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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
Why Trust Verywell Health
Rachael Schultz has been diving into the science behind health and wellness for a decade. She specializes in combing through studies, interviewing doctors, and considering the research body as a whole to help readers get the most accurate, understandable, and well-balanced information possible about their health.
