I just tried Native's Coconut & Vanilla deodorant and was really pleased with the results of their natural formula. But the Schmidt's Naturals brand has a ton of interesting scents—things like "Moon Flower" and "Water + Wood"—that I'm curious about exploring. Schmidt's makes an aluminum-free, coconut-oil-based solid deodorant stick that relies on baking soda and mineral-derived ingredients to ward off odor. The brand offers fragrance-free bars and sensitive skin formulas, too, and if you purchase from the Schmidt's Naturals site, you can "subscribe" to get new bars sent to you every 1-4 months.

Read on to see what I thought and to decide if Schmidt's Naturals Deodorant is right for you! Interested in other subscriptions that could make your life a little easier? Check out this list of personal care subscriptions recommended by our readers!

My Subscription Addiction paid for this product. (Check out the review process post to learn more.)

Quick Facts

Cost

• Full-size bars start at $8.99

Shipping

• $2.95 US shipping for a one-time purchase, or FREE shipping when you subscribe
• $10.95 shipping to Canada (No subscribe option)
• $11.95 shipping worldwide (No subscribe option)

Product

• 3.25 oz solid bar in a plastic twist-up tube
• Schmidt's also offers deodorants in 2.65 oz and 0.70 oz. sizes

Perks

• Aluminum-free
• Vegan
• Cruelty-free
• Paraben-free
• Phtlalate-free
• Gluten-free
• No artificial fragrances
• Sensitive skin options
• Mineral-supported odor protection

My Review

Previous

2 of 2 | Schmidt's deodorant on black paper

1 of 2

2 of 2 | Schmidt's deodorant on black paper

1 of 2

2 of 2 | Schmidt's deodorant on black paper

Next

• 1
• 2

The Feel

The Promise: “Smooth. Aromatic. Luxurious.”

The Reality: Grittier than I’d expected, both out of the tube & throughout the day.

I was really surprised by how much I disliked the feel of my Schmidt’s deodorant bar. It isn’t the first brand I’ve tried that incorporates baking soda in its recipe, but it is the first where I actually feel the baking soda. The texture reminded me of a fine sugar scrub, which wasn’t exactly pleasant rubbing against my recently shaved underarms. And compared to other natural deodorants I’ve tried, it seemed like that texture stuck around through the rest of the day. 

At first I wondered if the texture had anything to do with the Charcoal + Magnesium scent I picked, but a friend of mine had also tried Schmidt's in a different scent and felt the same. I think it might be the baking soda adding the grit to this formula. The good news is Schmidt’s offers a line of “smooth and creamy” sensitive skin deodorants that don’t include baking soda. Native’s baking soda formula didn’t bother me one bit, but if I tried Schmidt’s again, I’d opt for the sensitive collection, just to avoid the gritty texture.

The Scent

The Promise: A top-selling, mineral fragrance, “reminiscent of freshly fallen rain.”

The Reality: A bold, fresh, unisex scent without the sharpness of commercial fragrances.

I tend to prefer earthier, unisex fragrances for my deodorant—some floral fragrances feel too “pretty” for day to day, or clash with the actual perfumes I want to wear on top of them. Schmidt’s Charcoal + Magnesium bar is listed as a top-seller, and after trying it, I can understand why. The crisp scent reminded me of salt water and ocean beaches. While it’s not floral nor powdery, it’s not aggressively masculine, either. Nor does it have that sharp, in-your-face quality that you find with mainstream men’s deodorants. (Thank goodness!)

That said, Schmidt’s natural fragrance is a bit... louder than other deodorants I’ve tried—if other natural deodorant scents have been at a 3 or 4, Schmidt’s turns the dial up to a 5 or 6. I could see myself finding a floral fragrance and using it in lieu of a low-key perfume on a special day.

The Odor Protection

The Promise: Natural odor protection from a mineral-enriched formula.

The Reality: Solid protection for a low-key day, but things get funky by evening.

Schmidt’s did a fine job curbing odor at my sedentary office job, but I noticed it wearing off when I got into my car to head home each day. The lingering fragrance masked any funk pretty well, but I felt like the magnesium- and baking-soda-powered formula started to lose its oomph around the end of my 8 hour day. During intense workouts (which for me, include 90-minute roller derby practices), I noticed that the formula felt like it was easily melting/rubbing off of my skin. Again, Schmidt’s did a good job of masking the funk, but after a point, I didn’t feel like it was curbing odor. 

