I’ve been looking for a plastic free natural deodorant for sensitive skin – one that works – for over a year. I thought that I’d found it in Nuud, the carefree deodorant in the sugarcane tube.
Trouble is, that tube causes controversy on the plastic free scene.
Designed to be recycled, the tube itself isn’t biodegradable. As you may already know, plastic can only be recycled so many times; eventually, it will end up being thrown away or incinerated:
Plastics typically degrade in quality during the recycling process. For most recyclable plastics, they are typically only suitable for recycling once. As a result, most recycled plastic we use eventually reaches landfill, even if it goes through an additional use cycle as another product. Recycling typically delays rather than prevents plastic disposal to landfill or incineration.
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For this reason, Nuud is often not recommended in zero waste shops. When I approached Nuud customer care about this earlier in the year, they said:
Our tubes are indeed 100% recyclable through the regular plastic waste channels. The cardboard box, where the tubes ship in, is biodegradable on its own!
While I do believe that Nuud’s eco credentials are incredibly strong, and for me, it really works, I wondered if I couldn’t find something even better: a plastic free deodorant that’s effective and suitable for my sensitive underarms (I just can’t handle baking soda!).
That’s when I tried Fat and the Moon’s Sensitive Pit Cream. And it was superb.
Before I continue, I want you to know that finding a natural deodorant that works for you is a bit of a journey.
While I loved Nuud – it worked perfectly for me and kept me fresh at work at during workouts – some of my readers didn’t have great results, while others loved it (see the comments on the post).
A little bit of trial and error may be necessary if you’re making the switch to natural deodorant for the first time, but the great news is, Fat and the Moon offer a travel sized tin (Lil’ Sensitive Pit Cream). My advice is, if you want to try it, get this smaller tin before you invest in the bigger one, and see how you go. It worked for me.
What is it?
A baking soda free deodorant – great for sensitive underarms. Made from just 6 natural ingredients, it’s also plastic free, cruelty free, natural and handmade.
It’s a cream that you rub onto your underarms, with a delicate scent (it’s light, earthy and fresh – all at once).
Who’s it for?
This is plastic free, natural deodorant – perfect for anyone who wants to use natural skincare and avoid plastic packaging. It’s made in California, so if you’re in the States, it’s a great product to try.
I tested UK brands, both locally-made and from Lush (Lush are low waste packaging pioneers) and I just couldn’t find anything else that was as gentle and effective, and packaged in a way that made me feel proud to use it.
You may have seen Fat and the Moon products in your hunt for plastic free skincare alternatives and makeup. So far, I’ve also bought the eyeliner and a lip stain and I’m thrilled with these, too.
Fat and the Moon offer ‘simple products that are good for the body and the earth’, making them a great addition to your low waste lifestyle.
How long does it last?
I used the Lil’ Sensitive Pit Cream – the same formula but in a travel-sized tin that makes it perfect for sampling – for about 2 months before I ran out.
I’ve just started the Sensitive Deodorant Cream jar, which is about 4 times the size – Lil’ Sensitive is ½ fl oz (about 15ml) and the larger jar is 2 fl oz (about 60ml).
How much does it cost?
Two jars of Fat and the Moon Sensitive Deodorant Cream should last me 16 months, which means that with current pricing, I’ll be spending £2.40 a month on deodorant (without accounting for UK shipping).
Things I love about it
I adore pretty much everything about this product, especially the following:
- Formula: the combination of delicate scent, creamy texture and efficacy makes it unique.
- Brand: I love the quirky branding and sustainable, healing ethos of Fat and the Moon.
- Packaging: (maximal) minimalist, reusable, recyclable and low plastic.
Things I don’t love about it
There’s only one thing I don’t love about this product – the airmiles. I’d like to be able to source something just as good from the UK. Actually, let me rephrase that: I’d love to be able to source gorgeous products from around the world without the shipping affecting the environment.
Sourcing plastic free natural deodorant from overseas may not be ideal, but on the other hand, in doing so I’m supporting a brilliant brand that’s doing everything with care and conscience.
We work with plants that are abundant, ethically harvested and organically cultivated and combine them in formulations that are radically non-toxic. Our priority is to use reusable, recyclable containers, and to minimize superfluous packaging.
Fat and the Moon
For me, a beautiful, botanical product that works well and doesn’t come in plastic is the priority (progress, not perfection!).
How to source Fat and the Moon from outside the US
There are a few UK stockists of Fat and the Moon, so you don’t need to order direct from the US.
I reached out to The Future Kept, to ask company founders Jeska and Dean for their thoughts on importing Fat and the Moon.
Here’s what they said:
Your concern with the mileage is something that we both consider and struggle with. Fat and the Moon is one of only two brands with products that ship to us via air, it is less than ideal and we have considered stopping to sell anything that we have to ship by air, but it is also a brand that we have stood behind and promoted with passion from the very first day that we started our store almost 5 years ago.
We have looked for options that are made here in the UK or in Europe, but to be honest we haven’t found anything that is as good, there is always a trade off and with this it is the air miles, but the way the Fat and the Moon products are made naturally, sourced ethically and organically and the family legacy behind the brand are what we fell in love with when we first discovered it all those years ago and for us those are so important.
We try to offset the impact of that part of the supply chain in other ways, by ordering efficiently, so that small parcels are not regularly being shipped, not shipping any orders with it in that do require air shipping so they don’t travel by air twice etc.
We take our impact as a store very seriously, recycling and reusing any packaging products arrive in, using a carbon neutral courier, not using any new plastic in our packaging, using recycled cardboard and paper tapes, working with all the brands we supply to eliminate plastic in their own supply chain and packaging, and being a member of 1% for the Planet to support grassroots environmental non-profits.
Alongside this we have both personally shopped, eaten and lived as minimal impact a lifestyle as possible for a long time, so we are continually listening, researching and looking at ways that we can be and do better in our own lives and through the store, so we really appreciate it when people like yourself give us the feedback and support which enable us to do this!
Jeska and Dean, The Future Kept
I’m planning to stick with Fat and the Moon deodorant for the foreseeable future.
When I buy it from The Future Kept, I’m also supporting 1% for the Planet and a UK business that I love – Jeska and Dean have curated a unique range of ethical homewares, magazines, books, jewellery, skincare and much more.
In the past, when I haven’t had an effective natural deodorant to rely on, I’ve switched back to my old brand of roll-on deodorant out of desperation.
Now, I don’t want to let the pursuit of perfection hold me back from making progress in my pursuit of a plastic free bathroom.
All-in-all?
I highly recommend Fat and the Moon Sensitive Deodorant Cream if you’re looking for a plastic free deodorant that’s kind to your skin. The travel sized tins are an affordable way to give it a try, and I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Have you tried Fat and the Moon deodorant, or found something else that works for you? Let me know in the comments below!
What do you think? Let me know!