Fussy Review: Natural Deodorant That Actually Works
This is an honest review of Fussy’s natural, refillable deodorant
This blog post contains affiliate links and has been sponsored by Fussy.
I decided to review Fussy because finding a natural deodorant that doesn’t leave a rash has been a challenge in my house.
My partner is also fed up with the white stains his current eco-friendly deodorant leaves on his black work t-shirts every day.
Needless to say, when Fussy suggested testing their refillable deodorant, we were well up for it.
Anything to stop him from going back to toxic aerosols.
We opted for a black case because my partner is the fussiest one when it comes to deodorant (pun intended) so he can carry on getting refills if he’s happy with it (while I finish off his rejects to avoid waste).
If you want a more cheerful colour, there are currently six cases to choose from (my personal favourite has to be their burnt orange case).
As always, I checked out Fussy’s ingredients and credentials before I started the review (as I was surprised to learn that some other eco-deodorants use petroleum derivatives and palm oil).
In this Fussy review, I’m going to test how effective the deodorant is, look into the ingredients, and reveal how sustainable Fussy actually is.
P.S. If you fancy a try, use SUSTAINABLYLAZY15 for 15% off your first order at Fussy.
COMING UP
SHORT SUMMARY
How sustainable is Fussy?
What is Fussy’s packaging made from?
Deodorant vs antiperspirant
What ingredients are in Fussy deodorant?
What are the fragrances?
How much does Fussy deodorant cost?
REVIEW - my personal experience
Conclusion - pros and cons
1. Quick Summary
I know some of you don’t have the time to read my full reviews, so here’s a short summary of Fussy deodorant. For a more in-depth review, scroll to the end of this blog post.
How to order fussy deodorant
Fussy is one of the cheaper natural deodorants on the market working out at £5 per refill when you subscribe and save (they come in packs of three to reduce postage and packaging).
Step 1 Choose your case
The current options are ocean blue, burnt orange, midnight, blush, mint green, and lilac.
Step 2. Choose your scents
Check out section 6 for a list of fragrance options
Step 3: Receive 3 refills every 3 months
You can adjust or cancel anytime
For more information about subscribing and a cost breakdown, check out section 7.
*USE SUSTAINABLYLAZY15 for 15% OFF
2. Is fussy deodorant sustainable?
As part of my Fussy deodorant review, I decided to see if their product had a positive environmental impact.
Yes, Fussy is a sustainable brand for the following reasons:
The deodorants are refillable, meaning there is no single-use plastic waste
Refill cartridges are home-compostable and plastic-free.
The products are made in the UK by a family-run company
It is certified cruelty-free (leaping bunny) and is also vegan
It is also certified carbon-neutral
There is no palm oil in Fussy deodorant
Fussy is a B-Corporation which means it meets a high standard of social and environmental criteria
It is also a member of 1% For The Planet, donating 1% of total sales to support environmental causes
Manufacturing and carbon footprint
As we’re in the midst of a climate crisis, it’s vital that companies reduce their carbon footprint and that includes small businesses like Fussy.
Fussy is off to a great start because it produces 81% fewer carbon emissions than mainstream single-use plastic deodorants.
Fussy says:
“We’ve worked hard to reduce carbon emissions across our supply chain and find partner companies that adhere to our Fussy values. From using solar power and water to living gardens on factory roofs, all of our partners run sustainable practices.”
Fussy manufactures its products in the UK and claims the family-run factory has green credentials. They try to source all ingredients as locally as possible, but certain ingredients come from abroad (like essential oils).
Any carbon emissions they cannot eliminate are offset with Climate Partner by supporting green energy projects around the world. This makes them carbon-neutral.
3. What is Fussy’s packaging made from?
In this part of the review, I’m going to look at the materials Fussy use in their products and packaging.
Fussy deodorant is made from two parts, an outer case that you keep forever, and a refill that you can take out and change when it runs out. It arrives in a cardboard box sealed with eco-friendly tape.
The outer case
Fussy’s outer case is made from 50% recycled plastic and while its been designed for reuse, it can be recycled at the end of its life. Mixing other materials together would make it hard to recycle if it ever gets damaged.
Fussy said their goal is to make it from 100% recycled plastic when possible.
