The Ultimate Review of Paper Cosmetics Natural Deodorants
Getting to Know Paper Cosmetics
Paper Cosmetics was founded in 2018 by Daniel Alexander Roescheisen, an entrepreneur with a vision to reduce waste and consumption in the beauty industry. Based in Los Angeles, Paper Cosmetics‘ entire product line consists of natural deodorants focused on sustainability from ingredients to packaging.
As a brand, Paper Cosmetics donates 1% of profits annually to the Archangel Ancient Tree Archive, a nonprofit that works to propagate and preserve old-growth forests. Beyond monetary donations, Paper Cosmetics also brings awareness to Archangel‘s conservation efforts through various social media campaigns.
With over 6,200 Instagram followers and counting, Paper Cosmetics has built a community centered around eco-consciousness. They describe their mission as:
"We aim to sustain. It is the only way. Not only do we look after Mother Earth, we also only use ingredients that won’t harm you! We research, we search and we aim to create better. We believe in science, we are vegan, we don’t test on animals and we are conscious as human beings."
Now that we‘ve covered the ethos behind the brand, let‘s get into the specifics of these natural deodorants in this in-depth Paper Cosmetics review.
Paper Cosmetics Deodorant Pros & Cons
Pros of Paper Cosmetics Deodorants
- Vegan, cruelty-free formulas made with natural ingredients
- Free of aluminum, parabens, phthalates and baking soda
- Smooth roll-on application (no need to dip fingers into a jar)
- Sustainable, biodegradable paper packaging
- Long-lasting 24-48 hour odor protection
- Pleasant, subtle fragrances suitable for sensitive skin
- Generous return policy up to 15 days
- Option to bundle and save or subscribe & save
- Free shipping in US on orders $25+
Potential Cons to Consider
- On the pricier side at $14 per stick
- Limited to online ordering (no in-store availability)
- Small brand so fewer customer reviews available
- Contains essential oils which can irritate very sensitive skin
- Only available in the US and Canada currently
When it comes to safety and ingredient transparency, Paper Cosmetics checks all the right boxes. Their formulas skip common irritants like baking soda, aluminum, parabens, and phthalates. Instead, they use natural oils and butters like coconut oil, shea butter, and tapioca starch to absorb moisture.
I personally did not experience any skin irritation, but those with sensitivities may want to do a patch test first before applying all over. Essential oils can provoke irritation for some.
In testing, I was very impressed with the odor coverage. Only needing to apply once every 24-48 hours, the subtle but pleasant scents lasted all day through heat, activity, etc. The smooth roll-on application is quick drying too.
Compared to natural brands at the drugstore, Paper Cosmetics does cost more per stick. But when you account for the eco-friendly angle and ethical company practices, I think it evens out in value. Plus they offer ways to save through bundles and subscriptions.
Paper Cosmetics Best Selling Scents
Now let‘s get into the bestselling natural deodorant scents and formulas…
So Hot Right Now
With notes of smoky Ylang Ylang, Patchouli and Sandalwood, So Hot Right Now transports you right to a campfire under the stars. It‘s musky and sensual but not overpowering. The formula includes kaolin clay to absorb wetness and arrowroot powder to nourish skin.
Coastal Forest
This woodsy scent layers Italian Bergamot, Cypress and Cedarwood to emulate the essence of an evergreen forest. It‘s fresh yet earthy. The formula relies on magnesium hydroxide and baking soda-free cream of tartar to neutralize odor.
From Dusk Till Dawn
Capture a perfect summer night with this bright and zesty deodorant. Lemongrass, Italian Bergamot and verbena orange creates crisp citrus notes. It‘s sweet but not candy-like. The formula includes magnesium hydroxide as well as soothing calendula flower extract.
Bright Shiny Morning
Wake up to refreshing pink grapefruit and dewy greens. This happy, upbeat fragrance relies on essential oils of ruby red grapefruit, may chang and lime. The moisture-absorbing formula combines tapioca starch with nurturing mango seed butter.
Sensitive – Bare Naked
Perfect for those avoiding fragrance, this sensitive skin formula is free of any essential oils. With skin-calming coconut oil, nourishing shea butter and odor-eliminating magnesium hydroxide, it gets the job done without risks of irritation.
How Paper Cosmetics Compares to Similar Eco-Friendly Brands
Compared to other natural deodorant brands focused on sustainability like Myro, Schmidt‘s or Native, Paper Cosmetics is very competitively priced. Most other clean deodorants run $12-$18 per stick.
I would say Schmidt‘s has the most similar earthy scent profile to Paper Cosmetics. Both brands also rely heavily on absorbing ingredients like arrowroot and tapioca starch over antiperspirant aluminum salts. Schmidt‘s does include baking soda which can be problematic for some skin types.
Myro would be the next closest comparable as they include skin-nourishing ingredients like probiotics. Myro has a leg up when it comes to customizing your own scent though.
Ultimately what sets Paper Cosmetics apart is their activism mixed with ethics. From donations to ancient tree archives to plastic-free packaging, they align sustainability with product at every level.
Special Offers, Bundles & Subscriptions
If the upfront price per stick gives you pause, Paper Cosmetics offers several ways to save:
Create Your Own Bundle – Save 20% off by bundling 3 or 5 deodorants together
Subscribe & Save – Save 15% by signing up for regular monthly deliveries
Beyond bundles, keep an eye out for limited offers like 20-25% off sitewide sales and seasonal promotions around holidays. Signing up for the email newsletter may also unlock periodic discounts.
Where to Buy Paper Cosmetics
Paper Cosmetics is currently an online-only brand available through their own website PaperCosmetics.com as well as Amazon.
Down the road, I wouldn‘t be surprised if they expanded into boutique green beauty retailers like Credo or Detox Market. But for now, online is the only official avenue to purchase.
The Bottom Line
For those seeking an eco-friendly upgrade from conventional drugstore deodorants, Paper Cosmetics delivers on quality, sustainability and ethics. While the sticker price induces some upfront sticker shock, know that clinical-strength odor protection, skin-nourishing ingredients and activism efforts come included in each biodegradable stick.
