New Item (Feb/Mar 2024) For years Trader Joe’s has carried the TOM’S OF MAINE deodorant and that’s what I’ve bought. I have found it fine. Like all of TOM’S stuff its good and Trader Joe’s carries a few TOM’S items as well for example their toothpaste, also good!
TOM’S is one of those rare brands Trader Joe’s actually sells under the original name and not re-brand it as their own.
Recently I saw this in the New Items section – TRADER JOE’S UNSCENTED DEODORANT which comes in a round cardboard tube and thought I should check it out for review.
First this is not oval like all other deodorants we’ve tried before? This one is Round…interesting!
To use it, you just twist the cardboard tube which will raise the round stick up. The first ingredient listed here, is Coconut Oil so that’s what it smells lightly of, the natural aroma as this is Unscented and has no strong aroma. As a deodorant it seems to work fine.
One thing about this I do find odd, as unlike almost any deodorant you or I’ve ever tried before, this one is actually a bit hard to apply. The stick is a bit solid and doesn’t melt instantly under your arms. You have to rub it a bit to get it on. This doesnt go on as easy as say the TOM’S stick which applies easily. A minor gripe but still. Just so you know.
It is coconut oil and even my jar of TJ’s coconut oil can change from a clear liquid oil to solid white mass depending on how warm the room is. If its warm enough it liquefies, it its cold it hardens to solid. But even when its in the more solid state, the coconut oil melts pretty fast in my palm at skin temp maybe with just a little rubbing in a few moments.
TIP: I’ve found out that if I just hold the stick in place under my arm for say 10 seconds or so, letting my body temp warm it, it makes it easier to apply. Do it like that and it works.
As a deodorant it seems to work quite well. Price wise the two brands cost about the same. The TOM’s has a bit more of it: 2.25 oz vs 1.8 oz here.
So I do like this new deodorant and I think I would buy it again. Still I hope they will get enough customer feedback and perhaps reformulate the stuff so it melts just a little more easily (more “ozerkerite wax” perhaps in the formula or less arrowroot? 😉
PROS – Pleasant natural unscented smell (coconut oil). Works fine. One Plus: the packaging is (mostly) paper not plastic like Tom’s. Bit more eco friendly, though now I see the tube inside is plastic. So mostly paper.
CONS – A little too solid so hard to apply, a minor gripe.
UPDATE – I got it again. Seems a bit easier to apply now, so perhaps they took note! (sept ’24)
$4.99
I’m posting pix of both this and TOM’s so you can compare the ingredients:
Trader Joe’s Rants & Raves (mostly raves, a few rants) 
Mar 28, 2024 @ 19:49:50
Thanks for your review. Yes, TJ’s deodorant doesn’t melt as fast as Tom’s but the packaging is better. I’m going back for more.
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Mar 29, 2024 @ 11:06:00
Thank you. That’s a good point; this one uses paper not plastic so more Eco
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Apr 15, 2024 @ 11:07:22
I’ve always picked up the Tom’s of Maine unscented that TJ’s had at a good price.
Saw this TJ brand deodorant and thought I’d give it a try.
• Liked the plastic being replaced by this paper type container.
• It is truly unscented.
• Instead of a plastic dial on the bottom to extend the deodorant, you simply turn the solid paper collar clockwise.
So, how did it work? Shockingly well!!
Why shockingly?
OK, I’m used to deodorant gliding on and this one feels like – I’m not kidding – a large pencil eraser. Initially, I was like WTF??
The way I apply it is multiple short strokes of application. The first time I wasn’t even sure if it was staying on my skin.
Well, the next morning – no odor. Later after the gym – STILL no odor! For this guy, that NEVER happens. The next (non-gym) day I experimented with applying the deodorant & not showering for a day. There was no odor for almost 36 hours!
I am extremely impressed!!!
One other thing: although they never felt irritated in any way, there was always a very pale reddening under my arms as far back as I can remember. Never gave it a second thought. It’s gone now.
So, my advice is stick with it (pun intended) even if, like me, you’re initially turned off by the stick’s texture. This is an excellent product!!
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Apr 18, 2024 @ 16:32:29
Great description: “feels like – I’m not kidding –a large pencil eraser.” Agree. And good to hear this gets a big thumbs up from you!
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Apr 28, 2024 @ 16:24:01
Where is it made? China?
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Apr 30, 2024 @ 13:44:56
Huh?!!!!!!
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Nov 10, 2024 @ 10:07:34
USA! Best deodorant around.
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Jul 09, 2025 @ 18:14:40
It is made in the USA (Arizona)
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Jul 10, 2025 @ 13:15:01
thank you for sharing this information
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Dec 28, 2024 @ 09:31:51
I like this deodorant a lot. I do have one gripe. When the deodorant stick gets smaller from use, it pops out of its tube. Is there a hack to keep the stick in its place? Perhaps involving the microwave?
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Dec 28, 2024 @ 09:34:34
I like this deodorant a lot. My only gripe is the deodorant stick not staying in its tube as the stick gets smaller from use. Any hacks appreciated.
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