The Great Deodorant Detox: My Battle of the Pits (Wild vs. Fussy)

Good news! Alternative deodorants that don't contain harmful chemicals are finally becoming normal parts of supermarket shelves. That means you don't have to pay extra postage and packaging when you're umming and ahhing about trying a new product.

After my Christmas epiphany of starting my Couch to 5K journey (let’s talk about that later....), I realised: what’s the point of spending all that effort on your nutrition if you’re going to introduce chemicals to your body through other means? The things we cook with, the things we use, and the products we wear all make a big difference to health.

The Science: Why ditch the Aluminium?

You may have seen social media talking about aluminium in deodorants and antiperspirants and wondered, "Well, why is that an issue?"

Traditional antiperspirants work by using aluminium salts to physically block your sweat ducts. It stops the moisture from reaching the surface of your skin. While effective, it interferes with your body's natural processes. Natural deodorants, on the other hand, allow your body to sweat (which is a necessary cooling function) but use plant-based powders and oils to neutralize the smell-causing bacteria.

Round One: Wild

I arrived at Boots looking for Fussy, but there was no Fussy to be seen! But there was Wild, who is a fierce competitor in terms of advertising and media presence.

Wild uses a base of tapioca starch to absorb moisture and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to kill odour-causing bacteria. It’s a simple chemical reaction: the baking soda creates an alkaline environment where the bacteria that make you "stinky" struggle to survive. I opted for the bee-themed case (they have great links to designers!) with the honey scent—and yes, it is still vegan!

The Verdict on Wild:

I won’t lie to you, or myself: I stink.

I hate it. I hate being self-conscious of my own body. Even when I shower with a loofah to scrub my armpits (which I didn't feel the need to before) and shave regularly, I can still smell it. I don't know if it's the mix of BO and their scent, but I've tested it on runs and at Center Parcs, and I am not enjoying it.

It also doesn't feel nice to put on; it has a thick, waxy texture that reminds me of when I tried Tropic years ago. Tropic worked for the smell, but the thick formula led to a £9 prescription for antibiotics for an infected follicle. I’m terrified that’s happening again with the "thick" feel of Wild.

Round Two: Fussy

Now it’s Fussy’s turn. I finally tracked one down in Sainsbury’s for £14. Wild makes you buy the outer metal and refills separately (which seems like a deal because of the cheaper individual prices), but Fussy comes with your first one already fitted.

The Science of Fussy:

Fussy contains a special ingredient called Lactobacillus. This is a probiotic (a "good" bacteria). Instead of just trying to kill all bacteria with baking soda, Fussy adds "good guys" to your armpit to crowd out the "bad guys" that cause the smell.

Now, Fussy claims to be the highest-rated deodorant in the UK (they are currently the top-rated natural deodorant on Trustpilot!). That sounds like a very bold claim for a natural deodorant, so I look forward to giving it a try and letting you know if it actually lives up to the hype.

Wild vs. Fussy: The Comparison

Feature	Wild	Fussy
Active Ingredient	Baking Soda (High pH)	Probiotics (Lactobacillus)
Texture	Thick and waxy	Smooth and creamy
Design Aesthetic	Designer prints (like the Bees)	Basic, minimalist matte colours
Purchase Method	Case and refill sold separately	Case comes with first refill fitted
Availability	Boots	Sainsbury's / Online

Why these are better for you

Both of these brands are better for your skin than traditional sprays because they lack synthetic fragrances, parabens, and aluminium. They use ingredients like coconut oil and shea butter—stuff you’d almost feel comfortable having in your pantry alongside your frozen peppers and mushrooms! By removing the aluminium "cork," your skin is finally allowed to breathe and function as nature intended.

I’m moving on to my Fussy trial now to see if the probiotic approach stops the "stink" that Wild couldn't handle. Wish me luck!