I Tested Deodorants Through a Heatwave—These 13 Are Totally Sweat-Proof

I’m 33 years old, and I feel like I've spent most of my life on the hunt for the best deodorant. In my teens and early twenties, I’d buy whatever was on offer at the supermarket; usually something overly fragranced, overly drying and often ineffective. But as I’ve established a bodycare routine and become more aware of how ingredients affect my skin (especially my fairly sensitive underarms), I’ve taken a more considered approach. Plus, working as a beauty editor has meant I’ve had the opportunity to try a huge variety of formulas. Over the years, I've been able to establish what I do like (roll-on applicators, gel formulas, eucalyptus scents) and don't like (thick textures, powdery sprays and sweet fragrances), as well as what actually works for me.

The recent heatwave provided the ideal testing ground, throughout which I'd been regularly working out, walking everywhere and attempting to navigate dressing in the thick humidity we'd been left with. I’m not an especially sweaty person, but I do need deodorant to keep me feeling fresh and comfortable, and ideally one that doesn’t feel sticky, irritate my skin or leave residue and stain my clothes (my pet peeve).

I paid close attention to how each product held up: did it stop odour? Did it feel comfortable on the skin? Did it leave any residue? I also factored in texture, fragrance options, ingredients (including whether they contain aluminium) and how well they work with sensitive skin. Whether you’re looking for a natural formula, something clinical-strength or just a reliable everyday option, the following list includes the deodorants I’d actually recommend after the sweaty summer road test.

What to Look for in a Deodorant

When shopping for deodorant, it’s important to consider more than just the scent. As a facialist, I always recommend starting with your skin type. If you’re sensitive, look for fragrance-free or alcohol-free options with soothing ingredients like aloe vera or cooling gel textures. If you sweat heavily, you might benefit from an antiperspirant with aluminium salts to block sweat glands, whilst those seeking a more natural option can opt for formulas with baking soda or magnesium—these are often aluminium-free deodorants.

Texture and format also matter. Gels, creams, balms, sticks and sprays all offer different application experiences, so it’s worth finding what feels most comfortable for you. Lastly, consider your lifestyle. Long workdays, intense workouts or frequent travel might call for something longer-lasting or with added odour protection.

The Best Deodorants for Women

• Best Overall: Nécessaire The Deodorant Gel, £20
• Best Fragranced Deodorant: Salt & Stone Deodorant, £20
• Best Stick Deodorant: Phlur Deodorant, £20
• Best Luxury Deodorant: Malin + Goetz Deodorant, £22
• Best Sweat-Proof Deodorant: AKT The Deodorant Balm, £21

1. Nécessaire The Deodorant Gel

I realised I'd finally found my perfect deodorant last year when I used this during a trip to Australia. When you're hiking in the outback in 38°C and not feeling (or smelling) remotely sweaty, you know you've found a good one. I love that the light gel texture not only feels cooling and soothing, but is totally invisible and doesn't leave any unwanted residue or stain clothes. The eucalyptus scent is pleasantly fresh and not at all overpowering, but I also love the fragrance-free version, too.

2. Salt & Stone Deodorant

Sand & Stone's deodorant line-up featured, without a doubt, the best-smelling options I tried. There are five scents to choose from (all incredibly potent and long-lasting), but my favourite was Santal & Vetiver—it smells chic and seriously expensive. Although I typically prefer a roll-on, the stick format has a balm texture that feels thin and silky on the skin, so it doesn't leave residue or dry skin. Oh, and if you want to smell great from head to toe, I'm also hooked on its body sprays and body lotions.

3. Phlur Deodorant

It only made sense that Phlur would expand from perfume and body mists into deodorants, and it did so with two of its most crowd-pleasing fragrances, Vanilla Skin and Father Figure. These stick deodorants also have a silky, balm-like texture which melts into skin, and I found both scents to be long-lasting and effective at neutralising odour.

"I was instantly hooked on Phlur's deodorant sticks. I've tried both the Vanilla Skin and Father Figure scents, and they are both heavenly," says Who What Wear's beauty editor, Eleanor Vousden. "Vanilla Skin is a subtly creamy, skin-like take on vanilla, whilst Father Figure is a refreshing take on fig that leaves you feeling fresh all day. The packaging is so luxe, too. The twist-up stick means it's great to throw in your bag for top-ups, and the texture itself is buttery soft, effortlessly gliding onto the skin."

