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Whether we'd like to admit it or not, we've all experienced unpleasant body odor or excessive underarm sweating at some point in our life. And it is for those very reasons why using deodorant or an antiperspirant is an important step in a hygiene routine. Not only can an effective stick neutralize funky scents, but it can also help tackle perspiration, prevent undesirable wetness, and maintain an after-shower freshness.
While both deodorants and antiperspirants are typically combined into one products, first understanding the difference between the two may be helpful in your search. According to NYC-based dermatologist Dr. Sejal Shah, a deodorant "masks odor," while an antiperspirant "reduces sweat."
To make matters harder, nowadays, there are tons of options on the market, each with their own gimmick or promise. Because everyone has their own personal preference, we made the work easier for you by rounding up the best men's deodorants, below. From ultra-strong antiperspirants to aluminum-free formulas, these sticks and sprays are sure to keep you smelling fresh and clean all day long.
More: The Most Effective Skincare Products for Men
Pros
- Aluminum free
- Paraben free
Cons
You've probably heard an ad for Native on your favorite podcast—the brand seems to be everywhere at the moment. But their cruelty-free, all-natural deodorants do live up to the hype. They're highly effective and contain natural moisturizers and probiotics that help ward off bad, odor-causing bacteria. Customers especially love their fragrance options, which include novelty seasonal scents, but the unscented stick is a great pick for those with sensitive skin.
One shopper says: "This deodorant smells amazing and keeps me feeling refreshed and smelling good all day long."
Key Ingredients: Coconut Oil, shea butter, baking soda, magnesium hydroxide
Free Of: Aluminum salts, phthalate, talc
Odor Protection: All day
Pros
- Aluminum free
- Paraben free
Cons
One of the most effective and top-rated natural deodorants on the market, this vegan roll-on relies on cornstarch to soak up sweat. It's free of any alcohol, aluminum, parabens, phthalates, or sulfates, and is even made in the U.S.A.
One shopper says: "I feel like I've been all over the metaphorical globe looking for a deodorant that is long-lasting and doesn't cause me to break out. I no longer have to spend half an hour in the store reading the ingredient list on the back of deodorants, in hopes that one will last more than two hours while also not causing my skin to break out. The scent is fantastic and a nice breath of fresh air."
Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, alpine caribou moss, corn starch
Free Of: Alcohol, aluminum, parabens, phthalates, sulfates
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Pros
- Moisturizing
- Long-lasting protection
Cons
As far as drugstore options go, this men's formula from Dove is a reliable classic. With a clean fragrance and a long-wear time, it also contains nourishing ingredients to moisturize your underarms.
One Amazon reviewer raves: "This deodorant is hands down the best I have ever used. The scent is great, it goes on smoothly and doesn’t clump up, does not leave stains on clothing, it is also great for sensitive skin."
Key Ingredients: Aluminium sesquichlorohydrate, vitamin E
Odor Protection: 72 hours
Pros
- Aluminum free
- Paraben free
Cons
Helmm is perhaps the most luxe option, but hey, why not treat your pits to a bit of lavishness? It's formulated without parabens, phthalates, or sulfates, and comes in a stylish reusable vessel. Replaceable inner cartridges are available via subscription, so you'll never have to think about adding deodorant to the shopping list. Did we mention the four scent options were concocted by a French perfumer? Yeah, seriously.
One reviewer calls Helmm "the holy grail of deodorant," adding: "I was hesitant to try at first, but the product far exceeds my expectations. Better than anything you can find at your local drugstore or big box store. High performance in controlling both wetness and odors, scent is calming and not overwhelming."
Key Ingredients: Aluminium zirconium tetrachlorohydrex GLY, vitamin E, aloe vera
Free Of: Parabens, phthalates, sulfates
Odor Protection: All day
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Pros
- Natural fragrance
- Affordable
- Aluminum free
Cons
This eco-friendly, vegan deodorant is made without aluminum, baking soda, or parabens. Its top-rated effectiveness comes in part from cassava plant extract. It'll leave you smelling like vetiver and cedarwood all day. Plus, a portion of proceeds are donated in support of servicemen and women.
One reviewer writes: "It is exactly 100% what it says it is. Keeps odor away for the longest period of time I’ve ever come across compared to any other product I’ve used over the years. Leaves absolutely no marks on fabrics. I couldn’t ask for anything more."
Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, algae extract, cassava root
Free Of: Aluminum, baking soda, parabens
Odor Protection: All day
Pros
- Long-wearing
- Quick drying
Cons
This fragrance-free option is arguably the best budget pick. It's a top-rated Amazon's choice, with serious antiperspirant properties for those who sweat considerably. However, its non-irritating formula is still more gentle than some heavy-duty competitors, making it a happy medium.
One Amazon reviewer raves: "I discovered this brand about 10 years ago and never went back. I sweat the real sweat... but when I use this deodorant it stops any sweat or smell for at least 36 hours. I will always recommend this brand I even put my wife on the women's version and she loves it! Mitchum is our brand for sure."
Key Ingredients: Aluminium zirconium tetrachlorohydrex GLY, aloe vera, vitamin E
Odor Protection: 48 hours
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Pros
- Natural fragrance
- Aluminum free
- Paraben free
Cons
A brand you know and love for their high quality products, Malin + Goetz's all-natural line of deodorants is no exception. These vegan, cruelty-free sticks contain probiotic enzymes and cornstarch, sans any aluminum, alcohol, baking soda, or synthetic fragrances. Take a whiff of this one, made with bergamot extract, or try the brand's best-selling Eucalyptus scent.
One reviewer calls the deodorant "amazing" and loves the "very light but fantastic odor control." The shopper also adds, "I live in Florida and deodorant is a big deal, this is my new favorite. I'm sensitive to fragrance and this smells so clean and light, then fades to almost nothing. No build up either."
Key Ingredients: Saccharomyces ferment filtrate, corn starch, bergamot
Free Of: Aluminum, alcohol, baking soda, synthetic fragrances
Pros
- Aluminum free
- Fresh scent
Cons
If a spray-on deodorant suits your fancy, or perhaps Sauvage is your cologne of choice, this Dior deodorant has just the right balance of fragrance, so it isn't overpowering. It's also gentle on skin.
One shopper says "it's the best deodorant I've ever used," while another "the product has a great fragrance for men."
Key Notes: Bergamot, pepper, amberwood
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Pros
- Natural fragrance
- Aluminum free
Cons
All Jack Henry products, including this deliciously scented deodorant, are non-toxic and free of synthetics. It's made with absorbent bentonite clay and essential oils, like Juniper and Eucalyptus, to keep you smelling good. Even NBA star Kevin Love recommends this one, which comes in fully recyclable packaging.
One shopper says: "I live an active lifestyle so I was looking for something I wouldn't have to re-apply. This one is 10000x better does not need to be re-applied so don't need to worry about when I go on a hike or run after work and does not leave stains on shirts."
Key Ingredients: Absorbent bentonite clay, essential oils
Free Of: Aluminum, baking soda
Odor Protection: 48 hours
Pros
- Natural fragrance
- Aluminum free
- Paraben free
Cons
Who does fragrance better than Le Labo? This deodorant features the brand's signature mix of bergamot, lavender, violet, and tonka bean. While it smells incredible, its aluminum-free, plant-based formula also holds up as a regular deodorant. It dries quickly and without residue for maximum comfort.
One reviewer raves: "I have literally tried every natural deodorant under the sun and this is the only one that has ever worked with my super sensitive skin. I usually reapply it one time in the afternoon if I’ve been outside all day. I live in Hawaii so I’m pretty sweaty a lot because there’s no AC anywhere and ever since I’ve been using this I always smell amazing. 10/10 obsessed with this."
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, vitamin E
Free Of: Aluminum chloride, chlorohydrate, zicronium
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Pros
- Natural fragrance
- Aluminum free
- Paraben free
Cons
Looking for a vegan option that's optimal for sensitive skin? Corpus creates their products without baking soda, which is found in many natural deodorants, but can be irritating to some users. While Corpus sticks don't contain baking soda, they are made with essential oils and botanical enzymes to nourish and protect your delicate underarm skin.
One reviewer raves: "This is my favorite natural deodorant, hands down! I love the smooth texture, the way it's not chalky. It also lasts all day for me. But the best thing about Corpus is the scent! Oh, man. I wish they would make this scent in a candle, body oil, shampoo, or conditioner!"
