bodi is natural deodorant made in New Zealand. Aluminium-free, bicarb-free, in perfume-inspired scents, with a case you buy once and paper refills you compost at home. Three actives work on odour instead of one, so it is built to still be working at 3pm. There is no baking soda in any scent, so the usual cause of the rash is gone before you start.
What's in the range
Four things, and they all run on the same formula.
- The Starter Kit. One case, three refills in the scents you choose, and the case is included. Refills arrive quarterly at 35% off. Skip, pause or cancel from your account.
- Refills. Paper, home compostable, and they click into the case in about ten seconds.
- The Case. Soft-touch recycled plastic with two side buttons to release the refill. Built to outlast the rest of your bathroom.
- Minis and the paper tube. Three pocket-sized minis to find your scent, or a plastic-free tube you can compost whole.
Why it works when others quit at 3pm
Odour is several compounds, not one, so a single active can't handle all of it. bodi runs triple-action odour control: magnesium hydroxide, triethyl citrate and zinc ricinoleate, each dealing with a different part of the job. Tapioca starch soaks up surface moisture so you feel drier. Shea butter, fractionated coconut oil and a fatty alcohol (the softening kind, not the drying kind) look after the skin underneath. The actives are included at clinically tested levels.
Bicarb-free in every scent, not as the sensitive version
Baking soda sits at about pH 8 to 9. Your skin sits at about pH 5. Rub one into the other every morning and you get the red, itchy underarms that make most people give up on natural deodorant. We left bicarb out of the core formula from day one, so there is no separate gentle range and no sensitive tax.
Scents you'd choose, not settle for
Six skin-safe, perfume-inspired scents plus Unscented: Bloom, Coast, Merino, Amber, Spritz and Sandbar. Each one is a place and a time of day rather than a list of essential oils. Not eucalyptus, and not nothing either.
What we don't claim
bodi is a deodorant, not an antiperspirant. It will not stop you sweating and we will never say it does. It neutralises odour, absorbs some moisture and stays out of your way. The active base is 100% natural. Some scents use safe, tested synthetic fragrance so they can smell like perfume rather than a remedy, and we would rather tell you that than imply the whole thing is essential oils.
Made here, by two people
Formulated and made in Aotearoa New Zealand by Fiona and Ross, 39 batches in. Shipping is $5.50 anywhere in NZ and free over $100. If you're not sure where to start, the honest guide to natural deodorant in NZ covers the five things worth checking, including when something else might suit you better.
Choose the best for your bodi.
Supermarket antiperspirants block your pores. Most natural deodorants tap out by lunch. bodi turned up to do everything they couldn't.
Refillable · Aluminium-free · Made in Aotearoa
| Feature | bodi | Supermarket antiperspirant | Other natural deodorants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium-free | |||
| 0% baking soda | |||
| Three odour actives, not one | |||
| Refillable: one case for life | |||
| Home compostable refills | |||
| Vegan & cruelty-free | |||
| Made in Aotearoa |
One case, three scents, refills on repeat.
Natural deodorant questions, answered
Still curious? Read the full FAQ or get in touch. We reply fast.
Is natural deodorant as good as an antiperspirant?
They do different jobs. An antiperspirant uses aluminium salts to reduce how much sweat reaches the surface. A deodorant leaves your sweat alone and works on the odour instead. bodi neutralises odour with three actives and absorbs some surface moisture, so you feel drier, but you will still sweat. That is the trade for going aluminium-free.
Does bodi contain baking soda?
No, not in any scent. Magnesium hydroxide handles odour in a comparable way to baking soda without pushing your skin's pH up, which is what causes the rash. There is no separate sensitive version, because the normal one is the gentle one.
Which scent should I start with?
The minis are three small ones, so you can wear each for a few days and let your skin decide. Merino sits quietly under most perfumes. Coast and Spritz are bright and citrusy. Bloom is a proper floral. Amber is green and woody. Sandbar is coconut and warm sand. Unscented is for people who already wear a signature fragrance.
How long does one refill last?
Around a month to six weeks with daily use, depending on how much you apply. Three refills a quarter keeps you ahead of running out, and you can skip a delivery from your account if you're not there yet.
Is bodi made in New Zealand?
Yes. Formulated and made in Aotearoa by Fiona and Ross, and sent from here. Shipping is $5.50 anywhere in New Zealand and free on orders over $100. Australia is $20, free over $120.
What happens when I switch from an antiperspirant?
Your sweating goes back to normal, which for a week or two can feel like more than normal, and the bacteria on your skin settle into a new balance. Some people notice a stronger smell for a few days, some notice nothing. Give it a fortnight, apply to clean, dry skin each morning, and don't judge it on day three. It isn't a purge of anything. Your old deodorant wasn't poisoning you.
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