The Best Deodorants for Women to Banish Underarm Odor

Backed by the Good Housekeeping Seal, this Ivory deodorant wards off odor without irritating skin (or the senses). The formulation comes in subtle, sophisticated scents like aloe, lavender, coconut and water lily and is infused with skin-softening ingredients like castor oil.

In a study of 35 women who treated one underarm with the solid stick and one with no product, it provided protection against body odor for 24 hours, GH Beauty Lab evaluation confirmed. (Note that it doesn't contain aluminum, so it's not made to prevent sweating.)

An impressive 100% of Beauty Lab testers agreed that the product applied easily and didn't transfer onto clothing; it also scored highly for not irritating. Users commented that the "mild" scent of the lavender variant was "not overpowering" yet "definitely masked the sweat smell."

Dove's dry spray deodorant technology can convert even the most die-hard solid user into a spray fan. "For years I was a stick deodorant girl, but recently I switched to spray and I’m never going back," says GH contributor Dori Price. "I love that this dries super quickly and I never feel sticky after — I can get dressed right away!" Plus, the 3.8-ounce bottle can last for months. A drawback: Some users commented that the button to dispense the spray was difficult to push.

For those prone to heavy body odor (hello, smelly armpits!), opt for a deodorant labeled "clinical strength" like Secret's formula, which Dr. Luke recommends. Clinical strength deodorants like this one are the strongest over-the-counter option for those looking to combat serious body odor. With a high 20% level of aluminum zirconium (one of the most effective antiperspirant ingredients), it will effectively fight both stinky underarm aromas and moisture. The packaging can be tricky to use, though, as some GH editors who tried this pick found the twist-up dial didn't function or broke.

Women who sweat a lot, look no further than Certain Dri's clinical strength antiperspirant/deodorant, which lives up to its name. It's made with a high 25% concentration of the sweat-stopping active ingredient aluminum. "I recommend this for those who have excess sweating and need better control," Dr. Luke explains. If you have sensitive skin, note that some users reported irritation after use.

Odor isn't exclusive to our underarms: Sometimes things can get a little smelly on the rest of your body (ahem, even private parts). Behold Lumé's star product, which received praise in a study conducted by the GH Beauty Lab for being easy to use and providing long-lasting odor protection all over the body throughout the day. (Note that because it is a deodorant and not an antiperspirant, it won't provide sweat protection.) “It seemed very effective, and the tube allowed me to apply liberally and to use it all over my body," one tester said. "Plus, it did not stain my clothing!"

Created specifically for active women (hence the name!), Degree is a great choice for female athletes thanks to its powerful odor and sweat protection. "It's advertised as 48-hour protection and it does just that, even after a hike/workout," one reviewer reported. Though many are fans of the sweet fruity-floral scent (including GH's beauty director), others found it too strong.

Not your typical powder- or floral-scented deodorant, this Degree solid stick instead has a unique, fresh mint and eucalyptus fragrance. "This deodorant immediately stood out for its neutral, almost spa-like aroma that's not overly feminine or masculine," says one GH beauty editor. "Plus, it works and doesn't irritate my underarms, which can be sensitive to some formulas." A few GH editors commented that the cap was tricky to take off, however.

Soften itchy, rough underarm skin while you stay fresh with Secret's unique antiperspirant and deodorant gel infused with coconut oil. "The cooling gel texture feels like a moisturizer going on skin and relieves that uncomfortable feeling you can get under your arms," one GH beauty editor reports.

A GH Beauty Award winner, Dove’s popular aluminum-free deodorant has gone sustainable in sleek refillable packaging that aims to reduce plastic waste. The case even comes with a lifetime guarantee.

“One of the best product launches I’ve seen in my career and definitely prevents malodors,” says Birnur Aral, Ph.D, executive director of the GH Institute Beauty Lab. Danusia Wnek, a chemist in the Beauty Lab, agrees: “I am blown away by this product — it's the only deodorant without antiperspirant that’s kept me smelling good all day long and feels light.” (Be aware that this formula is solely a deodorant and not an antiperspirant, so it does not prevent sweating.) In addition to long-lasting odor blockers, it's packed with moisturizing ingredients for softer skin.

Made with natural ingredients like coconut oil, beeswax and arrowroot powder, Freedom's deodorant formula is a GH beauty editor favorite. Although it's aluminum-free and therefore doesn't stop sweat, it's a good option for lower activity days. "I love that it's made without baking soda, which can irritate my skin, and that the coconut scent is subtle yet doesn't let odor through like other 'natural' deodorants can," one GH editor said.

Wizemann is a loyal fan of this Nubian Heritage vegan deodorant formula. "I like its subtle scent and how gentle it feels on my skin, but still keeps things dry throughout the day," she notes. As with other aluminum-free deodorants, however, this one is not created to stop sweat.

Mario Badescu's minimalist deodorant is a favorite of both Wizemann and her husband. "It is slightly scented, with traces of lemon and sage, but the scent doesn’t dissipate quickly and is unisex," she says. "I like it the most for how it easily glides onto skin thanks to its buttery texture and its powdery finish." (The aluminum-free formulation doesn't block sweat, though.) But unlike some other aluminum-free deodorants, "it doesn't contain baking soda, so there is no itchiness," Wizemann adds.

To coddle sensitive underarm skin, turn to Dove's skincare-inspired formula. "This innovative serum antiperspirant/deodorant formula is more like a softening skincare product than a traditional stick," says a GH beauty editor. "The creamy texture glides on skin and feels soothing, with zero irritation, and the floral fragrance smells luxurious, unlike the usual powdery scents." A few users commented that it took time to dry on their skin.

GH Beauty Lab tested and approved, this Dove dry spray antiperspirant formula lives up to its "invisible" claim — our testers found it to be truly clear. The easy-to-apply spray didn't transfer onto the darkest of clothes and kept one editor's armpits sweat-free for over 24 hours. The scent is polarizing: While many users loved it, a few found it "overwhelming." The mist formula is also great for applying onto other areas of the body.

Beautycounter's refillable deodorant, made with organic ingredients like cornstarch and coconut oil, won a GH Sustainable Innovation Award for minimizing the amount of single-use plastics in landfills. While it's a splurge and the aluminum-free formulation doesn't give sweat protection, GH Beauty Lab experts praised its cosmetic elegance and packaging. "It feels like a balm once applied and I liked the easy to swap refill," says GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Sabina Wizemann. When it comes to sustainability, "the brand is looking at the big picture,” one GH expert judge said.

Stay fresh with Eir NYC’s minimalist aluminum-free deodorant, a winner of GH's Sustainable Innovation Awards. Expert judges appreciated its simple biodegradable paper packaging. Testers needed a little practice with the push-up design, but they said they got good odor protection with this pick.

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Dr. Luke recommends Vanicream's fragrance-free antiperspirant/deodorant for those who have sensitivity or are allergic to fragrances. "This deodorant is the first [fragrance-free deodorant] I've tried that actually works, without causing that awful itching or burning sensation," one Amazon reviewer said. Two caveats: The gel formula takes time to dry on skin and some users found it didn't give as long-lasting protection against odor.

Wipes offer a quick and easy way to deodorize on-the-go. These Pacifica aluminum-free deodorant wipes, a GH beauty editor favorite, are made with coconut milk and shea and have a lightly sweet, tropical scent. "I glide these all over whenever I don't have time to shower and need a refresh," she says. Note that the towelettes won't prevent sweating and may not be strong enough to combat heavy odor.