18 Best Deodorants for Women to Combat Odor and Sweat

Sometimes, it’s not just your armpits that call for deodorant, and that’s why this whole-body spray is handy. Offering 72 hours of odor protection, it can be applied practically anywhere, including under breasts and feet. Its zinc complex fights off odor-causing bacteria and traps existing odors. The formula is spiked with 2% glycerin and vitamin E to nourish the skin.

The highest-ranking option in our body deodorant study, this spray earned a perfect score for maintaining a comfortable feel on the skin, not causing any irritations over two weeks, and applying easily. It also earned the best score for absorbing quickly, not becoming greasy or sticky during the day, and providing a long-lasting scent.

“The application was a breeze compared to other formulas (cream and stick),” says GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann. “I liked that it dried fast and left no residue. The scent is very beachy, vacation-evoking, and cooling (the cooling effect lasts at least 20 minutes). I also liked that the skin did not feel like it had a barrier over it; it felt supple and soft. Upon sweating, I did not notice residue, and the skin did not feel tacky. The scent is long-lasting.” However, though pleasant overall, some found the scent overpowering.

This popular Native deodorant, made without aluminum but with odor-absorbing baking soda and tapioca starch, is another of our staffers' favorite formulas. "It prevents smells all day, and I love the subtly sweet scent, which isn't overpowering," she says. (Note that it's not an antiperspirant so that it won't protect against sweat, and a former GH staffer found it left white marks on shirts. )

Dove's unique water-based deodorant/antiperspirant stick soothes skin on contact and contains softening ingredients like glycerin and sunflower oil. "It has the great odor and sweat protection you expect from the brand and, unlike other formulas, feels cooling and refreshing when you apply it," GH's beauty director explains. "I also love that it has a more sophisticated floral aroma than smelling powdery." While lightweight on the skin, it takes a few seconds to dry down.

The classic bargain Ban formula rolls an antiperspirant/deodorant liquid onto skin for odor and sweat protection without a heavy feel. Wnek is a fan of the brand's stick deodorant for keeping her "dry and smelling fresh all day long" as well as this roll-on, although she says it can feel wet upon application.

Go back to basics with Dry Idea's light gel formula that's a strong shield against wetness and unwanted smells. "This is my favorite gel antiperspirant, which I have been using for years," says GH Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler. "Because it's unscented, it doesn't compete with the perfume I wear yet keeps body odor from breaking through."

She also praises that the great value gel "dries quickly," keeps her "dry all day," and "you don't have to apply much to get long-lasting sweat protection." For those with fragrance allergies or sensitivities, note that formulas labeled "unscented" like this may contain subtle masking fragrances.

Not your average deodorant, aluminum-free AKT is a creamy balm infused with skin-conditioning ingredients like shea butter and sophisticated scents created from essential oils. Even though it's not an antiperspirant, Butler was impressed by its performance.

"I’m typically an antiperspirant user, but this paste made with moisture-absorbing powders like arrowroot powder and diatomaceous earth kept me dry and kept body odor barely noticeable, which other deodorants I’ve tried have not done," she says.

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.

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.

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!"

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.

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.

Dr. Luke recommends Vanicream's fragrance-free antiperspirant/deodorant for those who have sensitivities 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 the skin, and some users found it didn't give as long-lasting protection against odor.

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.

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.

RELATED: The Best Eco-Friendly Products to Help You Live More Sustainably

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.