There's nothing more challenging than finding a deodorant that really works for you. Deodorant isn't just a beauty product—it's more like an everyday essential, regardless of who you are. That being said, deodorant, like other bodycare products, is an extremely personal choice. Everyone is looking for something different in a deodorant, whether you want a stick that keeps your underarms dry or a spray that simply masks odor.
You've also likely heard the term "natural deodorant" thrown around. Natural deodorants are aluminum-free options that utilize natural ingredients like cornstarch, coconut oil, and other naturally derived materials to eliminate odors and curb wetness. Luckily, we've incorporated a mix of both into our roundup of the best deos. Keep reading to find our favorite antiperspirants and deodorants.
The Best Deodorants, at a Glance
- Best Antiperspirant: Dove Ultimate Water-Based + Glycerin Antiperspirant & Deodorant
- Best Deodorant: Kopari Aluminum-Free Deodorant
- Best Fragrance-Free: Kosas Chemistry AHA Serum Deodorant
- Best Spray: Dove 0% Aluminum Deodorant Spray
- Best Without Baking Soda: Nécessaire The Deodorant Gel
Best Antiperspirant: Dove Ultimate Water-Based + Glycerin Antiperspirant & Deodorant
"If you're someone more focused on stopping the sweat via antiperspirant, Dove Ultimate Antiperspirant is an excellent option," says Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, board-certified dermatologist. "It not only blocks sweat and odor for 48 hours, but it contains a high concentration of glycerin, which helps moisturize, soothe dryness, and improve texture on underarm skin."
Pro: Leaves skin soft
Con: Fragrance may be irritating to some
Type: Stick
Active ingredients: Rose water and glycerin
Fragrance-free: No
Lasting power: 48 hours
Customer review: "I have tried so many deodorant and none of them have ever fully blocked odor or sweat for me. This deodorant actually does both and smells great. It also leaves my skin feeling soft and moisturized."
Best Deodorant: Kopari Beauty Aluminum-Free Deodorant
Made entirely out of plant-based actives, Kopari's deodorant curbs odor after a "detox" period that's typical of natural deodorants. It takes your body a bit of time to adjust to a natural deodorant if you're swapping out an aluminum-based option, so you'll need to ride this one out for a bit if it's your first time on the natural train. Once you make it through the adjustment period, it's well worth it. It's hydrating and soothing and goes on clear—no white marks here.
Pro: Doesn't stain clothes
Con: Doesn't prevent sweat
Type: Stick
Active ingredients: Coconut and sage oil
Fragrance-free: No
Customer review: "Literally the best deodorant on the market. I love a good clean deodorant that will control the odor all day, and this is the best. It's clean, and it works!"
Best Fragrance-Free: Kosas Chemistry AHA Serum Deodorant
If you've seen people sing this deodorant's praises, it's because it's truly that good. It's formulated with AHA, which creates a pH environment that odor-causing bacteria are unable to survive in. While you will still sweat (this isn't an antiperspirant), you won't smell. It's also hydrating thanks to hyaluronic acid and aloe.
Pro: Aloe feels soothing on skin
Con: May leave a sticky finish
Type: Rollerball/serum
Active ingredients: Aloe juice, AHA blend, hyaluronic acid
Fragrance-free: No
Customer review: "I've been using this for years now. Maybe five years or even longer. I have tried other deodorants, but I always go back using Kosas."
Best Spray: Dove 0% Aluminum Deodorant Spray
"If you're looking for a deodorant, I recommend Dove 0% Aluminum Deodorant Spray, as it not only freshens and keeps odor at bay for 48 hours, but it also contains Dove's moisturizers, so it is gentle to the underarm skin," says Woolery-Lloyd. For the formulation being aluminum-free, it keeps underarm odor at bay for an impressively long time.
