Best Deodorants
Below, you will find our recommendations for the best deodorants.
We tested over 30 different deodorants and shortlisted the best ones. Our review will focus on the most essential features of each deodorant, including the scent, skin feel, cost, and of course sweat mitigation properties it may have.
Arm & Hammer Essentials is our top pick, owing to its mild, skin friendly feel, and unscented formulation. This roll-on style deodorant is also free of various harmful chemicals that could damage sensitive skin, so it’s suitable for most skin types.
Not all deodorants are made the same. Different skin types and use cases call for different types of deodorant. We aim to find the most effective deodorants that use safe, high quality ingredients, which is why we personally use each option regularly for two weeks to see how well it actually works.
Keep reading for more details about the best deodorants currently available.
Arm & Hammer Essentials Solid Deodorant
Best overall
Everyone should have a stick of Arm & Hammer Essentials deodorant. This is a mild, skin-friendly roll-on that does not cause any redness or irritation with regular use. It’s unscented as well, so feel free to pair it with your favorite cologne or perfume.
First off, let’s talk about this deodorant’s unique formulation. The ingredients used are all skin-friendly and safe. It does not use any parabens, colorants, or animal-derived products. That means you can use this deodorant regularly without having to worry about redness, irritation or flare ups.
As for the scent, there is none! We like unscented deodorants because they mask body odor without inadvertently masking your perfume or cologne. In fact, this deodorant is perfect if you want to go under the radar but still stay fresh.
So how does it perform for mitigating odors? Well, we were quite impressed by the odor mitigation properties. This roll-on kept us feeling fresh throughout the workday. Even when we went for a brisk run, the deodorant prevented unwelcome smells from intruding upon our workout.
This is thanks to the use of pure baking soda which masks odors without causing an adverse reaction with skin. Unlike other synthetic products, baking soda has a mild effect on the skin, so even sensitive skin types should be fine.
It is long-lasting and effective. Arm & Hammer claim over 24 hours of odor protection, and we found that to be pretty accurate. Even still, we preferred to do a second application in the afternoon, especially on hot days.
If you hate deodorants that leave a nasty stain on your clothes or skin, welcome to the club. Thankfully, Arm & Hammer’s roll-on does not leave any residue on your skin or stain your clothes.
One possible drawback this deodorant could have for some folks is the lack of sweat mitigation. This is because the deodorant does not contain any aluminum, which prevents you from perspiring.
Aluminum blocks sweat pores and prevents sweating, but it could also cause an unhealthy build-up of sweat. Personally, we prefer the exclusion of aluminum, but some people might need the anti-perspirant properties.
Lastly, we tested this deodorant with various skin types and we’re happy to report that it did not cause any irritation or redness. Again, this is thanks to the lack of aluminum and other antiperspirant ingredients which can cause pore blockage and irritation.
Pros
- Unscented
- Can be paired with perfume or cologne
- Does not leave residue on skin
- Does not stain clothes
- No parabens
- No artificial colors
- No animal derived products
- Pure baking soda used for odor mitigation
- Long lasting effect
- Does not contain aluminum
- Skin pores do not get blocked
- Does not cause irritation or redness
- Suitable for most skin types, including sensitive skin
Cons
- Some people may prefer a deodorant with antiperspirant properties
Native Deodorant | Natural Deodorant for Women and Men
Best budget
Native’s natural formulation deodorant is a safe and effective roll-on that does not break the bank. It uses special ingredients that nourish and protect skin while also keeping body odor at bay.
If you want a natural formulation in your deodorant, Native’s roll-on is one of the best on the market. It uses all natural ingredients that do not harm skin. In fact, the ingredients work to nourish your skin with every application. This deodorant contains probiotics which use good bacteria to improve skin health.
Other useful ingredients include shea butter and coconut oil. Over the two weeks of testing, we noticed our skin becoming smoother, and more supple. The moisturizing effect of shea butter and coconut oil improves skin health and provides nourishment.
