My Kopari Deodorant Review
Does Its Smooth Coconut Oil Make for the Best Natural Deodorant?
Pros:
- Easy on sensitive skin with its free-of-baking-soda formula
- Glides on nicely and leaves minimal residue
- Light and lovely scent that's surprisingly unisex
Cons:
- One of the pricier natural deodorant bars out there
- Not an antiperspirant (This is common for natural deodorants)
Our Verdict:
I've been on a natural deodorant journey for several years, and this one blew me away. Highlights are its perfectly smooth application, its natural ingredients (it's hypoallergenic and free of aluminum), its gentle scent, and its staying power—to the point that my husband made the transition, too. We think it's worth the higher price tag.
My excursion into the world of natural deodorant began several years ago when I decided to just stop wearing deodorant altogether—I'm not a huge perspirer, but I found after a stinky summer that it would be in good taste to start wearing deodorant again. I began with Tom's because it was the only natural deodorant offered in my grocery store, and it just straight up didn't work in any way for me, so I turned to Schmidt's. I bought a jar, applying it by hand each day, and what followed was a simultaneous obsession with their dreamy scent blends and a horrible, long-lasting rash that led to me pouting into my glass of wine at a fancy fall wedding—turns out my under-arms are sensitive to baking soda. Their baking-soda-free bars were next up in my experiment, but they were just a little too rough for me (see Anna's description of the Schmidt's bar texture here).
Next came Native (see Anna's review of Native here), which was a nice experience overall, so I thought my journey would end there—until an original coconut oil Kopari bar arrived in a subscription box, shaking up my world. I mean, the scent is seriously so pleasant, the application is silky-smooth, and the formula is really effective for staving off odor. I was talking about it so often and glowingly that my husband gave it a try, at which point a silent battle over whose dresser it would live on ensued, then we finally decided to share it since $14 seemed like a crazy price for a bar of deodorant. We were so sad when it ran out that suddenly the price felt like a worthwhile investment.
Keep reading to learn the details of why the aluminum-free, coconut-infused deodorant Kopari gets four thumbs up combined from the deodorant-wearers of my household!
Kopari Deodorant Quick Facts
Cost
- $14 for a one-time purchase + shipping
- $11.90 + free shipping when you subscribe to receive new bars on a monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly basis.
Shipping
- Ships to the US, Canada, Australia, & UK
- $5 regular US shipping (3-8 business days), $15 expedited US shipping ($15)
- International shipping costs vary
- Free shipping on one-time orders over $30.00
- Free shipping on Kopari Auto Replenishment (subscription) orders
- Note that applicable taxes may be added to your order
Product
2 oz. solid stick in a twist-up plastic tube
Perks
- Aluminum-free
- Paraben-free
- Baking-soda-free
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
- Non-toxic
- Odor protection from "plant-based actives," such as sage oil & coconut oil
- Made with sensitive skin in mind
- Free samples of other Kopari products in every order
- Original (coconut milk)
- Driftwood (sandalwood, cedarwood, & zesty clove)
- Beach ("fresh sea breeze")
- Fragrance Free
- Gardenia (white-florally coconut gardenia)
- Tropical (tangy pineapple and sweet coconut milk)
Ingredients for the Original scent:
Propylene Glycol*, Water/Aqua/EAU, Sodium Stearate, Propanediol, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Fragrance (Parfum), Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sodium Caproyl/Lauroyl Lactyl Lactate, Silica, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-5 Oleate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Triethyl Citrate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Liquid Endosperm, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Oil, Glycerin, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Juice, Glyceryl Laurate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil**, Sodium Anisate, Citric Acid *Biobased/Base Végétale **Organic/Biologique
My Kopari Deodorant Review
The Feel
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The Promise: A smooth application that isn't sticky.
The Reality: An effortless glide that feels oh-so-good on even sensitive armpits.
Honestly, with my a history of trying natural deodorants that ranged from nonexistent protection to rashy reactions and gritty skin-pulling textures, my expectations for eco-friendly deodorants did not prepare me for the exceedingly positive experience Kopari hit me with! You know how when you've just shaved your legs, a moisturizing layer of lotion makes sense? Well, after shaving your pits, a little TLC courtesy of Kopari just makes sense. Its blend of coconut oil, coconut water, and sage oil is a treat for such a sensitive area. Even if you're someone who doesn't shave your armpits you'll still find that Kopari feels lovely, and doesn't leave chunks or residue behind. My husband immediately appreciated that in this bar.
The Scent
The Promise: A light, sweet coconut milk fragrance described as "beachy."
The Reality: A subtle, light, soothing scent that's gentle and lasting, and not overly feminine.
I'm someone who tends to shy away from tropical scents for fear that they'll leave me smelling like sunscreen. Honestly, if I hadn't received a bar of Kopari deodorant in a sub box first, I probably wouldn't have taken a chance on it for that reason. But this brand somehow manages to evoke the carefree breeze, the soothing washing of the tides, and a coconutty tropical vibe in its scent without making you smell like a piña colada. Total win! On warmer days and after working out, I found that the hypoallergenic & phthalate-free scent was amplified, or maybe a better word is "activated," a bit by my sweating and it was a totally pleasant experience. As for my husband? He didn't find the scent feminine at all, and if anything enjoyed the divergence from the bold, moody vetivers and cedars typically found in men's deodorant.
