Here It Is—Your One-Stop Shop for the Best Deodorants on the Market

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 also an extremely personal choice. Everyone is looking for something different in a deodorant, whether you want to opt for a pick that keeps your underarms dry or simply masks odor or you want a spray or a stick.

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 ingredients to help 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 Peony + Rose Water Antiperspirant & Deodorant
• Best Deodorant: Kopari Aluminum-Free Deodorant
• Best Fragrance-Free: Kosas Chemistry AHA Serum Deodorant
• Best Spray: Dove 0% Aluminum Deodorant Spray Pomegranate & Lemon Verbena
• Best Without Baking Soda: Nécessaire The Deodorant Gel

Best Antiperspirant: Dove Ultimate Water-Based + Glycerin Peony + Rose Water Antiperspirant & Deodorant

Best Deodorant: Kopari Aluminum-Free Deodorant

Best Fragrance-Free: Kosas Chemistry AHA Serum Deodorant

Best Spray: Dove 0% Aluminum Deodorant Spray Pomegranate & Lemon Verbena

Best Without Baking Soda: Nécessaire The Deodorant Gel

Best for Sensitive Skin: Native Plastic-Free Sensitive Deodorant in Cotton & Lily

Best Drugstore: Secret Outlast Antiperspirant Deodorant

Best Luxury: Corpus California Natural Stick Deodorant

Best for Sweat: Secret Clinical Strength Antiperspirant and Deodorant in Completely Clean

Best Fragranced: PHLUR Vanilla Skin Natural Deodorant

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 Josh Zeichner, MD, board-certified dermatologist. “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 mid-day). 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 it 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 might 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.

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