As with most good natural deodorants, this one eliminates aluminum from its ingredients. This prevents the deodorant from blocking your pores and causing sweat to build up under the skin.
As for the deodorant’s real world performance, it really impressed us with how smooth and effective it is. It is long lasting enough to keep up with our busy, active schedule and we did not need to do more than one application per day. Still, if you tend to sweat more than normal, maybe multiple applications will be necessary.
The odor masking capabilities are worthy of praise. Even in the most demanding situations, such as exercise, Native’s deodorant did not let any body odor through. Instead, it replaced body odor with a fresh and natural scent that does not feel too overpowering.
Speaking of, we think Native’s fragrances are some of the best in this category. While they use both natural and synthetic fragrances, all of the ingredients are still skin friendly and do not cause adverse reactions with skin.
We tested the ‘Eucalyptus and Mint’ version, which has a fresh, earthy scent. It is not too musky or distracting, and you can use it in most settings including at the office, at home, or at the gym.
Finally, we have to commend Native for making their manufacturing process cruelty free. None of their products are tested on animals. In fact, only humans who volunteer were allowed to use the deodorant for testing purposes. Moreover, the formulation of this roll-on deodorant is completely vegan, so you can stay fresh with a clear conscience.
Pros
- Probiotics help protect skin
- No aluminum or antiperspirants used
- Does not block skin pores
- No sweat build-up under skin
- Shea butter and coconut oil moisturize skin
- Eucalyptus and mint extracts used
- Fresh scent
- Can be used at work, at home, etc
- Cruelty free
- Not tested on animals
- Vegan deodorant
- Non-gender specific
Cons
- Multiple applications may be required for heavy sweating
PiperWai Natural Deodorant for Women & Men
Premium choice
PiperWai makes another really effective natural deodorant. It uses unique, skin-friendly ingredients and sports a fresh scent that suits both men and women.
Even among natural deodorants, PiperWai’s unique formulation stands out. It uses all natural ingredients that have a mild skin feel. Like other high quality natural deodorant options, this roll-on uses shea butter and coconut oil which have great moisturizing capabilities. So you replenish your skin with every application.
It even uses Vitamin E oil and cocoa butter, which both help nourish skin. Add to that a blend of 11 different essential oils, and you’ve got a deodorant that performs! These ingredients are skin-friendly and mild enough that they can even be used by people who have eczema or psoriasis.
In fact, our two weeks of testing with this deodorant resulted in our skin looking and feeling healthier. The moisturizing effect meant our skin did not dry out. Some deodorants cause skin to crack with regular use, but not this one.
Speaking of regular usage, this deodorant goes on really smoothly. We did not feel any irritation or notice any redness of skin either. It does tend to leave a clear residue on the skin, but nothing too concerning.
And it doesn’t stain clothes either, so you don’t have to worry about that. All of this is thanks to the use of cream deodorant which absorbs into skin without inducing a greasy feeling.
As for mitigating odor, this deodorant uses activated charcoal instead of baking soda. Activated charcoal has a couple different benefits. For one, it masks even the heaviest of odors, and stays effective for longer, all while being completely invisible and stain-free.
But how does this deodorant smell? Well, it has PiperWai’s signature ‘spa-like’ scent. And we have to admit, it does have that fresh, natural scent reminiscent of a spa. It has notes of citrus and mint, which make for a clean and fresh vibe.
The lack of aluminum means your skin pores don’t get blocked. Besides that, the shea butter used in this deodorant works as an anti-inflammatory agent that conditions skin and prevents flare ups. We tried this roll-on with extremely sensitive skin, and did not experience any irritation or scratchiness, so most skin types should be perfectly fine.