4. Malin + Goetz Deodorant

I'm a huge fan of Malin+Goetz's candles and bodycare products, and the brand's deodorants tick a lot of boxes for me. I love the scents; Eucalyptus and Bergamot are both fresh and uplifting, whilst Otto is richer and more floral. What's more, the formulas are highly effective, thanks to odour-neutralising enzymes that provide long-lasting protection for up to 12 hours. Take it from me: these are heatwave-proof.

5. AKT London The Deodorant Balm

Although the application takes a bit of getting used to and is admittedly a little messy, AKT deodorant is definitely one of the most effective formulas I've tried when it comes to reducing sweat and odour. AKT initially designed its deodorant balms to be used by performers, so they've been formulated to stand up against intensely hot and humid conditions. You only have to read the reviews to be converted.

Eleanor is also a fan. "I was initially hesitant to try the AKT deodorants. I've long been committed to my Dove or Mitchum ones, but when I heard how much the rest of the Who What Wear UK team loved them, I knew I had to give it a try," she says. "And I'm so glad I did! Whilst the cream formula takes a bit of getting used to, it dries down to a powdery finish, and I was surprised by how well it kept my underarms feeling both dry and fresh throughout the day, even after a workout class. My favourite scent is After Thunder, which smells like the fresh air of a forest after a heavy downpour. I like that AKT designed these to be used all over the body, too."

6. Glossier Deodorant

Although it's a thicker, creamier formula than the other stick deodorants on this list, I did find that Glossier's deodorants didn't quite perform in particularly hot and sweaty conditions, but they do smell amazing. Glossier You is one of my favourite scents of all time, and I love layering this deodorant with the perfume and body cream. I also love that these are refillable—given it's a product we all use daily, buying and throwing away deodorants can feel incredibly wasteful.

7. Dr. Hauschka Deodorant Roll-On

Another gel formula that feels incredibly cooling and soothing on the skin. I did find that this deodorant needed reapplying on particularly active days, but for daily wear, it was perfectly fine. The Sage Mint scent was one of my favourites of all the ones I tried; it's subtle but a perfect mix of calming and refreshing.

8. Gem Skin-Loving Deodorant

If there's one thing I noted when writing this article, it's that most of the innovation within deodorant NPD seems to be in stick and roll-on formulas. Aerosol sprays used to be much more old-school; quite irritating and prone to leaving residue and stains, but Gem, a new-to-the-UK Australian brand, keeps me fresh and odour-free all day long and doesn't leave marks on either my skin or my clothes. Plus, the packaging is chic, and the scents are crowd-pleasing (try Santal!).

9. Aesop Deodorant Spray

10. Mario Badescu Deodorant

This was my go-to for years and is still a firm favourite. It's a stick format, but the balm melts into a silky, invisible gel, so it doesn't leave any residue. The scents are very fresh and subtle, and the formula itself is definitely workout and heatwave-proof.

11. Megababe Rosy Pits Daily Deodorant

I remember the excitement when Megababe first launched in the UK; it was the first brand to really make deodorants that actually look good on your shelf. Of course, their popularity is also down to the really good and really effective formula (I keep one in my gym bag). Again, the balm texture is very light and truly melts onto the skin, so I've never experienced any issues with residue or irritation.

12. Estrid Antiperspirant Roll-On

This option ticks a lot of boxes for me, namely because I was really impressed to see that Estrid had found a way to make refillable roll-on deodorants. The scents are very, very subtle, truly barely there at all, but as an antiperspirant (in fact, the only one on this list), this is a great option for anyone who is particularly sweaty.

13. Saltair Serum Deodorant

I've been really impressed by these Saltair deodorants, which are a relatively new launch and therefore a recent addition to this list. They have a lightweight and cooling gel consistency, which doesn't leave any residue on the skin. I love the scents (especially Santal Bloom), and despite the fact that they're fragranced, I've experienced no irritation whatsoever.

How We Tested

To ensure each deodorant was thoroughly tested under real-life conditions, I personally used each product over several weeks (which included some intense UK heatwaves!). I assessed each deodorant’s effectiveness in controlling odour, managing sweat, longevity throughout the day, ease of application, skin feel and whether it caused any irritation. I also took note of the fragrance experience—both its initial scent and how well it wore over time. By putting each formula through high-pressure conditions like long work days, travelling and gym sessions, I was able to separate the ones that truly perform from those that simply promise to.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.