The Odor Protection
The Promise: Long-lasting protection thanks to an antimicrobial formula with plant-based actives like coconut oil & sage oil.
The Reality: Reliable protection for ordinary days. Potential need for reapplication under sweaty circumstances.
I'm completely pleased with Kopari's odor protection, which does its thing with natural and antimicrobial ingredients. I feel it can completely hold a candle to mainstream deodorants in that realm, though, again, I'm not someone who sweats much in my day-to-day goings about. I can recall a couple of times when at the end of a long day a slight hint of my own personal smell may have began to be detectable, but typically those scenarios are when the air's warm enough for just about everyone to be sweating, so I wasn't too concerned. My husband is a more active perspirer and also a more active athlete, and on both counts he agreed that Kopari does as good a job of protecting against odor as any deodorant can be expected to, which is to say, it's not perfect but it's good. He might apply an extra swipe before or after a run or yoga session if he knew he wouldn't have the chance to shower afterward.
Good to Know
Natural Deodorants vs. Antiperspirants
Most deodorants you'll find on the shelf are antiperspirants, which are meant to inhibit sweating (and therefore reduce odor) by using aluminum salts to block the sweat glands. Non-antiperspirant deodorants allow the body to sweat naturally, but contain ingredients that curb odor by addressing the bacteria that causes it. While some early research linked the use of antiperspirants with Alzheimer’s and cancer, according to Teen Vogue there is no compelling scientific case to prove it; still, consumers are increasingly wary of using body products that contain unnecessary chemicals. Some consumers also have concerns about interfering with the "detoxifying" process of sweating, but Teen Vogue clarifies that sweating is really only responsible for a "negligible" amount of detoxification.
In short, Kopari is not an antiperspirant. It is aluminum-free, which means it's a healthy choice but Kopari deodorant not going to stop you from sweating. Meaning, you might want to give Kopari a try if you're looking for a clean deodorant with odor-neutralizing qualities; perhaps not so much if you're looking for something offering moisture control.
What is an "Armpit Detox?" Transitioning to Natural Deodorant
You may have heard tell of the 2-4 week transition period that's typical when switching from an antiperspirant to a natural deodorant. Some sources call this period an "armpit detox," which sounds kind of intense, but it doesn't have to be. Everybody's body reacts differently during the transition, but generally what you can expect is to be a little extra stinky for a time while your armpits adjust to sweating regularly again.
Here are a few tips for getting through the switch:
- Research your options before choosing a natural deodorant. Kopari strikes me as a great pick for first-timers since it's smooth, gentle (partially thanks to being baking-soda-free), and has good odor protection. If I'd known about it earlier I may have skipped my deo-free phase!
- Bring your new natural deodorant along with you for a bit—carry it in your purse or work bag so you can apply an extra layer if you feel you need it partway through the day.
- Rest assured knowing that you're probably way more aware of this smelly phase than anyone else is. It's not as bad as you think! And, truly, it will come to an end.
- If you experience any stinging, redness, or rash, it's time to stop using that deodorant and give your precious pits a little break—and maybe even check in with a dermatologist if it's bad. Sometimes even natural ingredients don't work great with everyone's skin, and there are all sorts of other natural deodorants to try out there.
Shipping, Returns, & More
Placing Your Order
If you're new to natural deodorant or just want to give Kopari a try before committing to a subscription, you may want to make a one-time purchase. One-time purchases under $30 do not include shipping nor taxes, so with the shipping + taxes that apply to my state and country added on, this one $14 bar ended up costing $19.98, but your total may differ depending on where you live.
If you have a good feeling about this product or are looking for a lower price, you could consider subscribing to Kopari's Auto Replenishment program. It's basically a subscription, so you'll receive automatic orders of this deodorant (and whatever else you'd like to include in your recurring order) either monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly. This program includes free shipping, and once you've got your recurring order all set up, you are free to make changes to it between deliveries, and skip deliveries as needed.
Shipping & Tracking
After placing my Kopari order, using the $5 US Standard Shipping option, an order confirmation email showed up in my inbox right away. The next day a shipping confirmation email (including tracking) was sent, and my package arrived via USPS within 6 days.
Free Samples
Kopari sends one free sample in every order so that you can try the other products they carry. If you poke around their site, you'll see they make all sorts of personal care products like body scrubs, melts, lotions, and balms—even CBD-infused skincare products. In the above photo you can see the little packet of coconut crush scrub as an example of something you could receive!
100% Satisfaction Guarantee
If you try Kopari and have issues or simply don't like it, you have 60 days from your purchase date to start a free return, as long as the products are in new or gently used condition. Kopari promises a full refund—they even cover return shipping costs! Note that initial shipping costs (the cost of shipping the product TO you) are non-refundable. For international returns, reach out to [email protected]. That same contact email can be used for an item that arrives damaged—they'll send you a replacement right away.
In the case that you purchased your Kopari product from a different retailer (I picked up a bar at Anthropologie not long ago, for example), you'll have to coordinate a return through that other company.
Try Kopari for Yourself
Did this review make you a believer? Subscribe to Kopari products here. Have natural deodorant experience of your own to share? Tell us in the comments!
Curious about other natural deodorants? Here are our most recent reviews:
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