Forget beauty products, deodorants are a basic grooming necessity. Much like toothpaste or body wash, you reach for it daily.
But not all deodorants are created equal. It is important to remember that deodorant is often used for both deodorants and antiperspirants.
And we are using it as such here. Still, the two are very different.
Antiperspirants contain active ingredients like aluminum, which stop you from sweating. There is some controversy questioning the safety of these ingredients.
That is why the deodorant category has exploded lately. True deodorants will not keep you from sweating, you may still experience wetness, but instead combat odor.
Which one you choose boils down to personal preference. Our team tested dozens of products for weeks to help you find the best fit.
From efficacy and texture to scents and transfer resistance, we are breaking down the best deodorants and antiperspirants.
Best Overall: Kosas Chemistry Deodorant. Hallie Gould raves about how well it keeps smells at bay.
It boasts a special blend of AHAs that creates a pH environment hostile to odor-causing bacteria. She also loves how moisturizing it is, thanks to hyaluronic acid and aloe vera juice.
Editors also appreciate the clear, serum-like formula, which dries quickly. It comes in a fragrance-free variant, Serene Clean, and Beachy Clean.
Be careful when using, though, the goop comes out quickly. Since the packaging is so prone to overflow, we wish the tube came with more product.
Best Drugstore: Native Coconut & Vanilla Deodorant. Users consistently vouch for its efficacy.
There are five scents to choose from. You can even create a custom fragrance.
We love how weightless and light it feels. When applied heavy-handedly, it sometimes leaves white residue, but nothing too noticeable.
As for its effectiveness, we really put this product to the test, and somehow we still smelled really good. Even the unscented version impressed.
Best for Sensitive Skin: Necessaire The Deodorant Gel. We are huge fans of everything this brand offers.
How could you not be with how effortlessly this formula fights odor and hyperpigmentation? It absorbs wetness, so you stay dry from the first swipe.
We especially love it for sensitive skin. It contains a soothing mineral complex and is free of baking soda, aluminum, and synthetic fragrance.
Choose from eucalyptus or sandalwood scents, both equally chic, or fragrance-free. We noticed the product gets a bit chunky and can leave a residue upon application.
Overall we found this buy productive for a typical day. Some users noted that wetness returned after a few hours, but this quick-drying rollerball is easy to reapply.
We recommend stashing one in your purse for emergency moments.
Best Budget: Schmidt Deodorant Stick. If you are looking to make the switch to a natural deodorant but are not sure if you will like it, this pick is a wallet-friendly must.
It is great at controlling odor while also nourishing the skin. It comes in a wide line-up of unique scents, as well as a baking soda-free version.
Like the Native, this deodorant can be hard to spread after the first roll-up. It can also leave the dreaded marks on dark-colored clothes.
A damp washcloth will usually get rid of this after a few swipes.
Best Natural: Kopari Aluminum-Free Deodorant. This also happens to be a 2019 Byrdie Eco Beauty Award-winner.
We tested this product through active and chilled-out days, and in both scenarios we smelled great. We did not experience any skin irritation, either.
Our favorite part is how this solid-gel twist-up stick glides on. The clear formula will not stain clothes and is easy to touch up during hot, humid days.
Best Customizable: Nala Personalized Deodorant. You can choose your scent and strength.
It ranges from Sensitive Skin to Extra Strength. The Sensitive Skin option is free of both aluminum and baking soda.
We love how it applied clear and absorbed nicely into our skin. After two weeks of detoxing, we noticed less sweating.
Wetness generally occurs after about five hours of wear, but we do not experience any odor.
Best Spray: Degree Antiperspirant Deodorant Dry Spray. Sprays dry insanely fast and do not stain your clothes.
Many of the latest iterations are alcohol-free, so there is no underarm stinging. This one is especially great if you are super active.
It boasts a unique MotionSense technology. It releases microcapsules of fragrance as you move.