Pros
- All natural ingredients
- Shea butter and coconut oil moisturize skin
- Vitamin E and cocoa butter are used to improve skin health
- Does not dry out skin
- Can be used by people with eczema or psoriasis
- No irritation or redness
- Long lasting effect
- Activated charcoal prevents body odor
- Does not leave skin feeling greasy
- Citrus and mint extracts make for a fresh scent
- Does not stain clothes
Cons
- Does leave a slight residue on skin, but it’s non greasy
Tom's of Maine Long-Lasting Aluminum-Free Natural Best Deodorant for Men
This Tom’s of Maine deodorant gives you an all natural formulation that does not irritate skin, has really powerful odor protection, and a long lasting effect that keeps you fresh for longer.
With its natural formula and fresh mountain spring scent, the Tom’s of Maine is a really effective roll-on. It does away with synthetic ingredients, so you get a more skin friendly roll-on that keeps body odor at bay.
The standout feature of this deodorant is the powerful odor mitigation. Over the two weeks we used this roll-on, it kept us smelling fresh and clean.
And it does so without blocking sweat pores. The roll-on does not use any aluminum which can reduce sweating but also causes sweat to build up under the skin. We are happy to report that we did not feel any irritation or scratchiness either.
Another plus point of this deodorant is the awesome lasting power. It is rated for over 24 hours of effectiveness, and we can attest to this. If you tend to sweat heavily, a second application might do you good, but for most people, one application in the morning is plenty.
As for the scent, it is a fresh, somewhat sweet scent. It does not have the musky character that some men’s deodorants have. Instead it has a natural, outdoorsy fragrance that fits really well with an active lifestyle.
The natural formulation of this roll-on gives your skin essential nutrients that keep it looking and feeling healthy.
Speaking of skin feel, it is smooth and non-greasy. Furthermore, it does not cause your skin to dry out and crack. It lacks potentially harmful substances such as parabens, synthetic fragrances, dyes, and preservatives so you should not have any adverse reactions with regular use.
One drawback is that this deodorant tends to stain clothes. We noticed faint white stains on lighter fabrics, and this is especially problematic on warm days when we sweat more. Still, the roll-on does not leave any residue on the skin, which is nice to see.
If you have sensitive skin, this deodorant is just the thing for you. We did not have to deal with any redness, irritation or scratchiness. This is thanks to the non-toxic formula which does not rely on synthetic ingredients to mitigate body odor. Furthermore, the use of natural plant extracts helps nourish skin with every application.
At the end of the day, the Tom’s of Maine is one of the best deodorants made specifically for men. It keeps you fresh and odor-free throughout the day, and does so without causing any adverse effects.
Pros
- All natural formulation
- Smooth feel
- Aluminum free
- No redness or irritation
- Does not cause pore blockage
- Best in class odor mitigation
- Natural, fresh scent
- Lasts longer than most others
Cons
- Does leave a bit of residue on skin
Tom's of Maine Long-Lasting Aluminum-Free Natural Best Deodorant for Women
Tom’s of Maine also makes an amazing natural deodorant for women. This one has a long lasting effect, is free of harmful chemicals, and delivers a clean floral scent that keeps you fresh throughout the day.
As with the other natural deodorant for men, this one from Tom’s of Maine has a unique formulation that focuses on removing any harmful chemicals. As such, it is free of aluminum, which some deodorants use to block sweat pores. This prevents sweat from building up under the skin, thus allowing for natural perspiration.
It also cuts out other synthetic substances such as artificial fragrances, dyes, and preservatives.The result is a milder, natural roll-on deodorant that does not cause skin irritation or redness. In fact, if you are worried about this deodorant triggering some allergies, fret not. It is hypoallergenic and safe to use for even the most sensitive skin types.
Moving on to its performance, we liked the long lasting effect. It really is an all day deodorant that keeps up with your busy routine. Over the two weeks of testing, we used this deodorant while working, exercising, and at home. It did not let so much as a whiff of body odor get past it!
That awesome lasting power is thanks to the special ingredients that work to mask odors. Speaking of, this natural women’s deodorant has a sweet, floral scent that is not too overpowering. We especially liked the wild lavender scent which evokes a sense of freshness.
