The Best Men’s Deodorants for Daily Use

Sweatiness isn’t limited to summertime, and smelling good is something you must do year-round. Put these two factors together, and you’ll reach one conclusion: deodorant is essential, and a good one at that. While countless brands will try to convince you that their stick is the best using their brand of schtick, we’ve narrowed down the actual best options to use in our best men’s deodorants guide.

Traditional vs. Natural Deodorant (is aluminum safe?)

Before diving into our guide, you might want to acknowledge the difference between traditional and natural deodorant. The gap between these variations usually comes down to the use of ingredients, namely aluminum and chemically-concocted fragrances.

While most traditional options and antiperspirants utilize aluminum-based ingredients to good advantage, the controversy behind the average brand’s formula clouds pharmacy shelves. Although aluminum elements tend to block your pores from releasing sweat and thwart bacteria from causing unwanted odor, they can potentially lead to clogged pores, which isn’t the best thing for your skin.

To learn more about FDA-approved elements in grooming products, we advise you to look at what they have to say about cosmetic safety, specifically regarding the use of parabens and exposure to phthalates. Additionally, the American Cancer Society and NCI have analyzed possible harm stemming from talcum powder (a common ingredient in some traditional options) and the link between antiperspirants and cancer.

All in all, we are not here to tell you what the healthier option is, as there’s not enough concrete evidence to sway us one way or the other. However, we did compile an array of the best deodorants all across the board, including spray options.

Deodorant vs. antiperspirant

Generally speaking, deodorant is meant for reducing odor, and antiperspirant is for reducing odor and sweat (and usually contains aluminum). Deodorant is often used as a catch-all term for most underarm grooming products, and while some labels are formulating natural deodorants with some antiperspirant properties, they won’t prevent sweat as well as a true antiperspirant.

Should you wear deodorant every day?

This largely depends on the climate you’re in, how much you sweat, and how sensitive your skin is. For those with sensitive skin, you should already be looking at natural options, paying attention to what ingredients irritate you, and maybe applying once every couple of days. The same goes for people who don’t sweat much or live in cold climates.

What to look for

Ingredients: Avoid parabens, phthalates, and mineral oils while prioritizing natural ingredients like shea butter, aloe, and coconut oil. If you’re going with a traditional deodorant that contains aluminum, please refer to our health information provided above to make an informed decision. Propylene glycol is a common ingredient in many stick deodorants, and it’s used as an emulsifier. Some may be sensitive to it, so try one with and without it to see how your skin reacts.

Size: If you’re traveling or just need something for a to-go bag, then a smaller size is usually more convenient. But if you want to avoid frequent trips or orders, then something bigger (or maybe a pack) can be helpful.

Harry’s Odor Control Deodorant

The Budget Pick: When it comes to grooming products, Harry’s is one of the best affordable manufacturers to consider. The brand’s paraben-free antiperspirant provides up to 48-hour odor and sweat protection and contains jojoba oil to keep your underarms from drying. Additionally, it only contains 16% aluminum salt — over 10% less than what you’ll find in most drugstore options.

Dove Men+Care Clean Comfort Dry

The Best Antiperspirant: As a result of Dove’s formula being 25% moisturizer, the refreshing spray antiperspirant soothes the skin while doing away with sweat for as long as two days. As opposed to most commercial grooming brands, Dove remains one of the more trustworthy ones.

Bevel Deodorant

The Best Deodorant for Travel: Bevel is a Black-owned business that’s been making waves in the grooming industry with thoughtful products for people with sensitive skin. So if you’re looking for a deodorant that’s clean and natural, they’ve got you covered. It’s made with coconut oil and shea butter, goes on clean, and works great for people with thicker hair.

Native Sensitive Deodorant

The Best Deodorant for Sensitive Skin: Native’s Sensitive Deodorant is free of everything you may fret about finding in your grooming products, including aluminum, phthalates, and talc. The brand’s formula is enhanced with coconut oil and shea butter to keep the skin smooth and refreshed without disrupting it. Luckily, there are several refreshing scents to choose from.

Old Spice Pure Sport Deodorant

The Best Traditional Deodorant: Old Spice is one of the most common names in this space, but its 85-year-old history separates the P&G subsidiary from the Axes of the world. The brand’s High Endurance collection is ready to tackle long days in a heated office or strenuous workout sessions, offering 24-hour odor protection and a crisp scent that actually lasts.

Blu Atlas Deodorant

The Best Natural Deodorant: At this point, Blu Atlas products are synonymous with wholesome and natural ingredients. Like this deodorant that’s made with volcanic ash and bamboo extract that remove excess oil and soothes your skin. And since it’s 99% natural, you can use it on other parts of your body that may need some help.

Hawthorne Stain-Free Deodorant

The Best Stain-Free Deodorant: Minimal, luxurious, and effective; that’s what you can expect from anything Hawthorne puts out. The label’s deodorant is no exception, either, and it’s made with a soothing blend of witch hazel and nettle leaf. It goes on clear, and won’t leave any stains behind, so you can wear it with confidence.

Jack Henry Deodorant

The Smoothest Deodorant: It’s hard not to mention Jack Henry in this category, accounting for its plant-based formulas, sustainable packaging, and cruelty-free guarantee. The brand’s sweat-and-odor-absorber’s primary trio of ingredients are coconut oil, beeswax, and arrowroot powder, each of which is organic and provides proper hydration and a smooth feel.

Malin + Goetz Eucalyptus Deodorant

The Most Refreshing Deodorant: Malin+Goetz’s products are typically beneficial for all body parts, and the same applies to its ultra-effective deodorant. The minimalist brand’s offering is formulated with eucalyptus extract and citronellyl, a pair of natural ingredients that conjoin to regulate odor. Additionally, it’s hard to go wrong with the scent of eucalyptus, but there are other choices, too.

Bravo Sierra Natural Deodorant

The Best Pack: Bravo Sierra’s Natural Deodorant is made with a unique, stainless formula that provides all-day sweat protection. It is also made with probiotics to thwart any odor-causing bacteria before it has a chance to make itself noticeable. Speaking of masking odors, the aluminum-free option is available in a variety of scents.

Aesop Herbal Deodorant Roll-On

The Premium Pick: While this alcohol-free option from Aesop contains Zinc, it has other premium ingredients like wasabi extract and tons of essential oils that complement each other too well to ignore. On top of that, it is remarkably smooth and smells addictively fresh, the latter of which is commonplace for most Aesop products.

The Best Bar Soaps for Keeping Clean

Now that you smell good, you should make sure you’re actually clean. Our best bar soap guide can take care of that.