In recent years, natural deodorants have surged in popularity as more and more people look to ditch aluminum and other questionable ingredients found in standard antiperspirants. Two brands that have emerged as leaders in the natural deodorant space are Lume and Native.
Both brands promise to fight odor naturally without interfering with the body‘s natural sweat process. But how do they compare in terms of ingredients, effectiveness, scent options, price, and more? In this ultimate showdown, we‘ll put Lume and Native head to head to help you decide which one comes out on top.
The Basics: Lume vs Native At a Glance
Before we dive into the nitty gritty details, let‘s start with a quick overview of these two popular natural deodorant brands:
Lume:
- Founded in 2017 by Shannon Klingman, M.D.
- Offers a patented formula that promises 72-hour odor control
- Can be used externally on any part of the body prone to odor – underarms, feet, private parts, etc.
- Available in deodorant sticks, deodorant tubes, and bar soap
- Free of aluminum, baking soda, and synthetic fragrances
- Vegan, cruelty-free, and manufactured in the USA
Native:
- Founded in 2015 by Moiz Ali
- Offers deodorants, bar soaps, body washes, toothpastes and more, all with safe, simple ingredients
- Deodorants are free of aluminum, parabens, sulfates, phthalates and talc
- Uses safe, natural fragrances and is available in both classic and seasonal scents
- Vegan, cruelty-free, and made in the USA
- Offers plastic-free, paperboard deodorant packaging
Ingredients: What‘s Inside Matters
One of the main reasons people switch to natural deodorant is to avoid potentially harmful or irritating ingredients found in many conventional brands. So how do the ingredients in Lume and Native stack up? Let‘s take a closer look.
Lume Deodorant Ingredients:
Water, Mandelic Acid, Maranta Arundinacea Root Powder, Tapioca Starch, Isoamyl Laurate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Sodium Acrylate/Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Dimethylacrylamide Crosspolymer, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 60, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Sodium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Benzoic Acid
Lume‘s star ingredient is mandelic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid that prevents odor by inhibiting bacteria. The rest of the ingredients help to absorb wetness, soothe and condition skin, and stabilize the formula.
Native Deodorant Ingredients:
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Coconut Oil Derived), Tapioca Starch, Ozokerite (Earth Wax), Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda), Magnesium Hydroxide, Coconut Oil, Cyclodextrin (Corn Starch Derived), Shea Butter, Dextrose (Corn Derived), Lactobacillus Acidophilus (Natural Bacteria)
Native relies on several natural odor and wetness absorbers like tapioca starch, baking soda, and magnesium hydroxide. Coconut oil, shea butter, and lactobacillus acidophilus help keep skin conditioned and balanced.
Both brands avoid aluminum, synthetic fragrances, parabens, and phthalates. However, those with very sensitive skin may prefer Lume, as it doesn‘t contain baking soda which can be irritating for some. Native offers a sensitive formula without baking soda as well.
Effectiveness: Put to the Test
Of course, the most natural ingredients in the world don‘t mean much if the deodorant doesn‘t actually work. So how well do Lume and Native perform when it comes to fighting odor and wetness?
Lume claims its patented formula will control odor anywhere on the body for a full 72 hours – even in the sweatiest pits, stinkiest feet, and mustiest private parts. That‘s a bold claim, but thousands of positive reviews suggest it lives up to the hype for many.
Native doesn‘t make any specific time claims, but reviewers say it does an excellent job at preventing odor all day, even through workouts. Some do note that it doesn‘t control wetness as well as an antiperspirant, but that‘s to be expected with any natural deodorant since they don‘t plug sweat glands like aluminum-based antiperspirants.
Both Lume and Native offer unscented versions for those who prefer no fragrance. But they‘re also known for their appealing natural scents. Lume offers six different scents including clean tangerine, lavender sage, juniper berry, and more. Native is known for its wide variety of scents, from classics like coconut & vanilla to seasonals like pumpkin spice latte.
To put them to the test, we interviewed several customers who have tried both brands. Here‘s what they had to say:
"I‘ve been using natural deodorant for years and have tried every brand out there. Lume is the only one that lasts a full 24 hours for me, even in the summer. It‘s a game changer." – Jenna, 32
"I really wanted to love Lume, but unfortunately it gave me a rash after a few days. Native has been my go-to for over a year now though – it goes on smooth, lasts all day, and I love the seasonal scents." – Mike, 28
"I rotate between Lume and Native depending on my activity level. If I know I‘m going to be sweating a lot, I reach for Lume for that extra odor protection. But for everyday use, Native is my favorite for the scent options and gentleness on my sensitive skin." – Tiana, 25
Overall, it seems both brands offer great odor protection, with Lume edging out Native for extra staying power. The best one for you will likely come down to your body‘s chemistry, sensitivity, and fragrance preferences.
Price Comparison: Get the Best Value
Let‘s face it, natural deodorants tend to cost more than your run-of-the-mill drugstore antiperspirant. But when it comes to Lume and Native, which one gives you the most bang for your buck? Here‘s how the prices stack up:
Lume:
- Deodorant stick (2.2 oz): $15
- Deodorant tube (3 oz): $19
- Deodorant bar soap (5 oz): $7
Native:
- Deodorant stick (2.65 oz): $13
- Deodorant bar soap (5 oz): $8
- Deodorant mini (0.35 oz): $3
Both brands also offer discounted bundles and subscribe & save options for 10-17% off.
As you can see, Native comes in a bit cheaper than Lume across the board. However, Lume‘s deodorant tube is slightly larger than Native‘s stick. Lume also has a 100% money back guarantee, so you can get a full refund if you‘re not satisfied.
The Bottom Line: Which One Wins?
So, after thoroughly analyzing these two natural deodorant giants, which one comes out victorious? The truth is, it‘s a close call and the "best" brand will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
Choose Lume if:
- You need maximum odor control that lasts up to 72 hours
- You have very sensitive skin and want to avoid baking soda
- You‘re looking for an all-over body odor solution (not just for underarms)
- You don‘t mind paying a couple dollars more per tube
Choose Native if:
- You prefer a wide variety of scent options, including seasonal ones
- You‘re looking for the most affordable natural deodorant that still works
- You want a deodorant from a plastic-negative, sustainably-minded brand
- You have normal to moderately sensitive skin
Whichever brand you choose, one thing is for sure: by ditching aluminum and other toxic ingredients and reaching for a safe, natural deodorant, your body will thank you. And with either Lume or Native, you can make the switch without sacrificing on odor protection, effectiveness, or appealing scents.
The natural deodorant market continues to grow and evolve, with new formulas and brands popping up all the time. But for now, Lume and Native are two of the strongest contenders and you can feel confident choosing either one. The only way to know for sure which one works best for your unique body chemistry is to give them both a try – so why not start your natural deodorant journey today?