The skin feel is about as good as it gets. The deodorant goes on smoothly and doesn’t feel too sticky or greasy. Some natural deodorants have a tendency to become sticky when you sweat, making you feel uncomfortable, but not this one. It also doesn’t leave any visible residue on the skin, though you might have to put up with stained clothes on extremely hot days.
If you aim to have a completely vegan lifestyle, this natural deodorant is the one for you. Tom’s of Maine boast a completely vegan manufacturing process that does not use any animal products whatsoever. In fact, it is also cruelty free, as all of the testing was done on human volunteers. This kind of responsible manufacturing is exactly what we like to see from deodorant companies.
All said and done, the Tom’s of Maine natural deodorant for women is a really effective deodorant that you just can’t go wrong with.
Pros
- All natural formula
- No aluminum
- No artificial fragrances
- No preservatives
- Goes on smoothly
- Does not irritate skin
- Ideal for sensitive skin
- Hypoallergenic
- Wild lavender scent has a fresh feel
- Long lasting effect
- Does not leave residue on skin
- Completely vegan
- Cruelty free
Cons
- May stain clothes on sweaty days
Old Spice Aluminum Free Deodorant for Men
The OG of men’s deodorant, Old Spice offers an aluminum free deodorant that lasts! This roll-on has a clean, masculine scent and a unique formula designed to nourish skin with every application.
Starting off with the scent, we have a clean, sea-inspired fragrance. It has notes of citrus and wild flowers as well for a bit of sweetness. But really, it does have that fresh sea air scent that you get on the beach. It is really refreshing and gives you a boost of energy throughout the day. Moreover, it’s a subtle scent that you can wear at the office, at the gym or on a night out!
As for the skin feel, it has that smooth Old Spice texture. This is thanks to the inclusion of ingredients that have a moisturizing effect for skin. This ensures your skin won’t dry out or start to crack with regular applications.
Lasting power is pretty good too. One application should be enough for 24 hours. However, we noticed that on heavy sweating days, we needed to apply the deodorant a second time in the afternoon. Still, for the vast majority of days, you’ll only have to do one application in the morning.
Moving on to the ingredients, we have an aluminum free formula. This is especially important for folks with an active lifestyle who tend to sweat a lot. The aluminum free formula ensures that you won’t experience sweat build up which can cause skin to break out or become red.
Speaking of, we didn’t have any issues with redness or scratchy skin when applying this roll-on regularly. It does tend to leave a slight residue on skin, but it goes on clear so the residue isn’t readily visible.
Another plus point of this deodorant is that it does away with the fabric staining issue that Old Spice products have had in the past. This is especially important for when you need to make a good first impression and don’t want pit stains ruining it!
Really, the only problem we have with this otherwise awesome deodorant is the price tag. If you get in the habit of using this deodorant regularly, you’ll find that it runs out pretty quickly. So be prepared to stock up if you intend on using this deodorant long term. We found a pretty good deal that we’ve linked on this page. Definitely check it out to get the best price for this deodorant.
Pros
- Aluminum free formula
- Doesn’t block sweat pores
- Ocean breeze inspired scent
- Fresh and clean fragrance
- Goes on clear
- Does not stain clothes like Old Spice roll-ons used to
- Moisturizes skin
- Does not cause skin to crack or dry out
- No redness or irritation
- Long lasting 24 hour effect
- Best for people with an active lifestyle
Cons
- Leaves a slight residue on skin
SALT & STONE - Natural Deodorant
Salt & Stone’s natural deodorant is supremely effective and won’t cause any skin problems either. It has a fresh, clean scent that is ideal for daily applications and doesn’t feel awkward in any setting. Add to that the fact that it outlasts most other natural deodorants and you’ve got a roll-on that just works!
Salt & Stone’s natural deodorant is all about protecting and moisturizing skin while also having a deodorizing effect. They use probiotics which improve skin health and deliver essential nutrients. Shea butter is also featured, which helps moisturize skin and prevent it from drying out over time.
