The 13 Best Deodorants for Men—with Tips from a Dermatologist
Updated: Jun. 30, 2022
There's a surprising number of details to consider when choosing a sweat- and odor-fighting product you can count on. A dermatologist explains the best deodorants for men, and we rated them based on customer reviews, ingredients, fragrance, effectiveness, and the brand's sustainability efforts.
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Armpit woes. We’ve all got them, especially in the hotter summer months. When you browse the drugstore aisles, you’ll notice that men’s and women’s deodorants are clearly segregated. And while that distinction may be important for things like multivitamins where nutritional needs can vary by gender, some experts suggest this is actually more of a marketing tactic when it comes to deodorant choices.
“There is not a huge difference when it comes down to the formulation of men and women’s deodorant,” says board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Scott Paviol of Paviol Dermatology. “The major difference is going to be the fragrances. Men and women both sweat the same, therefore the active ingredients are going to be very similar.”
So while maybe you could technically get by with one of these deodorants and antiperspirants for women, Dr. Paviol says there are a few other savvy factors to consider when you’re shopping for the best deodorant for men. And with so many ground-breaking products on the market—along with some classics—with Dr. Paviol’s tips in mind, we’ve rounded up a solid list.
What to Look for When Buying Men’s Deodorant
First thing’s first: you’ll want to choose the right formulation for the job. That starts with not confusing the terms “deodorant” and “anti-perspirant”—one of 10 deodorant mistakes some people make. “Deodorants have ingredients used to target bacteria to protect against odor,” Dr. Paviol clarifies, “while antiperspirants have aluminum-based ingredients that protect against sweating.”
Beyond that, the best deodorant for men comes down to personal preference. “Spray deodorants tend to dry quicker, but you will not have as much control during application,” says Dr. Paviol. “Roll-on and stick deliver more control of the active ingredients—however they may take a little longer to dry.”
Finally, it’s important to consider any skin sensitivities. If this sounds like you, then you may want to choose an unscented product or natural deodorant, instead—like this popular crystal deodorant.
Evaluation Criteria
We compiled this list of 13 best deodorants for men by taking into account factors such as customer reviews, ingredients, fragrance, effectiveness, and the brand’s sustainability efforts. Some of these products excel in several of these categories, while others have a specific place in the market.
Now, all you need to do is find the one your body best responds to, and you’ll have to worry way less about embarrassing body odor or sweat. Summer, we’re officially ready for you.
Best Overall Men’s Deodorant
Mitchum Triple Odor Defense
This invisible solid deodorant has nearly 20,000 Amazon reviews—93 percent of them four stars or higher—making this one of the most-trusted options on the market.
With a pledge of 48 hours of protection, the brand pledges that the invisible formula won’t leave white residue behind…and with the inclusion of aloe and vitamin E, it’s easy to see why it’s a fan favorite and one of the best deodorants for men.
Best Natural Deodorant for Men
Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve Company
Going au naturel with your grooming products? Then natural deodorant is for you.
First, you’ll fall in love with Chagrin Valley’s Woodland Breeze scent, which is made from organic essential oils such as bergamot, cypress, juniper berry, and rosemary. Then you’re going to fall for the handcrafted natural ingredients, including organic virgin coconut oil to neutralize odor, and organic cornstarch to absorb perspiration. Since natural deodorant lets the body sweat freely as opposed to preventing it, body odor is normal. Adding an armpit detox to your routine is the best way to ensure your body smoothly transitions to a natural deodorant—minus the smelly side effects.
Best-Smelling Deodorant for Men
Old Spice GentleMan’s Blend Coffee & Amber
One of the most advanced products on the market is Old Spice GentleMan’s Blend deodorant, which features 48-hour mineral-fortified odor protection. It combines five hard-working, odor-fighting ingredients with refreshingly unexpected scent combinations, like coffee and amber, lavender and mint, or eucalyptus and coconut oil.
