We looked closely at dozens of deodorant products and evaluated them on formula, strength, and application method to determine the best deodorants for women. Our top choice is the Dove Advanced Care Antiperspirant Deodorant, which does an excellent job at keeping odor and sweat at bay and contains ingredients that moisturize and allow for easy application. Read on for all of our top deodorant picks for women. Who it isn’t for: People looking for a fragrance-free deodorant. This popular Dove deodorant offers abundant sweat protection, moisturizing ingredients, and a refreshing fragrance to help keep underarm odor at bay. The Dove Advanced Care Deodorant Stick’s most active ingredient is aluminum, which at 15 percent provides ample defense against sweat. This sweat-fighting ingredient also helps keep odor at bay, which is what happens when your underarm sweat mixes with your skin’s bacteria. The deodorant’s added fragrance also helps minimize odor, while the moisturizing ingredients, including sunflower seed oil, keep your underarms smooth throughout wear. This soothing quality is further elevated due to the product’s lack of sulfate, a type of salt found in beauty products which can dry out the skin and cause irritation. You can expect this deodorant to actively protect you from sweat and odor for up to 48 hours. Product Details:
Type: Solid deodorant and antiperspirantSize: 2.6 ouncesProtection Time: 48 hours
Who it isn’t for: People who don’t want to spend a lot on deodorant. The type of deodorant that is best at stopping sweat is one that is labeled as “clinical strength.” Clinical strength deodorant contains the strongest over-the-counter antiperspirant (which stops sweat) available. The Secret Clinical Strength Deodorant is 20 percent an antiperspirant, so it’s stronger than normal deodorant, and it also contains talcum powder, which reduces moisture. In order for this long-lasting protection to work, the brand recommends that you put this on right before you go to bed so that the product has ample time to sink in and work its magic. It also includes oils that allow the deodorant to glide on easily, while the added pro Vitamin B5 acts as a moisturizing agent to keep your armpits smooth. A fragrance has also been added to the deodorant to further help mask odor. Product Details:
Type: Solid deodorant and antiperspirantSize: 2.6 ouncesProtection Time: 48 hours
Who it isn’t for: People who want a natural deodorant that’s a bigger size and costs less. If you’re uncomfortable with applying a product that contains aluminum directly to your skin, go with a natural deodorant. Kopari, a popular alternative to traditional deodorant, not only doesn’t contain any aluminum, but it’s also 100 percent plant-based and is free of phthalates and parabens. Kopari is also free of baking soda, which is a common alternative ingredient used in natural deodorants that can be irritating to some people. What the Kopari Deodorant does have is a number of natural ingredients that combat armpit odor. These include coconut juice, coconut oil, and sage oil, which can help moisturize your skin. Just take note that unlike traditional deodorants that contain antiperspirants, natural deodorants like Kopari won’t prevent sweating, just odor. Product Details:
Type: Solid natural deodorantSize: 2 ouncesProtection Time: Not listed
Who it isn’t for: People who have sensitive skin. One of the worst inconveniences of wearing deodorant is that it can rub off on your clothes, often creating stains that are hard to get out. Degree’s Ultraclear Black + White Antiperspirant & Deodorant, which specifically works to prevent white stains on black clothing and yellow stains on white clothing, was designed to help alleviate this problem. This is achieved by the lack of baking soda and low amount of aluminum in the ingredient list, both of which can cause deodorant stains. In addition to its stain-fighting power, this deodorant is long-lasting and is designed to protect your pits from sweat and odor for up to 72 hours. Odor is suppressed thanks to the brand’s MotionSense technology—the deodorant contains microcapsules that, when burst open by friction in the underarm area, release even more fragrances to keep you smelling fresh. Due to the fragrance-heavy formula, this product may not work well for people who have sensitive skin and are prone to underarm irritation. Product Details:
Type: Solid deodorant and antiperspirantSize: 2.6 ouncesProtection Time: 72 hours
Who it isn’t for: People who don’t want to breathe in the deodorant spray during application. Spray deodorants are popular because they dry faster than stick or roll-on deodorants, which sometimes leave behind a white residue or thick gel that can rub off on clothing. This deodorant spray from Dove allows you to quickly and easily apply your deodorant, thus saving precious time during your morning routine. The Dove Advanced Care Dry Spray is also a strong antiperspirant, containing about 20 percent aluminum, and will keep you staying dry for up to 48 hours. The deodorant’s moisturizing properties make up about a fourth of the product’s ingredients, ensuring that your skin will be smooth and hydrated even though it’s getting a lighter application of deodorant. When applying, make sure that you hold the deodorant six inches away from your arm and spray for about one to two minutes. Product Details:
Type: Spray deodorant and antiperspirantSize: 3.8 ouncesProtection Time: 48 hours
How to Shop for Deodorant
Type
Traditional “deodorant” is actually two products in one: a deodorant and an antiperspirant. Deodorants keep underarm odor at bay, while antiperspirants prevent sweating—and the properties in antiperspirants that prevent you from sweating also stop body odor. As such, you can get an antiperspirant that also does the work of deodorant, but you can’t get a deodorant that also does the work of an antiperspirant. While most people benefit from a deodorant-antiperspirant combo, people who don’t sweat much and people who prefer chemical-free deodorants should look for a natural deodorant.