Pro: Long-lasting, gentle on skin
Con: Takes a few minutes to fully dry
Type: Spray
Active ingredient: Glycerin
Fragrance-free: No
Lasting power: 48 hours
Customer review: "This may be the best smelling dry spray there is. The pomegranate combined with lemon verbena is such a refreshing smell, and it's odor protection I can trust."
Best Without Baking Soda: Nécessaire The Deodorant Gel
Leave it to Nécessaire to create a truly unique natural deodorant gel. Like the Kosas formula, this deodorant relies on AHA to keep odor at bay. It also has niacinamide to strengthen the skin's barrier and chamomile extract to soothe. Plus, it's fast-drying and goes on completely clear.
Pro: Soothing on skin and smells fresh
Con: May be irritating for some
Type: Gel
Active ingredients: AHA, niacinamide, chamomile extract
Fragrance-free: No
Customer review: "Great natural deodorant. The eucalyptus scent, ease of application, and non sticky texture make this my go-to. Love all the Necessaire products I've tried."
Best for Sensitive Skin: Native Plastic-Free Sensitive Deodorant
This deodorant is made with baking soda, probiotics, coconut oil, and shea butter, and many people swear by it to help keep their underarms dry and smelling good. This iteration is formulated with sensitive skin in mind, so you can be sure it won't bother your skin. Plus, it's plastic-free, so it's easy on the environment.
Pro: Doesn't irritate sensitive skin
Con: Can be hard to get lid back on
Type: Stick
Active ingredients: Coconut oil and shea butter
Fragrance-free: No
Lasting power: 72 hours
Customer review: "Works great, smells fresh, and I love that paper is used instead of plastic to house the deodorant. It's very easy to use and does not irritate my skin."
Best Drugstore: Secret Outlast Antiperspirant Deodorant
For over 60 years, Secret has been a trusted deodorant brand. This classic offers up to 72 hours of protection and is formulated with hyaluronic acid for extra moisture. It smells divine and leaves underarms feeling smooth. "As someone who's pretty active, I can appreciate a long-lasting deo like this one," says Who What Wear assistant beauty editor Sabrina Talbert. "I love that I can go for an hour run on a hot day or hit the gym without thinking twice about whether or not my deodorant will last."
Pro: Long-lasting, easy to apply, makes skin soft
Con: None
Type: Stick
Active ingredient: Hyaluronic acid
Fragrance-free: No
Lasting power: 72 hours
Customer review: "I have always been a fan of Secret, but this formula works fantastic. In Texas heat, I was applying deodorant several times a day. This formula really works and will last all day."
Best Luxury: Corpus California Natural Stick Deodorant
Corpus deodorant feels like a sensory experience. It's unlike any other natural deodorant out there. It is designed with the sensibilities of a fragrance, so it smells absolutely amazing. It glides on easily and never leaves any white marks.
Pro: No sticky finish
Con: Pricey
Type: Stick
Fragrance-free: No
Customer review: "I like the earthly smell. It doesn't stain my clothes (like a lot of natural deodorants do) it's gentle, and seems to be working well so far."
Best for Sweat: Secret Clinical Strength Antiperspirant and Deodorant
If curbing sweat is your main concern and normal antiperspirants and deodorants just don't seem to cut it, try opting for a clinical-strength deodorant. This deodorant is truly a heavy hitter against perspiration and odor. With 48 hours of clinical-grade protection, you can ensure you won't break a sweat—literally. "For best results, you actually can apply it the evening before bed to minimize wetness the next day," says Joshua Zeichner, MD, board-certified dermatologist, about clinical-strength deodorant.
Pro: Slows down sweat, nonirritating
Con: None
Type: Stick
Fragrance-free: Yes
Lasting power: 72 hours
Customer review: "It's a must for those who struggle with odor. No amount of perfumes or natural remedies had helped so far, but this is a terrific product. Now I am odor-free."
Best Fragrance: Phlur Vanilla Skin Natural Deodorant
If you love Phlur fragrances, you'll love this deodorant. "It has an unmistakable vanilla scent that isn't too overpowering but still noticeable," says Talbert. "I also love that it's aluminum-free and still lasts all day." Consider it an extra layer to mix in with your other perfumes if you're a vanilla girl at heart.