You stay smelling fresh and dry throughout your entire workout. It is under 10 dollars.
Each fragrance is pretty strong, so if you are sensitive to smells, this may not be the right option.
Best Splurge: Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Deodorant. Deodorants have expanded to include luxe scents and elevated experiences.
Notes of Moroccan jasmine and lily of the valley take this stick scent from subtle to sophisticated. Even though this formula contains no aluminum, it keeps unwanted odors at bay all day long.
We would describe it as very lightweight, almost powdery. The smoothness, amazing scent, and antiperspirant effect made us really happy.
This can leave chalky white marks or stains on your clothes. We wish there was more product in the stick.
Best Luxury: Corpus The Botanist Natural Deodorant. If you want to turn it into a little bit of a beauty moment, treat yourself to this splurge-worthy option.
The water-based formula is effective yet gentle on even the most sensitive skin. It keeps wetness at bay and exfoliates underarms.
It comes in three next-level sophisticated scents, all naturally derived. There is the chic packaging, more elevated than any deodorant we have ever seen.
The screw-on top prevents mess and crumbling. The muted mint tone complements any shelfie.
Best Heavy Duty: SweatBlock Antiperspirant Wipes. This doctor-developed antiperspirant is for those who really want to call in the big guns.
It is for the super sweaty among us who want to stay completely dry. The application felt really wet but dried quickly and did not mark up our underarms or shirt.
After 24 hours of testing, we only noticed a very slight musty smell occur. We did manage to stay dry the whole time.
This is not an everyday kind of product. It contains the highest level of sweat protection.
You are only meant to use the swipe-on pads once every seven days. We like to swipe these up before major events.
Best Wipes: Pacifica Underarm Deodorant Wipes. Much like a face wipe is a lifesaver, a deodorant wipe can offer fast freshening.
Stash these in your gym bag or purse. They are infused with hydrating coconut milk and shea butter plus B.O-busting essential oils.
They work great not only for your armpits but also elsewhere on your body. Beyond the odor-fighting elements, these wipes are also biodegradable.
These wipes are super travel-friendly. You will have to reapply a few times throughout the day.
Best Scent: Rio Deo Aluminum-Free Deodorant Cheirosa 62. The scent can be a major deciding factor when shopping for deodorant.
Sol de Janeiro is famous for its heavily scented body creams and hair sprays. A few years ago, they expanded to deodorant, and they took their signature scent with them.
Cheirosa 62 incorporates notes of salted caramel, vanilla bean, and rich almond. The combos are more akin to a high-end perfume.
This product exfoliates your underarms with each application. Even better, the formula is refillable.
It goes on white, so be careful when you apply as it can get on your clothes.
Best Texture: Dove Dry Serum Antiperspirant Deodorant. This is our, going out deodorant.
The silky texture goes on completely sheer and dries instantly. You can put on a black silk blouse right afterward.
It is made with 1/4 moisturizing ingredients. We cannot get enough of the fresh rose smell.
We wish that the scent lasted a little longer. We wish there was a little more product in the packaging.
Best Refillable: By Humankind Deodorant. If you are looking for a clean deodorant that is also easy on the environment, this refillable option fits the bill.
The formula is so clean you can eat it. The packaging is made from biodegradable paper, which cuts down on excess plastic.
It can be composted. The company offers its sustainable products in variety packs with discounts.
You can sign up for its subscription service. Unfortunately, this formula will not keep wetness at bay as long as some of the other options.
We recommend keeping it on hand for easy reapplication.
Best for Workouts: Secret Clinical Strength Invisible Solid Antiperspirant and Deodorant. Designed to protect from three types of sweat activations, stress, heat, and general activity.
This product goes on very smooth and silky, with just the right amount of scent. We did not experience any product transfer onto our clothing.
After 24 hours of wear, this product kept us smelling great. It was only after some exercise that we felt a little damp.
Generally, sweat and odor were under control.
