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While sweating and body odor are completely normal, the best deodorants and antiperspirants can keep you smelling fresh and staying dry—whether you’re navigating the morning subway rush or powering through a hot Pilates class. First, a quick (ahem) refresher: Antiperspirants and deodorants are not interchangeable. Antiperspirants use aluminum to temporarily “plug” sweat ducts and therefore minimize odor, whereas deodorants don't actually prevent sweat, but they do mask any B.O. with bacteria-reducing ingredients or other smells.
Knowing what formula works with your skin, however, can make all the difference. For sensitive skin, natural and aluminum-free deodorants can curb odor without aggravating your pits. If sweat control is a priority, antiperspirants and clinical-strength formulas offer extra support for those who sweat heavily or deal with hyperhidrosis (guilty). Your options also go well beyond the traditional stick, with sprays, roll-ons, serums, gels, and creams to suit just about every preference.
Our Top Deodorants
- Best Overall Deodorant: Salt & Stone Santal & Vetiver Deodorant, $20
- Best Overall Antiperspirant: Secret Clinical Strength Completely Clean Invisible Solid, $14
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Curie Clean Deodorant Stick, $14
- Best for Preventing Ingrowns: Saltair 5% AHA Serum Deodorant Fragrance Free, $26 (2-Pack)
Frequently Asked Questions
- What’s the difference between a deodorant and antiperspirant?
- When should you use a clinical-strength deodorant?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
If your current deodorant isn’t working hard enough, we asked Allure editors and board-certified dermatologists to share their favorite formulas for keeping musk, sweat, and everything in between in check.
Best Overall Deodorant: Salt & Stone Santal & Vetiver Deodorant
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Salt & Stone
Santal & Vetiver Deodorant
Amazon
Nordstrom
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Why it’s worth it: When a deodorant smells so good that you can’t help but go “ooh” and “ahh,” applying it (and reapplying) becomes something to look forward to. Salt & Stone’s Aluminum-Free Deodorant is a favorite amongst many Allure editors, namely due to its hard-to-beat scent lineup. With six fragrances to choose from, including the Best of Beauty-winning Santal & Vetiver, it keeps underarms smelling fresh for the long run. But besides combatting stink, this transfer-resistant formula works with the skin’s natural pH levels, meaning it helps keep the skin microbiome and healthy bacteria happy.
Magnesium does the heavy lifting to neutralize odor-causing bacteria, while tapioca starch absorbs excess moisture without leaving your underarms high and dry—compared to actives, such as baking soda, which dry or sensitive underarms may find irritating. A soothing blend of spirulina, shea butter, and niacinamide rounds out the gentle, moisturizing list. And, of course, the stick glides smoothly with no pesky signs of it left behind.
Tester feedback from senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor
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"Natural deodorants have had a bad reputation for being incapable of staving off odor for long periods of time, but I never have to worry about that with this stick. It glides on without being too squishy, like some other formulas, and keeps me stink-free for hours." —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior beauty editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: magnesium, spirulina, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide
- Aluminum-free: yes
- Fragrance-free: no
- Scents available: 6 (Santal & Vetiver, Saffron & Cedar)
Best Overall Antiperspirant: Secret Clinical Strength Completely Clean Invisible Solid
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Secret
Clinical Strength Completely Clean Invisible Solid
Amazon
Why it’s worth it: The right antiperspirant does more than put an end to the constant sweat-check. Case in point: Secret’s Clinical Strength Completely Clean Invisible Solid, a 2026 Best of Beauty winner that our team tested over months (and across different seasons) so you can wholeheartedly trust that it will have you covered on steamy first dates or toasty subway rides.
When it comes to an antiperspirant, its concentration of aluminum compounds says a lot about its level of sweat control. This Secret formula contains 20% aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly, which Dara Spearman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Fort Wayne, Indiana, previously shared is “the highest level available over the counter to target heat, activity, and stress sweat.” It pairs the active with nourishing castor oil, bisabolol, and hyaluronic acid to soothe and hydrate the skin. Plus, the invisible glides on clear to help prevent white marks on your favorite black tee. (No outfit casualties, please!)
