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Byrdie / Lecia Landis
In the world of beauty products, deodorant may not necessarily be the sexiest on the block. Still, you’re probably not using that gorgeous red lipstick daily, but we’re willing to bet you are swiping on a deodorant every day, right? And as of late, this basic personal care necessity has reached new heights, with more options out there than ever before.
Whether you need a serious, sweat-stopping antiperspirant, or are making the switch to more natural, aluminum-free deodorants, the market is saturated with a little something for everyone. (As a quick reminder, antiperspirants are the only ones that will actually stop sweat, though they do so using ingredients that some feel are controversial in the safety department. Deodorants simply contain ingredients to mask or prevent odor, but you will still sweat.)
Other aspects to consider, besides ingredients, when you're making your deodorant-buying decision are whether you want to block sweat or just odor, how long you'll need one application to last and the scent. We considered dozens of different types of deodorants and antiperspirants, evaluating them on their type, active ingredients, how they apply, and of course the results. After consulting with Byrdie editors for their picks on deodorants that work for them, we landed on the following best in show.
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Affordable
Various scents available
Moisturizing
Leaves a sticky residue
Regardless of preference, we guarantee you there’s a Dove deodorant for that. They have a variety of traditional antiperspirants, including the new, aluminum-free deodorant that was a big hit with Byrdie editors, sprays, wipes…you get the picture. In total, including all of the extensive scent options, there are over 60 unique variants. In true Dove fashion, all of the formulas are super moisturizing and gentle on skin, too.
Type: Solid stick | Active Ingredients: Glycerin, fragrance | Size: 2.6 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
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Potent formula
Long-lasting
Affordable
Not aluminum-free
The sweatiest spin class or hottest yoga session is no match for this bad boy, which, according to the brand, touts an impressive 20% aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex (say that three times fast), the active ingredient that keeps sweat at bay, and the highest concentration you can get over-the-counter. It also comes in both solid and gel variants. Top tip: Swipe it on at bedtime so it can do its thing overnight to minimize sweat and keep on working for up to 48 hours.
Type: Solid stick | Active Ingredients: Aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex | Size: 1.6 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
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Aluminum- and baking soda-free
Moisturizing
Natural formula
Must be reapplied often
A Byrdie Eco Beauty Award-winner, this aluminum- and baking soda-free formula uses coconut water, coconut oil, and sage oil to help keep you fresh all day. We love it for its ability to ward off sweat and odor (even for one Byrdie editor who normally relies on the high-powered antiperspirants) and the rounded shape, making application super easy.
Type: Solid stick | Active Ingredients: Coconut oil | Size: 2 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
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Byrdie / Jenna Igneri
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Doesn't leave a residue
Chic packaging
Baking soda-free
Pricey
Byrdie’s former editorial director Faith Xue swears by this natural option; she raves about the sophisticated fragrances, smooth, residue-free application, and chic packaging. While many natural deodorants use baking soda—which may potentially be irritating for some—this relies on tapioca starch and diatomaceous earth to wick away moisture, and it’s also free of synthetic fragrance, a boon for those with sensitive underarm skin.
Type: Solid stick | Active Ingredients: Petitgrain, vetiver root, geranium leaf, citrus rind | Size: 2.6 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
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Vegan
Aluminum-free
Doesn't leave a residue
Must be reapplied often
This cruelty-free, vegan formula (another Byrdie fan favorite) is free of aluminum and drying alcohol and uses only 100% natural fragrance. Refreshing eucalyptus oil leaves you feeling—and smelling— fresh, while citronellyl is meant to neutralize odor—bonus points for the clear gel that glides on nicely, without leaving behind any residue.
Type: Solid stick | Active Ingredients: Eucalyptus, citronellyl | Size: 2.6 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
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Natural formula
Moisturizing
Various scents available
Can be hard to spread around
This natural deodorant is a winning combo of affordable and effective, which is why it's Commerce Editorial Director Jess Mahgerefteh's daily go-to. Magnesium hydroxide is meant to control odor, while coconut oil is meant to nourish the skin; This refreshing bergamot and lime version is Jess' favorite, but the brand also offers others like rose and vanilla, lavender and sage, and charcoal and magnesium. One thing to note: This formula does contain baking soda, so if you're sensitive to that, Schmidt's offers a baking soda-free option, too.
Type: Solid stick | Active Ingredients: Magnesium hydroxide, baking soda | Size: 2.65 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
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Natural formula
Treats discoloration
Minimizes bumps
Bottle can leak
When Byrdie contributor Jenna Igneri tested Nécessaire's debut deodorant, she fell in love with its eucalyptus scent immediately. "I never thought that a deodorant could smell sexy," she wrote in her review, "But this is it." It doesn't just smell great, though—its natural formula really works, thanks to lactic and mandelic acids (meant to fight odor) and a blend of while silica, zinc, and kaolin clay (meant to keep you dry).
Type: Cream | Active Ingredients: AHA (alpha hydroxy acid), silica, kaolin, zinc | Size: 1.7 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes
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Doesn't stain
Moisturizing
Affordable
Strong smell
Spray deodorants are back in a big way. This one earns top marks for not only being alcohol-free (no stinging or irritation here, even if you spritz it on right after shaving) but also containing moisturizers to keep skin extra soft and smooth. Plus, it goes on totally clear, so there’s never any need to worry about tell-tale white streaks on your LBD.
Type: Spray | Active Ingredients: Aluminum chlorohydrate | Size: 5.7 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
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Moisturizing
Vegan
Recyclable packaging
Must be reapplied often
Briogeo is best known for its hair products, but this plant-based natural deodorant from the brand is worth your time, too. Tea tree oil helps fight odor-causing bacteria, coconut oil soothes and hydrates the skin, and eucalyptus delivers a cool, refreshing scent. It's also vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free and comes in recyclable packaging.
