it’s not great at holding my natural curl pattern (note: it is NOT billed as a curl-focused hair product). It leaves my hair soft and deliciously smelling, but I do prefer when it remembers to also curl.

Let’s talk about the money

I’m not going to pretend Native is the cheapest deodorant sitting on the shelf at Walmart. It’s not.

When I first started buying it I was paying around $12 USD ($16 – $17 CAD). And, to be fair, it’s actually gone down in price now that it’s on the shelves of the local Walmarts and Superstores. Just this week picked up a 2.65-ounce stick for $13 CAD.

Even still, we aren’t talking about a $4 deodorant here. But it also doesn’t require a payment plan. Honestly, it’s on par with all the other natural and aluminum-free brands on the market.

In my case, a stick lasts a couple of months. That means I’m spending, on average, $4 to $6 a month on deodorant. Honestly, I can live with that.

So, am I sticking with Native?

Native has been my go-to deodorant for years, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.

But let’s be clear about something: I like trying new products.

If someone releases a deodorant that smells like vanilla, coconut, or some delicious combination of the two, you can bet I’m going to be standing there wondering how quickly I can get my hands on it.

I’m not particularly interested in committing to one deodorant for the rest of my life. Where’s the fun in that?

Native is more like my long-term friend with benefits.

We have a good thing going. It smells fantastic, it treats my skin well, and it shows up when I need it. Occasionally, I’ll wander off and try something new, but Native knows there’s a pretty good chance I’ll be back.

And after seven years, I think that’s a pretty solid endorsement.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Especially if you’re looking for an aluminum-free deodorant that smells lovely, applies comfortably, and can keep up with an active lifestyle.

Just remember that deodorant is personal. My mom tried Native and wasn’t the right fit for her, so I won’t promise it’ll be everyone’s perfect match.

But for me? Coconut & Vanilla will always have a place in my bathroom.

Even if I’m not quite ready to settle down.

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