Tester feedback from social media manager Bianca Richards
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"I mean, there's no secret that the Secret Clinical Strength Completely Clean Invisible Solid Antiperspirant/Deodorant is the number one pick when it comes to finding the best solid antiperspirant on the market. As someone who just recently started doing hot Pilates, this is the only antiperspirant that holds up against the others. But what truly makes it stand out is how easily it is to cleanse after a long day. A lot of antiperspirants leave a super-tacky residue that's so hard to wash off in the shower, but this one is easy to remove with a net sponge and your body wash of choice." —Bianca Richards, social media manager
More to know
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- Key ingredients: 20% aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly, vitamin E, bisabolol
- Aluminum-free: no
- Fragrance-free: no
- Scents available: 5 (Completely Clean, Lavender)
Best Deodorant Spray: Native Coconut & Vanilla Deodorant Spray
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Native
Coconut & Vanilla Deodorant Spray
Amazon
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Why it’s worth it: Native’s Coconut & Vanilla Deodorant Spray is a past Best of Beauty winner that feels like next to nothing and smells like a warm beach vacation in a bottle. (If the tropical vibes aren’t your preference, the spray has six other addictive scents). The fast-drying formula features a soothing dose of niacinamide and triglyceride to help keep pits feeling smooth and comfortable. And unlike some deodorant sprays that leave behind a chalky finish, this one has a fine, clear mist that feels refreshing but won’t leave you coughing amidst a cloud of deo.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: niacinamide, triglyceride
- Aluminum-free: yes
- Fragrance-free: no
- Scents available: 7 (Coconut & Vanilla, Aloe & Green Tea)
Best Antiperspirant Spray: Dove Advanced Care Cool Essentials Dry Spray Antiperspirant Deodorant
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Dove
Advanced Care Dry Spray Antiperspirant
Amazon (3-Pack)
Walmart
Why it’s worth it: Chances are you’ve spotted this during your many drugstore runs, or, perhaps, recognize it as a 2024 and 2026 Allure Best of Beauty Award winner. No matter the year, we love the Dove Advanced Care Antiperspirant Deodorant Spray for its crisp, spa-like scent (Cool Essentials, specifically, is an editor favorite), but the real appeal is how well it delivers odor and sweat protection, thanks to 20% aluminum chlorohydrate. It also softens dry underarms with moisturizing sunflower seed oil, all while staying alcohol-free (a common, sometimes-irritating additive in deodorant sprays). Give it a few seconds for the formula to completely dry down—when it does, you get a nearly weightless finish, so you can be out the door almost as fast as you apply it.
Tester feedback from former shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis
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“When I tell you the Dove Dry Spray Antiperspirant is the only product that touches my pits—I'm not lying. This antiperspirant lasts all day and applies dry and clear, with no white residue in sight. I live in constant 90-degree weather so I know a good B.O. blocker when I try it.” —Angela Trakoshis, former shopping market editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: aluminum chlorohydrate 20.2%, sunflower seed oil
- Fragrance-free: no
- Scents available: 3 (Cool Essentials, Fresh, Revive)
Best Roll-On: Ban AHA Roll-on Serum Deodorant
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Ban
AHA Roll-on Serum Deodorant
Amazon (2-Pack)
Why it’s worth it: If you’re over deodorant marks transferring onto your shirt, this Ban AHA Roll-on Serum Deodorant is a mess-free alternative. Thanks to its smooth rollerball applicator, the lightweight, liquid formula evenly distributes product without leaving behind a heavy residue. And while it does contain three forms of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs for short)—lactic, shikimic, and mandelic acids—the serum balances the gentle exfoliants with anti-inflammatory plant extracts (such as sandalwood and barley) to help soothe and calm stressed-out pits.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“Ban had me sold with ‘Invisible’ alone because the last thing I need to worry about is my deodorant leaving behind chalky residue and needing to rub it in with my hands (no thanks). I’m swiping and running off! The rollerball makes application a breeze; I can cover more area in seconds since there’s zero tugging; it’s so smooth, cooling, and refreshing. This stuff keeps my pits (and a few other sweaty areas that I won’t divulge) feeling dry and comfortable during heatwaves, pickleball games, and more.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: aluminum chlorohydrate 18%, sunflower seed oil, phellodendron amurense bark extract
- Aluminum-free: no
- Fragrance-free: no (but you can also shop an unscented version)
