I never thought I’d be devoting short of a thousand keystrokes to deodorant. A brand new night serum, sure. Stay-all-day mascaras, absolutely. But deodorant isn’t exactly the sexy end of my beauty desk.

As a beauty editor, my loyalty to any product is scarce — let alone the humble deodorant. My bathroom has been a rotating carousel of Dove, Sure, and natural sticks from emerging brands. I’d like to say I’ve tried enough deodorants not to be impressed by a new launch. And yet here we are.

L’Occitane is a brand better known for fancy hand creams and dreamy almond shower oil than the mundane business of sweat management. Still, the notion of a refillable deodorant with a French citrus scent is promising.

Why stick deodorants are having a moment

I should pause here to admit that L’Occitane’s new stick isn’t happening in a vacuum. Stick deodorants are, somewhat unexpectedly, having a cultural moment.

Back in 2020, more than a third of UK consumers were interested in natural deodorants and plastic-free packaging – a sentiment that’s only grown stronger in recent years as sustainability has become a non-negotiable for many of us.

Today, it’s all about solid and refillable deodorant formats. Not only are shoppers more eco-conscious, they also want their deodorant to have the same aesthetic appeal of other products on the beauty shelf.

TikTok hasn’t hurt the trend, either; hashtags like #naturaldeodorant continue to clock up hundreds of thousands of views. Brands like Wild, AKT, and Salt & Stone have led the charge with stylish sticks and bold sustainability claims.

But L’Occitane entering this space feels meaningful. A heritage brand, adored by fans who’d sooner give up coffee than their almond shower oil, now turning its attention to a category people once barely thought twice about.

So, what are the new stick deodorants all about?

Earlier this July, L’Occitane launched three new deodorants, each made with 95% natural-origin ingredients, with two available in a refillable format.

There’s Cédrat, the bright citrus number I’ve been testing, with sharp lemony notes that somehow feel more Provence orchard than cleaning spray.

Then there’s Cèdre Encens, previously known as Eau des Baux, which blends smoky woods and cypress oil into a warm, woody fragrance.

And finally, Lavande Poivre Noir – once L’Occitan – which brings lavender together with black pepper and nutmeg for a subtle, spicy twist, though in a slightly smaller 50ml size.

You can buy the new trio here.

All of these promise that elusive goal of natural deodorants: staying fresh without aluminium, alcohol, or white marks, and doing it with packaging designed to look chic on your bathroom shelf.

According to L’Occitane, the formula offers 48-hour odour protection, while being gentle enough for sensitive skin.

Plus, the refillable packaging is crafted from recycled and recyclable materials, which into the brand’s wider sustainability commitments under their “Reduce, Recycle, React” programme.

Love at first sniff

I have been using the Cédrat, arguably the most summery of the trio. The scent is bright but sophisticated – a slight bitterness of fresh lemon peel and a touch of woodiness underneath.

It’s definitely more refined than your average sports deodorant that screams gym locker room (but subtle enough not to compete with your perfume).

Texture-wise, I was bracing for the typical natural deodorant pitfalls: gritty texture, oily film, or that weird tugging sensation when the stick refuses to glide. And luckily, none of that happened.

The L’Occitane stick goes on smooth as butter, with no drag, crumbling, or chalky residue. It dries quickly, so I’m not doing that awkward arms-akimbo dance waiting for it to set before getting dressed.

Now, a crucial caveat: it’s a deodorant, not an antiperspirant. Meaning, it won’t stop you sweating. However, it does keep you smelling fresh – which is half the battle.

Another noteworthy aspect is the packaging. The stick comes in a sturdy, recycled plastic tube that feels durable and sleek. The refill system is mercifully simple: pop out the empty cartridge, pop in a new one, done.

Are L’Occitane stick deodorants worth the price?

At £19 for the initial stick and £17 for refills, it’s definitely a step up from your average drugstore buy. If you’re purely after function and don’t care what your underarms smell like, you’ll find cheaper options.

But if you’re someone who wants even the mundane aspects of your morning routine to feel pleasurable and polished, this is absolutely worth considering.

Personally, I do sweat the small stuff. So, for me, it’s the twisting up the stick, catching that hit of lemony freshness, and knowing I won’t be marinating in body odour by 3pm that do it.

I’m not ready to declare it my forever deodorant (I remain beauty-editor skeptical), but I’ll say this: it’s the first one in ages that makes me look forward to the least glamorous part of my morning routine. And in a category as fundamentally unsexy as deodorant, that’s no small achievement.