How much does deodorant cost?

Most deodorants and antiperspirants typically cost between $5-15, but some higher end brands can cost as much as $40. Most of our top picks are available at drugstores and are budget-friendly. Our best overall pick, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JB1MUNI?linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1&ascsubtag=4687662%25252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525257Cn95b3be89a1ef4f21878163c14660f2bd15%25252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525257CB01JB1MUNI&tag=verywellhealth-onsite-backup-20" data-component="amazon" data-source="affiliate" data-type="externalLink" data-ordinal="1" rel="sponsored nofollow">Certain Dri Clinical Prescription Strength Antiperspirant was under $6 at time of publication.

What is the best deodorant for strong body odor?

The best deodorant for body odor is one with antimicrobials to kill the bacteria that feeds on your sweet and causes you to smell. We like Uriage Clinical Strength Deodorant .

Is clinical-strength deodorant better?

Clinical-strength deodorant has higher concentrations of the active ingredients, so theoretically the effect is stronger, whether that be reducing how much you sweat or preventing malodor, says. Dr. Austin. But Dr. Ren points out not everyone needs this next level of effect, and clinical-strength deodorants are often more expensive and run a higher risk of irritating your skin, Start with a typical deodorant and if that doesn’t produce the desired effect, move up to a clinical deodorant.

Can some deodorant cause body odor?

No. “Odor is caused by the breakdown of sweat by bacteria on the skin, and most deodorants are tested and engineered to minimize this bacteria and mask it with fragrance,” Dr. Austin explains.

When is the best time to apply deodorant?

When using a clinical strength antiperspirant, dermatologists recommend that the product be applied in the nighttime to clean, dry skin. “The most common active ingredients in antiperspirants are aluminum salts that clog the sweat glands and prevent the release of sweat, often why we say to apply them at night, so they have time to work,” says Mary Stevenson, MD , a dermatologist with NYU Langone Health and a member of the Women’s Dermatologic Society (WDS). Applying at night allows the ingredients to settle into the skin ahead of sweat production. Also, “The risk of irritation is reduced when applied at night,” says Jeaneen Chappell, MD , a dermatologist based in Texas and member of WDS.

The 15 Best Clinical Strength Deodorants and Antiperspirants of 2023

When it comes to an extra-steamy day or intense workout, sometimes all you need to make you more comfortable is an extra-strength antiperspirant. The best clinical-strength deodorants and antiperspirants contain higher amounts of active ingredients that help minimize body odor and sweat, and they’re ideal for people with hyperhidrosis, hormonal dysfunction, or other conditions that make you sweat excessively.

First, it’s important to understand the difference between antiperspirants and deodorants, and which you actually need. Antiperspirants temporarily block your sweat-gland openings to reduce how much moisture you produce, while deodorants mask body odor either with perfume or by actually decreasing odor-causing bacteria in the armpit, explains Kate Austin, MD, a dermatologist with GraceMed Olde Oakville Dermatology.

Which will help you most depends on whether your main concern is moisture control, odor control, or both, adds Vicky Zhen Ren, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine. Regardless, finding products with the right active ingredients is key. We tested 34 different deodorants and antiperspirants from the top brands and evaluated them for efficacy, transfer resistance, scent, and application process.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Uriage Clinical Strength Deodorant at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Budget:

Certain Dri Clinical Prescription Strength Antiperspirant at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Antiperspirant:

Jack Black Pit Boss at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Deodorant:

Secret Antiperspirant Deodorant with Pure Essential Oils at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Aluminum-Free:

Crystal Mineral Deodorant Roll-On at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Stick:

Secret Clinical Strength at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Wipes:

SweatBlock Antiperspirant at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Spray:

Dove Dry Spray Antiperspirant at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Cream:

Biotherm Deo Pure Antiperspirant, Cream at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best for Workouts:

Arm & Hammer Ultra Max at Amazon

Jump to Review

In This Article

Our Picks
We Also Tested
How We Tested
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Verywell Health

Amazon

Pros

Combination antiperspirant and deodorant
Alcohol- and paraben-free
Works for hyperhidrosis

Cons

Small tube
Contains fragrance

Our best overall choice from Uriage is a roll-on deodorant and antiperspirant that kept our armpits smelling and feeling fresh for a full 24 hours, even after a sweaty workout. We like that it’s formulated to be strong enough to tackle hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). The smell is bright but not overly fragrant, and it dried quickly after application without any burning or itching.

