Many people these days are making it a goal to put fewer harsh chemicals on their bodies. Conventional deodorant, in particular, is a product that contains a lot of perfumes, preservatives, and other harsh ingredients. If you'd rather take a more natural route, there are plenty of natural deodorants on the market. Some are better than others. For a product that is both safe and effective, look for one or more of these ingredients.

1. Baking Soda

Baking soda has long been known for its odor-eating properties. That's why you put an open box of it in your fridge and use it to remove odors from drains. Some natural deodorant sticks, therefore, use baking soda as an active ingredient. It's pretty good at absorbing odors and will keep your armpits feeling dry when you sweat, although it may leave some white powder in your clothes, especially on days when you don't sweat enough to moisten the deodorant.

2. Cornstarch

Cornstarch is another ingredient that you'll see in natural deodorants. It's not quite as effective at neutralizing odors as baking soda, but it's really good at absorbing moisture. For this reason, cornstarch is often combined with other odor-masking ingredients like citrus juice and rose water. The resulting deodorant is not exactly unscented, but it has a very light, neutral odor that you'll barely notice. 

3. Kaolin Clay

Kaolin clay is a type of clay that has a white or very pale gray color. It absorbs a lot of moisture and is also non-irritating. If you've had dry skin after using baking soda-based deodorants, one made with kaolin clay may be a better choice for you. Some people do find that it feels slippery or gooey when they get overly sweaty. It may be more comfortable if you are someone who shaves your armpits.

4. Shea Butter

Shea butter is not usually the primary active ingredient in natural deodorant, but it can be combined with either baking soda or cornstarch to make the mixture more spreadable. Shea butter is very moisturizing, making it a good choice for anyone with dry skin or easily irritated armpits. It has a slightly creamy color and is not pure white; keep that in mind if you wear it with a white shirt.

Men's and women's unscented natural deodorant is a safer alternative to conventional deodorant. Look for products made with the ingredients above, and you should have good results.