Type: Solid stick | Active Ingredients: Tea tree, coconut, eucalyptus | Size: 1.83 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
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Travel-friendly
Can use all over body
Aluminum-free
Not as effective as other options
Choice for when you’re on the go, these make it easy to freshen up, fast. Another one of our favorite natural options, a deodorizing blend of essential oils, keeps B.O. at bay, while coconut milk and shea butter help hydrate. Use them not only under your arms but anywhere on your body whenever a shower is hard to come by.
Type: Pre-moistened towelettes | Active Ingredients: Coconut milk, essential oils | Size: 30 towelettes | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
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Moisturizing
Vegan
Aluminum- and baking soda-free
Must be reapplied often
Cream deodorants can be a bit messy, but not this one from Drunk Elephant—its twist-up-style applicator is super easy to use. What's more, its formula promises to nix odor-causing bacteria, absorb moisture, and soothe the skin thanks to mandelic acid, arrowroot, and shea butter. It's also totally free of baking soda, essential oils, aluminum-derived ingredients, sulfates, silicones, and fragrances, so it should be safe for sensitive underarms.
Type: Cream | Active Ingredients: Mandelic acid, arrowroot powder, shea butter, marula oil, mongongo oil, baobab seed oil | Size: 2 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
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Moisturizing
Fair Trade ingredients
Aluminum-free
Must be reapplied often
This product is so much more than an effective natural deodorant. Yes, it'll keep you feeling fresh—thanks to soothing coconut, odor-neutralizing charcoal, antibacterial neem, and nourishing shea butter—but it also supports an excellent cause. Any purchase from Alaffia will help fund the company's efforts to empower communities in Togo, West Africa, through the advancement of Fair Trade, education, sustainable living, and gender equality.
Type: Solid stick | Active Ingredients: Coconut, neem charcoal, shea butter, reishi | Size: 2.6 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
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Affordable
Only one ingredient
Doesn't leave a residue
Must warm up before application
It can admittedly take a little bit of time to get used to using crystal deodorant, but if you’re ready to make the switch, this one gets our vote. A mineral salt shaped into a gem-like stone, all you have to do is moisten the top and rub it under your arms.
Type: Solid stick | Active Ingredients: Mineral salt | Size: 4.25 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
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Aluminum-free
Various scents available
Long-lasting
Can sting if used right after shaving
This aluminum-, paraben-, cruelty-free drugstore buy consistently pulls in thousands of glowing reviews, with users applauding how well it works. It comes in four different scents, plus seasonal varieties, as well as a custom option that lets you create your own.
Type: Solid stick | Active Ingredients: Coconut oil, shea butter, baking soda, magnesium hydroxide | Size: 2.65 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
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Byrdie / Jenna Igneri
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Customizable
Aluminum-free
Various scents available
Pricey
Anything and everything custom are having a major moment in the beauty world, and deodorant is no different. This brand lets you customize not only the scent but the strength, too, for a final formulation that suits exactly your needs and preferences. The natural option is free from aluminum, parabens, and other hard-to-pronounce ingredients, instead, relying on baking soda plus organic essential oils, butter, and waxes.
Type: Solid stick | Active Ingredients: Arrowroot powder, tapioca powder, kaolin, baking soda (optional) | Size: 2.11 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
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Dermatologist-tested
Slows hair growth
Vegan
Not as effective as other options
A deodorant that can cut down on how often you have to shave? It sounds too good to be true, but one Byrdie editor put this to the test and found that it seriously works after about three weeks. The brand credits natural plant extracts meant to slow down hair growth while also delivering an anti-inflammatory effect.
Type: Solid stick | Active Ingredients: Coconut oil, aloe leaf juice, larrea divaricata extract | Size: 2.6 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Final Verdict
Our best overall pick is Dove Aluminum-Free Deodorant, which comes in a variety of scents to control odor. We love its ultra-moisturizing formula that's gentle on skin and easy to wear. f you're looking for an antiperspirant to stop you from sweating, consider Secret Clinical Strength Antiperspirant and Deodorant, which contains aluminum to inhibit sweat.
What to Look for in Deoderant
Ingredients
Choosing the best ingredients for your skin and health is something to consider with any product you are wearing every day, all day. Although experts say there is not enough evidence to support avoiding aluminum in many deodorants and antiperspirants, some people prefer to avoid it. This is due to the link that some research has found between aluminum and cancer, specifically breast cancer.
Other ingredients worth paying attention to are essential oils or synthetic fragrances, mineral salts, and alcohol. These ingredients can irritate the skin for some people.
Sweat and Odor Blocking
Deodorants work by offering scents to cover up or remove unwanted body odor. Antiperspirants block actual sweat glands to inhibit sweat as well as control smell. Consider what type of protection works best for you.
Scent
Deodorants come in a wide variety of scents. Choosing one that doesn't put you off is essential since you will smell it every day. Some brands also use perfumes that might cause allergic reactions in you or other people who are close to you. Essential oils are typically less likely to cause allergic reactions. There are also unscented versions of deodorant and antiperspirant.
Strength and Longevity
Some deodorants and antiperspirants last longer than others. If you can't reapply or tend to sweat a lot, you might need a product that lasts longer or offers more substantial protection. Some brands claim to be clinical strength antiperspirants for people who are very sweaty.
Many deodorant brands claim to offer odor protection that lasts from 12–72 hours. Look for the upper end of that range if you need it.
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