Banish Bad Odor: These Antiperspirants Squash Stink for Good (2024)

Our Top Picks

When you see the words “clinical protection,” you can trust it will be a safe bet against excessive sweating. That's why experts like Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder ofFACET Dermatology recommend this Dove option to their patients. It's one of the strongest options on the market and offers up to 48 hours of protection from wetness and odor, not to mention it's "alcohol-free and moisturizing, so it’s very gentle on the armpits and won’t cause discomfort or irritation when used after shaving,” explains Dr. Yadav.

It's important to note that this antiperspirant formula is on the creamier side, so it may take a minute to dry down — keep this in mind so you don't get it on your clothes. This minor nuisance is worth it, however, considering the all-day protection. Plus, the under-ten-dollar price tag and availability at most drugstores make this product accessible in more ways than one.

Type: Stick | Fragrance: Yes

Designed to tackle all the sources of sweat, including stress, heat, and activity, Secret's Clinical Strength Antiperspirant includes aluminum and minerals that are pH-balanced to not only mask any body odor but eliminate it.Plus, this option offers 72-hour protection, so you won't have to worry about if you're a little stinky during any all-day or all-night excursions. We're especially fond of this formula for combating stress sweat, which is the type of sweat that omits the most pungent smell. This is because it comes from the apocrine gland and mixes with the bacteria on our skin to create a ripe reaction.

Shannon Bauer, the associate editorial director at Shape says that she prefers using this "for weddings, big presentations, or running marathons because I know that it will last ... The solid stick goes on smoothly, dries down quickly, and keeps sweat stains at bay."

Type: Stick | Fragrance: Yes

Any antiperspirant that keeps your pits dry, smells luxurious, and comes in cool packaging is a win in the eyes of Shape editors, which is why AKT's Deodorant Balms should be on everyone's radar. While this balm comes in five fabulous scents (plus an unscented version for ultra-sensitive folks), the Orange Grove is the most popular — for a good reason. With notes of mandarin, cypress, and neroli, this citrusy scent feels sweet and summery, and you only need a pea-sized amount to cover you for the whole day. Though smaller than many stick applicators, the whole tube can last up to eight weeks. "This is the only natural formula I've used that actually works," says Madison Barber, a Shape writer. "I can't imagine using an antiperspirant deodorant combination that smells better and is more effective than AKT's."

Diatomaceous earth and arrowroot are the specific ingredients that prevent sweat from forming, proving that natural antiperspirant formulas can exist, while shea butter and vitamin E help nourish dry and sensitive underarms.

Type: Balm | Fragrance: Yes

Dealing with excessive sweating is no fun. Heavy-duty antiperspirants like Duradry's AM Antiperspirant Stick aim to nip this issue in the bud using a slew of powerhouse ingredients to stop sweating. This product not only uses aluminum for perspiration control (as many antiperspirants do) but utilizes a whopping 20% of it, granting it its maximum strength status. Plus, the formula includes ingredients like arrowroot extract to help with sweat absorption and hydrogenated castor oil as a skin protectant.

While the AM Antiperspirant Stick prioritizes stopping sweat in its tracks, it also wants you to smell good while it works to do just that—that's right, it's an antiperspirantanda deodorant. This formula comes in three different scents, ranging from gourmand to fresh and citrusy, so opt for the one that most speaks to you. You'll be in awe of how good you smell and how dry you feel (for 24 hours, according to the brand!) after using this.

Type: Stick | Fragrance: Yes

If you have sensitive skin, opt for a fragrance-free antiperspirant like this one from Vanicream. This unscented option is ideal for anyone needing sweat protection but has underarm skin that irritates easily. Vanicream is Dr. Yadav-approved, as well. "Vanicream is known for its ultra-gentle formulations, making this a great pick for those who have very sensitive skin," says the expert, who adds that it "has no botanical ingredients, so it won’t cause irritation in those who are prone to reactivity.”

If you’re worried about an unscented formula not being able to mask body odor, don't fret. The formula includes sweat-blockers like aluminum so essentially there'll be no sweat to smell once it's applied. Magic.

Type: Stick | Fragrance: No

Not only does this pick from Mitchum help protect against body odor for 48 hours, but it also soothes your underarms, thanks to the aloe and vitamin E in its formula. Whether you're usually sensitive in these areas or struggle with razor burn post-shave, this is a much-needed bonus. Shape editors love this stick's classic, fresh powder scent (especially for those averse to strong fragrances) and that it goes on smoothly without leaving any wipe marks on your underarms.

The stick applicator is a bit fragile. If you're not careful or roll up too much product, it can potentially break mid-application.

Type: Stick | Fragrance: Yes

Degree's Ultra Clear Black + White Pure Clean Antiperspirant Spray is one of Yadav’s favorites because it goes on clear, dries quickly, and won’t cause yellowing in white shirts. “When you move, it releases more fragrance molecules to help combat any odor,” she explains, adding that it “fights odor and sweat for up to 72 hours.” The spray applicator is perfect for those needing to quickly spritz and head out the door, making the already simple task of applying antiperspirant somehow even easier. Plus, the clear color ensures it won't stain any of your clothes — no more needing to search for hacks to remove pesky deodorant stains!

