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No matter the time of year or occasion, sometimes your pits simply stink—but it’s nothing the best antiperspirants can’t handle. Sweating is a natural bodily function, but these products can make it (and the accompanying B.O.) more manageable and, in turn, keep your confidence up as you move through steamy, humid days.
It’s true that deodorants have significantly improved in recent years to minimize odor from building up in your pits, but antiperspirants go above and beyond. They utilize aluminum compounds like aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly and aluminum chlorohydrate (which vary in their intensity) to control how much you sweat, says Erica Dommasch, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “When antiperspirants are applied to the skin, they are dissolved by sweat and pulled into the pores,” she explains. “This forms a superficial plug that sits below the surface of the skin and reduces the flow of sweat.” That plug usually stays intact for 24 hours, and can eventually curb the overall amount that your underarms sweat over time, says Michael Tassavor, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York and New Jersey.
Our Top Antiperspirants
- Best Overall: Secret Clinical Completely Clean, $14
- Best Scents: Degree Clinical Strength Antiperspirant (4-Pack), $22
- Best Roll-On: Ban Invisible Roll-on Antiperspirant (2-Pack), $9
- Best Spray: Dove Advanced Care Dry Spray Antiperspirant (3-Pack), $22
Those aluminum salts are the star ingredients in antiperspirants, but that’s not where their formulas end. Many contain fragrances to keep your pits fresh, moisturizers to keep your skin healthy, and even soothing ingredients to minimize irritation. Because the last thing you need during a sweaty workout or busy shift is a pair of distracting pits.
So, which ones are actually worth swiping on? These expert-approved and editor-tested antiperspirants held up through heat, sweat, and serious sniff checks.
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- What are antiperspirants?
- What are deodorants?
- Are aluminum deodorants safe?
- What is the most effective underarm antiperspirant?
- Why am I still sweating even after using antiperspirant?
- What is the best deodorant for hidradenitis suppurativa?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Secret Clinical Completely Clean
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Secret
Clinical Strength Completely Clean Invisible Solid
Amazon
Walmart
Why we love it: Secret's Clinical Strength Completely Clean Invisible Solid antiperspirant has taken home multiple Allure Best of Beauty Awards for its bevy of soothing and hydrating ingredients, genuinely lovely scent, and plain old effectiveness. Our testers put it through the paces during HIIT classes and heat waves, and it held up through it all. Experts say the proof is in its clinical-strength formula: It "provides higher concentrations of aluminum-based ingredients that are very effective for moderate to heavy sweating, while remaining gentle enough for daily use,” Dr. Tassavor says. And New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, MD, gives it bonus points for its nourishing ingredients like castor oil and vitamin B5.
Tester feedback from beauty director Sarah Kinonen
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“I recently wrote about my departure from deodorant, and since then, I’ve never been happier (and, most importantly, drier). But because this is my first official summer with antiperspirant, and with temps hotter than ever, I need a few tubes of the sweat-stopping stuff to keep my underarms as dry as possible. I’m currently using a strawberry-scented stick and will likely restock because it keeps me dry during humid commutes, super-sweating workouts, and Very Important Presentations™—without white marks on T-shirts or irritation.” —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly 20%, castor oil, bisabolol (a soothing compound found in chamomile), vitamin B5
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Dry Skin: Dove Advanced Care Cool Essentials Antiperspirant Deodorant
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Dove
Advanced Care Cool Essentials Antiperspirant Deodorant
Amazon (4-Pack)
Walmart
Why we love it: Dealing with post-shave stinging or itchiness? Dove Advanced Care Cool Essentials Antiperspirant Deodorant is alcohol-free and boosted with castor oil and sunflower seed extract for added moisture, but more importantly, it’s also packed with ceramides that replenish the skin barrier, helping your skin stay more resilient and comfortable. It’s formulated to block sweat for up to 72 hours at a time, and the invisible solid stick has a soft consistency that glides on smoothly and blends in easily, so no stress if you have an all-black outfit planned for the day. If you find that your dry pits could use even more sweat control, Dr. Tassavor likes Dove’s Men+Care Clinical Protection Antiperspirant, an equally moisturizing—but extra-strength—option.
Tester feedback from temporary features director Kara McGrath
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"As far as I'm concerned, this isn't just my favorite antiperspirant…it's the only one that exists. (I've tried branching out to other options before, but ultimately nothing beats it.) I'm not the sweatiest person in the world, but this keeps my pits quite dry and nice-smelling all day—I've even gotten through evening workouts without any reapplication. Most importantly, it doesn't irritate my sensitive underarms, a claim I'm unable to make for almost every other formula I've tried. The classic, cucumber-y Cool Essentials scent is my favorite, though sometimes I'll switch to the coconut in the summer." —Kara McGrath, temporary features director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly 15.2%, castor oil, sunflower seed oil
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Scents: Degree Clinical Strength Antiperspirant
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Degree
Clinical Strength Antiperspirant
Amazon
Why we love it: Degree’s Clinical Strength Antiperspirant has a time-release formula that ensures you stay B.O.-free from morning to night—even if things get unexpectedly sweaty along the way. It contains tiny, friction-activated capsules that burst open and release additional fragrance throughout the day, keeping you in the clear as you move; the additional odor control is especially helpful if you’re catching a pre-dinner yoga class or rushing to make a train. Plus, it contains a coconut oil-derived conditioning agent and hydrating glycerin so your pits stay soft and smooth. The scents smell fresh and invigorating across the board: Shower Clean, Summer Rose, and Original (a crisp, citrusy blend).