Ingredients
One of the most talked about ingredients in deodorant is aluminum, which is the ingredient most often used to block sweat. Aluminum is present in most antiperspirants, and although the amount of aluminum in antiperspirants is considered safe to use daily, many people are more comfortable with an aluminum-free deodorant, aka a natural deodorant. Natural deodorants use alternatives such as baking soda, arrowroot powder, or cornstarch to help soak up sweat, although they simply aren’t as effective as aluminum. Another thing that people don’t often know when switching from an antiperspirant to a natural deodorant is that your body may have a reaction to it. This reaction includes smellier, sweatier armpits for up to four weeks. The aluminum in antiperspirants is so effective at blocking sweat that, when no longer used, the barrier that existed before dissipates and the waste buildup that lived behind it starts pouring out, resulting in more sweat and body odor. This might be uncomfortable, but it should stop once your body adjusts to your new, natural deodorant. The best thing to do is let the process happen, but if you want to help alleviate the symptoms, just wash your armpits more frequently with soap and water. Other ingredients to keep in mind are fragrances. Fragrances, such as essential oils or plant extracts, are added to help mask that body odor smell. Many deodorants are scented, but added fragrances can cause skin irritation and underarm discomfort for some people. It’s recommended that people with sensitive skin opt for fragrance-free deodorants. If you’re unsure, you can always try a deodorant with fragrances and see how your skin reacts. If you start to feel irritation in your armpits, then you’ll know it’s probably because of the added fragrances.
Application Type
You’ll find deodorants with various application types, including sticks, roll-ons, and sprays. One type isn’t necessarily better than the other, so the type you choose all comes down to personal preference. Sticks are great for people who want to get maximum coverage, while roll-ons are better for people who prefer a lighter application. Both of these methods might leave more of a residue or gel film that can be uncomfortable for some, and may take longer to dry. If that bugs you, you may be better off with a spray deodorant, which dries quicker. Just know that if you buy a spray, you’ll be breathing it in every time you use it, which might be annoying to some people.
Questions You Might Ask
What does it mean when a deodorant is “clinical strength”?
Clinical strength deodorant is a deodorant-antiperspirant combo that simply offers more of the ingredients that prevent odor and sweat, which is usually aluminum. This is the strongest deodorant and antiperspirant you’ll get without a prescription from a doctor. As such, if you struggle with regular deodorants or antiperspirants not working, try something that is labeled as “clinical strength” and follow the brand’s directions exactly. Just keep in mind that clinical strength deodorants do cost more than regular deodorants or antiperspirants.
When and how often should I be applying deodorant?
The odor- and sweat-blocking properties of deodorants and antiperspirants usually last about 24 hours, with some up to 72 hours. However, if you find yourself in a situation where your armpits are sticky or are excessively sweating, there is no harm in adding another application. Try to avoid applying deodorant or antiperspirant multiple times a day though, as this could lead to skin irritation. If you become uncomfortable after applying your deodorant more than once per day, consider upgrading to a clinical strength deodorant. When you apply deodorant, make sure your armpits are completely dry so that your skin properly soaks up its ingredients. This is especially important for antiperspirants, which work better in a dry underarm environment and are usually recommended to be applied at night rather than the morning. Not only are your sweat glands less active at night, but applying overnight allows more time for the product to sink in. Following this routine should increase the effectiveness of the antiperspirant, so much so that it won’t be affected by or rubbed off from the water in your morning shower. This isn’t the case, however, for deodorants.
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Rachel Center, a product reviews home writer for Real Simple. She spent hours researching all the components that make the best deodorant for women, ultimately choosing the products on this list based on deodorant type and ingredients.
