Does Natural Deodorant Work in Summer? How to Stay Fresh on Hot, Humid Days

By Ellie, founder of Go For Zero

“Does natural deodorant actually work in summer?” is one of the questions we get most as the weather warms up, usually from someone who has just made the switch and is nervously eyeing off a 35 degree forecast. So let's talk about what's actually happening under your arms in summer, why natural deodorant still has your back, and the little things that help on those humid days when everything feels a bit damp.

Key Takeaways

• Natural deodorant works in summer by tackling odour while letting your body sweat and cool down naturally.
• Sweat itself barely smells. The smell comes from bacteria on your skin breaking it down.
• If you've just switched from antiperspirant, give your body a few weeks to adjust before you judge the results.
• Applying to clean, dry skin, wearing breathable fabrics and reapplying on big days are the habits that help most.
• Every natural deodorant we stock has passed our five tests, including no single-use plastic and no synthetic fragrance.

What Is Natural Deodorant, and How Is It Different From Antiperspirant?

Natural deodorant works on odour and lets your body sweat naturally, while antiperspirant uses aluminium salts to reduce sweat.

If you've only ever used a supermarket roll-on or spray, there's a good chance it was an antiperspirant, and that difference matters a lot in summer.

Antiperspirants are designed to reduce sweat. They use aluminium salts that react with the lining of your sweat ducts and temporarily block your sweat glands, so less sweat reaches the surface of your skin.

Natural deodorants work with your body instead. They let you sweat and cool down naturally, and focus on dealing with odour. They're an alternative for people who want to skip aluminium, avoid synthetic fragrance, or simply let their body sweat the way it's meant to.

Why Do We Smell More in Summer?

Heat, exercise and humidity all mean more sweat, which gives odour-causing bacteria more to work with.

Here's the part that surprises most people. Sweat on its own is mostly odourless. It doesn't smell until bacteria on your skin mix with it and break it down.

You have two main types of sweat glands. Eccrine glands cover most of your body and release watery sweat to cool you down. Apocrine glands sit where you have hair, like your armpits, and release a thicker fluid that has no smell until it meets the bacteria on your skin.

Your armpits are warm, a bit enclosed and often damp, which makes them a very cosy home for those bacteria (and exactly why they smell more than other parts of your body).

Summer turns everything up a notch. Heat, exercise and stress all increase sweating, which means more for the bacteria to work with. Add humidity, where sweat doesn’t evaporate off your skin as easily, and you can see why a deodorant that was perfect in July might need a little more support in January.

So sweating more in summer isn't your deodorant failing. It's your body doing a brilliant job of keeping you cool.

How Does Natural Deodorant Actually Work?

Rather than plugging your sweat glands, a natural deodorant works on two things: the bacteria that cause odour, and the wetness that sits on your skin.

Our favourite, the Viva La Body Magnesium-Enriched Natural Deodorant, uses magnesium to help counteract odour-causing bacteria, plus shea butter and coconut oil to keep underarm skin soft and soothed. It's also made without bi-carb soda, with sensitive skin in mind, so it's a great option if a bi-carb deodorant has left you red or itchy in the past.

Full disclosure, Viva La Body is our own brand. I used it for years before its founders told us they were closing, and I couldn’t let my favourite deodorant disappear, so we rescued it. Its formulas were developed in Darwin’s hottest, wettest, sweatiest weather and perfected over 25 years, so a humid Aussie summer is exactly what they were made for.

Who is it for? Pretty much anyone who wants an aluminium-free option, but especially people with sensitive skin, anyone who has reacted to bi-carb before, and those of us trying to keep plastic out of the bathroom (the push-up tube is home compostable!). The sensitive one is what my girls use too, because they’re quite sensitive to scents.

Is Natural Deodorant Worth the Money?

It can be, because you only need two or three swipes, so one tube goes a long way.

A tube of Viva La Body costs $22.95 and lasts most people up to 2 months. That works out at about $11.47 a month for something you use every single day.

Here's what that buys you:

• ✓ Formulas developed in Darwin’s heat and humidity, and perfected over 25 years
• ✓ Magnesium-enriched, with no bi-carb soda, so it’s gentle on sensitive skin
• ✓ Aluminium-free, with no synthetic fragrance
• ✓ Vegan and paraben-free
• ✓ Made in Australia
• ✓ 80g in a home compostable push-up tube

Why Does Natural Deodorant Seem to Stop Working When You First Switch?

Your skin’s bacteria need a few weeks to rebalance after you stop using antiperspirant.

This is the bit nobody warns you about, and it's why so many people give up in week one.

Antiperspirant changes the community of bacteria living under your arms. A small study found that when people stopped using products, the bacteria in their armpits increased and shifted, showing that product use has a strong effect on that tiny ecosystem. In other words, when you switch, your skin needs time to settle into a new balance.

During that time you might notice more sweat and a little more smell than usual. It doesn't mean natural deodorant doesn't work for you. If you can, try making the switch in the cooler months, or give yourself a few weeks to adjust (ideally not starting the week of a summer wedding).

How Can You Stay Fresh With Natural Deodorant on Hot, Humid Days?

Apply it to clean, dry skin, reapply on big days, wear breathable fabrics and choose a formula that suits your skin.

These are the little habits that make the biggest difference, and they're the ones I swear by every summer.

1. Apply to clean, completely dry skin

Deodorant works best on a fresh start. Pop it on after your shower, once you've towelled off properly. If you apply it over yesterday's sweat, you're asking it to do a lot of extra work. A gentle wash with a bar like our Australian Pink Clay Soap is all you need.

2. Reapply on big days

On a regular day, one application is usually plenty. But on a scorcher, after the gym or before you head out for dinner, a quick swipe to reapply in the afternoon keeps things fresh. Keep your deodorant in your bag (out of direct sun, as natural formulas with plant butters can soften in the heat).