- Scents available: 3 (Unscented, Citrus & Jasmine, Amber & Cedarwood)
Best Brightening: SheaMoisture Vitamin C & Niacinamide Even Tone Deodorant Stick Aluminum
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SheaMoisture
Vitamin C & Niacinamide Even Tone Deodorant Stick Aluminum
Amazon (2-Pack)
Why it’s worth it: Dark underarms are completely normal and nothing you need to “fix,” but if it makes you self-conscious to go sleeveless, the Best of Beauty-winning SheaMoisture Even Tone Deodorant Stick can help. The formula contains niacinamide and sea buckthorn extract (a derivative of vitamin C), two ingredients commonly used to fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation, to effectively even tone. It also features shea butter, glycerin, and sunflower seed oil to moisturize skin and soothe irritation caused by friction or shaving—that’s a win-win.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: arrowroot powder, niacinamide, sea buckthorn extract, shea butter, sea buckthorn fruit extract (vitamin C)
- Aluminum-free: yes
- Fragrance-free: no
- Scents available: 1
Best for Dry Skin: Herbivore Coco Rose Deodorant
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Herbivore
Coco Rose Deodorant
Ulta Beauty
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Why it’s worth it: For dry underarms that need a little extra TLC, Herbivore’s Coco Rose Deodorant delivers moisture via squalane, coconut and castor oils, and tremella mushroom to help prevent moisture loss—because your pits are skin, too—leaving underarms soft, smooth, and protected. Its gentle, aluminum-free formula uses tapioca starch over other aluminum alternatives to absorb moisture without causing irritation, thus earning a 2026 Best of Beauty Award in our Clean category. Bonus: We could smell its sweet notes of coconut, rose, berry, and vanilla bean all day long—be prepared for many sniff-checks (but not the bad kind).
Tester feedback from former Best of Beauty editorial assistant ElleAnna Revell
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"I love aluminum-free deodorant, but finding one with a scent that actually lasts all day can be quite a task. Coco Rose Deodorant stays put and keeps me smelling fresh and clean, even through an evening workout. It also doesn’t leave an annoying residue on my clothes." —ElleAnna Revell, former Best of Beauty editorial assistant
More to know
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- Key ingredients: tapioca starch, squalane, coconut oil, tremella mushroom, castor oil
- Aluminum-free: yes
- Fragrance-free: no
- Scents available: 1
Best for Sensitive Skin: Curie Clean Deodorant Stick
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Curie
Clean Deodorant Stick
Amazon (2-Pack)
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Why it’s worth it: Underarms have enough to deal with between shaving, friction, and sweat, so your deodorant certainly shouldn’t be another pain point. Curie’s Clean Deodorant Stick is boosted with cocoa butter, fruit extracts, aloe, and vitamin E oil to calm redness and moisturize irritated pits. It also skips baking soda, a common irritant for sensitive skin, in favor of tapioca starch so it's tough on sweat while being gentle on your skin. While the stick comes in eight scented options, there’s an unscented version for skin easily aggravated by fragrance.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Madison San Miguel
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“Because of my hyperhidrosis (a condition that causes excess sweating), my pits are constantly being tossed around by sweat, rubbing, and the irritation that comes with. Some antiperspirants can feel more tingly than calming on my already stressed underarms, but this deo has been SO relieving on days I don’t need extra sweat protection. It masks just enough odor so I’m not shy to lift my arms, but it also keeps them soft and smooth all day long.”—Madison San Miguel, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: tapioca starch, cocoa butter, aloe, vitamin E oil, prickly pear extract
- Aluminum-free: yes
- Fragrance-free: yes (unless you choose one of the eight scented options)
- Scents available: 8 (Warm Vanilla, Santal Sage)
Best Scents: Megababe The Santal Deo
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Megababe
The Santal Deo
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Nordstrom
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Why it’s worth it: There’s nothing wrong with choosing a deo solely for its scent but Megababe’s The Santal Deo gives you even more reasons to swipe it on. The aluminum-free formula helps reduce odor with naturally-derived magnesium hydroxide and zinc ricinoleate, and kicks irritation to the curb with ceramides, shea butter, and castor and coconut oils. Scent-wise, our editors are keen on The Santal with its warm notes of sandalwood, violet, and amber that feel effortlessly elevated. If you’re in the mood for something brighter, the brand’s other scents range from a salty peach to zesty, smoothie-inspired blends.
