Bye-bye B.O.
Summer may be the sweatiest season for many, but deodorant for men is a year-round necessity. That’s because B.O. can strike at any time, during any season, and it’s usually pretty unpleasant. Long story short: We are constantly in search of the next deodorant we can acquire to kick armpit wetness to the curb.
Since finding deodorants that work not only brings us joy on a personal level but a professional one as well, we get genuinely excited to share our findings with you. From natural deodorants (no aluminum, no problem) to antiperspirants (excessive sweaters, we got you), we researched the greatest odor-protecting formulas for men to swipe under their armpits.
Keep scrolling to discover the best deodorants for men that offer something for just about everyone.
Best Overall: Malin + Goetz Deodorant
The eucalyptus deodorant from Malin+Goetz isn’t anything new, but it’s been a bestseller since the brand was founded almost 15 years ago. Why? First of all, it smells amazing. It’s impossible to narrow down which of the three crisp, fresh scents (eucalyptus, bergamot, and botanical) is our favorite. Second, and more importantly, it works—and it works all day. The vegan, cruelty-free cooling gel deodorant uses natural ingredients that promise not to stain your clothes, and it never includes alcohol or aluminum either. The eucalyptus scent, for instance, uses real citronellyl and eucalyptus, which extract to neutralize odor,1 leaving only a subtle (maybe too subtle for some), aromatic aura behind for the entire day.
Best Budget: Tom’s of Maine Men’s Long Lasting Wide Stick Deodorant
Founded on the principle of providing affordable access to natural and effective products, Tom’s of Maine uses organic ingredients in all of their products, including this deodorant. Vegetable-derived oils and moisturizers, along with organic aloe, are the foundation of this refreshingly fragranced, mountain air-like deodorant. Add to that the company’s use of hops—yep, just like those found in your favorite beer—for deodorizing2, and you have a great alternative to the other similarly scented but significantly more synthetic solids for about the same price. We could stand for it to be a bit stronger, but for this affordable price, we’re more than happy with the solid 24-hour odor protection it provides.
Best Drugstore: Dove Men+Care Clean Comfort Deodorant Stick
Dove Men+Care Clean Comfort Deodorant Stick uses an alcohol-free formula plus Dove’s signature moisturizer and soft, fresh laundry-like scent. Swipe this one on, and you won’t have to worry about stinky pits or skin irritation for 48 hours, making this a great choice when you’re camping or simply skipping a shower. It also ditches sulfates, fluorides, aluminum, and parabens—all those questionable ingredients you worry about—though keep in mind that it does contain BHT, which is used as an antioxidant to keep the stick stable (in color, odor, and texture) as it is exposed to air. You can’t beat this price, though.
Best Splurge: Corpus Third Rose Natural Deodorant
Fragrance really is the foundation of this luxury vegan deodorant. Corpus offers five very different, very natural options, each boasting its own infectious, unique scent. Of the five, it’s hard to choose a favorite, but if we have to, we’ll go with the rich, layered rose aroma. The other options: a beachy scent called California, cedar flora, neroli, santalum, and a citrus-scented one named No. Green. Regardless of the scent that wins you over, they all harness the natural healing power of essential oils and enzymes derived from flowers, fruits, and plants to really pamper your pits.
All its offerings are aluminum- and paraben-free and lack talc and baking soda, which might irritate sensitive skin. Not only that, but it applies smoothly—a feat for all-natural deodorants. It’s pricey, yes, but in return, you receive a high-performance, freshly-scented deodorant.
Best Natural: Schmidt’s Charcoal Magnesium Natural Deodorant
A favorite among all-natural deodorant users is Schmidt’s. The activated charcoal and magnesium hydroxide in this deodorant option are meant to work together with arrowroot powder and baking soda to fend off odor-causing bacteria for up to 24 hours, according to the brand—a claim not easily made when it comes to natural deodorant.
By first warming the stick under your pits, the active ingredients go on smoothly and work hard. Choose from an array of fragrances (like hemp seed oil and sage or rose and black pepper) for your 24-hour protection. If you have particularly sensitive skin, skip the signature formulas, and opt for their sensitive versions instead. Available in both stick and cream varieties, Schmidt’s really aims to please just about everyone
Best Antiperspirant: Art of Sport Antiperspirant Deodorant
Just as ideal for the CrossFit enthusiast as it is for the businessman who can’t keep a shirt dry during a board meeting, Art of Sport is a great fit for any guy who wants to stop sweating—period. Matcha and arrowroot are meant to boost the powerful performance of aluminum to block sweat all day, no matter where your sprint takes you. The scent will last all day, too, so you don’t have to worry about reapplying. What’s more? The fragrances offered aren’t those stereotypical “sport” fragrances you’ll find elsewhere. Fresh, citrus, and—our favorite—eucalyptus keep you smelling good and grown up, not like a high school locker room. While invigorating, they aren’t particularly subtle, so if you’re sensitive to scents, this one might be too strong for you.
Best for Sensitive Skin: Oars + Alps Natural Deodorant
What’s not in Oars + Alps Natural Deodorant (aluminum and alcohol) is just as important as what is: cornstarch, which will absorb any sweat you work up during a 24-hour period. This naturally skin-soothing, lightly scented deodorant is especially a fit for sensitive skin, thanks to its allergen-free fragrance that works hard, so you can play hard. While it leaves behind notes of citrus and amber, you’ll never find any weird marks on your clothes at the end of the day. You can feel good knowing it’s made in the U.S. and cruelty-free too. Our only gripe? It could be a touch stronger.