The active ingredient of aluminum chlorohydrate controls sweating without blocking this natural bodily process. This deodorant also helps heal irritated skin, thanks to trace minerals in the base.

In addition to its effectiveness against both sweat and odor, it also went on smoothly, was instantly absorbed, didn’t leave any stains on our black shirt, and is also hypoallergenic, paraben-free, and well-priced.

Price at time of publication: $13

Type: Roll on | Key Ingredient: Aluminum Chlorohydrate (20%) | Fragrance: Lightly scented

4.5

Amazon

Pros

Fragrance-free
Effective against excessive sweating

Cons

Takes a few minutes to dry after application

This antiperspirant costs less than a fancy latte, but it’s one of the most effective roll-ons at stopping sweat, including excessive moisture. You have to apply it as directed—at night, after you shower—otherwise, it doesn’t work properly. But done this way, it keeps you dry the entire next day, even in the summer heat. The brand claims it works for multiple days, but in our experience, the freshness wore off a bit after 24 hours (although we were still pleased by its odor-blocking abilities).

We like that it didn’t burn or leave a rash when applied (though it's worth noting that the active ingredient, aluminum chloride, can be irritating when applied to freshly shaved skin). It’s fragrance-free (not simply unscented), which means it doesn’t include any perfumes. So in addition to being a great deodorant and antiperspirant, it’s also great for sensitive skin.

Price at time of publication: $7

Type: Roll on | Key Ingredient: Aluminum Chloride (12%) | Fragrance: Fragrance-free

4.4

Amazon

Pros

Combination antiperspirant and deodorant
Invisible solid
Nice woodsy smell

Cons

Expensive

Although it’s a bit pricey, we like this antiperspirant for all-day dryness and a pleasant woodsy scent that fades to a neutral odor. For starters, this stick-style antiperspirant uses aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex to reduce underarm wetness for days on end. We like that it also contains vitamin E and aloe leaf juice to soothe your skin; we found it non-irritating to apply.

This stick has a slightly woody, fresh scent—a nice outdoorsy smell, in our opinion—when you first put it on, and it did leave a little residue when we tried it out. But that fragrance settled in quickly and we noticed that by the end of the day, there wasn’t any smell—from the deodorant or from our own body odor.

Price at time of publication: $21

Type: Stick | Key Ingredient: Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex (20%) | Fragrance: Lightly scented

4.8

Amazon

Pros

Combination antiperspirant and deodorant
Nice smell from essential oils

Cons

Essential oils may irritate sensitive skin

This antiperspirant stick utilizes essential oils in its formula, which work as advertised: we noticed that his armpits smelled pleasant even after a workout. The essential oils do more than just mask the odor. Their antimicrobial properties actually help to kill odor-causing bacteria, explains Dr. Ren. (She adds some people with sensitive skin may feel irritation from the essential oils, though.)

This deodorant from Secret also has strong antiperspirant properties, utilizing aluminum salts to minimize moisture for up to 48 hours, according to the brand, although according to our testing, 24 hours is a better bet.

This deodorant also goes on smoothly and doesn’t leave any residue on clothing.

Price at time of publication: $14

Type: Stick | Key Ingredient: Aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex GLY (15%) | Fragrance: Scented

4.3

Amazon

Pros

Fragrance-free
Gentle on skin
Affordable

Cons

Doesn’t block sweating
May not be strong enough for heavy odors

While aluminum isn’t the villain it was once thought to be, this active ingredient can be irritating to the skin (especially if you apply your antiperspirant to freshly shaved skin). This aluminum-free deodorant instead utilizes naturally occurring mineral salts to prevent odor-causing bacteria from thriving. It’s fragrance-free, so the result is a clean, neutral smell that lasted a full day, even when we were exercising. This deodorant rolls on wet, but it dries rather quickly and is super gentle on your skin.