Key Ingredients: Naturally-derived enzymes, plant extracts
Free Of: Baking soda, aluminum, synthetic fragrance
Pros
- Aluminum-free
- Long-lasting protection
Cons
Salt & Stone's aluminum-free deodorant has been picking up steam in the last few years, and for good reason. It effectively combats odors with probiotics while a blend of seaweed extracts and hyaluronic acid moisturize skin.
One reviewer raves: "Not only does this deodorant last the entire day, but it also smells great. I catch whiffs of it during the day (in a good way lol) and it smells like perfume!"
Key Ingredients: Seaweed extracts, hyaluronic acid, probiotics
Free Of: Aluminum, parabens, phthalates
Odor Protection: 48 hours
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Pros
- Aluminum free
- Paraben free
Cons
Ursa Major is another favorite brand among deodorant enthusiasts. Its clean yet impactful formulas contain aloe, kaolin clay, and hops—yes, the same kind that go into your beloved IPAs. Their fragrance-free Base Layer stick has graced many best deodorant lists, but we'd suggest checking out their Forest Fix stick. One dollar from each of there fir-scented deodorants goes towards the preservation and protection of forests.
One reviewer raves: "This deodorant works better than any other, the scent is subtle yet lasting and fresh, and perhaps most importantly WON'T STAIN YOUR CLOTHES. Totally unisex - the whole family uses it. Thank you Ursa Major. I'll never use another deodorant for the rest of my life."
Key Ingredients: Hops, aloe, kaolin clay
Free Of: Petrochemicals, sulfates, parabens, synthetic fragrances
Pros
- Aluminum free
- Long-wearing
Cons
For the man who wants an upgrade from his tired drugstore buys, a designer deodorant might be just the fix for his routine. If sweat and body odor aren't too much of an issue, try a product such as Armani's, which leans more towards cologne. The Acqua di Gio scent blends bergamot, neroli, tangerine, rosemary, and patchouli.
One reviewer says: "This deodorant is the best! My husband has been wearing it for years. Its a fresh, long lasting scent that totally hides any stench and goes great with his Armani cologne."
Key Notes: Marine Notes, cyprus, musk
Free Of: Alcohol
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What deodorant is best for men?
When shopping for the best deodorant for men, the formulation should be top of mind. According to Dr. Shah, the best ingredients to look out for are aluminum chloride and other aluminum compounds: "They reduce sweat and odor by forming a plug that blocks sweat from reaching the skin's surface."
And while aluminum-based deodorants and antiperspirants often get a bad rap for their connection to breast cancer and Alzheimer's, there's actually no scientific evidence that proves that they're harmful to the body. Dr. Shah notes they are completely safe to use.
What is the best natural deodorant for men?
If you choose to go the clean route and want to try a natural deodorant, there is a new generation of formulations that work just as well, as listed in our roundup above. Just prepare for an adjustment period, says Dr. Shah. "It can take up to a month for your body to adjust."
Meg Donohue
Associate Fashion Commerce Editor
Meg (she/her) is the associate fashion commerce editor at ELLE.com, where she specializes in shopping stories spanning the fashion, home, and lifestyle categories. Over the past three years, she has devoted countless hours to researching brands, testing hundreds (maybe even thousands!) of products, and deep-diving into market and consumer trends. Her favorite job responsibilities consist of co-writing the monthly series Same Same But Different and curating the fashion market for ELLE Escapes. Meg graduated magna cum laude from the Missouri School of Journalism with an emphasis on magazine editing. In 2020, one of her feature stories in the service article category was recognized by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. The year prior, the Society of Professional Journalists named voxmagazine.com “Best Affiliated Magazine” in its Mark of Excellence Awards, when she was on staff. Meg’s stories have appeared on Cosmopolitan, Town & Country, Harper’s Bazaar, and Good Housekeeping, among many other outlets. Her personal passions include travel, buffalo sauce, and gardening. You can find her in New York, where she lives, or on Instagram, where she also lives. She will never stop hoping for a One Direction reunion tour.
Heath Owens
Senior Commerce Editor
Heath Owens is a Senior Commerce Editor at Hearst Magazines, where he covers home, fashion, tech and gifts for Good Housekeeping, House Beautiful, Esquire, Delish, Men’s Health, and more.