AKT

How ethical is AKT?

AKT is a natural deodorant brand which has achieved The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark on our Ethical Deodorant Ratings Table. With a score of 73 out of 100, AKT demonstrates a commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices, though its score sits close to the benchmark threshold and several areas present opportunities for improvement.

AKT has not yet received The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Accreditation, an editorial endorsement awarded to brands which achieve a high ethical score across our multi-criteria assessment. Receiving this endorsement would strengthen the brand’s standing as a recognised ethical choice for consumers in the deodorant sector.

What does AKT do?

AKT London Ltd was founded in 2015 by West End performers Ed Currie and Andy Coxon. The company produces a natural deodorant balm made in the UK using plant and mineral ingredients including shea butter, calendula, sodium bicarbonate, zinc oxide, and arrowroot. All packaging is plastic-free and recyclable, using aluminium tubes and caps and unlaminated cardboard outer packaging. AKT products are vegan, cruelty-free, aluminium salt-free, and gender-neutral.

Why does AKT perform well ethically?

AKT achieves good ratings across seven of the eleven criteria assessed by The GOOD Shopping Guide. The brand receives good ratings for environmental reporting, genetic modification, and fossil fuels, reflecting its commitment to environmental transparency and clean energy. AKT receives good ratings for armaments, irresponsible marketing, and political donations, and has no documented public record criticisms. As an independent UK manufacturer committed to plastic-free packaging and natural formulation, AKT demonstrates solid ethical foundations across several key criteria.

What could improve AKT’s ethical positioning?

AKT receives a poor rating for organic ingredients. While the brand uses natural plant and mineral ingredients and avoids aluminium salts, parabens, and synthetic additives, not all ingredients meet certified organic standards. Pursuing organic certification for its formulations would address this gap and strengthen AKT’s environmental credentials.

The brand’s ratings for animal welfare and vegetarian and vegan verification are both acceptable rather than good. While AKT products are marketed as vegan and cruelty-free, the absence of formal third-party vegan verification means these claims have not been independently assessed to the standard required for a good rating. Pursuing recognised vegan verification and strengthening animal welfare commitments through formal accreditation would bring these ratings in line with the stronger performance demonstrated across other criteria.

Obtaining The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Accreditation would provide editorial recognition of AKT’s ethical standards and make it easier for consumers to identify the brand as an editorially endorsed choice in the deodorant sector.

AKT is a reasonable choice for consumers seeking a plastic-free, natural deodorant from an independent UK brand, though consumers seeking brands with stronger overall ethical credentials are encouraged to consult our Ethical Deodorant Ratings Table to compare alternatives. Our how we rate page explains the criteria used to assess all brands in this sector.