Tester feedback from features director Dianna Singh
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"Blame hormones or age or general crabbiness, but I no longer have patience for deos that leave me feeling anything but totally comfortable. Megababe The Santal Deo is made with moisturizing shea butter and skin barrier-boosting ceramides, the combo of which is totally soothing and non-irritating. And its scent is so chic and elevated, I can practically skip perfume." —Dianna Singh, features director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: tapioca starch, ceramides, shea butter, castor oil, coconut oil
- Aluminum-free: yes
- Fragrance-free: no
- Scents available: 7 (Coco, Peachy)
Best for Preventing Ingrowns: Saltair 5% AHA Serum Deodorant Fragrance Free
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Saltair
5% AHA Serum Deodorant Fragrance Free
Amazon (2-Pack)
Ulta Beauty
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Why it’s worth it: Dealing with post-shaving stinging or worse, the accompanying ingrowns? This 2023 Best of Beauty-winning formula helps smooth the way with a gentle trio of exfoliating acids—mandelic and lactic acids (AHAs) and polyhydroxy acid (PHA for short)—that are kind on skin but tough on bumps and texture, while the roll-on applicator helps distribute the formula evenly across skin and prevent streaking. It also boasts niacinamide, xylitol esters, and glycerin to help soothe irritated skin and control odor. Just give it a few seconds to dry down before heading out the door.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: mandelic acid, lactic acid, polyhydroxy acid, gluconolactone (PHA), niacinamide, glycerin, xylitol esters
- Aluminum-free: yes
- Fragrance-free: no
- Scents available: 10 scented options (Seascape, Exotic Pulp, Coral Coast, Golden Hour)
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a deodorant and antiperspirant?
Sometimes the terms “deodorant” and "antiperspirant" are used interchangeably, but they serve different purposes: Deodorants help mask or minimize odor, while an antiperspirant prevents sweating. And despite what you might think, sweat itself isn’t necessarily the culprit behind what makes you stink. While sweat glands can be found all throughout our body, Mona A. Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Branford, Connecticut, previously shared that our “armpits, genitals, buttocks, and feet” are the areas prone to odor.
When our body’s natural-occurring bacteria (emphasis on natural) begin to feast on said sweat, that’s when body odor can occur. "Odor is released when bacteria come into contact with the thicker, milkier substance produced by apocrine glands in our armpits and groin," Shereene Idriss, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, previously told Allure. Deodorants use fragrance or antimicrobial agents to target these odor-causing bacteria, so when it enters the picture, it can be helpful “to prevent skin maceration during high humid seasons or to prevent skin irritation from friction," Julie E. Russak, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC, previously said, especially where there’s skin-on-skin contact (under the breasts, for instance). Some formulas, like natural deodorants, rely on baking soda or cornstarch as an alternative to absorb moisture.
If sweating becomes unmanageable, that’s when you should consider an antiperspirant. Unlike deodorants, these formulas typically include aluminum compounds, such as aluminium zirconium and aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly, which temporarily “plug” the sweat glands to tame sweat. “Traditional antiperspirants do not decrease sweating, but rather block sweat from reaching the skin's surface," Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, previously explained.
It’s important to remember that B.O. or sweating is entirely normal and important bodily function, but the right formula can help you feel fresh—and confident—for longer.
When should you use a clinical-strength deodorant?
Think of a clinical-strength deodorant as a more heavy-duty version of an antiperspirant. “When sweating begins to impact confidence, clothing choices, or social comfort, that is often a sign that a clinical-strength option may be appropriate,” Dr. Spearman previously said, even when there’s good hygiene. Whether excessive sweating is caused by hyperhidrosis or not, “clinical” deodorants “usually contain higher concentrations of active sweat-reducing ingredients, such as aluminum salts, which temporarily block sweat ducts to decrease perspiration,” Vidya Shivakumar, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Chicago, previously told Allure.
Meet the experts
- Dara Spearman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
- Julie E. Russak, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
- Mona A. Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Branford, Connecticut, and an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine
- Shereene Idriss, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
- Vidya Shivakumar, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Chicago
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best deodorants, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