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
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“If you catch me power-walking around my neighborhood, you’ll see me, an adult woman, holding my arms akimbo while I stroll. That’s because I’m usually airing out my underarms. I can sweat just THINKING about physical movement. And that’s why this antiperspirant has been so amazing: It keeps me feeling dry (and my shirts, delightfully clean) even in the dead of summer. Better yet, it does so without irritating my armpits, which tend to be sensitive to the point of itchiness. It also has yet to leave white marks on my clothes—but even if it did, I wouldn’t care. It’s that good.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly 20%, caprylic/capric triglyceride
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Roll-On: Ban Invisible Roll-on Antiperspirant
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Ban
Invisible Roll-on Antiperspirant
Amazon (2-Pack)
Walmart
Why we love it: Zero white marks, a smooth application, and a lightweight consistency—Ban’s Invisible Roll-on Antiperspirant checks all the boxes. The thin, clear formula doesn’t form clumps on your skin when you swipe it on, and the rollerball applicator follows the curves of your underarms, evenly distributing the product so you’re consistently protected from sweat and smells. It also contains phellodendron amurense bark extract, which has soothing, anti-inflammatory properties—ideal if your underarms are on the sensitive side.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“Ban had me sold with ‘Invisible’ alone because the last thing I need to worry about is my deodorant leaving behind chalky residue and needing to rub it in with my hands (no thanks). I’m swiping and running off! The rollerball makes application a breeze; I can cover more area in seconds since there’s zero tugging; it’s so smooth, cooling, and refreshing. This stuff keeps my pits (and a few other sweaty areas that I won’t divulge) feeling dry and comfortable during heatwaves, pickleball games, and more.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: aluminum chlorohydrate 18%, sunflower seed oil, phellodendron amurense bark extract
- Fragrance-free: yes (scented varieties also available)
Best Spray: Dove Advanced Care Dry Spray Antiperspirant
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Dove
Advanced Care Dry Spray Antiperspirant
Amazon (3-Pack)
Walmart
Why we love it: Dove’s Advanced Care Dry Spray Antiperspirant is a drugstore staple (and a 2024 Allure Best of Beauty Award winner) for its fresh, clean scent and highly effective formula. It minimizes sweat, dries in a matter of moments, and feels blissfully lightweight. On top of that odor and sweat protection, this spray is enriched with moisturizing pro-ceramide technology (powered by sunflower seed oil) to leave your underarms feeling smooth without any sweaty, greasy feel. It’s also made without alcohol, a common additive in spray-on deos because it helps them dry quickly, so it’s less likely to dehydrate or irritate your skin.
Tester feedback from former shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis
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“When I tell you the Dove Dry Spray Antiperspirant is the only product that touches my pits—I'm not lying. This antiperspirant lasts all day and applies dry and clear, with no white residue in sight. I live in constant 90-degree weather so I know a good B.O. blocker when I try it.” —Angela Trakoshis, former shopping market editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: aluminum chlorohydrate 20.2%, sunflower seed oil
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Gel: Mitchum Triple Odor Defense Antiperspirant Gel
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Mitchum
Triple Odor Defense Antiperspirant Gel
Amazon (2-Pack)
Walmart (2-Pack)
Why we love it: Mitchum’s Triple Odor Defense Antiperspirant Gel is one of the few clear gel deodorants that won't feel gunky or create marks on your clothes, says Jason Miller, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Freehold, New Jersey. The alcohol-free formula dries rapidly and leaves a light, clean, but never overwhelming scent behind. One application lasts up to 48 hours, protecting you from sweat and body odor, whether they’re the result of heat, exercise, stress, or some brutal combination thereof.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: aluminum sesquichlorohydrate 25%, glycerin
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Sensitive Skin: Vanicream Antiperspirant/Deodorant
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Vanicream
Antiperspirant/Deodorant
Amazon
Why we love it: Basic doesn’t mean bad: The no-frills ingredient list for Vanicream’s Antiperspirant/Deodorant means it’s far less likely to irritate your skin than other options. Dr. Dommasch and Dr. Tassavor both recommend it for sensitive skin types, specifically noting its lack of fragrances and dyes (two common causes of irritation and rashes). This solid stick deodorant does contain castor oil, so it provides nourishing, long-lasting hydration and has a soft, creamy consistency to boot. While its formula is gentle on your skin, it’s clinical-strength and tough on sweat, keeping you dry and odor-free all day long.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly 20%, castor oil
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Hyperhidrosis: Certain Dri Prescription Strength Clinical Antiperspirant
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Certain Dri
Prescription Strength Clinical Antiperspirant
Amazon
Why we love it: ICYMI, hyperhidrosis is the medical term for excessive sweating—and the perfect target for Certain Dri's Prescription Strength Clinical Antiperspirant, according to Dr. Miller. Its aluminum chloride-based formula offers highly effective sweat protection for up to 72 hours. One thing to note: While this unscented, clinical-strength antiperspirant works wonders at stopping sweat and odor-causing bacteria, it can be irritating for individuals with sensitive skin.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: aluminum chloride 15%
- Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
What are antiperspirants?
