My Fussy Deodorant Review (Does This Natural Deodorant Hit The Mark?)

Are you looking for a new sustainable natural deodorant? One that smells great? A reusable deodorant that’s made with the environment in mind rather than from fossil fuels? 

More and more people are realising that spray deodorant and aerosols are no good for the planet. Thankfully, there are now excellent alternatives for us to make a better choice. This is why so many people, just like you and me, are now switching to natural deodorant. 

One of the most sustainable alternatives is Fussy natural deodorant. 

I’ve been using Fussy deodorant for the past couple of months now after receiving a burnt orange case and two of their deodorant refills. I’ve been impressed.

My Fussy review will go into detail on how I’ve found the products, the sustainability credentials and the company itself. But if you’re looking for a quick summary, the next section will tell you everything in a nutshell. 

As a disclaimer, the products were gifted to me. Other than that, this is not a sponsored review. My review is genuine and my own. This article does contain affiliate links should you want to try Fussy out for yourself. 

Quick Review: Is Fussy any good?

It’d be a short review if I left it as this, but yes, Fussy is an excellent natural deodorant.

I’ve been using Fussy for a couple of months now and it gets the thumbs up from me on two fronts:

1. It’s good for your armpits
2. It’s good for the planet

I’ll go into much more detail in my Fussy review below, but for a quick snapshot, here are the main highlights and benefits of Fussy deodorant. 

• Natural – Plant-based, natural ingredient profile. Free from parabens and chemical preservatives.
• Science – Scientifically proven to neutralise odour-causing bacteria
• Scent – Smells great
• Functionality – Doesn’t leave white marks
• Local – Made in the UK
• Reusable – Single-use plastic free. Outer case is made from plastic but designed to last a lifetime –
• Recyclable – Outer case is fully recyclable with no mixed materials
• Compostable packaging – Home compostable refills made from waste sugarcane
• Cruelty free – Vegan friendly, no animal testing
• Environmentally friendly – Certified carbon neutral through work with Climate Partner
• Aesthetics – Brilliant design
• Simple – Delivered straight to your door
• Flight friendly – solid block and under 100ml 

This isn’t a perfect product though and I wouldn’t be writing a good review if I left out the issues. There aren’t many though. 

My main issue is that the flat base on the outer case is quite small. The problem with this is that you can quite easily knock it over if the product is stood up. Small bathroom shelves and busy cabinets may be a struggle. 

The issue arises as the case is a great piece of engineering that’s lovely to touch and feels just like a smooth pebble on the beach with all rounded edges. 

Keep reading for the full low down on Fussy! 

Who are Fussy?

Fussy are a sustainable deodorant brand in the UK. They’re named Fussy because they’re fussy about how their environmentally friendly product is created!

They were founded by Eddie Fisher and Matt Kennedy when they launched a Kickstarter project in 2020.

Their mission is simple: to banish single-use plastic from the bathroom. They’ve not hit the rest of the bathroom market yet so perhaps this is a grandiose goal, but it’s a good mission nonetheless.  

They came to major prominence in the UK after an appearance on Dragon’s Den in February 2022! The guys did really well – you can read more on that below. 

Fussy create solid deodorants (as opposed to gas aerosol deodorants) that are made from natural, effective ingredients in plastic-free refills. In fact, these refill cases go one step better as they are home compostable. I love this! 

The refills are designed to slot into the Fussy reusable deodorant case. It’s a sleek, nice looking piece of kit that can stand up on its own in your bathroom, be easily transported in your bag or taken on holiday. 

The outer case is made from just one material, which means it’s easily recyclable once it’s no longer needed – hopefully that’s a long way off. 

Does Fussy deodorant work? 

I know what you’re thinking, Fussy sounds like a company with their heart in the right place, but does the deodorant actually work?

Yes, Fussy does work.

They make the claim that their natural formula is the most effective on the market. I’ve not tried every natural deodorant so I can’t verify this, except to say that it works for me. 

One thing to make clear though: Fussy is not an antiperspirant.

It will not stop you from sweating.  Fussy uses scientifically proven ingredients to absorb moisture and neutralise any odour. As I’ve been using it over the past weeks and months, I’ve not noticed any unwanted smells – even in the warm weather. 

So, what’s the difference? 

An antiperspirant is designed to block your sweat pores. It uses aluminium to physically block pores and stop you from sweating. 

However, Fussy and their natural deodorant use a different science-backed technique to eliminate bad smells. Amongst their effective ingredients is a probiotic that relishes the presence of sweat. Combine this with the natural fragrances used and you’re on to a winner. 

Both the ‘Forest Haze’ and ‘Wavy Days’ refills I received smell very nice. I’m particularly loving the Forest Haze one.

Now, one thing to note is that you do need to give it a little time when you switch from antiperspirant deodorant to natural deodorant. 

This is because it can take your armpits and body around 2-4 weeks to detox and get rid of the aluminium previously blocking your pores. Initially, it makes you think that the natural deo isn’t working. 

Fear not. This is a natural part of the process and definitely worth pushing through. Once you’re on the other side, you’ll be rewarded with fresh-smelling, planet-friendly armpits. 