Keep in mind that the scent is quite strong and could be off-putting to those sensitive to fragrance.

Type: Spray | Fragrance: Yes

This antiperspirant option from Carpe is innovative in a few ways. First and foremost, they come in a wipe form, which makes them perfect for traveling (they're more space-saving than a stick or spray form), and they can be brought on the go (like in your gym bag) for touch-ups throughout the day. Also, the unscented formula and inclusion of skin-loving ingredients like vitamin E make these great for sensitive skin. Dr. Jeannette Graf, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, loves this pick from Carpe for her patients, noting that these“wipes are a good option to use if you need some extra protection on the go,” and loves how they have “an aluminum-based active ingredient to prevent unwanted sweating, while also including skin-healthy ingredients like vitamin E.”

Single-use wipes, unfortunately, are not the most sustainable (or cost-efficient) option, so our editors recommend these solely for traveling or on-the-go use if these are top-of-mind priorities for you as a customer.

Type: Wipes | Fragrance: No

Almay makes products specialized for sensitive skin types, so you can rest assured the brand's antiperspirant will keep your underarms irritation-free. "This is a good option for sensitive skin because it is hypoallergenic and free of common skin irritants like fragrances and alcohol while still being effective at preventing sweat," says Dr. Graf. Plus, it goes on clear, leaving no residue (although the gel formula takes a second to dry), and doesn’t feel sticky.

Type: Gel | Fragrance: No

If long gym sessions and long runs are part of your weekly routine, you need an effective antiperspirant to keep you feeling fresh. “This is a clinical-strength option, so it’s a good fit for protecting against the excess sweat that accompanies a workout,” says Dr. Graf. “It has high concentrations of aluminum zirconium complex to effectively stop perspiration.”

While typical antiperspirants contain 10 to 15 percent aluminum salts, the 20 percent aluminum zirconium complex found in the Certain Dri Everyday Strength Clinical Antiperspirant is tough against strong odors and can, of course, also be used by anyone who doesn’t work out often but is still a heavy sweater.

Type: Stick | Fragrance: No

Although most antiperspirants can't be considered totally “natural" because of the inclusion of aluminum, Tom’s of Maine is a popular pick because of the many natural skincare ingredients included in its formula. "For years I experienced allergic reactions from most popular clinical strength antiperspirants and deodorants thanks to my sensitive, eczema-prone skin," says Madison Barber, a Shape writer. "Picking up Tom's of Maine's Coconut Lavender Antiperspirant at the drugstore one day a few years ago changed everything for me, and now it's truly the only antiperspirant I'll use. It doesn't give me an underarm rash, smells great, and actually helps prevent me from sweating through my shirts."

This subtle coconut and lavender-scented antiperspirant contains no artificial fragrances or preservatives and effectively fights odor using aluminum chlorohydrate. Thankfully, the formula has never caused irritation (Barber tends to get rashes when trying out new deodorants or antiperspirants and this is always here to save her skin) and works even through her sweatiest summer commutes, making it a staple in her arsenal for years.

Type: Stick | Fragrance: No

While an antiperspirant cream may sound counterintuitive to combatting underarm wetness, Kiehl's formula is fast-drying, completely sheer, leaves no residue, and only requires a small amount to protect your pits. It's even unscented, so the formula truly feels like the perfect, barely-there option. Using aluminum chlorohydrate to block sweat and witch hazel as an additional underarm purifier and cleanser, this antiperspirant will genuinely keep you feeling fresh, so much so that our editors stand by the brand's 24-hour protection sweat-protection claim.

Type: Cream | Fragrance: No

Roll-on antiperspirants are the epitome of ease. With a swift swipe or two, this DERMAdoctor formula can evenly spread across your armpit without irritation or staining. The Total NonScents Ultra-Gentle Antiperspirant boasts a water-based, hypoallergenic, fragrance-free formula that's gentle enough for sensitive skin. It's even dermatologist-approved, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marc Beuttler, MD, from Modern Dermatology in Westport, CT, calling it "an excellent choice for those seeking an antiperspirant suitable for sensitive or eczema-prone skin." He says that "while the aluminum complex, which is key for effectively reducing sweat, can sometimes cause irritation, the remainder of the formula is fragrance-free, dye-free, and paraben-free," which is why it still gets his approval. Further, this formula dries fast despite the watery consistency, so you can head out the door post-application without worrying about it getting onto your clothes.

Type: Roll-on | Fragrance: No

When you think of Dove, you likely think of their sensitive-skin-friendly soaps and body washes first. Like the rest of the brand's products, Dove's Advanced Care Antiperspirant Deodorant Stick is made up of 25 percent moisturizer in the form of natural oils, nourishing the skin under your arms as it keeps sweat at bay.

Your underarms surely deserve the extra love, especially after constant shaving, enduring razor bumps or friction from workout tops, and dealing with sweat. Its alcohol-free formula also protects your pits from drying out and feeling the burn post-shave.The aluminum-based stick has a 48-hour claim for odor and wetness protection and is made without dyes and parabens, as well.

Type: Stick | Fragrance: Yes