3. Wear breathable fabrics

What you wear plays a bigger role than most people realise. Choose natural fabrics like cotton, linen, wool and silk and change and wash clothes regularly, especially when it's hot. Breezy natural fibres are also just so much nicer to wear on a sticky day.

4. Trim if it suits you

Totally your call, but trimming underarm hair helps sweat evaporate and gives bacteria fewer places to hang around. If you love your natural look, washing and drying well does plenty. And if you do shave, our plastic-free, reusable safety razors are a great swap for disposable plastic ones.

5. Use the right amount

Two or three gentle swipes of a natural deodorant is enough. More product doesn't mean more protection, and too much product can leave marks on your clothes.

6. Find the natural deodorant that suits you

Natural deodorant isn't one-size-fits-all. The right one comes down to your skin, how much you sweat and how you like to put it on. Here's how our natural deodorant range breaks down:

1. Sticks: Viva La Body and Woohoo deodorant sticks glide on just like a regular deodorant. They come in plastic-free cardboard tubes, so they're easy to throw in your beach bag.
2. Pastes: Woohoo, Noosa Basics and Rustic Peppermint pastes come in reusable tins. You warm a little on your fingertips and smooth it on, and a little goes a long way.
3. Sprays: Noosa Basics spray deodorants are non-aerosol, magnesium-enriched and refillable. They're perfect for a quick refresh on a hot afternoon.
4. Powder: Rustic Peppermint Deodorant Powder absorbs moisture and comes in a reusable glass bottle, which makes it great for travel.

Have sensitive skin? Look for bi-carb-free options like Viva La Body, Woohoo Mellow or Tango, Rustic Peppermint Sensitive and Noosa Basics Sweet Orange & Lavender.

Big sweater or heading to the gym? Extra strength formulas like Woohoo Wild and Tux, and Rustic Peppermint Play Hard, are made for active days.

Natural Deodorant vs Antiperspirant: What's the Difference in Summer?

The big difference is sweat: natural deodorant lets your body cool itself, while antiperspirant reduces how much you sweat.

	Natural deodorant	Antiperspirant
What it does	Targets odour	Reduces sweat
Will you still sweat?	Yes, that’s how your body cools down	Less
Key ingredients	Natural plant butters, oils & magnesium	Aluminium salts
Adjustment period	A few weeks when switching	None
Packaging (Viva La Body)	Home compostable tube	Usually plastic or an aerosol spray

How Do We Choose the Natural Deodorants We Stock?

Every deodorant we stock has passed our five tests.

Not every “natural” deodorant makes it onto our shelves. Plenty still come in a plastic tube or rely on synthetic fragrance. Our five tests cover no single-use plastic, Australian or NZ owned, every ingredient checked, full transparency from the brand, and testing by our own team (yes, in our own armpits). We’re strict so you don’t have to be.

For us, it's about small swaps that fit into the life you already have. Deodorant is something you use every single day, so choosing one that's gentle on your skin and doesn't leave a plastic stick behindadds up quickly.

It's also why we popped the Viva La Body magnesium-enriched natural deodorants into our Limited Edition Summer Essentials Box, where you get to choose your scent alongside seven other summer favourites from Aussie brands. If you're curious about natural deodorant but nervous about summer, it's a really easy way to give it a go.

And if you're still on the fence, our natural deodorant switching FAQs and our ultimate guide to natural deodorants answer just about every question we've ever been asked.

Stay Fresh, Stay You

Sweating in summer is completely normal, and really, it's a sign your body is working beautifully. Natural deodorant isn't about stopping that. It's about feeling fresh and confident while letting your body do its thing. Give yourself a little patience when you switch, lean on a few simple habits, and you'll be surprised how well it holds up, even in the middle of an Aussie summer.

What's your summer deodorant tip? Tell us in the comments below, we read every one.

If you have any questions about finding the right natural deodorant for you, we're always happy to help at askusanything@goforzero.com.au.

With Love,
Ellie x

Ready to Learn More?

If you're getting ready for a summer of beach days, road trips and camping, check out our other blogs below:

✈️ The Best Eco-Friendly Travel Essentials - 5 simple swaps that make every trip more sustainable.

🏕️ The Best Natural Outdoor Balm for Family Camping Trips - Our favourite natural outdoor balm for camping, bush walks and backyard evenings with the kids.

☀️ Your Low-Waste Summer, Sorted - Everything inside our Limited Edition Summer Essentials Box, and why each product earned its spot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does natural deodorant work in hot weather?

Yes. Natural deodorant works in hot weather by targeting the bacteria that cause odour, so you stay fresh while your body cools itself naturally. On very hot or active days, applying to clean, dry skin and reapplying in the afternoon helps.

Why do I sweat more with natural deodorant?

Usually you’re not sweating more, you’re just noticing your natural amount of sweat. Natural deodorant doesn’t block your sweat glands the way antiperspirant does, so your body can cool itself the way it’s meant to. If you’ve just switched, your body is also adjusting, which can feel like extra sweat for the first few weeks.

How long does it take to adjust to natural deodorant?

Many people find things settle within a few weeks. Research shows antiperspirant use changes the bacteria under your arms, so your skin needs a little time to find a new balance after you switch to a natural deodorant.

How often should you reapply natural deodorant in summer?

Once in the morning is enough for most days. On hot, humid or active days, a second application in the afternoon or after exercise keeps you feeling fresh.

Is natural deodorant good for sensitive skin?

It can be, but check the label. If a bi-carb deodorant has irritated your skin before, look for a bi-carb-free, or unscented option made for sensitive skin, like Viva La Body Sensitive Neutral Scent Natural Deodorant.