What scents do they have?

I haven’t tried all the scents, just Forest Haze and Wavy Days, but Fussy supplies a wide-ranging variety of smells and scents to suit each and every person, both male, female and gender neutral. 

Here’s a list of all the scents from Fussy: 

• Forest Haze – Woody scent of Scotch pine, silver fir and juniper (my favourite)
• Wavy Days – Fresh, minty smell of peppermint, eucalyptus and sage
• Cucumber & Mint – Crisp, cool scent
• Jasmine & Green Tea – Fresh scent with a hint of fragrant floral
• Night Tales – Earthy, natural scent of cedar, cinnamon and patchouli
• Wide Eyed – Citrus-based scent of mandarin, grapefruit and black pepper
• Sun Drunk – Tropical inspired smell of vanilla, ylang ylang and star anise
• Cloud Nine – Fresh smell of cotton, sandalwood and vetiver
• Victoria Sponge – Sweet scent
• Bare – unscented

Fussy deodorant ingredients

You know the scents, but how are these created? What ingredients do Fussy use in their deodorants?

First things first, Fussy’s formula uses plant-based, natural ingredients for the most part.

That said, it does seem like there are a few artificial fragrances in there where sourcing an essential oil hasn’t been possible. 

What you won’t find in Fussy is any aluminium, which is a common ingredient in conventional antiperspirant formulas. 

Fussy source their ingredients from the UK where possible and use a mixture of organic and non-organic produce. 

The base Fussy deodorant ingredients used in all formulas include: 

• Sunflower wax
• Coconut oil
• Shea butter
• Caprylic
• Tapioca
• Sodium bicarbonate
• Magnesium hydroxide
• And the special ingredient probiotic called Lactobacillus 

Fussy’s ‘Bare All’ deodorant comes unscented and uses only these 8 ingredients. It’s perfect for those who prefer their own natural scent! 

With the scented varieties, Fussy takes the base ingredients and parfum, and adds a blend of essential oils and other ingredients. Here’s what’s in some of the other different scents.

• Forest Haze: Limonene, Geraniol
• Wavy Days: Limonene, Linalool, Eugenol, Citral, Geraniol, Farnesol
• Night Tales: Limonene, Geraniol, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Farnesol, Eugenol, Citral
• Wide Eyed: Limonene, Linalool, Citral
• Sun Drunk: Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Farnesol, Geraniol, Limonene, Benzyl Alcohol
• Cloud Nine: Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Coumarin, Eugenol, Geraniol, Linalool

How is this natural deodorant more sustainable?

So, how is this natural deodorant more sustainable then? 

Following on from the ingredients list, Fussy have opted to use plant-based ingredients such as sunflower wax, coconut oil and shea butter for their main base. It’s why the deodorant product is solid in form. 

These plant-based ingredients are all renewable ingredients, compared to the fossil-fuel based ingredients found in traditional deodorants. Spray aerosols often contain industrially processed gases such as ethane, propane, butane, isobutane, as well as propylene glycol. These pollutants are not good for the environment at all. 

Fussy use a range of non-toxic ingredients, including sodium bicarbonate, magnesium hydroxide (an inorganic compound to attract water) and caprylic (derived from coconut oil), to make their deodorant more sustainable. 

All of the Fussy ingredients are biodegradable too. These won’t be causing harm and ill-effects if they get into the environment – both indoor and outdoor. 

Packaging and casing

Let’s address the elephant in the room. Fussy’s deodorant case. 

Plastic? That’s not very sustainable is it?

I thought that too until I read up on their reasoning. 

The outer case is made from plastic that’s designed to be reused over and over again. It’s been designed to last so you won’t need to buy another one again. 

According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation who specialise in circular economy, if all personal care and beauty items were refillable, greenhouse gas emissions would be reduced by an incredibly significant 80-85%!

This is brilliant news. The only downside for me is that the outer case is made from ABS plastic, which is a type of thermoplastic.

When it is time to say goodbye to the case, it’s fully recyclable. This is because the case is made from one material. I think this is a pretty smart move. 

If the case were made from metal, like the Wild case, it would also need plastic parts to hold it together and perform certain tasks. Although recyclable on their own, the mixing of materials makes it non-recyclable, or at the least, very hard to recycle. 

Compostable refill packaging

In terms of the other packaging, the Fussy refills are made from waste sugarcane pulp. This makes them home compostable – something which I love.

Making a product home compostable makes the process so much easier for the consumer. I just tear up the refill packaging and throw it into my food and garden waste bin, ready to be transformed into compost and fed back into the soil. Fantastic. 

Lastly, we have the packaging that the natural deodorant and case are delivered in. Fussy use recycled cardboard, which is sealed with water-activated glue. Even the print on the packaging is eco friendly and made from plant-based ink. Nice.

All of this shows a great commitment to sustainability from Fussy. You can read more on their sustainability efforts here. 

Is Fussy a sustainable company?

It’s safe to say that Fussy are an environmentally friendly company with a sustainable product. This is a sentiment backed up by the Ethical Consumer Magazine too.

From a company perspective, Fussy are a fully certified B Corporation. This means they’re committed to meeting the highest standards of social and environmental performance. 

