Curie vs Lume Deodorant, I Tested Them Both

I tested and compared Lume Whole Body Deodorant Stick, smooth solid (unscented), and Curie (one with fragrance).

I will compare them on effectiveness, smell, safety of ingredients, and cost.

This article is not sponsored, and I did not receive free products to test. I bought the products.

This article contains affiliate links, upon purchase I earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

As a very smelly person, I was happy to find an aluminum-free deodorant that works. My top choice between these two is definitely Curie, as I find that any baking soda based deodorant works well.

For some people, baking soda irritates the skin.

As for Lume, the Mandelic Acid formula also works, but not as well as baking soda based deodorant for me. It can also be irritating for some people, and if you go in the sun it can cause you to burn more easily.

Summary:

Comparison: Curie is a little less expensive, and has different active ingredients (baking soda, versus Lume’s mandelic acid). If you have sensitive skin you will want to test them to see which one is non-irritating. Curie is certainly a more natural formula (minus the synthetic fragrance in the scented versions), but Lume actually has a better rating on EWG (rating of 1 compared to 2 for Curie). Both have unscented versions.

Effectiveness: Lume struggled to get me through 12 hours without smelling (even on non-exercise days). Curie definitely works better for me (as all baking soda based deodorants do). But if you can’t use baking soda, Native Sensitive or Lume are two of your best choices in the healthy deodorant category. I would recommend trying both to see which active ingredients work best for you.

Alternative to/Dupe for Lume: If you want to try out using acids to change the pH of your underarms but want a simple dupe you can use The Ordinary Lactic Acid (dilute it 1:1 with a skin oil like jojoba), or The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution, says Dr. Uktra Namshum, Clinical Dermatologist.

Effectiveness

Lume

Claims: They say Lume Deodorant is “clinically proven to control odor for 72 hours. It is also proven to exfoliate, visually even skin tone, and decrease the appearance of hyperpigmentation”.

My Test: I don’t have hyperpigmentation but as a smelly person I can report on how well it works on odor.

If I put it on in the morning after using the Lume Deodorant wipes (instead of showering), I am smelly by evening.

If I wash my armpits and apply it in the morning it still struggles to get me through 12 hours.

One thing I have to say is I like to put deodorant on at night after showering, so that things are not dire in the morning. However, the caffeine in this deodorant is high enough to keep me awake if I apply it at night.

The caffeine also bothers me in the day, to the point that I had to stop using this and won’t be able to finish the stick.

Curie

Claims: “Effective, long-lasting odor protection”

My Test:

It certainly lasts more than 12 hours like other deodorants with baking soda. I’m happy with this effectiveness.

Smell

Lume – slight medical smell, no fragrance detected by me.

Curie – I didn’t test the unscented but the scented version is the level of scent I would expect from a synthetic fragrance. It’s not super strong nor super light. I don’t like how the scent mixes with my sweat when the baking soda effect wears off though, it smells weird.

Ingredients

Lume Whole Body Deodorant Stick:

• Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate – Emollient/skin conditioner
• PPG-15 Stearyl Ether – Emollient/skin conditioner
• Zea Mays (Corn) Starch – Absorbs moisture
• Ozokerite – Mineral wax
• Stearyl Alcohol – Emollient, emulsifier and thickener
• Isododecane – Solvent/carrier
• Isopentyldiol – Solvent/carrier
• Maranta Arundinacea Root Powder (arrowroot powder) – absorbs moisture
• Lauryl Laurate – Emollient/skin conditioner
• Mandelic Acid – Acid that changes the pH of the skin
• Sorbitan Oleate – Emulsifier
• Silica – Absorbs moisture
• Panthenol – Vitamin B5
• Caffeine – Helps control sweat
• Ethylhexylglycerin – Preservative

EWG & Clean Ratings

Lume deodorant overall EWG rating of 1 (for clean ingredients) – which is great, even though this is far from an all-natural product.

Lume is formulated without aluminum, baking soda, talc, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate), and artificial dyes.

Lume tested positive for 32 parts per million organic fluorine which is an indicator of PFAS, says Mamavation. Though she believes this low amount is not intentionally added.

See lawsuits against Lume here.

Curie

Curie: Unscented & Orange Neroli are still the old formula at the time of writing but they are transitioning all scents to the new formula.

Old Formula:

• Coconut Oil
• Arrowroot Powder
• Beeswax
• Sodium Bicarbonate
• Cornstarch
• Hydrogenated Castor Oil
• Cocoa Butter
• Fragrance, mix of natural and synthetic (except unscented)
• Triethyl Citrate
• Tocopherol (Vitamin E Oil)
• Chamomile Extract
• Elderberry Fruit Extract
• Aloe
• Prickly Pear Fruit Extract

Curie “New Formula“: Peach Soleil, Warm Vanilla, Coconut Nectar, White Tea:

• Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
• Tapioca Starch
• Ozokerite
• Sodium Bicarbonate
• Cornstarch
• Zinc Ricinoleate
• Cocoa Butter
• Fragrance, natural and synthetic
• Triethyl Citrate
• Tocopherol (Vitamin E Oil)
• Chamomile Extract
• Elderberry Fruit Extract
• Aloe
• Prickly Pear Fruit Extract
• Xylitol Sesquicaprylate
• Anhydroxylitol
• Sunflower Seed Oil
• Safflower Seed Oil

EWG & Clean Ratings

Curie has an EWG rating of 2 for all their scents, including the unscented.

Curie claims they use no aluminum, parabens, or phthalates.

Active ingredients comparison

Lume – the active ingredients in Lume are mandelic acid which changes the pH of the skin, making it inhospitable to bacteria, and caffeine which may help reduce sweating.

Curie – Curie currently has two formulas for sale, both use baking soda. The new formula (which they are transitioning all scents to) also uses zinc ricinoleate which helps absorb and neutralize odors.

Scent Options:

Lume – Unscented, lavender sage, peony rose, clean tangerine, toasted coconut.

Their scents are synthetic.

Curie – Unscented, vanilla, peach, coconut, white tea, and orange.

Curie scents are a mix of synthetic and natural ingredients.

Texture

Lume – The texture starts out between a cream and an oil but it looks clear on the skin and soaks in well. In a couple of minutes, you cannot feel that it is on the skin (especially if you rub it in).

Curie – The texture even of the old formula was just fine for me. It’s not super oily but it’s not dry or crumbly. The new formula texture is even better.

Cost Comparison

Lume – A single stick is around $15, the bundle can bring it down to $12 on their website. On Amazon, it can be slightly more depending on the deal.

Curie – I have seen really good deals on Amazon. On their website it is $14.

Summary: I would recommend starting with Curie since it worked better in my tests and is less expensive, and if that irritates your skin, then try both Native without baking soda and Lume to compare which one works better for you. If you prefer natural ingredients, Curie is a better choice. If you prefer a lower EWG rating, Lume is a better choice.

Corinne Segura is an InterNACHI-certified Healthy Homes Inspector with certifications in Building Biology, Healthier Materials and Sustainable Buildings, and more. She has 10 years of experience helping others create healthy homes. You can book a consult here.