We found this deodorant didn’t completely block the sweat, but we didn’t experience any malodor either. In addition to being free of aluminum chloride, it’s also devoid of parabens, sulfates, and fragrances, and it’s cruelty-free.

Price at time of publication: $36

Type: Roll on | Key Ingredient: Mineral Salts | Fragrance: Fragrance-free

4.8

Amazon

Pros

Doesn’t transfer onto clothing
Combination antiperspirant and deodorant

Cons

Includes fragrance

If you prefer a stick deodorant, we liked Secret’s Clinical Strength in our test and found that it goes on smooth and silky, dries invisible, doesn’t transfer onto clothes, and smells just lovely. When we used it before a treadmill workout, it didn’t block the sweat completely—our armpits were a little damp after, but it wasn’t bothersome, and the deodorant controlled odor extremely well.

The scent in this deodorant is pleasant but not overly fragrant. We loved the crisp lavender scent, which was feminine without being overpowering or offensive. That scent fades over the course of the day, but then leaves you just with a neutral odor while the sweat-stopping properties kept us dry and smelling fresh for 24 hours. In fact, the brand claims this deodorant offers three times more sweat protection than an ordinary antiperspirant, thanks to the aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex GLY.

In our experience, it also wasn’t irritating to the skin (that’s probably thanks to the skin-soothing vitamin B5 included in the formula).

Price at time of publication: $13

Type: Stick Key | Ingredient: Aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly (20%) | Fragrance: Scented

4.7

Amazon

Pros

Stops sweat
Works for multiple days
Ideal for travel

Cons

Expensive
Strong smell

Wipe-style antiperspirants are ideal for traveling, tossing in a gym bag, or bringing along in case you need a refreshing touch-up before a date or big meeting—and these wipes from Sweat Block, specifically, are the best.

SweatBlock Wipes were formulated by doctors to be strong enough to help hyperhidrosis, nervous sweating, hormonal sweating, or excessive perspiration from prescription drugs. They use aluminum chloride to block armpit moisture. After working out, our armpits still felt completely dry.

Make sure you follow the directions for application—you’re to dab your underarm with the towelette, not rub, which can cause irritation. But they really do minimize sweat altogether, and really do last. We noted that they were powerful enough to minimize sweat altogether (although we only tested them for 24 hours, so we can’t confirm the brand’s claim that they will work for a full 7 days on one application).

The only real downside of these is that they’re a bit pricey since you only get 10 wipes. And we thought the smell was quite strong and unique, like cloves or chai tea, which might or might not be to your taste.

Price at time of publication: $20

Type: Wipe | Key Ingredient: Aluminum chloride 14% | Fragrance: Unscented (but when testing, we thought it had a strong smell)

4.2

Amazon

Pros

No white marks on clothes
Combination deodorant and antiperspirant

Cons

Lingering fragrance from spray may be bothersome

Spray deodorant is great if you don’t want to risk white residue on armpits (or clothes). Dove’s Dry Spray smells fresh, dries quickly, and didn't leave marks on our garments when we tested it.

With aluminum chlorohydrate as the active ingredient, this spray keeps your underarms dry and smelling clean for about 24 hours (however, by the 24-hour mark, we did notice some natural body odor was peaking through). It contains 0% alcohol so it doesn’t burn when applied or cause skin irritation, and the formula contains nurturing oils to help keep your skin hydrated and smooth.

We liked how the spray felt cool when applied, though she noted it does leave a bit of a wet film until your skin has fully absorbed it (which took a few minutes). We loved how it really did apply clear and did not leave any residue on clothing.

And, while the fragrance from the spray smelled good on-body (light and fresh), the scent did linger in the room for hours after application, which might bother some people.

