Why I Switched to AKT Natural Deodorant—and How It Blew My Skepticism Out of the Water!
Let’s get real for a second—when’s the last time you got genuinely excited about deodorant? Probably never. But here’s the twist: it’s one of those essential beauty staples you simply can’t live without. Nobody wants to be that person caught mid-day with sniff-test results that scream “oops!” or worse, those unmistakable damp spots on a crisp grey top. While deodorant might not headline your glam routine, it sure steals the show when it actually works. And thanks to an army of deodorant TikToks (yes, a whole genre now), brands are stepping up their game. After putting dozens to the test over the past year, one product has absolutely stolen my heart—AKT The Deodorant Balm. Made with natural goodies that are kind to your skin, it tackles sweat and odor all over your body, while smelling like a high-end perfume. Trust me, if it keeps me fresh through a sweltering 115-degree Las Vegas day, it’s not just good—it’s legendary. Ready to find out why this balm is earning a permanent throne in my beauty toolkit? Dive in. LEARN MORE
Let’s be honest: deodorant isn’t the most glamorous topic. Still, it’s one of the most essential products in our beauty arsenal. After all, none of us wants to walk around smelling bad or dealing with damp underarms that become obvious when we wear grey tops. Deodorant TikToks (yes, it’s a thing) have millions of views, and our chronically online beauty team has been trying the latest drops. After testing dozens of deodorants over the past year, AKT The Deodorant Balm is my holy grail. It’s made with natural, skin-friendly ingredients, works effectively on my entire body, and smells like a luxurious perfume. Here’s why it’s a standout product that earned a permanent spot in my medicine cabinet and is absolutely worth the $29 price tag. And if a deodorant can keep me smelling fresh during a 115-degree Las Vegas heatwave, then it deserves the crown.
How did I discover AKT The Deodorant Balm?
I first learned about the London-based brand AKT when it launched stateside in January 2024. The Body Wash Concentrate and Body Conditioning Balm landed on my desk, and I gave them a shot because I was impressed by the clean, minimal ingredients and chic packaging. Both products quickly became part of my routine—and the Wash Concentrate earned a spot on my list of ride-or-die body washes. So when it came time to consolidate my extensive collection of 30 deodorants (#BeautyEditorProblems), I immediately knew I had to put AKT’s Deodorant Balm to the test.
Is AKT a full body deodorant? And do you really need one?
Yes, and AKT is my favorite whole body deodorant of 2025. Whole body deodorants have slowly taken over my social media feeds, but for good reason. We have three types of sweat glands—eccrine, apocrine, and apoeccrine—located on nearly every part of the body. No, really, research has found that we have these glands everywhere, from the forehead and back to our chest and armpits.
AKT works by neutralizing BO that’s caused by sweat and bacteria. It contains gentle ingredients (more on that shortly!) that don’t irritate my sensitive skin, whereas traditional underarm deodorants can cause itching, stinging, and redness. Underarm deodorants are specifically designed for the thicker skin of our armpits, and using them elsewhere on the body may cause irritation and clogged pores.
How I Tested This Deodorant
To ensure AKT can keep up with my busy schedule, I wore it everywhere for five months, including during the brutal East Coast summer. This included everywhere from the office and workouts to long travel days and work trips to Las Vegas, where the temperature soared to 115 degrees. I only applied the deodorant in the morning, but traveled with a tube in my bag just in case I needed a touch-up throughout the day. Spoiler alert: I rarely needed to.
During my Las Vegas trip I walked around seven miles daily and found that even by my 2 p.m. afternoon meetings I had no whiff of BO or even damp underarms in an unairconditioned conference room. I also walked along the Vegas strip to grab dinner with friends several hours later and I still remained odor free.
Unsurprisingly, odor control was my biggest priority. I carefully evaluated if any BO slowly crept up on me until my next shower. I also considered how the five scents and the fragrance-free option smelled on me. Would the initial scent overwhelm and irritate my sensitive nose? Does it wear nicely as the hours pass by? Or will the scent fully disappear by the afternoon, or can I catch a whiff of the elevated scents when I lift my arms? Can I even rely on this to keep me stink-free on the quick, unairconditioned subway ride to the office?
I also paid close attention to how my underarms and body felt throughout the day, including whether the Balm left behind a sticky residue or if my skin got damp. After evaluating how my armpits reacted to AKT, I slowly applied the deodorant to other areas of my body.
My AKT Deodorant Experience
I’ve been betrayed one too many times by natural deodorants that promise odor control. Only for me to catch a light whiff of BO and be perplexed why a new launch doesn’t work. I’ve even tried scent-heavy men’s deodorants to cover all of my bases. AKT is a great unisex option that your partner might want to steal, but this is one item I recommend keeping for yourself.
Best Ingredients In AKT The Deodorant Balm
Before I discuss AKT’s performance, it’s essential to understand how the key ingredients work to provide odor and moisture protection. There are also some noteworthy hydrating ingredients worth knowing about.
For Odor Control
Sodium Bicarbonate, aka baking soda, helps absorb and neutralize odors. However, baking soda can disrupt the skin’s pH level, causing irritation, dermatologist Dr. Mona Gohara, MD, previously told us. So if you have extremely sensitive skin, you may want to opt for a baking soda-free deodorant.