If, for some reason, you buy Fussy and decide it’s not for you, I’d recommend selling the case instead of recycling it though. People will happily buy eco-friendly products second-hand.
The refills
Fussy refills are packaged in a small compostable container made from waste sugar cane pulp. If you have a home compost, you can pop it in there when your refills run out, making it completely zero waste.
4. Deodorant vs antiperspirant
Fussy is a natural deodorant, which works in a different way from an antiperspirant. If you’re new to the world of natural deodorant, then be sure to read this section of my review or you might get a bit of a shock.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ANTIPERSPIRANT AND DEODORANT?
Antiperspirants block your sweat ducts with aluminium to stop you from sweating.
Deodorants use plant-based and mineral ingredients to absorb and remove bad odours.
People generally use the word “deodorant” to describe any product you rub on your armpits, but if it contains Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex GLY, it’s actually an antiperspirant.
Is there an adjustment phase when switching to natural deodorant?
My partner and I did not have this experience, but I don’t like to review a deodorant without giving you all the information you might need.
Some people find their body has a transition phase when they stop using aluminium-based products and switch to natural deodorant.
It may appear the deodorant isn’t working for the first few weeks, but what’s happening is your pores are used to being clogged with aluminium and your body now needs to rebalance its natural sweat production.
If you do experience an adjustment phase, there are a few things you can do to help detox your armpits and minimise body odour:
Detox tips:
Choose a convenient time to make the swap.
Remove dead skin from your armpits every day using a gentle exfoliating sponge or brush.
Use a mild exfoliating scrub once or twice a week.
If your armpits start to smell, wash the sweat off with some soap and reapply your natural deodorant.
If you are finding the smell is particularly bad, you may want to apply some bicarbonate of soda but if you notice any redness or discomfort you should top this immediately as some people are sensitive to baking powder.
As I said, I never had any transition phase when I changed to natural deodorant several years ago, and neither did my partner when he made the swap a few years later.
5. What Ingredients are in Fussy Deodorant?
As you can see, the ingredients in Fussy deodorant are all natural:
sunflower wax, coconut oil, shea butter, caprylic, tapioca, sodium bicarbonate, magnesium hydroxide and a probiotic called Lactobacillus.
The probiotic (good bacteria) is what makes Fussy deodorant different. They say it “eats sweat molecules for breakfast!”
Sodium bicarbonate (aka baking powder or bicarbonate of soda) is what neutralises bad bacteria and prevents bad body odour.
Some people’s skin doesn’t like bicarb and they can come out in a red rash. This is where the sensitive range comes in.
Sensitive skin range
The deodorant I’m reviewing today is not part of Fussy’s sensitive range, but I wanted to mention it because bicarb rashes can be a problem with natural deodorants.
I have extremely sensitive skin, and my partner does not, yet it is he who gets a rash from some deodorants.
If you’ve had red or itchy armpits after using a natural deodorant, then opt for Fussy’s sensitive range which has swapped sodium bicarbonate for arrowroot and an ingredient called Glyeryl Caprylate.
Glyeryl Caprylate is from coconut oil and has natural anti-microbial properties to help neutralise the bacteria in your armpits.
Controversial ingredients
Fussy does not contain any palm oil, parabens, petroleum, triclosan, PEG, or aluminium.
6. What are the Fragrances?
Fussy deodorant offers a range of different scents so you should be able to find something for you.
Wavy Days - Peppermint, eucalyptus, sage
Wide-Eyed - Mandarin Peel, Grapefruit, Black Pepper
Cloud Nine - Fresh Cotton + Sandalwood + Vetiver
Sun Drunk - Vanilla, Ylang Ylang, Star Anise
Night Tales - Cedar, Cinnamon, Rose
Forest Haze - Scotch Pine, Silver Fir, Juniper
Tropic Tonic - Lime + Mandarin + Marjoram
Bare All - Unscented
What types of fragrances are used in Fussy deodorant?
The majority of Fussy’s perfumes are natural fragrances made from an essential oil blend.
The exception is the Cloud 9 fragrance which contains some artificial fragrance due to sustainability issues with the production of sandalwood essential oil.
If, like me, you avoid synthetic fragrances, then just choose one of the other options. Fussy’s customer services are good, so you can always email them if you have a sensitivity or want more information.