Price at time of publication: $8

Type: Spray | Key Ingredient: Aluminum chlorohydrate (20%) | Fragrance: Scented

4.8

Amazon

Pros

Combination antiperspirant and deodorant
Neutral smell
Only small amount required for application

Cons

Expensive

This deodorant goes on like a face cream—squeeze a little out of the tube and rub it on your underarms. We loved how smoothly the cream went on and we felt we could rub in a smaller amount than one traditional use with a stick. This helped minimize that build-up you often get with a stick, and helps you use less product—therefore, the tube will last you longer.

With aluminum chlorohydrate as the active ingredient, this antiperspirant is effective at keeping armpits dry all day. It’s super sensitive on skin, and the scent is really mild and clean—we didn’t even realize it was scented until we put our nose into our armpit —making it ideal if you like to use perfume or body spray. We also like that even though it’s a white cream, this deodorant didn’t leave any residue, including on dark clothing.

Price at time of publication: $28

Type: Cream | Key Ingredient: Aluminum chlorohydrate | Fragrance: Light scent

4.7

Amazon

Pros

Affordable
Goes on clear
Neutral smell

Cons

May not be strong enough for hyperhidrosis

This deodorant uses the best antiperspirant ingredient, aluminum salts, to block moisture, and one of the best odor-neutralizers (and Arm & Hammer’s signature ingredient), sodium bicarbonate—more commonly known as baking soda. According to Dr. Austin, sodium bicarbonate alters your skin’s pH so bacteria can’t survive.

Together, that means when you’re seriously sweaty—like during a grueling workout—you won’t have pit stains or offensive odor, which was borne out by our testing results. Despite doing a high-impact workout that included jumping jacks and a treadmill circuit, we didn’t break a sweat, however, there was a little bit of residue under our arm afterward, but not an overwhelming amount.

We like that the after-scent of Arm & Hammer Ultra Max is decidedly neutral but crisp, so there isn’t any overpowering fragrance, making it a great choice for all genders. We do have to add that the Cool Blast option sort of made our armpits smell like fresh laundry detergent.

While we think this is a great pick for workouts—this deodorant also goes on smooth, is super gentle on the skin, and a great price—it’s a good pick for anyone who tends to get sweaty.

Price at time of publication: $5

Type: Stick | Key Ingredient: Aluminum Chlorohydrate (19%) | Fragrance: Scented

4.8

Amazon

Pros

Goes on clear
Combination deodorant and antiperspirant

Cons

Scent may be too strong for some

Degree is one of the top deodorant brands because of its effective products, and the Degree Advanced Antiperspirant Deodorant was the best of them all in our test. After a treadmill workout, our armpits were dry and only smelled like the product—none of our sweat or personal body odor was peaking through.

The aluminum salts in the formula keep your underarms dry, and this deodorant is formulated to work with your body as it moves. It uses unique technology to release a burst of rose and jasmine fragrance every time you work up a sweat. We thought the scent was nice—it reminded us of fresh laundry—but we did note that it might be too strong depending on your preferences.

The formula goes on smooth and clear— and we saw zero white marks on our skin or shirt. And at the end of 24 hours, we could only smell the deodorant.

Price at time of publication: $5

Type: Stick | Key Ingredient: Aluminum sesquichlorohydrate (16%) | Fragrance: Scented

4.8

Amazon

Pros

Gentle on sensitive skin
Blocks odor and sweat

Cons

Might leave white residue on clothes

If your underarms get rashes, bumps, or irritation from most deodorants, we think you’ll like this pick from Vanicream. It's free of dyes, fragrances, parabens, lanolin, botanical extracts, and any other irritants, so you can have odor protection and silky skin. It’s also effective: it kept us dry and odor-free for 24 hours.

It relies on aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex GLY to minimize moisture; even after we went through a day of a brisk workout, sweaty commute, and strength training, our underarms still felt dry and almost entirely odor free.

