The 7 Best Clinical Strength Deodorants and Antiperspirants of 2020

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First Look

Best Overall: Secret Clinical Strength Invisible Solid at Amazon

"Apply once at night for up to 48 hours of sweat protection."

Best Budget: Suave Clinical Antiperspirant Deodorant at Amazon

"Its rich emollient base moisturizes dry underarms."

Best for Sweat: Certain Dri Clinical Prescription Strength at Walmart

"Highest level of aluminum chloride without a prescription."

Best for Men: Dove Men+Care Clinical Deodorant Stick at Amazon

"Fights back on hot days and during intense workouts."

Best for Women: Mitchum Clinical Antiperspirant Deodorant at Amazon

"Moisturizing ingredients help prevent redness and discomfort."

Best for Hyperhidrosis: SweatBlock Antiperspirant at Amazon

"The towelettes block up your pores overnight."

Best for Sensitive Skin: Dove Clinical Protection Antiperspirant at Amazon

"Great for improving your skin’s tone and texture after shaving."

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Secret Clinical Strength Invisible Solid

Secret was one of the first companies to make clinical strength deodorant available to the masses, and its tried-and-true formula still delivers. It blocks sweat with a powerful 20% aluminum base, and the variety of fresh scents mask odors throughout the day. Applying it once at night provides up to 48 hours of sweat protection, and the invisible solid goes on dry and stays dry throughout your day. It’s a widely available, affordable clinical strength deodorant that gets the job done.

Best Budget: Suave Clinical Antiperspirant Deodorant

Suave makes tons of affordable toiletries, and their Clinical Antiperspirant Deodorant provides the protection you need at a pocket-friendly price. This daily use deodorant gives you 24 hours of prescription-strength odor and wetness prevention. Its rich emollient base moisturizes dry underarms without causing extra odor or dampness. You can massage it into your armpits once a day for prescription-strength protection.

Best for Sweat: Certain Dri Clinical Prescription Strength Antiperspirant

certain dry prescription strength deodorant — Courtesy of Walmart

Many people think that antiperspirants and deodorants are the same, but they have two different purposes. Antiperspirants form plugs in your underarm pores, preventing your body from releasing sweat. Deodorants mask the scent of underarm bacteria that are attracted to sweat. If you’re looking for something to stop excessive sweating in its tracks, Certain Dri’s Clinical Antiperspirant is your best bet.

Certain Dri’s antiperspirant uses aluminum chloride, a highly effective anti-sweat ingredient, to reduce or eliminate embarrassing sweating. It contains the highest level of aluminum chloride that you can buy without a prescription.

You should apply Certain Dri to clean underarms at night before bed. This helps the antiperspirant absorb into your pores since you sweat less at night than during the day. It also gives the sweat-blocking plugs time to form. When you wake up, you should be protected for up to 72 hours.

Best for Men: Dove Men+Care Clinical Antiperspirant Deodorant Stick

Everyone sweats a little differently. Some people soak through their t-shirts on warm days, while others barely break a sweat. Men sweat differently from women: They start sweating at lower temperatures, and produce more sweat because of their testosterone levels. Dove’s Clinical Deodorant fights back on hot days and during intense workouts.

The prescription-strength formula for men defends against wetness and odor for a full 48 hours. It’s also packed with moisturizers to reduce irritation. Applying two clicks of this deodorant before bed should take care of excessive sweating.

Best for Women: Mitchum Women Clinical Soft Solid Antiperspirant Deodorant

Mitchum’s Clinical Soft Solid Deodorant is a pick for women who need a little more help from their deodorant. This prescription-strength pick combats underarm wetness to keep you dry throughout your busy day. It’s specially formulated to treat heavy perspiration.

A single application lasts 48 hours, and the soft solid stick makes it easy to apply. Moisturizing ingredients help prevent redness and discomfort, so women with sensitive skin can use it too. An added bonus: It goes on smoothly without leaving residue on your clothes.

Best for Hyperhidrosis: SweatBlock Antiperspirant

Everyone gets a little sweaty sometimes, but sweating is more than a minor irritation for people with hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis is abnormal, excessive sweating that isn’t related to high temperatures or intense workouts. You should consult a doctor if your sweating disrupts your daily routine. If they give you the go-ahead to use over-the-counter treatments, SweatBlock’s Antiperspirant is the way to go.

These clinical strength towelettes can control extreme sweating from hyperhidrosis for up to seven days. For the best results, make sure your underarms are clean and dry, and trim excessive hair. Then dab (don’t rub) the towelette on both of your armpits. Air dry for five minutes, then head to bed. The towelettes block up your pores overnight, and you’ll feel more confident and less sweaty for days. You can also use the towelettes to reduce sweat on your hands, feet, or other body parts.

Best for Sensitive Skin: Dove Clinical Protection Antiperspirant

Controlling sweat when you have sensitive skin is tough. Harsh ingredients can dry out the skin in your underarms, causing itching and redness. Sometimes it can even progress into a rash. Dove’s Clinical Protection Antiperspirant has prescription-strength protection in a soothing formula.

Dove uses the leading clinical strength deodorant ingredients to block sweat and odor. Moisturizers make up one quarter of this solid deodorant, soothing your underarms and preventing redness and discomfort. It’s great for improving your skin’s tone and texture after shaving irritation. This antiperspirant also protects you from excessive sweat for 48 hours after application.

Staying well moisturized can soothe symptoms related to sensitive skin.