You might still want the reassurance of an antiperspirant for important events or busy days - so don't feel you have to commit to one or the other for good. But it's worth knowing that this is not necessary for letting out toxins, as some brands claim. Your body already has sophisticated detoxing processes in the form of your liver and kidneys. Sweating is more about effective temperature regulation than detoxing. There are sensitive formulas available. You might also wish to experiment with alternative hair-removal methods such as epilation or waxing, which might cause less irritation as they are longer lasting. Formulated with Aloe Vera and Grapefruit seed extract it leaves your skin feeling fresh and revitalised. Like all PitROK deodorants it includes only the ingredients needed to do the job. Nothing more. There are three formulations to choose from with this creamy paste-based deodorant: 'Clean' - for daily use/all skin types, 'Gentle' - for sensitive skin, and 'Active' - for more demanding days.

This product is a crystal made from potassium alum - a natural mineral salt - and sits on the surface of the skin in a microscopic layer, where it kills bacteria. Ammonium alum is another one you'll commonly find in this type of product.

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Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Ammonium Alum, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Citrus grandis (grapefruit) seed extract, Glycerin, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1, 3-diol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Limonene* A gentle but effective sensitive skin deodorant based on pure natural mineral salts that provides day-long protection against body odour without causing underarm itching and skin irritation. Formulated with Aloe Vera and Grapefruit seed extract it leaves your skin feeling fresh and revitalised. Some might react to the bicarbonate of soda. One user told us: 'My girlfriend said it was really good, but it irritated her skin after a few months due to the bicarbonate of soda in the ingredients.' Another user told us they found it effective, and that the initial itchiness from the bicarb settled down after a few months. So you might need to give it a trial to see if it works for you.

Key ingredients include magnesium oxide and bicarbonate of soda (except in the Gentle range) to help prevent odours, as well as arrowroot for the sweat and shea butter to moisturise. Making the switch at a time when you don't have lots of high-stress work, activities or social events will take the pressure off. There are no added extras here - just crystal in a box. So if you're after a no-frills eco deodorant product that will last for six plus months (if you look after it) for not much outlay, this could be the one for you.

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There are currently three unisex scents available, and the subscription option is easy to change online. A key fear is around aluminium in deodorants potentially causing cancer. The theory is that aluminium compounds such as aluminium chlorohydrate or aluminium zirconium, used to stop sweating, can be absorbed through the underarms and cause breast cancer. Let’s talk pits! It occurred to me a long time ago that there were “other” deodorant choices: I never liked the amount of plastics in roll-ons. The aluminium content in popular deodorants didn’t sit well – although largely debunked it still doesn’t seem like a great thing to willingly put on our skin once a day. Natural and eco deodorants tend to work by neutralising odours and absorbing moisture, rather than preventing sweating. While plenty have moisture-absorbing ingredients, none are true antiperspirants. Based on pure natural mineral salts that provides day-long protection against body odour without causing underarm itching and skin irritation.

PitRok does not enter the body through the skin but acts as a bacteriostatic to help prevent odour causing bacteria from developing.Dr Olioso says: 'It contains good active ingredients, so should be effective, but be aware that arrowroot - the most abundant ingredient - might leave white marks.'

As your hands should be clean, this might not be so practical with a deodorant you want to take on the go. Users of Fit Pit in the office had mixed opinions on it. Some told us it was 'effective and long lasting' but 'can be a bit messy to apply'. Some people might still prefer to opt for aluminium-free products, and if you're keen on plastic-free deodorant you might not have any choice, as most are aluminium-free. We've rounded up the key players, costs, eco and ethical claims, and some insights from users to help you decide. The deodorant is applied using your fingers, although you can also buy a small bamboo spatula (50p) to get it out of the jar.

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One user said: 'I've used this one and found it very capable of handling odours across everyday and more strenuous activities, like running, hiking and holidays in the sun, and it lasts for an absolute age.' If you like the active ingredient but prefer a different formulation, Salt of the Earth also has a spray, which also comes with the added benefit of being refillable. One user told us: 'The refills will last me about a year.' I had been bought a Lush deodorant bar a long time ago. I found it sludgy and awkward, with a strong smell as if you’d just walked into a hippy shop – it just felt like a step too far! It sat in our bathroom cupboard unloved for a long time before the stench made us bin it. In hindsight my experience put me off the idea of natural deodorants a little and I didn’t do much further investigation. If organic credentials are important to you, look for a Soil Association certified brand - either a COSMOS Organic logo or COSMOS Natural logo (where products contain lots of ingredients which cannot be organic, such as water, salt or clay, but might contain organic ingredients, too).