Pro: Smells great, lasts long
Con: Doesn't prevent sweat
Type: Stick
Active ingredients: Salicylic acid, arrowroot powder, zinc ricinoleate, algae, tamanu oil
Fragrance-free: No
Lasting power: 48 hours
Customer review: "I do not sweat a lot but is one of the best natural deodorants I've used. It smells wonderful and lasts all day. I love pairing it with vanilla scents."
What's the difference between a deodorant and an antiperspirant?
"'Deodorant' and 'antiperspirant' are often used interchangeably, but there is actually a key difference between the two," says Woolery-Lloyd. "While both protect against body odor, antiperspirants traditionally use the ingredient aluminum, which keeps you dry by controlling the flow of sweat to avoid the feeling of wetness under your arms. Deodorants do not use aluminum and rely instead on other ingredients to reduce odor and to help you feel fresh throughout the day."
Antiperspirants actually stop sweat from the source. "Antiperspirants contain aluminum-based salts that form a plug within the sweat gland, preventing wetness from reaching the surface of the skin," says Zeichner. "Antiperspirants do not actually decrease the amount of sweat that you make."
What to Look for in a Deodorant
Before making a purchase, there are probably a few things worth keeping in mind to help you find the best deodorant for your needs. For starters, you'll want to think about lasting power because no one wants a deo that stops working midday. Most deodorants promise up to 24 hours of odor-free protection, while others can hold up for up to 72 hours. That said, think about your day-to-day activities and whether or not they would require a product with stronger lasting power.
You might also want to consider whether you want an aluminum-free deodorant. Some (but not all) aluminum-free options may require reapplication and are less likely to block sweat. On the flip side, these kinds of deos are less likely to leave yellow stains on your clothes the way aluminum-based formulas do. Finally, if you have sensitive skin, you could benefit from using scent-free formulas, as fragrance is more likely to cause irritation.
How We Chose
As with all of our buying guides at Who What Wear, we compile our edits based on original testing and expert recommendations. To find the best deodorants for this roundup, we leaned on our testing experience and considered several factors, including type, active ingredients, scent, and lasting power. As beauty editors, we're aware of how important these factors are for a wide range of needs and preferences, so we made sure to list out all the helpful details. Of course, customer reviews were also kept in mind when creating this list as well.
Why Trust Who What Wear
Since 2006, Who What Wear has been a digital fashion, beauty, and lifestyle publication and community where people can discover the latest brands, trends, and must-have products to help define and evolve their personal style. Think of Who What Wear as your most trusted style and shopping resource.
-
First, Sabrina Carpenter, Now Dua Lipa: Celebs Love This "Outdated" Nail DesignThat's it—I'm booking a manicure.
-
A Good Sandal-Worthy Pedicure Is Everything to Me—7 Stylish Summer Nail Colors I Can't Stop WearingLimoncello! Periwinkle! Ultramarine!
-
It's Officially a Limoncello Summer: See How It Will Influence Your Hair, Nails, and ScentI'm sensing a complete takeover.
-
The "Italian Market" Manicure Is Summer's Peak Nail Trend—See the Best Designs to Send to Your ManicuristThis sparks joy.
-
Gel Manis at Home Are Shockingly Easy—10 Expert-Approved UV Lamps That Save You Time and MoneyThey're a must-have.
-
Not Butter Yellow, Not Sheer Pink: The Dreamiest Nail Color to Wear All Summer, Per Rihanna and SelenaThe trendsetters have spoken.
-
It's Official: "Pool Water" Nails Are Replacing Milky Manicures This SummerThe trend is flooding my FYP. Pun intended.
-
Sabrina Carpenter's Throwback Manicure Is the Stylish Summer Nail Inspo I Didn't See ComingHint: It's one of fashion's most popular prints.
