Women might be able to convince the world that they glow with a lustrous sheen, but men sweat. We don’t sweat pretty either. We dump out buckets of the stuff. Working up a good sweat on the job or at the gym is a source of pride, it means you’re living life to the fullest, but that joie de vivre can take an ugly turn when your sweat starts to smell. It isn’t sexy, it isn’t pleasant, and it isn’t even manly. It’s simply vile. That is why you need a deodorant for men that can cut your funk down to size.
All deodorants are not created equal. Many contain harsh chemicals that are hard on your skin. Others just don’t cut your musk the way they should. Some die off after only a couple of hours, leaving you reeking when you hit the pub after a long day in the office. We have cut away all the plain white sticks and sloppy gels to find only the best products for every sweater. From the sensitive to the hard-core odor eating machines, here’s our 8 best deodorants for men.
Mitchum Power Gel
Pro: Lasts two full days
Con: Gel is used faster than other deodorants
Smell Gel: The gel deodorant is going the way of the dinosaurs, but if you need one that hasn’t yet gone quietly into that dark night, this is the place to go. While fruity scents and strange perfumes abound in the world of men’s deodorants, this actually offers up a clean bouquet that isn’t overpowering or masking. Instead it has just the faintest hint of oxygen, like a clean shower that feels as refreshing as it smells. You’ll also be able to get 48 hours worth of true protection out of this that doesn’t fade away or break down after a single day. Quick drying and alcohol free, the low sticker price hardly does Power Gel justice. [Purchase]
Dove Men+Care Dry Spray
Pro: Quick dry application
Con: Flammable
Mist Connection: Men’s spray deodorants have been coming back in a big, bad way. No longer are they the carcinogenic nightmares from the 70’s, but clean, refreshing, safe products that can fight wetness and odor for hours. This is hands-down one of the best on the market at any price point. As an antiperspirant/deodorant combo, you will have some aluminum chlorohydrate that prevents sweating. This can irritate sensitive skin, though not nearly as badly as most spray-on deodorants thanks to the 1/4 moisturizer that Dove incorporates to help soothe troubled skin. It will apply fast and dry with no mess and no time needed waiting for your underarms to dry. It still has hydrofluorocarbons and is flammable, so environmentally friendly it is not. [Purchase]
Crystal Rock
Pro: Natural odor prevention
Con: Only works when wet
Itch-Free: Relying heavily on mineral salts, the people at Crystal Rock have made a hypo-allergenic deodorant that works well and also doesn’t cause irritation, itching, or any other tissue issue that we could find. Though the packaging still looks a little girly, this is as macho as your work boots and made with the meat-eating, rock breaking, hulk-smashing man in mind. It neutralizes odor like a champion. Even after a hard set at the gym you still won’t be ambling around like Pig Pen, offending noses and sensibilities alike. You’ll find no parabens, phthalates, or alcohol. Best of all, no aluminum. Wetness protection is moderate, but the odor slaughter is a perfect 10. [Purchase]
Sam’s Natural
Pro: All natural ingredients
Con: Can cause allergic reactions in some
The Organic Option: You don’t get much more natural than this mixture. Baking soda, coconut oil, candelilla wax, shea butter, and various extracts make this a deodorant so safe you could eat it. More importantly, it isn’t just a green dream but a true powerhouse that is able to fight off odor with a single swipe, even if you’re spending hours a day on snowshoes hiking through the wilderness. It has a waxy build that goes on with little need for drying and sticks close for a full day of coverage. A little aloe allows it to soothe sensitive skin and almost anyone can use it. Be wary if you have allergies to certain natural oils as they are likely included. Sweat production is tempered, but heavy sweaters will still break through. [Purchase]
Gillette Clinical Strength
Pro: Prescription grade
Con: Messy
For Fountainers: You don’t just get a bead of sweat on your brow. You produce buckets of the stuff morning, noon, and night. When you’re done with a sweat towel, you can’t just clean it, you burn it. For you there is Gilette Clinical Strength. In both a standard deodorant form and a deodorant/antiperspirant this can put a stop to huge quantities of sweat as well as butcher the bacteria that causes odor. The prescription strength is superior to many true prescription products for staving off wetness and clamminess throughout the day. It does have aluminum zirconium trichlorohydrex gly which is relatively mild. You’ll find this tends to be messy going on, needs to be rubbed in, dries slowly, and can easily get onto your clothes. [Purchase]
Jack Black Pit Boss
Pro: Impressive antiperspirant power
Con: Contains alcohol
Double Down: Antiperspirant/deodorant combos are a hit or miss proposition, with the misses far outweighing the hits. As a premium choice, Jack Black again steps up to the plate to hit it out of the park. Their stick deodorant does a bulletproof job of keeping perspiration to a minimum while also cutting odors, stopping bacteria, and adding an array of delicate scents that add to your musk like a fine aftershave. It leaves zero residue on clothes and skin yet holds strong for hours without letting wetness escape. Mostly hypoallergenic, it does have some aluminum and alcohol. [Purchase]
Kiehl’s Superbly Efficient Anti-Perspirant and Deodorant
Pro: Calms irritated or inflamed skin
Con: Excessive heat limits efficacy
Cream Dream: Not many men will reach for a cream deodorant, and that is their folly. Kiehl’s has made a unisex product here that works for anyone. Since it operates as a lotion it’s ideal for those with sensitive underarms or the guy who is looking to get away from harsh sticks, sprays, or roll-ons. It can help moisturize and revitalize your skin, even after it has been damaged by a lesser deodorant. It picks up moisture easily and the light scent is virtually nonexistent. Using a combination of citrus and linseed extracts it will make your armpits feel soothed and even give your hair a softer feel. You’re going to need to rub it in well and give it time to dry, but it will almost never cause problems with your clothes. Beware of hot days or tough gym workouts since both can cause it to require reapplication. If you prefer a natural cream deodorant, Truly’s is a good option to try. [Purchase]
Recipe for Men
Pro: Wet application penetrates hair
Con: Expensive
Rolling Thunder: Roll-on men’s deodorants are typically weak and watery, leaving you without nearly enough protection as the day goes on and the night heats up. Not so with Recipe for Men. It’s won awards for it’s lasting power, but the proof here is truly in the pudding. It’s mild enough for sensitive skin and doesn’t have any alcohol so that your armpits stay dry without being dried out. Made from aluminum chlorohydrate and water as its base it goes on fast, dries quickly, and doesn’t create a residue, yet can go for a full 24 hours without needing to be reapplied. It also cuts through hair so you don’t need to worry about bacteria finding anywhere to hide. [Purchase]
