16 Different Deodorant and Antiperspirant Formulas Reviewed

With so many options, which is the best?

March 9, 2018

Fact: The deodorant aisle can be a very overwhelming place. These days, there are so many different options available, from pastes to sprays to coconut-oil-based sticks. And navigating the world of deodorant vs. antiperspirant can be enough to make your head spin. (FYI: deodorant deals with body odor only, while antiperspirant also helps stop you from sweating in the first place.) Then, of course, there's the question of whether we should all go all natural (read this explainer on aluminum for everything you ever wanted to know about that) — and the biggest concern of all: How do you know if a new deodorant is actually going to work?

Having gone through my whole life as a heavy sweater, I knew that testing both deodorants and antiperspirants would mean accepting that the pits of my gray T-shirt would be thoroughly soaked by the end of my experiment. Even so, I decided to do it for the sake of research — and sampled 16 different formulas to see if maybe — just maybe — I could find any that I'd fall in love with. My biggest and most important takeaway? If I use an antiperspirant at night and a deodorant in the morning, I can actually get through the day without a single pit stain in sight. Click through for my extremely detailed thoughts on each one.

Courtesy of brand.
1/16
Dove Advanced Care Antiperspirant Deodorant, Cool Essentials, $4.88
Dove's Advanced Care solid deodorant is a solid deodorant/antiperspirant combo with a scent that reminds me of the spa. "There's a difference between deodorant and antiperspirant — some deodorants have antiperspirant, and some deodorants don't," says Dr. Lily Talakoub of McLean Dermatology and Skincare Center. "So 'deodorant' means it just gets rid of odors and has a masking fragrance in it, and antiperspirant is something that physically corks the hole [from your sweat glands] so you don't perspire or sweat. So just because it has one doesn't mean it has the other, so you have to look for both names on the label if you want both." Spoiler alert: This one does both.
Courtesy of brand.
2/16
Old Spice "Swagger,"
In "duh"-inducing news, men's deodorant is pretty much the same as women's formulawise. I borrowed this stick from a friend who absolutely swears by it, and though it made me smell like a locker room (in a good way, to be clear) for a few hours, my sweat ultimately won out — 'tis the story of life as a #sweatygirl, sadly. Try this one if you're into the classic Old Spice scent — it really did envelop me in an aura of "swagger."

Courtesy of brand.
3/16
Ban Unscented Roll-On Deodorant, $6.87
Growing up, this deodorant was the holy grail in my house. My mom and dad used it, and it was the first formula I ever tried. I haven't used this stuff in years but decided to give it another go and was pleasantly surprised. It rolls on clear, which I love, and though the "unscented" element initially seemed like a turnoff, I actually liked that it kept me from sweating and stinking but didn't try to cover it up with fruits and florals.
Courtesy of brand.
4/16
Secret Original Powder Fresh Scent Women's Aerosol Antiperspirant & Deodorant (2-Pack), $11.09
This stuff is a staple at my local SoulCycle, so I've tested it dozens of times both pre- and postworkout. It goes on clear, and the powdery scent is super clean smelling — perfect for anyone who isn't into the idea of their 'pits smelling like fruit. According to Dr. Talakoub, though, spray deodorants only work if you use them a certain way. "Most people don't hold the spray close enough to their underarms, so about 50% of that is going up in the air and 50% is going on your skin, so you're not getting enough on there," she says. Lesson learned: Make sure you're holding the can close enough to your armpits.

5/16
Dove Beauty Finish Dry Spray Antiperspirant Deodorant, $5.47
The fact that Dove's spray comes with what they call a "Beauty Finish" (i.e., it's infused with moisturizer) is my favorite thing about it. While I usually don't think about my 'pits getting too dry, the formula actually does make my skin feel better. The scent is also a pleasing combination of fruity and floral, and it lasts all day.
Courtesy of brand.
6/16
Secret Outlast Unscented Women's Clear Gel Antiperspirant & Deodorant, $6.97
When it comes to choosing a deodorant, gels actually may be your best bet... unless you have sensitive skin. "The better absorption into skin, the more will be absorbed by sweat glands, and the more effective a product will be," says dermatologist Dr. Rachel Nazarian of Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City, who notes that gels reign supreme over solids and sprays. "Although a gel formulation may have better absorption, they also tend to be more irritating due to the alcohol content; because the armpit area is already very delicate, those people with sensitive skin should opt to use a solid."

