Review: Wild deodorant

It's natural, it's sustainable, but is it any good?

Disclaimer: no affiliate links have been used in this article, I have not been paid to promote this product, and all opinions are honest and my own

Image by Alysia Georgiades

Deodorants have been a talking point for some time. From chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) burning a hole in the ozone layer, to aluminium preventing our skin from sweating, they always seem to be doing more harm than good.

For many consumers, all they are looking for is a cheap option that does the job, rather than the product that’s best for the planet. But for those who workout during their lunch break, are crammed into carriages on the daily commute, or simply want the assurance of smelling fresh all day, there are natural and planet-friendly products cropping up.

I have previously tried three different natural deodorants. Two were non-aerosol sprays, and one was a stick/roll-on. The sprays were most effective, but didn’t tend to feel nice on the skin, while the roll-on solidified if the temperature was below 20 degrees, making it impossible to apply.

So when I caught an advert for Wild deodorants on Youtube, I found myself listening.

With a quick search, I learned they are a British brand (tick), completely natural (tick) and sustainable (tick).

Wild market themselves as a deodorant, not an antiperspirant, the difference being the latter prevents you from sweating by using aluminium to literally block your sweat glands. But as sweating is an important bodily function, this can be damaging, which is why Wild have designed a deodorant that simply keeps your skin dry and fresh without stopping your sweat.

What’s more, Wild don't use single-use plastic, instead developing a sleek, compact applicator made from recycled plastic and aluminium, and selling compostable refills to reduce waste.

Wild's refills are the world's first to be plastic-free, compostable, and recyclable. Image by Alysia Georgiades

Tapioca starch and sodium bicarbonate are used in the product to reduce odour and keep underarms dry, while shea butter, coconut oil and sunflower seed wax make for a moisturising base. And there are plenty of scents to choose from, including Coconut Dreams, Orange Zest, Fresh Cotton and Sea Salt, and the limited edition Piña Colada.

Wild offer a subscription service to receive your deodorant and refills through the letterbox, but I chose to buy mine from Sainsbury’s, their only stockist in the UK.

In store I had the choice of buying a starter pack, which includes a case, or refills on their own. After trying to smell each option through the cardboard packaging, I selected Orange Zest, which comes in an appealing copper-coloured case.

The product is lightweight and discreet, making it perfect for travelling, while the colours on offer make a pleasing addition to any bathroom. But the main selling point for me is the fact that in the future all I have to buy is a refill, keeping the case for as long as I like, knowing I can eventually recycle it.

I did face one problem, though. I had no idea how to push the product up to apply it. There are only two buttons either side of the case which are used to replace refills, and with no instructions on the packaging I scanned the QR code on the box instead. It took me to their website, and it turns out all I had to do was twist the bottom, which uses a magnet to push the deodorant up and down.

Obvious really.

The product goes on smoothly, covering the underarm in a few strokes, and smells sweetly subtle. The consistency is also spot-on (even in cooler weather), not sticky or tacky, but moisturising more than anything.

The real test though was whether I still smelled like oranges by the end of the day. As of when I write this, I have tried the deodorant on a standard day (writing, walking, driving and an hour’s exercise), an extreme day (hours out in warm weather, brisk walks in warm weather, and a high ropes course in the rain should do it), and just before high intensity exercise, which has recently been in humid temperatures.

The results? As far as I can tell, the product has being doing its job. The orange zest is barely noticeable by the end of the day, but there is no sweat either, which is a success in my opinion.

I did notice the deodorant forms a barrier on my skin depending on how much I use, which some people may not like, especially if you are used to aerosols. But I could never feel it, and I never noticed any grease marks on my clothes. And more importantly, I haven’t felt any irritation throughout the day, and my skin hasn’t reacted to any of the ingredients.

Wild aim to bring eco-friendly brands to the mainstream with kind and effective products. Image by Alysia Georgiades

Wild do sell sensitive versions of some of their popular scents, which are free from sodium bicarbonate which can be an irritant, but all fragrances are formed with essential oils, which can also irritate skin.

Only time will tell how long each refill lasts, but this also depends on how often it is used which differs for each individual. But so far Wild is the best natural deodorant I have come across. With a starting price of £12 in store, and refills costing £5, Wild is significantly more costly than a standard deodorant. But - and I have said this before - when you’re paying for a better quality product, one that is free from aluminium, parabens, PEGs and more, is it not worth it?

I’ll leave you to think about that, but as far as deodorant is concerned, I can’t really fault Wild from any angle. And that’s pretty impressive.