This traditional white-stick deodorant applies smoothly and has that creamy consistency that feels nourishing but doesn’t necessarily absorb fast. We noticed that it did transfer to clothes a bit, which is par for the course with stick-style applicators.

Price at time of publication: $10

Type: Stick | Key Ingredient: Aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex GLY (20%) | Fragrance: Fragrance-free

4.5

InstaCart

Pros

Great smell
Lightweight feel

Cons

Expensive
May leave white marks on clothing

The best-smelling deodorant we tested, Donna Karan’s Cashmere Mist has a wonderful, subtle, feminine scent that is strong enough to mask body odor without being overpowering. That pleasant waft lasts all day, too.

This deodorant goes on smoothly and is incredibly lightweight, almost like a powder. However, we also found that the deodorant left a white residue under our arms after application, and left the smallest residue on our clothes.

This deodorant contains aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex GLY to help lower moisture, but at a lower amount than many other deodorants, which means it’s less irritating on your skin. However, while this deodorant is great at keeping you smelling nice, it doesn’t keep you bone-dry all day, so it’s probably not ideal for anyone who sweats excessively.

Price at time of publication: $32

Type: Roll on | Key Ingredient: Aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex GLY(15.40%) | Fragrance: Scented

4.2

Amazon

Pros

Smells nice
Combination antiperspirant and deodorant
Effective

Cons

May leave white marks on clothing

If you’re partial to scented deodorants, but don’t want something that comes off as too masculine or too feminine, then we recommend this stick from DuraDry. The fragrance of this deodorant is decidedly clean and well-balanced but compared to most drugstore deodorants, we really liked the scent.

When we wore this antiperspirant during a workout, we noted that our underarms remained completely dry and odor-free. And that’s not surprising since this stick was formulated specifically to be clinical strength for hyperhidrosis, with the full 20% of aluminum salts to block moisture.

It also goes on smoothly, with no stinging or irritation, although we did see minor streaks left behind on clothing.

Price at time of publication: $24

Type: Stick | Key Ingredient: Aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly (20%) | Fragrance: Scented

Glossier

Pros

Natural, vegan, and environmentally-friendly
Recyclable and reusable case
Skin conditioning ingredients

Cons

More expensive than most products on the list

We chose the Glossier Orange Blossom Deodorant as our best refillable deodorant for its sweat-fighting abilities that lasts all day without having to reapply and its environmentally friendly case. Formulated without aluminum, baking soda, or exfoliating acids, it's non-irritating for sensitive skin and won't disrupt the pH level of your underarms.

Glossier bills this stick as more of a deodorant than an antiperspirant, but we would say it did a very good job of both of those things. After our workout ( a core-focused Pilates workout with some cardio bursts for 25 minutes), our armpits felt dry to the touch and we didn't smell any body odor, plus there was still a light scent of fragrance from the deodorant. After 24 hours, our armpits smelled fairly neutral, the fragrance had faded but there wasn’t any sweat odor either, which we thought was pretty impressive.

Unlike other scented deodorants we tested, this one didn't have an overbearing artificial smell. The fragrance is slightly citrusy and botanica but it's not trying too hard to be overly floral or fruity. When we first applied the deodorant, we noticed the scent, but as it dried on our skin, it became more subdued. Even after working out, the scent was still there but not overpowering.

Compared to most powdery and dry-on-contact deodorant sticks, this one has more of a creamier texture upon application. It glides super easily onto our skin, but it feels slightly wet (almost like a lotion) for a couple of minutes until it dries. However, it dries pretty quickly and then we forgot we were wearing it.

Since the stick is an off-white color, we expected it to have a bit of transfer however, we were honestly impressed that our black t-shirts were totally clear after our workout, so we would definitely call this deodorant transfer-resistant.

We appreciate that the packaging is reusable and that refills are available and the refill packaging is recyclable ( but taking the clear cap off of the refill tube before using it for the first time was a lot harder than we expected it to be!). While the refills are a little cheaper, this product is still on the higher end for a deodorant.

