Think rose, frankincense, patchouli, lime, sandalwood, and even salty margarita. Let’s talk deodorants that smell like perfume.

Deodorant is not usually a product I talk about like perfume. I want to know how well it works. Does it absorb moisture? Does it neutralise odour? And, of course, is it toxin-free? But sometimes, when I’m trialling products, I discover natural deodorants that smell so good they could double as perfume.

Most recently, this discovery happened in the least glamorous way. I was packing orders in my warehouse over summer while testing deodorants in front of the fan to cool myself down. Some smelled so beautiful that I found myself wearing them on my wrists, neck, chest and behind my knees, not just under my arms.

It makes sense when you look at the ingredient lists. Rose otto and frankincense. Patchouli and geranium. Citrus and mint. Sandalwood and cedarwood. These are the kinds of botanical notes you’d expect to find in natural perfume, only here they are sitting inside deodorant.

Here are seven I’d wear well beyond the underarm.

1. Fresca Valley Rose Roll-On

What really makes this deodorant special is the use of pure Bulgarian Rose Otto, which gives it a noticeable, luxurious scent that lingers beautifully. It has a very classic, nostalgic rose note that is elegant, feminine and very romantic, but it’s balanced by grapefruit peel, lime, tangerine and mandarin, which give it a modern twist. Add to that neroli, verbena, chamomile and geranium, which bring depth and complexity. The formula itself is a quick-drying gel roll-on made with aerated salts to help absorb moisture, plus an extra-large roller ball for smooth, generous coverage. It’s heaven in a bottle.

2. Noosa Basics Rose & Frankincense Spray

This one takes me straight back to my pre toxin-free beauty counter days, when I loved the original Agent Provocateur fragrance. It has a similar scent, a bit like musk lollies. This one is, of course, completely natural, made with rose geranium, frankincense, peppermint and sage essential oils in a base of witch hazel, lactobacillus ferment and magnesium chloride to help keep underarm odour in check. It comes in a metal spray bottle, and I love that it’s made in small batches in Noosa.

3. Black Chicken Remedies Axilla Deodorant Spray

If you love the original Black Chicken Remedies Axilla but prefer a spray deodorant over a paste, you’re going to love this. It has that same unisex, family friendly citrusy-peppermint scent, with lavender water, magnesium chloride and witch hazel to manage moisture and odour. It comes in a glass bottle with handy refill pouches.

4. A Bit Hippy Patchouli Roll-On

It’s everything you would expect from a brand called A Bit Hippy, a free-spirited blend of patchouli, rosewood, geranium, bergamot and frankincense with outdoor music festival vibes, circa 1970s. The base is bicarb-free, with magnesium hydroxide, witch hazel and hops extract doing the odour-neutralising work, so it still feels gentle on sensitive underarms. This is Coachella in a roll-on.

5. Lavera Natural & Refresh Spray

Fresh lime, verbena and sea salt give this a margarita-mocktail-by-the-pool inspired scent. The lime is bright and citrusy, while verbena adds a clean herbal note. The base is made with sea salt, witch hazel and green tea. It’s certified natural and comes in a glass spray bottle. Perfect for long summer days.

6. Weleda Wild Rose Spray

Wild Damask rose and ylang-ylang give this a delicate floral scent that smells fresh and subtle. This one won’t clash with your perfume, and layers beautifully with rose-based natural perfumes. It’s made in a base of organic grain alcohol and water, so it feels refreshing on the skin and dries almost instantly. It’s also certified natural and comes in a very pretty glass spray bottle.

7. Vanessa Megan Wild Sage & Sandalwood Roll-On

Vanessa Megan is the queen of natural perfumes, so of course her deodorants smell amazing. The Wild Sage & Sandalwood is my favourite. It’s made with a blend of wild sage and sandalwood, with palo santo, eucalyptus and vetiver, giving it a warm, woody, unisex scent with the most beautiful natural perfume aroma, the kind that makes strangers ask, “What are you wearing?”