In line with this, Fussy are also certified carbon neutral. This is thanks to their partnership with Climate Partner who help to offset their remaining carbon emissions. 

To make the natural deodorants, Fussy aim to work with partner companies who are just as fussy about their environmental practices as they are. These are companies powered by renewable energy who like to put sustainability at the centre of their operations. 

Where is Fussy made?

The Fussy deodorant is handmade right here in the UK. 

I’m told the natural, plant-based deodorant is made by a family-run company in a facility with fantastic green credentials.

I’ve asked for more details on where the factory location is but this unfortunately can’t be divulged. We’ll just have to take their word on it.  

Problems with Fussy deodorant

This Fussy review has been overwhelmingly positive so far. And rightly so. 

However, there are a couple of small issues that I’ve encountered along the way that it’s right for me to tell you about. 

My main ‘issue’ is that the base to the case is quite small. The case can stand up no problem but it’s a little bit precarious. Any sort of nudge and it’s falling over. This could be problematic if you keep it stood up on your bathroom shelf next other items. 

Most of the time, to be fair, my case is on its side or in my bag, so this isn’t a major problem for me. 

Initially, my deodorant fell out of the holder a couple of times. This was because I actually put the deodorant in without the compostable packaging! User error here, I hold my hands up. Fussy provide clear instructions within their packaging on how to assemble the deodorant.

This next one comes down to personal preference, but the scents are not overpoweringly strong. Don’t get me wrong, they are very pleasant and I really like them both, but if you like a really strong deodorant, this isn’t Fussy. That said, after a few weeks of using Fussy, you hopefully won’t need a really strong deodorant.  

My only other gripe is that some artificial fragrances are used when sourcing essential oil hasn’t been possible. Synthetic fragrances are sometimes used for limited edition scents, like Cloud Nine and Parma Violets. It’s not explicitly stated either way with Fussy, but synthetic fragrances often include phthalates.

For all their amazing hard work to create a truly sustainable brand, it would be great to see no synthetic fragrances used at all. 

Fussy vs Wild Deodorant 

I’ve now tried both of these sustainable, natural deodorants. You can read my full Wild deodorant review here.

So who comes out on top in Fussy vs Wild deodorant? 

It’s a close call to make. 

Both brands have very positive points and a couple of slight issues. 

Starting with the case, I prefer Fussy’s. It’s smaller, sleeker and nice to handle than the Wild case. I love all the rounded edges. This isn’t to say Wild’s is bad, just not quite as good in my opinion. But the Wild case has a much bigger and sturdier base to stand it up safely on the side or in your bathroom cabinet. 

The Fussy case is also made from one material whereas the Wild deodorant case is made from a mixture of aluminium and plastic, making it harder to recycle. 

Fussy deodorant has an easier mechanism to refill than Wild, which is a little bit more fiddly when it comes to pressing the buttons to take the central compartment out. 

As for the scents, of the ones I tested, Wild produces a stronger smelling deodorant. The sandalwood scent from Wild smells divine, I have to say. Fussy produces very nice smelling scents, which are just a bit subtler. 

Finally, I noticed that the Wild deodorant left white marks on a black t-shirt I was wearing. This was a little bit annoying. I haven’t had any issues with Fussy leaving white marks.   

Where can I buy Fussy deodorant?

Are you wondering where to get your hands on Fussy? Look no further!

The best place to buy this deodorant is directly from the Fussy online shop. 

For newbies, there’s a handy starter pack with 1 case and 1 refill for £15. You can buy the outer case and refills separately too.

When it’s time to get a refill, prices start from just £6. Seeing as this lasts for at least 4 weeks, and up to 8 weeks, it’s reasonable value for a natural deodorant. It works out around 9p a day. 

You have the option to buy Fussy as a one-off or go for a subscription. If you opt for the subscription, you’ll save 25%. With a subscription, you’ll get 3 refills every 3 months for just £15 each. You can skip, delay or cancel at any time with a simple email.

Fussy Deodorant Review: Final Word

Fussy? 

It’s a ten from Ben. 

I’m not going to lie, initially I was sceptical. I thought it wouldn’t suit me and it wouldn’t do the job for me in the gym. 

It just took a little time to get used to. When switching from a conventional aerosol or antiperspirant deodorant to a natural alternative like Fussy, you may need to allow 2-4 weeks for your body to adjust and detox from the aluminium that’s been quite literally blocking your sweat pores.

Once you’re through this phase though, it’s sustainable deodorant and fresh smelling armpits all the way. 

I hope this Fussy deodorant review has been helpful for you.

Fussy on Dragon’s Den?

Fussy on Dragon’s Den did you say?

Yes! You can watch the full episode with founders Eddie and Matt here. 

It’s a great watch and you really get a feel for this sustainable business. 

Spoiler Alert: Fussy received two offers in the Den from Peter Jones and Queen of Sustainability Deborah Meaden and struck a deal to get them both onboard – very impressive. Both Peter and Deborah are still involved in Fussy at the time of writing (May 2023).

Fussy FAQs

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If you liked that review, read some of my other eco reviews here…