One last thing. While you probably won’t see the same yellowy stains that you’d get from an antiperspirant (as the yellow is usually a result of the aluminum salts in antiperspirants), Schmidt’s may leave grayish stains on your clothing after awhile. Schmidt’s recommends staying away from tight-fitting clothing and synthetic fabrics (a bummer, since I have plenty of both in my closet) and avoiding over-applying to cut down on excess oils. Unfortunately, I sometimes found it necessary to reapply or add an extra layer to get more odor-reducing power out of the product. 

Good to Know

Natural Deodorant vs Antiperspirant

Antiperspirants include aluminum salts that actually prevent you from sweating by blocking your pores. Deodorant, on the other hand, only curbs odor (often by targeting the sweat-loving bacteria that causes odor in the first place). Now, there isn't any compelling scientific evidence that says you shouldn't use antiperspirants (check out this Teen Vogue article for all the details). Some consumers have expressed concern about aluminum salts impeding the body's "detox" process, but as Teen Vogue explains, sweating contributes to a negligible amount of detoxing. ("Detoxing" is primarily a digestive process.)

All that said, if you're curious about natural deodorant, go for it! (I certainly did!) But know that because the formula is aluminum-free, Schmidt's deodorant is not going to stop you from sweating. If you're ingredient-conscious (and odor-conscious), it's a great choice. But if you're at all concerned about wetness, I would look elsewhere.

"Armpit Detox"? Tips for Going Natural

There can be a bit of a transition period when switching from an antiperspirant to a natural deodorant. Some sources refer to this period as an "armpit detox," which sounds more intense that I found it to be. Essentially, in the absence of an antiperspirant, your armpits are getting used to sweating again, and in doing so, they may get a little extra stinky.

A few tips based on my experience:

• Do your research before picking a natural deodorant. The better quality product, the easier it'll be to wean off commercial antiperspirants.
• Tote a bar of your new deodorant with you in a purse, pocket, or even the glove box of your car (so long as it's not too hot), so you can always reapply in a pinch.
• Give your armpits some extra TLC in the bath or shower to clear out pesky bacteria.
• Don't lose hope! I promise, the funky period does come to an end.
• If you're still having a rough time after a few weeks, and especially if you're experiencing stinging, redness, or rash, rethink the deodorant you're trying (or better yet, check in with a dermatologist). Just because ingredients are natural doesn't mean they get along with everyone's skin. There may be a better match out there for your needs.

Shipping, Returns, & More

Placing Your Order

For the purposes of this review, I opted for a one-time purchase of Schmidt’s Natural Charcoal + Magnesium Deodorant Stick (3.25 oz) for $9.99 + shipping via their brand’s website. Schmidt’s is available from other retailers, too, including physical stores. Sometimes it’s even listed for less; Target’s site lists a slightly smaller version of this bar (2.65 oz.) for just $4.99.

If you buy directly from Schmidt’s, US customers have the option to “subscribe,” in which case Schmidt’s will send you a new deodorant every 1-4 months, depending on your preferences. You can add other Schmidt’s items (which includes soap and oral care products) to your subscription, too, and each shipment will include a free gift. 

But unlike other brands with subscription options, Schmidt’s doesn’t offer a discount for signing up for automatic shipments. Subscribers do get free shipping with every order, but the price of the product itself is the same as if you’d ordered it as a one-time purchase.

Shipping & Tracking

I placed my order (via the Schmidt’s Naturals site) on a Monday and received an order confirmation email shortly thereafter. However, I didn’t receive a shipping email until that Friday. (Other brands I’ve ordered from shipped my package within a day.) The shipping email included a USPS tracking number as well as a summary of what I’d ordered. My Schmidt’s deodorant arrived that Monday morning (so exactly a week after I placed my order).

Tips & Tricks

I found that my Schmidt’s deodorant was pretty sensitive to heat or cold. It’s not a deodorant I’d risk forgetting in the car in the summer, and if you leave it in a chillier bathroom overnight, you might find that it’s a bit stiff in the morning. Given that the formula already felt a bit gritty going on, I tried to wait until I’d just come out of the shower before I applied it, so that the heat from my body (and in the room) would make for a smoother application.

Returns

If you purchased your deodorant stick from the Schmidt’s website, you can return or exchange it within 60 days of your order. (Email their care team at [email protected] or call them at 855-866-9748 with any concerns. They also have a contact form available here.) Did you get your Schmidt’s from a different store? You’ll have to adhere to their returns and exchanges policies if you’re unsatisfied with the product.

Try it for yourself!

Sign up here, or share your natural deodorant experience in the comments!

Curious about other natural deodorants? Here are our most recent reviews:

• Lavanila Deodorant Review
• Megababe Deodorant Review
• Lume Deodorant Review
• by Humankind Deodorant Review
• Myro Refillable Deodorant Review
• Kopari Deodorant Review
• Native Deodorant Review