The 14 Best Deodorants, Including Aluminum-Free, Natural, and Extra-Strength Options

Best Overall

Dove Aluminum-Free Deodorant

View on Amazon $7 at Target $7 at Walmart

Type: Solid stick | Active Ingredients: Glycerin, fragrance | Size: 2.6 oz | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Regardless of preference, we guarantee you there’s a Dove deodorant for that. They have a variety of traditional antiperspirants, including the aluminum-free deodorant that is a big hit with Byrdie editors. In true Dove fashion, all of the formulas are super moisturizing and gentle on skin, too.

Best Clinical Strength

Secret Clinical Strength Antiperspirant and Deodorant

$13 at Amazon $9 at Target $13 at Walmart

Type: Solid stick | Active Ingredients: Aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex | Size: 1.6 oz | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

The sweatiest spin class or hottest yoga session is no match for this bad boy, which, according to the brand, touts an impressive 20% aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex (say that three times fast), the active ingredient that keeps sweat at bay, and the highest concentration you can get over-the-counter. It also comes in both solid and gel variants. Top tip: Apply it at bedtime so it can do its thing overnight to minimize sweat and keep on working for up to 48 hours.

Best Natural

Kopari Aluminum-Free Deodorant

View on Amazon View on Ulta $18 at Target

Type: Solid stick | Active Ingredients: Coconut oil | Size: 2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

A Byrdie Eco Beauty Award-winner, this aluminum- and baking soda-free formula uses coconut water, coconut oil, and sage oil to help keep you fresh all day. We love the Kopari Coconut Deodorant for its ability to ward off sweat and odor (even for one Byrdie editor who normally relies on the high-powered antiperspirants) and the rounded shape, making application super easy.

Best for Sensitive Skin

Corpus The Botanist Natural Deodorant

$26 at Nordstrom $26 at Credo Beauty View on Goop.com

Type: Solid stick | Active Ingredients: Petitgrain, vetiver root, geranium leaf, citrus rind | Size: 2.6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Byrdie’s former editorial director Faith Xue swears by this natural option; she raves about the sophisticated fragrances, smooth, residue-free application, and chic packaging. While many natural deodorants use baking soda—which may potentially be irritating for some—this relies on tapioca starch and diatomaceous earth to wick away moisture, and it’s also free of synthetic fragrance, a boon for those with sensitive underarm skin.

Best Odor-Repelling

Malin + Goetz Deodorant

$24 at Amazon $15 at Nordstrom $24 at Bloomingdales

Type: Solid stick | Active Ingredients: Eucalyptus, citronellyl | Size: 2.6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

This cruelty-free, vegan formula (another Byrdie fan favorite) is free of aluminum and drying alcohol and uses only 100% natural fragrance. Refreshing eucalyptus oil leaves you feeling—and smelling— fresh, while citronellyl is meant to neutralize odor—bonus points for the clear gel that glides on nicely, without leaving behind any residue.

Best Budget

Schmidt's Natural Deodorant

$14 at Amazon $11 at Target $15 at Walmart

Type: Solid stick | Active Ingredients: Magnesium hydroxide, baking soda | Size: 2.65 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

This natural deodorant is a winning combo of affordable and effective, which is why it's Commerce Editorial Director Jess Mahgerefteh's daily go-to. Magnesium hydroxide is meant to control odor, while coconut oil is meant to nourish the skin; This refreshing bergamot and lime version is Mahgerefteh's favorite, but the brand also offers others such as rose and vanilla, lavender and sage, and charcoal and magnesium. One thing to note: This formula does contain baking soda, so if you're sensitive to that, Schmidt's offers a baking soda-free option, too.

Best Scent

Nécessaire The Deodorant Gel

$18 at Amazon $18 at Sephora $18 at Nordstrom

Type: Cream | Active Ingredients: AHA (alpha hydroxy acid), silica, kaolin, zinc | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes

When Byrdie contributor Jenna Igneri tested Nécessaire's debut deodorant, she fell in love with its eucalyptus scent immediately. "I never thought that a deodorant could smell sexy," she said. "But this is it." It doesn't just smell great, though—its natural formula really works, thanks to lactic and mandelic acids (meant to fight odor) and a blend of while silica, zinc, and kaolin clay (meant to keep you dry).