Additionally, Glossier offers a scented option that matches their super popular Glossier You perfume, so if that's your fragrance, we do believe that the price is more worth it for the scented version than the unscented version.

Price at time of publication: $22

Type: Stick | Active Ingredient: Magnesium Hydroxide | Fragrance: Scented

How We Rated the Best Clinical Strength Deodorants

4.8 to 5 stars: These are the best clinical strength deodorants we tested. We recommend them without reservation.

4.5 to 4.7 stars: These clinical strength deodorants are excellent—they might have minor flaws, but we still recommend them.

4.0 to 4.5 stars: We think these are great clinical strength deodorants, but others are better.

3.5 to 3.9 stars: These clinical strength deodorants are just average.

3.4 and below: We don't recommend clinical strength deodorants with this rating; you won't find any on our list.

We Also Tested

Dove Clinical Protection Antiperspirant at Amazon: This roll-on kept our armpits dry, but it transferred onto multiple items of clothes and didn’t 100 percent mask odor. For the price, we think there are better options out there.
Secret Stress Response: This antiperspirant did its job of minimizing moisture, but we found it to have a surprising floral scent even though it's not labeled as unscented, and it left a white residue on clothing.
Degree Men Clinical Strength Deodorant Antiperspirant Sport for Profuse Sweating: This deodorant did its job of minimizing moisture, masking odor, and not transferring to any clothing. It didn’t win best of any categories, but overall we liked it.
Tom's Antiperspirant Lavender: Although we like other brands better, this is still a good pick for an all-natural clinical-strength deodorant as it goes on smooth, smells good without being overpowering, and holds up against a workout.

How We Tested the Clinical-Strength Deodorants and Antiperspirants

In order to find the best clinical-strength deodorants and antiperspirants, we had a handful of testers try out 34 different products from the top brands like Degree, Secret, Dove, and more. To create our methodology, we spoke to Dr. Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital's Department of Dermatology in New York City, and consulted with Vicky Zhen Ren, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine and Kate Austin, MD, a dermatologist with GraceMed Olde Oakville Dermatology.

Each tester applied the product and wore them for a full 24 hours each and, during that time, performed at least one workout. Our testers paid specific attention to how the product felt when they applied it, if they could smell their own sweat after a workout, how wet their armpits felt after the workout, how they felt and smelled after 24 hours (before showering), and whether the product transferred onto dark clothing.

What to Look for in Clinical Strength Deodorants and Antiperspirants

Antiperspirant vs. Deodorant

Many products on the market are a combination of both antiperspirants and deodorants. But it’s important to understand the difference between the two so you can understand how to fix your concerns, whether they’re excessive sweating or bad body odor. Here’s the breakdown:

Antiperspirants actually decrease how much moisture your armpit sweat glands produce by utilizing ingredients that actually block your sweat ducts, usually with metallic salts like aluminum or zirconium. Antiperspirants usually contain some kind of deodorizer and are generally considered to be more effective, Dr. Austin points out, but they also cause more irritation to the skin. And, over time, blocking your sweat ducts with metallic salts can risk causing your sweat glands to become dysfunctional, says Dr. Ren.

Deodorants are applied topically to simply mask or eliminate bad odors. Unwanted odor is usually caused by bacteria feeding on the organic materials in your sweat, Dr. Austin explains. While basic deodorants just mask the odor with a layer of fragrance, clinical-strength deodorants use antimicrobial ingredients to actually kill the bacteria and stop malodor. Because deodorants are considered a cosmetic, though, they’re not regulated by the FDA.