Best Unscented: Ursa Major Base Layer Deodorant
Sometimes, those with sensitive skin (or just sensitive noses) prefer no fragrance. None. High-caliber organic ingredients found in this unscented cruelty-free gem make it the best unscented deodorant you can choose. This is key for the most sensitive skin since many fragrances are made up of essential oils that can irritate, even with the best intentions. Natural kaolin clay (think oil-absorbing face masks) promises to absorb that sticky sweat while hops and saccharomyces ferment are put to work, neutralizing odor. It glides on smoothly too, and no, it won’t stain your clothes. It could be stronger, but this is still hands-down the best unscented deodorant on the market.
Best Spray: Every Man Jack Dry Spray Deodorant
This spray deodorant might just be the best thing you have never heard of from Every Man Jack. Available in two (but only two) masculine fragrances, cedarwood, and sandalwood, the dry spray goes on easily and dries fast—a must for spray deodorant. Without any animal testing, this 98 percent naturally derived spray is free of aluminum, parabens, phthalates, dyes, and gluten, according to the brand. Spray knowing you aren’t hurting yourself or the environment when you use this, thanks to the special bottle design that eliminates any need for chemical propellants. All that for just $12. Not bad.
Best Wipe: Degree Men On-The-Go Deodorant Wipes
If you’re a gym rat or just a guy on the go, it’s not a bad idea to have deodorant wipes at the ready. Degree infused its seriously sophisticated odor-fighting technology into these aluminum-free wipes, which are designed to pair perfectly with Degree’s leading athlete-approved antiperspirants or your normal deodorant of choice. They can also be used on their own. Add a pack to glove compartments, gym bags, backpacks, and briefcases. If you’re a serious sweater, we suggest all of the above. We wish they were more hydrating, but at this price (which breaks down to a quarter per wipe) and for such a strong formula in a convenient, portable form, no real complaints here.
Best Texture: Kosas Chemistry Deodorant
This deodorant from Kosas’ KosaSport collection caught us off guard. With skincare brands throwing AHAs into just about everything these days, we were sure this was going to be just another deodorant. We were wrong. Okay, sure, it’s not saving the world, but it is saving our armpits. That’s all to say that the AHAs in this new cooling serum deodorant (yes, the texture is amazing) not only fight B.O. but also skin issues.
Thanks to the AHA blend in this deodorant, consider it a one-two punch of keeping you smelling fresh while also brightening and exfoliating, helping combat darkness and ingrown hairs. It won’t stain the underarms of your favorite tees, either. You don’t need to be a guy who trims his armpit hair to benefit from this formula, though; it’s a great addition to any man who has skincare on his mind. We’d prefer it to be slightly stronger, and since it goes on wet, you’ll be a little sticky immediately after applying, but for all those other benefits? Worth it.
Final Verdict
Malin + Goetz Deodorant comes out on top because it does exactly what it’s supposed to: keep you smelling good and feeling confident all day long, using natural ingredients that won’t stain your clothes. For a similar effect that’s significantly more budget-friendly, we recommend Tom’s of Maine Men’s Long Lasting Wide Stick Deodorant, which uses all-natural ingredients to create a refreshingly fragranced deodorizer. If you prefer a spray deodorant to a stick one, give Every Man Jack Dry Spray Deodorant a try. We think you’ll be impressed by how easily it goes on and how quickly it dries.
How We Researched
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
What to Look For in a Deodorant
Antiperspirant vs. Deodorant
Fun fact: While the term “deodorant” is generally used as a blanket term for underarm products, according to New York City–based dermatologist Michele Green, true deodorants don’t contain aluminum nor do they prevent sweating. On the other hand, antiperspirants do prevent sweating and contain the ingredient. Deodorants are designed to prevent odor, so while you’ll still break a sweat when using them, you won’t smell. Determine whether you’d like to block odor, sweating, or a combination of both, then pick your formula accordingly.
Scented vs. Unscented
While the scent doesn’t impact the overall performance of a deodorant or antiperspirant,2 some may prefer an unscented version while others may prefer a scented option that pairs well with their fragrance of choice.
Stain-Free Ingredients
Whether you opt for a natural deodorant or an aluminum-based antiperspirant, keep in mind that certain ingredients may stain your clothes. Aluminum has gotten a rap for giving once-pristine white shirts a yellow tint, as has coconut oil.3 Though household remedies may help to remove the stains, steer clear of these ingredients if scrubbing your T-shirts with an old toothbrush and baking soda doesn’t sound like your idea of fun.
FAQ
Are aluminum-based formulas safe to use?
While some are quick to link the use of aluminum-based antiperspirants to breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease among other issues, board-certified dermatologist Alicia Zalka notes that “to date, there have been no clear-cut medical studies that have proved a cause-and-effect link.”4 Green states that an aluminum-based formula is safe for people in good health to use, though if the ingredient irritates your underarm skin, then opt for an aluminum-free version.
How long does it take to adjust to a natural deodorant?
According to Seattle-based dermatologist Carly Roman, it may take a few weeks for your skin to fully adjust, but you can take the edge off by using an antibacterial soap in the shower as you transition between products. “This will help reduce the major contributor (bacteria) to body odor, allowing the natural deodorant to seem more effective,” she says.
Should I use an antiperspirant or a deodorant?
That depends on your end goal. If you’re aiming to eliminate sweat, an antiperspirant is your best bet. If you don’t mind a little sweat and are focused on getting rid of odor, you’ll want to reach for deodorant.