FWIW, my skin tends to get easily irritated from deodorants, and I haven’t had any issues since using AKT. Think light stinging, itching, redness, and general discomfort—none of which I experienced during my five months testing AKT. Here’s why: It’s infused with hydrating ingredients that help nourish my skin and minimize irritation. (More on that shortly!)
For Dry Underarms
Since AKT is an aluminum-free deodorant, it won’t create tiny plugs that prevent sweating like an antiperspirant. However, it does include arrowroot powder and diatomaceous earth that absorb moisture. Together, these ingredients ensured I’m dry—yes, even during my 3-mile after-work walks during the peak of summer.
For Hydration
Shea butter is derived from the nuts of African shea trees. Inside the nuts is a creamy center that spreads like butter on warm toast. It’s an emollient that prevents moisture from evaporating from my skin, leaving my body feeling soft to the touch. It’s also naturally rich in fatty acids and vitamin E, an antioxidant-rich moisturizer.
Additionally, research has shown that calendula flower extract is beneficial in reducing inflammation.
An Easy, Mess-Free Application
AKT The Balm Deodorant comes in a chic, plastic-free, and squeezable container that resembles a vibrant paint tube or Marvis toothpaste. Truthfully, I was a little worried this deodorant would splatter when I grip it, but that’s been a non-issue.
How To Apply
To use, I pop the protective seal with a pen, then gently squeeze out a pea-sized amount of the balm. I apply the deodorant balm like a moisturizer—starting with a single dab to each underarm, adding more as needed to the rest of my body. AKT spreads easily and melts into my skin like butter on freshly made pancakes.
Ways To Enhance Your AKT Experience
I also recommend purchasing The Assistant, a gold-tone squeezer key that ensures I get every last drop of balm from the tub before purchasing a replacement. With it, I’ve stretched a single tube up to eight weeks compared to just six to seven without using this tool. It’s a small upfront investment, but totally worth the one-time $12 price tag to ensure I get my money’s worth of The Balm Deodorant.
The brand also created a second deodorant tool dubbed The Applicator. It resembles a gua sha and functions similarly—the goal is to encourage lymphatic drainage around the underarms, neck, and chest. I haven’t used this product, but if you’re looking to incorporate a wellness aspect into your beauty routine, then it might be worth the extra $34 cost.
It Doesn’t Ruin My Clothes
Another reason I’m into AKT? Since using this deodorant, I haven’t had a single whitemark on my dark clothing. Some of the deodorants I’ve tried have left behind permanent marks on my otherwise freshly laundered tops, which is a major bummer. AKT fully absorbs and doesn’t leave behind residue, which makes it ideal to wear under my dark clothing.
Impressive Array Of Elevated Scents
Scents won’t impact the functionality of deodorant, but they sure can help make or break the experience. Trust me: I’ve once used an unscented all-natural deodorant that smells like stale coconut oil. To avoid this conundrum, AKT partnered with French fragrance house Sozio to create five enticing scents that add a touch of luxury to my morning routine. A fragrance-free option is also available if you prefer.
- Orange Grove is filled with bright notes of petitgrain, mandarin, and neroli, which deliver an invigorating vibe to my morning routine.
- After Thunder reminds me of spending a day connecting with nature. It combines cedar, eucalyptus, and bitter orange for an earthy aroma.
- The Onsen features notes of relaxing lavender, complemented by a touch of warmth from pepper and clove, and balanced with the calming scents of Japanese cedarwood and vetiver.
- Halcyon Summers blends mint, tomato vine, and pomelo—a type of citrus that evokes the scent of an Italian vacation in a tube.
- Columbia Road combines warm amber and tonka bean with the freshness of violet, capturing the cozy vibe of a crisp fall night in.
- No Notes is ideal if you desire a fragrance-free whole body deodorant, or simply want the scent of your other body care products and perfumes to shine through.
And if you’re an indecisive person, you can try this five-piece set of mini Deodorant Balms dubbed The Discovery Set. Each 1.5ml tube lasts a full week, allowing you to try each scent before committing to a full-sized 50ml tube.
TLDR: Is The AKT The Deodorant Balm Worth It?
After five months of testing, I finally found my all-time favorite whole body deodorant. AKT offers effective odor and moisture protection, contains skin-friendly ingredients, and comes in luxurious scents. Plus, it’s readily available on Amazon so I can maximize Prime’s signature two-day shipping and be ready to enjoy the benefits almost-immediately.
More Of My Favorite Natural Deodorants
Looking for other natural deodorants? Here are a few others that I’ve tried and enjoyed.
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Nicole Saunders is the beauty editor at Women’s Health and has over eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing lifestyle content. She specializes in breaking down complicated topics, like red light therapy for hair growth and LED face masks, into easy-to-understand guides. Saunders takes great pride in heavily researching and testing featured beauty products, such as strengthening shampoos and body washes for dry skin on our site.
Previously, she was the beauty editor at Best Products where she tested quite literally thousands of launches for her quarterly column and the Best New Beauty Awards package. She also launched the beauty and wellness coverage at NBC News and contributed to CNN, Cosmopolitan, Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, and Harper’s BAZAAR.
You can follow her on Instagram to stay in the loop on her product testing adventures.
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