Courtesy of brand.
7/16
Secret Clinical Strength Deodorant and Antiperspirant for Women, Soft Solid, $11.97
As a heavy sweater (always a fun thing to tell others), I usually swear by clinical-strength sticks. Secret's soft solid goes on smooth, and the clean lavender scent smells like a delicious herbal garden. "Clinical strength has a higher concentration of aluminum chloride, and that kind of gives you more coverage," says Dr. Talakoub, who notes that there are also prescription-strength versions you can get from your derm if the over-the-counter stuff isn't working. "I usually say if you're worried about sweating and you feel like the sweating is persistent, choose a clinical-strength deodorant."
Courtesy of brand.
8/16
Dove Clinical Protection Antiperspirant/Deodorant, (Pack of 2), $11.97
Another one of my clinical-strength faves, Dove's version goes on as a white solid but somehow doesn't leave white marks all over my clothes (and I wear a lot of black, so this is very important). The scent makes me smell like fresh laundry, which manages to last all day long, even when I'm seriously stressed. Remember how I mentioned that using antiperspirant at night was a life-changing discovery? Turns out, I was onto something. "By continuously applying high-strength antiperspirant at night, your skin does build up levels of the active ingredient in the sweat glands under the skin and will cumulatively decrease sweating over time," explains Dr. Nazarian. "Once you completely discontinue usage, the effects wear off and with time sweating will return back to baseline."

Courtesy of brand.
9/16
Ursa Major Hoppin' Fresh Deodorant, $18
If I had a dollar for every time someone told me Ursa Major was the only natural deodorant that works for them, I'd be rich. It's made with peppermint, eucalyptus, rosemary, grapefruit, chamomile, and lemon, a combination that smells unlike anything I've ever put my nose to (again, in the best way). It glides on easily, and even though it looks white in the packaging, it doesn't turn your 'pits into ghosts. Like all natural products, Ursa Major is a deodorant (and not an antiperspirant), so while it masks the smell of BO, it won't stop you from sweating.
Courtesy of brand.
10/16
Meow Meow Tweet Lavender Deodorant Cream, $18
I had never gotten around to trying a cream deodorant until I succumbed to Meow Meow Tweet's version. I'll admit, rubbing it under my armpits took a little getting used to, but then I actually kind of liked it because it felt like my deodorant was just another step in my head-to-toe skin-care routine. This all-natural cream comes in a few different scents, but I liked the lavender one because it was equal parts floral and spicy.

Courtesy of brand.
11/16
While I normally wouldn't search out coconut oil in my deodorant, this one called my name. No joke: It's like vacation in deodorant form. The stick smells like straight-up coconuts but in the not-too-sweet kind of way and sort of feels like solid coconut oil when it goes on. Somehow it doesn't leave behind a greasy residue the way normal coconut oil does.
Courtesy of brand.
12/16
Vapour Organic Beauty AER Next Level Deodorant, $24
You know when you open a beauty product and just cannot stop sniffing it? That's what happened to me with this ginger-grapefruit deodorant. (It smells like some sort of delicious juice that you'd drink for breakfast at a spa.) It has a creamy texture unlike anything I've ever seen before and goes on a very translucent yellow, so it doesn't leave behind any annoying white residue. A little bit of this stuff goes a long way, but don't say I didn't warn you: You may catch yourself wanting to smell your own 'pits while you wear it. It's that good.

Courtesy of brand.
13/16
Schmidt's Coconut Pineapple Sensitive Skin Deodorant Stick, $10.99
Contrary to what you may think, Schmidt's coconut-pineapple solid doesn't smell like coconuts and pineapples. It has a sort of fresh, musky scent that works to neutralize odors and is totally natural. I wore it to yoga class, and it held up surprisingly well, even though I personally was ready to quit after my third sun salutation. This formulation is designed with sensitive skin in mind, so it won't leave you irritated after you use it.
Courtesy of brand.
14/16
Korres Equisetum 24h Deodorant, $18.50
If you've ever tried to shove a deodorant stick into an itty-bitty clutch, you know it's not an easy feat. Thankfully, Korres has got you covered with this mini, all-natural rollerball that fits in the palm of your hand but still delivers major protection. It's formulated with sensitive skin in mind and smells like a super mild essential oil.

Courtesy of brand.
15/16
Agent Nateur Holi(stick), $21
Never have I ever felt so fancy from the mundane act of putting on deodorant. I don't know if it was the chic packaging or the scent combination of lavender, honey, and eucalyptus (it's all natural, BTW), but this stuff felt incredibly luxurious and I loved every minute of it. It made perfuming my 'pits feel more like an enjoyable activity than an annoying thing I had to do every morning, which I seriously appreciated.
Courtesy of brand.
16/16
Lavanila: The Healthy Deodorant, $14
When I first cracked open my stick of Lavanila, I couldn't stop sniffing it. Judge me all you want, but the vanilla-blackberry combo smelled so good that I legitimately considered using it as a perfume in addition to slapping it under my 'pits (full disclosure: I still might). It's all natural and formulated with essential oils (maybe that's why it smells so amazing) and goes on extra smooth. BRB, I actually think I need to go smell it again.