Best Crystal: Crystal Mineral Deodorant Roll-On. Sweat-and-odor protection is the main focus for us.
We found that odor was under control, but it did not completely block sweat. This pick is really great for those with sensitive skin.
Reviewers agree. Odor is kept away without skin irritation.
Crystal products are hypoallergenic. They are made without aluminum chloride, parabens, phthalates, or artificial fragrances, and are vegan.
So if you are willing to sweat a little without the worry of irritation or stink, this buy is for you.
Best Clinical Strength: Uriage Clinical Strength Deodorant. We were impressed with the Uriage Roll-On after testing it out.
It has an awesome scent that completely blocks any odor. This was even after a 15-minute treadmill workout.
After 24 hours of wear, the freshness only wore off a little tiny bit. We did not smell sweaty at all.
We love how smoothly this deodorant goes on. The formula instantly absorbed into our skin without being tacky, sticky, or greasy.
It left no stains on the black shirt we tested it with. This deodorant scent is robustly aromatic.
Final Verdict. The Kosas Chemistry Deodorant is our best pick.
It prevents odors, hydrates the underarms, and dries very quickly. It makes it an overall winner.
As a more budget-friendly option, we like Schmidt Deodorant Stick. If you prefer something refillable, give the Sol de Janeiro Rio Deo or the ByHumankind Deodorant a try.
What to Look For in a Deodorant. Aluminum vs.
No Aluminum. Figure out whether you want to stop sweat altogether, or eliminate odor.
Your answer could determine your perfect formula. True deodorants do not contain aluminum, nor do they prevent sweating.
Deodorants are designed to prevent odor. You will still break a sweat when using them, but you will not smell.
They typically contain antimicrobial active ingredients. Antiperspirants prevent sweating and contain the ingredient.
While many express safety concerns over aluminum, there have been no clear-cut medical studies that have proved a cause and effect link. An aluminum-based formula is safe for people in good health to use.
If the ingredient causes irritation on your underarm skin, then opt for an aluminum-free version.
Natural vs. Traditional.
Determine whether you want to use a formula that contains naturally derived ingredients. These include essential oils and plant-based elements.
Or, if you prefer a more traditional formula, a la Secret or Degree. If you are switching to a natural formula, keep in mind that there may be a transitional period.
It usually takes a few weeks for your skin to adjust. Using an antibacterial soap in the shower to clean your underarms can help with the transition.
This will help reduce the major contributor (bacteria) to body odor. It allows the natural deodorant to seem more effective.
Format. Today, you will find deodorants and antiperspirants in a variety of formats.
These include rollerballs, wipes, and sprays. The best option for you is totally a matter of personal preference.
Active Ingredients. You will want to look at the active and inactive ingredients to make sure it is a fit for your needs.
Many aluminum-free deodorants use lactic or mandelic acids, or probiotics to neutralize odors. They keep underarms feeling soft and dry.
If you have sensitive skin, you might want to steer clear of acids. Avoid ingredients like baking soda to minimize any irritation.
Many options on this list contain essential oils meant to soothe and nourish sensitive underarms. There are even deodorants with ingredients for brightening underarms.
FAQ. Should I use a scented or unscented deodorant?
Ultimately, the scent does not impact the overall performance of a deodorant or antiperspirant. So whether you choose to go with a scented or non-scented option is up to you.
Are certain deodorants more prone to staining my clothes? Pay close attention to the ingredients listed on your formula of choice.
Both deodorant and antiperspirant can contain ingredients that create yellow stains on white shirts. Aluminum has a reputation for doing just that, as does coconut oil.
You may want to eschew them altogether if that is of concern.
How often should I apply antiperspirant? Apply antiperspirant once daily, ideally at night.
Your sweat glands are less active then. You give the product more time to absorb into your skin.
If you are applying after you shower, make sure your skin is not damp. It is best if you apply it after you have toweled off and your underarms have dried completely, she says.
The main point is that your skin is clean and dry.
