Editor’s Top Picks: Trusted Deodorants and Antiperspirants Worth Trying

With temperatures still climbing across much of the United States, we are sharing our go-to deodorants and antiperspirants to help you stay fresh through the remaining weeks of summer. While we mention just one whole-body deodorant below, we would love to hear from readers who regularly use products such as Lume, which has become ubiquitous in online ads and podcast sponsorships.

It has been some time since we last discussed this topic, so a refresher felt overdue.

A quick note on a common concern: regarding the longstanding fear that aluminum in antiperspirants causes breast cancer, the American Cancer Society offers the following clarification:

Very little scientific evidence exists to support this idea. To date, none of the major health organizations have found conclusive scientific evidence linking antiperspirants or their ingredients, including aluminum, to breast cancer risk. This includes the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), National Toxicology Program (NTP), and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Kat’s Favorite Deodorant

I do not remember exactly when or why I switched to men’s Mitchum deodorant, but it has become my staple for some time now. My preferred scent is the unscented option, which technically carries a very faint fragrance but is barely noticeable.

If memory serves, I started with the women’s Mitchum line but grew frustrated with the stronger scents over time. I also experimented briefly with natural deodorants like Native, but I consistently felt as though I could still smell body odor throughout the day.

Eventually, my husband left a two-pack of unscented men’s deodorant untouched, so I decided to try it myself. That turned out to be the solution I had been searching for. The subtle scent worked beautifully, and for the first time in a long while, I felt confident that I smelled fresh from morning to night. Every deodorant I have tested since then has seemed overwhelmingly fragrant in comparison, so I have remained loyal to Mitchum.

Here is a related tip for anyone reassessing their deodorant routine: if your current product suddenly seems less effective than it once was, try exfoliating your underarms. I first encountered this advice from a perimenopause-focused creator (possibly Tamsen Fadal) and thought it was worth a try. Because I have had laser hair removal on my underarms, I no longer benefit from the incidental exfoliation that came with shaving.

Interestingly, there is a robust market of products designed specifically for underarm exfoliation. I have been using one from Pacifica and have been pleased with the results.

Elizabeth’s Favorite Deodorants

As someone who perspires heavily and has notably sensitive skin, finding an effective deodorant has long been a challenge. A few years ago, I developed an allergic reaction to my longtime favorite Donna Karan Cashmere Mist, which forced me to test nearly a dozen alternative products before landing on one that did not cause painful welts while still controlling odor. The clear Almay gel pictured here checks both boxes: it is gentle on my skin yet powerful enough to keep me feeling fresh throughout the day.

On especially hot days, I incorporate a benzoyl peroxide body wash into my routine to neutralize odor-causing bacteria before it becomes noticeable. I apply Panoxyl to my underarms while shaving my legs or letting my conditioner sit. I limit this to once or twice weekly to avoid irritation, but since adding it to my summer regimen, I have avoided those unwelcome realizations in hot yoga class.

Ann’s Favorite Deodorants and Antiperspirants

This summer has been relentless, and the heat is far from over. Aside from the occasional second shower, I have relied on this antiperspirant for years to keep me feeling clean and dry. Tom’s antiperspirant offers 48 hours of odor and wetness protection and is formulated without artificial dyes, fragrances, or preservatives.

When I know I will be sightseeing somewhere warm or spending extended time outdoors, I apply a whole-body deodorant to areas prone to chafing.

Finally, I occasionally take a nostalgic approach and dust on some baby powder leftover from my children’s early years, which remains an affordable option at around two dollars per bottle.

Kate’s Favorite Antiperspirant

When I genuinely love a product, I tend to remain a loyal customer for years. Ban Invisible Roll-On is a perfect example: I have been using it for ages because it performs exceptionally well and remains budget-friendly. Roughly ninety percent of the time, it entirely prevents underarm perspiration. It glides on clear, stays clear, dries within minutes, and carries no fragrance at all. Should any transfer occur on clothing, it may leave a faint white mark similar to most roll-ons and sticks, though it typically rubs away easily. Additional benefits include being phthalate-free, paraben-free, cruelty-free, and dye-free.

Ban’s basic antiperspirant is hardly new or flashy, which is precisely why I always find it relegated to the bottom shelf at the grocery store, where retailers place items they are less eager to promote. A pair on Amazon costs under ten dollars, and Target prices them at $4.99 each.

While I appreciate natural and clean beauty products, when it comes to preventing body odor, I prefer a formula that stops perspiration at the source.

One final recommendation, and perhaps the most affordable item on this list: if I am short on time in the morning or simply do not feel like showering before a quick errand, I swab some isopropyl alcohol under my arms with a cotton round before applying Ban.

We want to hear from you: what are your favorite deodorants and antiperspirants, and do you stick with one type or alternate between both? Do you reach for a whole-body deodorant, or do you repurpose a standard product for areas beyond the underarms?

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