Best Spray Deodorant for Men
Degree Ultraclear
Using a spray instead of a stick has a special way of waking you up. Get that with Degree Ultraclear—which the brand says won’t leave white marks on your black clothes, or yellow pit stains on your white clothes. Reviewers agree.
Plus, this dry spray should keep you fresh for 72 hours. And if you’re looking to clear up pits even more, here’s how to get rid of dark armpits.
Best Men’s Deodorant for Sensitive Skin
Vanicream Anti-Perspirant/Deodorant
A product that’s free of dyes, fragrance, lanolin, parabens, formaldehyde, ethanol, gluten, and botanical extracts is a dream come true for anyone with sensitive skin, which is why Vanicream is such a popular choice. It’s dermatologist-tested to fight sweat and odor without irritating chemicals.
Best Antiperspirant Deodorant for Men
Duke Cannon Dry Ice
Do you run hot? Cool those pits down with some dry ice, stat!
No, it’s not actual dry ice—it’s Duke Cannon’s Dry Ice cooling antiperspirant. This formula uses menthol to deliver an instant cooling sensation, which the brand says is reactivated all day when it’s hit with moisture or friction. (We love science.)
The product is also enriched with activated charcoal to remove toxins and deodorize. Hard not to like the sound of that.
Best Aluminum-Free Deodorant for Men
Oars + Alps Natural Deodorant
Say goodbye to dark or yellow pit stains with this aluminum-free deodorant from Oars + Alps. The clean, fresh, ocean-splash scent provides long-lasting odor protection and is an ideal accompaniment to any armpit detox program because it’s also free of sulfates, talc, parabens, and phthalates.
Best Gel Deodorant for Men
Right Guard Xtreme Defense
It’s rare to see a product with so many five-star reviews on Amazon, but Right Guard Xtreme Defense has an 85 percent five-star rating (and another 11 percent at four stars, which means 96 percent of customer swear by this product).
We’re guessing that has a lot to do with the claim of odor protection up to an almost-unheard of 72 hours—so feel free to apply this before a weekend camping trip to minimize your need to reapply.
Best Deodorant in a Jar for Men
Teal Botanicals No Aluminum No Baking Soda Deodorant
Deodorant in a jar?! Teal Botanicals’ creamy and natural odor neutralizer might be a must-try. Simply apply a pea-sized amount onto clean armpits with your fingertips—that’s really all there is to one of the best deodorants for men.
Best Long-Lasting Deodorant for Men
Dove Men+Care
When you’re looking for 48 hours of odor and wetness protection, reach for Dove Men+Care. It’s formulated with vitamin E and a triple-action moisturizer to protect you against irritation and soothe razor burn. (Hey…we’re talking about a sensitive zone, after all.)
Best Deodorant for Men That’s Certified by PETA
PĀPR Deodorant
If you take good care of yourself, chances are decent you care about animals, too. PĀPR is vegan- and cruelty-free certified by PETA, which means the brand only tests on fellow human volunteers and friends.
More facts we love? The products are produced with solar power, the company is certified carbon-neutral, everything is made the U.S., the packaging is 100 percent biodegradable, and the natural ingredients include baking soda, coconut oil, and shea butter.
Best Sustainably Packaged Deodorant for Men
Native Plastic-Free Citrus & Herbal Musk
Skip the planet-destroying plastic that most deodorants are encased in, and switch to one that’s made from paperboard sourced from responsibly managed forests. Native’s 100 percent Plastic Free Citrus & Herbal Musk Deodorant offers spicy and woodsy notes in a vegan and cruelty-free formula made from naturally derived ingredients.
Best Deodorant for Men That Gives Back to the Planet
Attitude Plastic Free All Natural Deodorant
While this isn’t the only deodorant on this list that’s packaged without plastic, vegan, and cruelty-free, it certainly kicks things up a notch by helping to restore and heal the planet.
For every product purchased, Attitude plants a tree in partnership with Eden Reforestation and One Tree Planted. So far, as of this publication, they’ve planted 1,323,333 trees!
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Originally Published: May 12, 2022