Does Fussy offer fragrance-free deodorant?
Yes, Fussy offers an unscented deodorant. The Bare All deodorant refill is unscented.
7. How much does fussy deodorant cost?
Getting Fussy deodorant on a subscription can save you money - 25% to be exact.
Once you’ve bought the case and opted for a subscription, Fussy works out at £5 per refill which is one of the cheapest options on the market for natural deodorant and lasts us just over a month.
One-off purchase cost
If you don’t want to commit, that’s fine!
You can choose a one-off purchase which includes a case and two refills for £20.
Subscription cost
You can get a flexible subscription with Fussy called “subscribe and save.”
It starts at £12 which includes one case and one refill. After that, you’ll get three refills at a time for £15.
This should last approximately three months and cuts down on postage and packaging which is more sustainable and better for the environment.
A breakdown of the subscription plan:
Pay £12 (with free delivery) for 1x case and 1x refill
One month after ordering, you’ll receive 3 refills in the post (plus £1 delivery fee), which is a three-month supply
Refills will automatically get posted to you every three months, but you can log in to your account and make this longer or shorter if necessary.
You can go online and cancel or edit your subscription at any time.
8. Fussy deodorant review
Is Fussy deodorant good?
Yes, I am pleased with Fussy deodorant. The last natural deodorant I used was quite rough against my skin, but this glides on really smooth. The case is shaped like a pebble and is quite ergonomic. The updated case has a flat bit on the bottom so it can stand upright.
I don’t stink by the end of the day which is perfect. My partner is also happy to report that he has no body odour at the end of the day, although the fragrance is no longer apparent. He does still sweat (which is expected as this isn’t an antiperspirant) but not too much.
How’s the scent?
My partner and I both like fruity scents, so we are reviewing Fussy’s Tropic Tonic which is Lime, Basil and Mandarin. When I sniff the deodorant itself, it smells lovely and is pretty strong!
Essential oil fragrances don’t tend to last as long as artificial ones, but as the fragrance fades, it isn’t replaced with a bad smell so all is good. I’d much rather have no fragrance than be rubbing phthalates on my body.
Ease of inserting the refill
I have poor fine motor skills and I really struggle with refillable cases. My partner has had to insert deodorant refills for me with different brands. Therefore I was delighted to discover I can change Fussy refills all by myself!
You simply take off the lid, and when you squeeze two buttons on the sides the top pops off leaving a space for the refill cartridge.
Does Fussy deodorant leave white stains?
I have good news! Fussy deodorant hasn’t left white marks on our clothes. This is ideal for my partner who wears black clothes to work.
Is Fussy good for sensitive skin?
My partner has had rashes from the bicarbonate in some natural deodorants, but so far he has had no issues with Fussy’s normal range. If so, I’ll update this and get him to swap to the ‘sensitive range.’
I’ve never had an issue with rashes, but sometimes essential oils make my skin itch. Thankfully this hasn’t happened with Fussy.
If you’re worried about skin sensitivity or have a skin condition, you can choose Fussy’s ‘sensitive’ Bare All deodorant refill which is bicarb and perfume free.
9. Conclusion - Do I recommend Fussy?
What I like
Fussy is definitely one of my favourite natural deodorants (and I’ve tried a lot over the last seven years).
I much prefer smooth balms so a refillable case is perfect for me. The case is easy to use and feels strong and sturdy.
The ingredients are great! I love that they offer sensitive and fragrance-free options, too.
My partner is pleased that he’s finally found a deodorant that doesn’t irritate his skin or leave white marks on his clothes.
What could be improved?
The main downside is that their case is only 50% recycled plastic but at least it is reusable so only needs to be bought once.
I’d also like to see more information about individual ingredients sourcing. Including obtaining Fairtrade ingredients when possible. Clearer fragrance details would be good so people know if their fragrance is natural or artificial without having to do research.
As Fussy is a small company that is less than three years old, they’re off to a brilliant start. They clearly have strong environmental values so I have no doubt they will keep improving as they grow.
If you’d like to give Fussy deodorant a go, use my code SUSTAINABLYLAZY15 to get 15% off your first order.
Have you tried natural deodorant yet?