Type

In the United States, we almost exclusively use deodorant in the form of a stick or roll-on, but other forms like sprays and creams are common throughout Europe. Which is best is mostly a matter of personal preference, says Dr. Ren. But here the advantages and disadvantages of each:

Sticks: Easy to apply, often contain more skin-soothing ingredients, more likely to leave white residue on clothing
Roll-on: Easy to apply, feels refreshing, requires drying time
Creams: Harder to apply, only need a small amount, product goes further, often contain more skin-soothing ingredients
Sprays: Refreshing effect, usually goes on clear, leaves scent in the air
Wipes: Easy to apply, ideal for travel, wasteful

Ingredients

Metallic salts, like aluminum or zirconium, are the most effective way to block your sweat glands from producing moisture, both our experts agree. Although aluminum in deodorants was once thought to be linked to breast cancer, that idea has been debunked. “Studies have shown the absorption of aluminum from antiperspirants is minimal and largely eliminated via urine,” says Dr. Ren. Also, aluminum salt, while highly effective at blocking sweat, can cause skin irritation (especially when applied to freshly shaved skin), which is why some clinical strength deodorants can cause a rash.

Deodorants with antimicrobial ingredients work best as they actually kill the odor-causing bacteria rather than just masking it. Look for triclosan, a broad-spectrum antimicrobial commonly used in deodorants; benzalkonium chloride; low doses of metallic salts; or essential oils like tea tree, rosemary, pepper, rosemary, sage, thyme, lavender, or lemongrass.

Dr. Austin also suggests avoiding parabens, as it's unclear whether or not they’re linked to cancer.

Certain ingredients—namely fragrance, propylene glycol, essential oils, and sometimes vitamin E and lanolin—can also cause allergic contact dermatitis (red, itchy, bumpy rashes in the armpits), Dr. Austin says.

Scent

Fragrance-free deodorants mean no chemicals or scents have been used to provide a scent that will mask your body odor. These are typically the best option for people with sensitive skin, as fragrances (even natural ones, like essential oils) can cause a rash or burning sensation for some.

Unscented deodorants generally do contain some kind of chemical, but one that neutralizes or masks the odor of the other ingredients.

Deodorants with fragrance or scents typically contain ingredients that help balance out the odor from the other ingredients in the formula, and/or the natural odor of your sweat and bacteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does deodorant cost?

Most deodorants and antiperspirants typically cost between $5-15, but some higher end brands can cost as much as $40. Most of our top picks are available at drugstores and are budget-friendly. Our best overall pick, Certain Dri Clinical Prescription Strength Antiperspirant was under $6 at time of publication.
What is the best deodorant for strong body odor?

The best deodorant for body odor is one with antimicrobials to kill the bacteria that feeds on your sweet and causes you to smell. We like Uriage Clinical Strength Deodorant.
Is clinical-strength deodorant better?

Clinical-strength deodorant has higher concentrations of the active ingredients, so theoretically the effect is stronger, whether that be reducing how much you sweat or preventing malodor, says. Dr. Austin. But Dr. Ren points out not everyone needs this next level of effect, and clinical-strength deodorants are often more expensive and run a higher risk of irritating your skin, Start with a typical deodorant and if that doesn’t produce the desired effect, move up to a clinical deodorant.
Can some deodorant cause body odor?

No. “Odor is caused by the breakdown of sweat by bacteria on the skin, and most deodorants are tested and engineered to minimize this bacteria and mask it with fragrance,” Dr. Austin explains.
When is the best time to apply deodorant?

When using a clinical strength antiperspirant, dermatologists recommend that the product be applied in the nighttime to clean, dry skin. “The most common active ingredients in antiperspirants are aluminum salts that clog the sweat glands and prevent the release of sweat, often why we say to apply them at night, so they have time to work,” says Mary Stevenson, MD, a dermatologist with NYU Langone Health and a member of the Women’s Dermatologic Society (WDS). Applying at night allows the ingredients to settle into the skin ahead of sweat production. Also, “The risk of irritation is reduced when applied at night,” says Jeaneen Chappell, MD, a dermatologist based in Texas and member of WDS.

Why Trust Verywell Health

Rachael Schultz has been diving into the science behind health and wellness for a decade. She specializes in combing through studies, interviewing doctors, and considering the research body as a whole to help readers get the most accurate, understandable, and well-balanced information possible about their health.