As hotter summers become the norm, finding a deodorant that’s natural, gentle on skin and actually effective feels harder than ever. Premium deodorant brand AKT London claims to offer all three – so I put its natural deodorant balms to the test.

Pros:
+ Made with natural products, which are more gentle on the skin
+ All packaging is fully recyclable

Cons:
– The headline price is a little high
– Difficult to squeeze effectively without the Assistant tool

What’s different about AKT? 

We’ve probably all spent years spraying, rolling and smearing deodorant and antiperspirant under our arms and on our bodies without a second thought. More recently, there’s been a move towards more sustainable options that place a greater emphasis on naturally derived ingredients.

AKT was developed by West End performers Ed Currie and Andy Coxon. Unlike traditional deodorants, it comes as a balm in a squeezable tube. 

The idea was to create something that’s effective in the toughest of conditions – like under the hot lights of a theatre, for example – and lasts for hours without creating unsightly stains on clothes with repeated use. 

After three years of development, AKT was officially launched in the UK in 2020. The aluminium-free formula is a concentrated balm, so you only need a small amount to stay fresh and protected. It massages easily into the skin and, because it’s so gentle, can be applied wherever you feel it’s needed most.

Is AKT London natural deodorant actually any good?

The short answer is yes. I tested AKT for several weeks, from the chilly days of April into the heatwave of May, and I can tell you first hand that it is extremely effective. I must admit that I do find myself using a little more than the pea-sized amount suggested, but I guess old habits die hard. 

What I really like is that the balm doesn’t feel in any way sticky or heavy on the skin. Once it’s rubbed in, you aren’t aware of it at all, other than the gentle fragrance that remains evident. 

The one thing I would recommend is The Assistant. This small, key-shaped tool makes getting every last drop from your tube so much easier, as it winds down and squeezes it out with ease. It can also be used to pierce the aluminium tubes to open them. AKT wants to create as little plastic waste as possible, so rather than having a plastic cap that can pierce the tubes, they opted for a recyclable aluminium cap which can’t do that. You can, of course, use a pen or something similar instead, but The Assistant just makes things much easier. 

What’s the choice of scents like? 

There are five genderless fragrances of the natural deodorant available, some with floral scents, some with citrus and some more woody, to suit various tastes and preferences. If you aren’t sure which you’d prefer, a discovery box is available, containing 5ml sample sizes of all five for you to try. 

The mint, pomelo and tomato vine of SC.04 give menthol notes, mixed with warm, herby tones, while the petitgrain, mandarin and neroli of SC.01 have summery citrus tones. My personal favourite is SC.05, which combines violet, tonka and amber for a more floral fragrance with a hint of musk. 

If you prefer your natural deodorant without a scent, or suffer from very sensitive skin, then SC.00 is the one for you. Unfragranced and suitable for sensitive skin, it will keep you fresh without irritation.

Are there other products in the range? 

Alongside the deodorant balms, AKT also has an Everyday Encore Body Oil and Foaming Body Scrub. The brand has recently released these in the SC.05 Columbia Road (violet, tonka and amber) fragrance, which I particularly love. You only really need to use the foaming body scrub once a week to naturally exfoliate the skin, and it leaves it beautifully soft and smelling amazing. 

AKT natural deodorant other products

The Everyday Encore Body Oil adds so much hydration to your skin with just a few drops, and it is quickly absorbed, so as you get dressed, there are no messy oil marks on your clothes. These two products together leave your skin in great condition. 

The range also has Body Wash Concentrate and Body Conditioning Balm to clean and then tighten and rejuvenate the skin, but as I’ve not tried those particular items from the range, I can’t tell you how effective they are. 

So what’s the cost? 

This is where things do get a little tricky. AKT is a premium product in terms of price, but for me, the return is also premium. All of the products are available as a subscription, which reduces the cost and ensures that you have a constant supply to hand. The deodorant balm starts at £21 for a one-time purchase (dropping to £17.85 if you subscribe), but that can easily last you in excess of 2 months if you only use the recommended amount. 

The Foaming Body Scrub is an eye-watering £44 for a one-time purchase, but if you’re using it just once a week, that will last a while; as with all of AKT’s products, a little goes a pretty long way. 

The Everyday Encore Body Oil comes in at £35. This one is a product that I’d use more frequently in the summer months; using it two or three times a week would see the bottle last around 6 weeks. 

The prices might feel a little high, but if you take into account the quality of the products, how long they last and how well they work, they actually start to feel like good value. If you value premium skincare-style body products, the subscription starts to make more sense.

AKT London: The verdict

The personal grooming market is immense, and with so many products hyped to the max, it’s hard to know what works and is worth what can be an incredibly high price tag. Natural deodorants often seem very expensive compared to traditional options, but in this case it’s definitely worth it. 

The key to all of AKT’s range is to understand that less is more. It’s all too easy to squeeze a huge amount of the balm, but you really don’t need to. It’ll take a few days to find the sweet spot for your body, but once you do, you’ll learn that they last much longer than you might expect. 

The same applies to the rest of the range. Take what you think you should use, then halve it, and you’ll be amazed by the results and will feel fresh and smell fantastic. AKT London proves that natural deodorants can be every bit as effective as their traditional counterparts.

For those looking to switch to a natural deodorant without compromising on performance, AKT is one of the strongest options I’ve tried. 

Tested: AKT London natural deodorant
How much: from £17.85External link
Average Janes rating: ★★★★★

Sam Huff
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