Natural deodorant comes in two main formats: the classic stick and the paste in a jar. Most brands only make one, then argue theirs is the right answer. We make both, so we can give you the actual answer: it depends on you, and here's how to tell.
One thing that doesn't change between them: the formula philosophy. Whether you pick a Pretty Frank stick or jar, you're getting odor control from organic ingredients — no aluminum, no parabens, no synthetic fragrance, no petroleum — in a base of organic coconut oil and organic shea butter, with organic arrowroot powder to absorb moisture. Both formats also come in both formula families: extra-strength baking soda or gentle baking soda-free.
The Case for the Stick
The stick is the format your hands already know. Twist, swipe, done.
It's fast. Two to three swipes per underarm and you're out the door. No learning curve, no fingers involved.
It travels well. A solid stick is spill-proof in a gym bag, and TSA treats solid stick deodorant as a solid — no liquids-bag paperwork on a carry-on. (Pastes are treated differently. More on that below.)
It's the easier handoff from conventional deodorant. If you're switching from a drugstore antiperspirant, the stick keeps your routine identical while the formula changes underneath. That's one less new thing during the adjustment period.
Our sticks — with baking soda and baking soda-free — carry the biggest scent lineup: Orange Vanilla, Coconut Lime, Charcoal Seaside, Jasmine, and Unscented.
The Case for the Jar
The paste jar is the format people don't expect to love, and then do.
You control the dose precisely. A pea-sized amount, warmed between your fingertips and pressed into the underarm, goes exactly where you want in exactly the amount you want. No over-application, which is the most common cause of residue on clothes.
Nothing is wasted. A stick leaves a stub in the mechanism. A jar scrapes clean to the bottom.
Less packaging complexity. A jar is a simple, 100% recyclable container — no plastic twist mechanism. If minimal packaging matters to you, the jar is the purist's pick.
It feels like skincare. You're pressing a coconut oil and shea butter balm into your skin. Plenty of jar loyalists treat it as the little ritual that starts the day.
Our jars come with baking soda — including an Extra Strength Unscented — and baking soda-free, in scents like Lavender, Patchouli, and Unscented Charcoal.
Side by Side
| Stick | Paste jar | |
|---|---|---|
| Application | Twist and swipe | Pea-sized amount, applied by hand |
| Speed | Fastest | A few seconds slower |
| Dose control | Good | Precise |
| Product waste | Small stub remains | Scrapes clean |
| Carry-on flights | Solid — no liquids bag needed | Counts toward the TSA liquids rule |
| Scents | Orange Vanilla, Coconut Lime, Charcoal Seaside, Jasmine, Unscented | Lavender, Patchouli, Unscented, Extra Strength Unscented, Unscented Charcoal |
| Formulas | Baking soda or baking soda-free | Baking soda or baking soda-free |
How to Apply Deodorant Paste (the Right Way)
The jar has a thirty-second learning curve. Here it is, so you only have to learn it once.
- Start small. Scoop a pea-sized amount with a clean fingertip. You can add more; you can't un-apply.
- Warm it. Rub it briefly between your fingertips. The coconut oil and shea butter base softens with body heat and spreads like a balm.
- Press and smooth. Apply to a clean, dry underarm and smooth until it disappears. You want a thin, even layer — not frosting.
- Let it settle. Give it a minute before dressing.
One note for jar users: natural formulas respond to temperature. In a hot bathroom or an August car, paste softens. In a cold winter house, it firms up. Neither hurts the formula. Warm firm paste with your fingertips; store the jar somewhere cool if your bathroom runs hot.
How to Apply a Natural Deodorant Stick
Sticks are simpler, but two habits improve any natural stick.
Warm the surface for a second against your skin before swiping — natural waxes and butters glide better with a touch of body heat. Then two to three swipes per side, on clean, dry skin. That's the full dose. More just ends up on your shirt.
Which Should You Pick?
Pick the stick if you want zero learning curve, you're fresh off conventional deodorant, you fly carry-on a lot, or you want the widest scent selection.
Pick the jar if you want precise control, zero wasted product, minimal packaging, or you've had residue problems with sticks in the past.
Can't decide? Start with the stick for convenience, and add a jar later if you get curious. Or grab a $5.99 travel mini first — it's the lowest-stakes way to meet the formula before committing to a full size.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is deodorant paste better than a stick?
Neither is better. In our line they share the same formula philosophy and the same odor-fighting ingredients. The stick wins on speed and travel; the jar wins on dose control and zero waste. It's a format preference, not a performance gap.
Is applying deodorant with your fingers sanitary?
Yes, with clean hands — the same standard as applying any skincare balm or moisturizer. Scoop with a clean, dry fingertip and close the lid after use.
Does paste deodorant stain clothes?
Applied correctly — a thin, warmed, fully smoothed layer — it shouldn't. Most residue complaints with any natural deodorant come from over-application. The jar actually makes over-application harder, because you measure the dose yourself.
Can I take deodorant paste on a plane?
In a carry-on, paste counts toward the TSA liquids rule, so it needs to be 3.4 oz or under and go in your liquids bag — our jars qualify. Solid sticks skip the liquids bag entirely.
Do the stick and jar formulas last equally long on skin?
Yes. Odor control comes from the ingredients — baking soda, or zinc and magnesium hydroxide — not the container. Pick your formula strength first, then pick your format.
The Frank Bottom Line
Format is personal. Formula is what matters. Decide between baking soda and baking soda-free based on your skin, then pick the container that fits your life: stick for speed and travel, jar for precision and zero waste. Same promise either way: no aluminum, no parabens, no synthetic fragrance, no B.S.
