As a beauty editor and very sweaty individual, I’ve personally tried dozens of different deodorants over the years. Some weren’t strong enough and led to embarrassing sweat stains, while others stained my clothes. But your search for the right deodorant doesn’t have to be beset with all that trial and error. To find out what products are most effective at controlling sweat and odor, I reached out to five dermatologists, two personal trainers, and three men’s grooming experts to get their top recommendations.
Since choosing a deodorant is a personal decision, and everyone has different body chemistry, it’s hard to proclaim one specific deodorant the “best overall.” So I broke everything down by what it is (stick, roll-on, wipe) and what the experts say it’s best for (whether that’s masking scents, stopping sweat, or both), noting which options come recommended for the heaviest sweaters among us. I also reached out to our staffers and contributors to get their recommendations for the best deodorants and anti-perspirants for daily use and for workouts.
Update on November 14, 2024: Removed Old Spice Gentleman’s Blend; updated prices and checked stock for all other products.
What we’re looking for
Anti-perspirant or deodorant
While you might see the terms “deodorant” and “anti-perspirant” used interchangeably on product labels, there’s a difference between the two: Deodorants make you smell good, and anti-perspirants stop you from sweating. “Deodorants technically only mask or neutralize the body odor caused by bacteria, whereas an anti-perspirant temporarily suppresses the flow of sweat,” says Dr. Jennifer Chwalek of Union Square Laser Dermatology. As she explains, the metallic salts in anti-perspirants — typically aluminum compounds — “create a plug in the sweat duct reducing the flow of sweat.” For those reasons, Dr. Jeremy Fenton of the Schweiger Dermatology Group and Dr. Samer Jaber of Washington Square Dermatology agree that the gold standard for sweat and odor protection is a combination anti-perspirant deodorant.
Another quick point of clarification: You’ve probably heard a lot about “aluminum-free” deodorant or “natural” deodorant. The two terms essentially mean the same thing, says Jaber. “Natural deodorants are aluminum-free products,” he explains. “Aluminum salts are the only FDA-approved chemical anti-perspirant.” Aluminum can be irritating to sensitive skin, so if you’re prone to rashes or itchiness, you might want to opt for a deodorant-only product that kills odor-causing bacteria. Fenton says to look for ingredients like “zinc, witch hazel, or essential oils that have anti-bacterial properties, such as lemongrass, sage, and tea tree, or baking soda, which neutralizes odor.” And Dr. Corey Hartman of Skin Wellness Dermatology adds that people with melanated skin especially should consider an aluminum-free product, because when melanin is irritated by aluminum, it can result in visible skin marks that can take days or weeks to go away.
Application format
Deodorants come in wipes, roll-ons, powders, sprays, and creams. We’ve noted which types are which below.
Best anti-perspirants for men
Best roll-on anti-perspirant for heavy sweaters
Protection type: Anti-perspirant | Application type: Roll-on
For excessive sweating, Certain Dri is a prescription-strength roll-on that has to be applied at night. This allows the aluminum to really settle in the sweat glands, which is harder to do during the day when you’re actively producing sweat. Because it’s so strong, you should work it into your routine slowly — every other night at first — to avoid irritation. “There’s a cumulative effect as it settles into the pores,” Fenton notes, so using it every 48 to 72 hours may be all you need.
Best anti-perspirant wipes for heavy sweaters
Protection type: Anti-perspirant | Application type: Wipes
If you want something equally powerful that requires even less frequent usage, try these anti-perspirant wipes. Endorsed by the International Hyperhidrosis Society, one SweatBlock wipe can be effective for up to seven days. Like Certain Dri, SweatBlock is supposed to be applied at night. I’ve used these consistently for six years and they’re my holy grail in my battle against heavy sweating. But if leaving the house in the morning without applying anything feels strange to you, Fenton says you can use a non-anti-perspirant deodorant in the morning for added odor protection. Strategist contributor Carlo Dellaverson, a self-proclaimed “card-carrying member of the excessive-sweating community,” says SweatBlock wipes “have taken on a sort of cult status among excessive sweaters, for when nothing else works.”
Best anti-perspirant face wipes for heavy sweaters
Protection type: Anti-perspirant | Application type: Wipes
If you’re a face sweater, I can’t recommend SweatBlock’s face wipes enough. They’re formulated with a gentler aluminum chlorohydrate, along with soothing witch hazel and vitamin E. Like the SweatBlock wipes above, you can apply them at night or 30 minutes before applying morning skin care, though I personally prefer to do it at night so I wake up nice and dry. And if you’re worried about a breakout, I’m pleased to report that after months of weekly application, my skin has never looked better.