"Traditional antiperspirants do not decrease sweating, but rather block sweat from reaching the skin's surface," says Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. The various versions of aluminum compounds you may find as the active ingredient in antiperspirants are what do the sweat-blocking.
These include aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminium zirconium, aluminum chloride, and aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly, which serve a unified purpose. "All aluminum ingredients in antiperspirant products work to control wetness by forming a temporary plug within the sweat gland," cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson tells Allure.
They function similarly, but to slightly varying degrees of efficacy. Aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly, for example, forms a more stable plug in the sweat glands than other compounds, so it’s most commonly found in clinical-strength antiperspirants, Dr. Tassavor says. Other aluminum compounds are still effective, but are considered less potent—that’s why they’re more likely to appear in standard-strength products.
What are deodorants?
Not all deodorants are antiperspirants, but most antiperspirants are deodorants. Deodorant is considered a cosmetic because, as Shereene Idriss, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, previously explained, it's formulated with antimicrobial agents to inhibit the growth of microorganisms in the armpits.
But sweat itself isn't what makes you stink. "Odor is released when bacteria come into contact with the thicker, milkier substance produced by apocrine glands in our armpits and groin," she added—feet and butts included. While dermatologists say daily bathing is critical to combatting body odor, deodorant can still be very useful. "It is helpful to use deodorant in the areas of skin-on-skin contact, like under heavier breasts or stomach, to prevent skin maceration during high humid seasons or to prevent skin irritation from friction," Julie E. Russak, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC, told Allure.
Are aluminum deodorants safe?
The safety of aluminum as an antiperspirant ingredient has been called into question by clean beauty advocates and natural ingredient enthusiasts. Some believe aluminum can contribute to the development of diseases like breast cancer and Alzheimer's, but there isn't enough scientific evidence to support those claims.
"We rely on studies done on thousands of women to see if there are links to breast cancer and the suspected culprit," Sarah Cate, MD, a board-certified breast surgeon and an assistant professor of surgery and breast cancer specialist at Mount Sinai in New York City, told Allure. Ultimately, no one has developed breast cancer as a result of using antiperspirants.
Moreover, the Alzheimer's Association says the link between aluminum and the neurodegenerative disease is a myth and that "studies have failed to confirm any role for aluminum in causing Alzheimer's." So, while opting for aluminum-free or natural deodorant has its benefits (especially for people with easily irritated skin), aluminum-based antiperspirants are your best bet for true odor-blocking, wetness-quashing effects.
What is the most effective underarm antiperspirant?
The most effective antiperspirant for you depends on how much you sweat and your personal skin concerns, Dr. Tassavor says. It may take some trial and error to find what active ingredient (and what concentration of it) works best to manage your sweat. Stronger actives like aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly may be more likely to cause irritation because “they create a more substantial blockage within the sweat ducts,” Dr. Tassavor explains. He adds that higher concentrations of any active ingredients can also increase your risk of irritation. Then, you’ll need to factor in how your underarms tolerate fragrances and other added ingredients. Finally, you should take your preferred texture into consideration, so applying the product is as enjoyable as possible.
Why am I still sweating even after using antiperspirant?
Good news: Your pits probably aren’t doomed. It’s likely that you aren’t using it at the right time. “Antiperspirants are most effective when applied at bedtime when sweat glands are the least active,” Dr. Dommasch says. She explains that excess moisture, be it sweat or water from the shower, can dilute the product and make it less effective.
It’s also possible that your antiperspirant of choice isn’t strong enough, Dr. Tassavor says. Look for a clinical-strength formula or one with a higher concentration of active ingredients. If switching doesn’t help, he recommends talking to a dermatologist. They can help you find the right treatment for you, like prescription-strength antiperspirants, oral medications, or Botox injections.
What is the best deodorant for hidradenitis suppurativa?
Hidradenitis suppurativa is a painful, inflammatory skin condition that causes boil-like sores in your sweat glands. It’s exacerbated by excess moisture and friction, so keeping the area dry with an over-the-counter antiperspirant can make the symptoms less severe and help you get some relief, Dr. Tassavor says. Look for one with a gentle formula made without fragrances or essential oils, Dr. Dommasch says. “These [ingredients] can contribute to irritation and sometimes allergic reactions, which may worsen hidradenitis suppurativa," she explains. If you don’t see any improvements, talk to a dermatologist about treatment options.
Meet the experts
- Erica Dommasch, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Jason Miller, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Freehold, New Jersey
- Michael Tassavor, MD, MS, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York and New Jersey
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best deodorants with antiperspirants, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
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