Skin Health Skin Care & Cleansing Products The 14 Best Clinical Strength Deodorants and Antiperspirants of 2022, Tested and Reviewed Uriage Clinical Strength Deodorant is the best to keep you fresh and dry By Rachael Schultz Rachael Schultz Rachael Schultz is a freelance writer with a focus in health and nutrition. Her articles have appeared on a handful of other Health sites, and she has a degree from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Learn about our editorial process Updated on October 24, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Susan Bard, MD Medically reviewed by Susan Bard, MD Susan Bard, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Fact checked Verywell Health content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr Rich Scherr is a seasoned journalist who has covered technology, finance, sports, and lifestyle. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products. Healthcare professionals review articles for medical accuracy. Learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. 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 the 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. Tested & Approved Our top pick, Uriage Clinical Strength Deodorant, was effective, gentle on skin, non-marking on clothing, and pleasantly scented. Our budget pick, Certain Dri Clinical Prescription Strength Antiperspirant, is nearly as effective, and is half the price. 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, 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 the application process. Here are the best clinical strength deodorants and antiperspirants, according to our test. 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 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 Expand Our Picks We Also Tested What to Look For FAQ Why Trust Verywell Health Best Overall: Uriage Clinical Strength Deodorant 5 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On IHerb Pros Combination antiperspirant and deodorant Clean smell Long-lasting 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 tester’s 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 tester’s black shirt, and is also hypoallergenic, paraben-free, and well-priced. Price at time of publication: $11 Type: Roll on | Key Ingredient: Aluminum Chlorohydrate (20%) | Fragrance: Lightly scented Best Budget: Certain Dri Clinical Prescription Strength Antiperspirant 4.5 courtesy of Amazon. View On Amazon View On Riteaid.com View On Walgreens 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 our tester was 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: $6 Type: Roll on | Key Ingredient: Aluminum Chloride (12%) | Fragrance: Fragrance-free The 8 Best Exfoliators of 2022 Best Antiperspirant: Jack Black Pit Boss 4.4 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Bloomingdales 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; our tester found it non-irritating to apply. This stick has a slight 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 our tester reported that by the end of the day, there wasn’t any smell—from the deodorant or from her own body odor. Price at time of publication: $21 Type: Stick | Key Ingredient: Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex (20%) | Fragrance: Lightly scented Best Deodorant: Secret Antiperspirant Deodorant with Pure Essential Oils 4.8 Target View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Target 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: our tester noticed that his armpits smelled pleasant even after a workout. The essential oils do more than just mask 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: $8 Type: Stick | Key Ingredient: Aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex GLY (15%) | Fragrance: Scented Best Aluminum-Free: Crystal Mineral Deodorant Roll-On 4.3 Courtesy of Amazon. View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Walgreens 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-occuring 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 our tester was exercising. This deodorant rolls on wet, but it dries rather quickly and is super gentle on your skin. Our tester found this deodorant didn’t completely block the sweat, but they 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: $5 Type: Roll on | Key Ingredient: Mineral Salts | Fragrance: Fragrance-free Best Stick: Secret Clinical Strength Invisible Solid Antiperspirant and Deodorant 4.8 Amazon View On Amazon View On Target 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 our tester used it before a treadmill workout, she said it didn’t block the sweat completely—her 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. Our tester 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 that kept our tester 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 The 10 Best Ceramide Moisturizers to Buy in 2022 Best Wipes: SweatBlock Antiperspirant 4.7 Amazon. View On Amazon View On Walmart 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 to bring 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 testers’ 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. Our tester reported 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 are that they’re a bit pricey since you only get 10 wipes. And our tester 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: $19 Type: Wipe | Key Ingredient: Aluminum chloride 14% | Fragrance: Unscented (but our tester thought they had a strong smell) Skin Care With Liquid Body Wash Best Spray: Dove Invisible Dry Spray Antiperspirant Deodorant 4.2 Amazon View On 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 doesn’t leave marks on your garments, according to our testers. 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, our tester said 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. Our tester 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). She loved how it really did apply clear and not leave any residue on clothing. And, our tester reported that 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 Biotherm Deo Pure Antiperspirant, Cream 4.8 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Fragrancenet.com Pros Combination antiperspirant and deodorant Neutral smell Only small amount required for application Works all day Cons Expensive This deodorant goes on like a face cream—squeeze a little out the tube and rub it on your underarms. Our tester loved how smoothly the cream went on and she felt she could rub in a smaller amount than one traditional uses 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 our tester added that the scent is really mild and clean—she didn’t even realize it was scented until she put her nose into her 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: $24 Type: Cream | Key Ingredient: Aluminum chlorohydrate | Fragrance: Light scent Best for Workouts: Arm & Hammer Ultra Max 4.7 Amazon View On 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, our tester didn’t break a sweat, however there was a little bit of residue under her 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. Our tester reported the Cool Blast option made their 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: $6 Type: Stick | Key Ingredient: Aluminum Chlorohydrate (19%) | Fragrance: Scented Best Degree: Degree Advanced Antiperspirant Deodorant 4.8 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On CVS 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 tester was dry and only smelled like the product—none of her 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. Our tester thought the scent was nice—it reminded her of fresh laundry—but she did note that it might be too strong depending on your preferences. The formula goes on smooth and clear—our tester saw zero white marks on their skin or shirt. And at the end of 24 hours, our tester could only smell the deodorant. Price at time of publication: $16 for 4 Type: Stick | Key Ingredient: Aluminum sesquichlorohydrate (16%) | Fragrance: Scented Best Fragrance-Free: Vanicream Antiperspirant Deodorant 4.8 Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart 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 our tester dry and odor-free for 24 hours. It relies on aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex GLY to minimize moisture; even after our tester went through a day of a brisk workout, sweaty commute, and strength training, her 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. Our tester reported that it did transfer to clothes a bit, which is par for the course with stick-style applicators. Price at time of publication: $18 Type: Stick | Key Ingredient: Aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex GLY (20%) | Fragrance: Fragrance-free Best Smelling: Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Deodorant 4.5 Courtesy of Amazon. View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Instacart.com 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, according to our tester. However, she also found that the deodorant left a white residue under her arms after application, and left the smallest residue on her 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: $34 Type: Roll on | Key Ingredient: Aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex GLY(15.40%) | Fragrance: Scented Best Gender-Neutral Scent: DuraDry AM Deodorant & Antiperspirant 4.2 Amazon View On 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 between what we traditionally considered to be a feminine and masculine scent—our tester noted that she and her husband really liked the scent. When our tester wore this antiperspirant during a workout, she noted that her 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 smooth, with no stinging or irritation, although our tester did report minor streaks left behind on clothing. Price at time of publication: $24 for 3 Type: Stick | Key Ingredient: Aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly (20%) | 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 tester’s 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 our tester found it to have a surprising floral scent even though it's not labeled as unscented, and it left 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. 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 clothingRoll-on: Easy to apply, feels refreshing, requires drying timeCreams: Harder to apply, only need a small amount, product goes further, often contain more skin-soothing ingredientsSprays: Refreshing effect, usually goes on clear, leaves scent in the airWipes: 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. 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