Best Spray

Dove Invisible Dry Spray Antiperspirant

$8 at Amazon $8 at Target $8 at Walmart

Type: Spray | Active Ingredients: Aluminum chlorohydrate | Size: 5.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Spray deodorants are back in a big way. This one earns top marks for not only being alcohol-free (no stinging or irritation here, even if you spritz it on right after shaving) but also containing moisturizers to keep skin extra soft and smooth. Plus, it goes on totally clear, so there’s never any need to worry about tell-tale white streaks on your LBD.

Best Wipes

Pacifica Underarm Deodorant Wipes

$16 at Amazon $9 at Ulta $9 at Target

Type: Pre-moistened towelettes | Active Ingredients: Coconut milk, essential oils | Size: 30 towelettes | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

These wipes make it easy to stay free on the go. Another one of our favorite natural options, a deodorizing blend of essential oils, keeps B.O. at bay, while coconut milk and shea butter help hydrate. Use them not only under your arms but anywhere on your body whenever a shower is hard to come by.

Best Cream

Drunk Elephant Deodorant Cream

$16 at Amazon $16 at Sephora $16 at Ulta

Type: Cream | Active Ingredients: Mandelic acid, arrowroot powder, shea butter, marula oil, mongongo oil, baobab seed oil | Size: 2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Cream deodorants can be a bit messy, but not this one from Drunk Elephant—its twist-up-style applicator is super easy to use. What's more, its formula promises to nix odor-causing bacteria, absorb moisture, and soothe the skin thanks to mandelic acid, arrowroot, and shea butter. It's also totally free of baking soda, essential oils, aluminum-derived ingredients, sulfates, silicones, and fragrances, so it should be safe for sensitive underarms.

Best Crystal

Crystal Deodorant Stick

$8 at Amazon View on Vitamin Shoppe $8 at IHerb

Type: Solid stick | Active Ingredients: Mineral salt | Size: 4.25 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

It can admittedly take a little bit of time to get used to using crystal deodorant, but if you’re ready to make the switch, this one gets our vote. A mineral salt shaped into a gem-like stone, all you have to do is moisten the top and rub it under your arms.

Best Drugstore

Native Coconut & Vanilla Deodorant

$13 at Amazon $13 at Target $13 at Walmart

Type: Solid stick | Active Ingredients: Coconut oil, shea butter, baking soda, magnesium hydroxide | Size: 2.65 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

This aluminum-, paraben-, cruelty-free drugstore buy consistently pulls in thousands of glowing reviews, with users applauding how well it works. It comes in four different scents, plus seasonal varieties, as well as a custom option that lets you create your own.

Best Personalized

Nala Personalized Deodorant

View on Nalacare.com

Type: Solid stick | Active Ingredients: Arrowroot powder, tapioca powder, kaolin, baking soda (optional) | Size: 2.11 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Anything and everything custom are having a major moment in the beauty world, and deodorant is no different. This brand lets you customize not only the scent but the strength, too, for a final formulation that suits exactly your needs and preferences. The natural option is free from aluminum, parabens, and other hard-to-pronounce ingredients, instead, relying on baking soda plus organic essential oils, butter, and waxes. 

Best Hair-Inhibiting

Completely Bare Pit Stop Hair Inhibiting Deodorant

$10 at Amazon $10 at Walmart

Type: Solid stick | Active Ingredients: Coconut oil, aloe leaf juice, larrea divaricata extract | Size: 2.6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

A deodorant that can cut down on how often you have to shave? It sounds too good to be true, but one Byrdie editor put this to the test and found that it seriously works after about three weeks. The brand credits natural plant extracts meant to slow down hair growth while also delivering an anti-inflammatory effect.