We used the ‘Lavender Sage’ scent, and we have to say, it’s probably the best smelling on this list! It has a refreshing, woody fragrance that reminds us of nature walks. It even kept us feeling energized throughout the day with how fresh it smells.
As for the formulation, Salt & Stone took care to only use natural ingredients and eliminate any synthetic substances which could cause skin problems. That means eliminating parabens, and alcohol which are known to cause adverse reactions. The result is a deodorant that has a mild feel and texture on skin.
Another potentially harmful substance this deodorant removes from the equation is aluminum. Again, aluminum can be one of the most problematic ingredients because of its tendency to block skin pores, but we did not have any such problems with Salt & Stone’s natural deodorant.
Applying the roll-on day to day, we did not notice it cause staining or discoloration of fabrics. Moreover, you won’t have to put up with the uncomfortable greasy feeling that some natural deodorants cause. In fact, we did not feel any stickiness, even on days with heavy sweating and lots of physical activity.
Synthetic fragrances and preservatives are also removed from this deodorant, so you won’t have to worry about any irritation or redness on the skin.
Lastly, we liked the all-day odor protection this deodorant offers. And while it got us through most days no problem, it barely made it through a heavy workout and cardio session. So if you plan on using this as a sport deodorant, you might be a bit disappointed. But for general use, this deodorant is plenty long lasting and won’t let you down. In fact, on cooler days, you can even expect this roll-on to provide as much as 48 hours of odor mitigation.
Pros
- Probiotics and shea butter used
- Moisturizes skin
- Fresh smelling
- Non irritant
- Removes alcohol, aluminum, and parabens
- Doesn’t stain clothes
- Non greasy
- Long lasting deodorant
- Natural formulation
Cons
- Not the best for workouts and cardio
FAQs
What is the best Deodorant?
Which deodorant is best for you depends on a number of factors, such as your skin type, your routine, and of course what scents you prefer. But if you want a quick recommendation of a deodorant that keeps body odor down, lasts a long time, and one that you can pair with just about any perfume or cologne, we recommend the Arm & Hammer Essentials.
However, if you want a deodorant that has one of the freshest, most pleasing scents, we have to recommend the Salt & Stone. It is just as long lasting and boasts an all natural formula that is mild on skin.
Similarly, if you want a deodorant that keeps up with the most active lifestyle, you will find that the Old Spice Aluminum free deodorant is your best bet. It has a fresh and clean scent, lasts a long time, and does away with harmful chemicals.
Really thought, there are numerous deodorant options, each of which is suited to different things. Be sure to get one that will work for your particular requirements.
What deodorant is best for Odor?
Put simply, we think Arm & Hammer’s Essential is best for masking body odor. It has great deodorizing properties and a scent-free formula that you can pair with your own choice of perfume or cologne. As for masking BO, this roll-on just can’t be beat.
If you prefer a deodorant with its own fragrance, the Salt & Stone is a fresh smelling option that also has plenty of benefits for your skin too.
What deodorant is best for dark underarms?
Dark underarms are a symptom of toxic chemicals in deodorants that can cause an adverse reaction with the skin. Your best bet if you want to address dark underarms is to get a natural deodorant that does not have any of these harmful, potentially toxic substances in its formulation.
And when it comes to natural deodorant formulas, the Native deodorant is our top pick. This unisex deodorant has tonnes of natural ingredients such as shea butter and coconut oil that help moisturize and nourish skin. This is great for skin health in general, and should help you manage the appearance of dark underarms.
That said, if the dark underarms still persist, there are spray-on deodorants that are specifically formulated to help with the problem. Definitely give those a shot as well, if natural deodorants don’t work for your particular skin type.
We’re set on finding the best deodorants for each and every persons unique situations and circumstances. Every year we evaluate the best deodorants and other skin care products.
We’re broken out criteria’s in a few different categories to help you find the best deodorant on the market.