Best anti-perspirant deodorants for men
Best anti-perspirant stick deodorant for heavy sweaters
Protection type: Anti-perspirant deodorant | Application type: Stick
Dove’s Men+Care line is a favorite of my brothers (and is also one I’ve reached for as my daily deodorant of choice in the past). Personal trainer Andrew Flores — who “likes to sweat” while working out — is another fan of Dove’s anti-perspirant deodorants. He says they’re stronger than the Right Guard anti-perspirants he used to use, which would never last him a full gym session. This particular stick smells great (“like laundry”) even after a heavy workout, according to Flores, who adds that it leaves no marks and causes him no irritation. He also appreciates its value, noting that a four-pack breaks down to just $3.50 per stick.
Best anti-perspirant deodorant for heavy sweaters with sensitive skin
Protection type: Anti-perspirant deodorant | Application type: Stick
If you have particularly sensitive skin but still need a strong antiperspirant, Vanicream has a high concentration of aluminum to prevent sweating, but it’s free of all fragrances, dyes, lanolin, parabens, and pretty much any other potentially irritating ingredients. “If someone has eczema or contact dermatitis, I recommend this,” says Hartman.
Best anti-perspirant deodorant for moderate sweaters
Protection type: Anti-perspirant deodorant | Application type: Stick
For guys who don’t need the most powerful anti-perspirant or who find it irritating to their skin, Fenton says Mitchum is “one step down” in intensity from the strongest stuff and very effective for controlling wetness and odor.
Best anti-perspirant deodorant for moderate sweaters with sensitive skin
Protection type: Anti-perspirant deodorant | Application type: Stick
Unscented products are generally the best for sensitive skin, since chemical fragrances and even essential oils can be irritating for some people. For those folks, a fragrance-free Dove stick is a good bet, because it is also alcohol-free and contains moisturizing ingredients. This stick is also one of our top-recommended deodorants for women. (Four experts told us the active ingredient in Dove, aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex, is less irritating on the skin than some of the harsher chemicals in other deodorants.) Dove’s line for men currently lacks an unscented anti-perspirant deodorant, but those who would prefer something from that line can find a lightly scented one above on this list.
Best roll-on anti-perspirant deodorant for moderate sweaters with sensitive skin
Protection type: Anti-perspirant deodorant | Application type: Roll-on
Ban is another brand known for making gentle products. Its fragrance-free roll-on deodorant comes recommended by celebrity groomer Ronnie Peterson, who says he has been using it for the past eight years. Unlike the traditional stick deodorants above, the roller ball dispenses a thin layer of clear liquid with each application, so the product should absorb quickly without leaving any white residue behind.
Best natural deodorants for men
Best natural deodorant overall
Protection type: Natural deodorant | Application type: Stick
In my guide to the best natural deodorants, I crowned Ursa Major’s to be the best overall. While some natural deodorants can have a gritty feel, this one has a smooth, gel-like consistency that glides on the skin like a conventional deodorant. After testing more than a dozen in the past few years, Strategist writer Jeremy Rellosa always recommends this one from Ursa Major first because it smells super fresh and doesn’t stain his clothes. It’s also made with the same mint and eucalyptus that’s in my favorite bar soap (which is also made by Ursa Major), so it pairs well with my overall scent. Chad Beightol told us that, after trying out a bunch of natural deodorants, this eucalyptus-scented stick is the one that works best for him. “I swear by it,” he says. The deodorant contains hops, which, “while great for making beer, is also effective at fighting bacteria and microbes,” he adds.
Best natural deodorant for sensitive skin
Protection type: Natural deodorant | Application type: Stick
Even though these are billed as “natural” deodorants, if you have sensitive skin, you should still opt for a fragrance-free option because the chemicals that may compose their fragrances can be irritating. For those reasons, Strategist tech writer Jordan McMahon and Rellosa both use this aluminum-free deodorant daily. “I wanted something with a light or no smell and something that didn’t feel like it left residue,” he says. “Native’s deodorant doesn’t really have much scent. The smell is there, but it’s not as potent as something from Old Spice or Right Guard.” Former associate editor Louis Cheslaw uses Native’s deodorant, too. According to him, one stick lasts for months, “goes on dry, and is irritation-free.”
Some more men’s deodorants we’ve written about before
Our experts
• Chad Beightol, former owner of men’s grooming boutique Consigliere
• Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali, dermatologist at Hudson Dermatology
• Louis Cheslaw, former Strategsit associate editor
• Dr. Jennifer Chwalek, dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology
• Carlo Dellaverson, Strategist contributor
• Michael DiSanto, programmer
• Andrew Flores, certified personal trainer
• Kitty Guo, Strategist writer
• Dr. Corey Hartman, founder and medical director of Skin Wellness Dermatology
• Dr. Samer Jaber, dermatologist at Washington Square Dermatology
• Jordan McMahon, Strategist tech writer
• Ronnie Peterson, celebrity groomer
• Jeremy Rellosa, Strategist writer
• Erin Schwartz, Strategist writer
Additional reporting by Jeremy Rellosa, Karen Iorio Adelson, David Notis, and Tembe Denton-Hurst.
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