Which women’s deodorants are the best? We review 6 top picks

There’s an old saying that goes, “Horses sweat, men perspire, but ladies merely glow.” While many may wish this were true, the sad truth is, we all sweat. Yes, even us ladies. 

Whether from an intense workout or a hot, humid day, getting a bit sweaty (and sometimes, stinky) is a normal part of everyday life.

The good news is, a good deodorant — that really works — can help you to combat bad body odor. And a good antiperspirant will minimize sweat volume, allowing you to feel dry and comfortable all day long.

That said, with so many deodorant options available, you could break a sweat from just trying to choose the right product. We’ve eliminated the hassle by narrowing the list to the six best deodorants for women.

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Shop to find your perfect deodorant

Best natural deodorant

Tom’s of Maine Long Lasting Natural Deodorant

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$4.84 at Walmart

Best women’s deodorant for excessive sweating

Secret Clinical Strength Antiperspirant & Deodorant

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$12.99 at Target

Best-smelling deodorant

Weleda Wild Rose 24h Deodorant Spray

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$14.49 at Weleda

Best aluminum-free deodorant

Secret Aluminum-Free Deodorant Real Rose

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$7 at Walgreens

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From non-toxic natural options to extra-strong formulas and deodorants for those with sensitive skin, our top picks will surely suit every woman’s needs.

Best natural deodorant

Tom’s of Maine Long Lasting Natural Deodorant

$4.84

$4.84 at Walmart

Pros & Cons

• Doesn’t stain clothes

• Aluminum-free

• Not tested on animals

• Doesn’t control perspiration

• May need to re-apply

Tom’s of Maine focuses on providing natural, safe and gentle health products. This is not an antiperspirant; it’s a deodorant. So, it won’t clog your pores. You may get sweaty if you’re active, but that’s how your body copes with heat. It’s intended to control smells all day, but you may have to re-apply to your underarms.

Often with natural deodorants, they can stain clothes and go on clumpy, which can be uncomfortable and embarrassing when you raise your arms. Thankfully, this solid deodorant stick doesn’t discolor clothes and goes on clear.

Our experts agree that Tom’s of Maine is the best natural deodorant for women. It doesn’t contain harmful parabens, aluminum, artificial fragrances or preservatives. Many women also say their doctors recommend it because of its gentle and toxin-free ingredients. In fact, out of 1,566 reviews, it has an average rating of 4.3.

Best women’s deodorant for excessive sweating

Secret Clinical Strength Antiperspirant & Deodorant

$12.99

$12.99 at Target

Pros & Cons

• Minimizes sweat

• Long-lasting

• Clinical level formula

• May be too strong for sensitive skin

• Only most effective when applied before bedtime

For women who experience excessive sweating, this may be your product. It’s both an antiperspirant and a deodorant, which means it provides sweat control as well as eliminates body odors for all-day-round comfort. 

It provides 72-hour sweat protection, so you don’t have to continuously re-apply like most other brands.  Additionally, it’s clear and goes on invisibly, so you can wear your best sleeveless or black top confidently. 

Clinically developed by women dermatologists, it’s developed to suit the needs of active women. Plus, more than 13,000 women agree that it works, giving it an average rating of 4.3 stars.

Best-smelling deodorant

Weleda Wild Rose 24h Deodorant Spray

$14.49

$14.49 at Weleda

Pros & Cons

• Non-aerosol container

• Eco-friendly Contains essential oils

• Doesn’t control perspiration

• Higher price point

Weleda is an established brand in the natural health arena. So, you can be rest-assured that this product is eco-friendly and contains natural ingredients. In fact, even the packaging is made to be recyclable.

Instead of aluminum salts, this formula is made using natural plant-based oils to counteract odors. This long-lasting spray deodorant also contains rose oils, an absolute treat for your underarm skin. It is tested in a clinic to be safe for sensitive skin, although some owners caution that it can sting if used right after shaving.

You also may have to reapply this spray throughout the day, especially after exercising. The higher price point may be a consideration for some buyers, but given that it contains essential oils, our editors agree it’s the best-smelling deodorant for women.

Best aluminum-free deodorant

Secret Aluminum-Free Deodorant Real Rose

$7

$7 at Walgreens

Pros & Cons

• Aluminum-free

• Contains no parabens, 

• Certified cruelty-free by PETA

• Mixed reviews on scent

• Some reviewers noted residue marks on clothing

This aluminum-free rose-scented deodorant by Secret is another excellent option. The minerals create a complimentary PH that works harmoniously with your body to control odor and soften skin to the touch.

It offers 48 hours of odor control with a pleasant smell that doesn’t overpower. And while some reviewers noted seeing slight residue marks on clothing, this deodorant scored an impressive 4.7-star average rating.

Other reviewers gave props to Secret for creating a more natural formula and removing many chemical-heavy ingredients. 

And to top it all off, this deodorant has been certified cruelty-free by PETA so you can enjoy your active lifestyle worry-free.

Best spray deodorant

Dove Advanced Care 48h Dry Spray for Women

$7.48

$7.48 at Walmart

Pros & Cons

• Gentle on  skin

• No alcohol

• Peta-certified

• Contains aluminum

• Scent may be overpowering to some

An antiperspirant and deodorant spray, the Dove Advanced Care 48-Hour Dry Spray for Women works to help you smell fresh and keep your underarms dry.

Instead of using alcohol, which can aggravate the underarms, it incorporates the famous Dove brand skin conditioners that are formulated to soothe the skin.

Because it’s a spray, it’s quick and easy to apply — and the size of the bottle fits conveniently in your bag to tote along and reapply throughout the day. It smells nice, too. Its ingredients list contains cucumbers, melon and jasmine. Plus, you’ll notice it keeps working long after it’s applied.

There are many spray deodorants on the market. However, with more than 33,500 reviews, its 4.5-star average rating is remarkable, making it one of the best spray deodorants for women.

Best women’s deodorant for sensitive skin

Drunk Elephant Sweet Pitti Soothing Deodorant Cream

$37.99

$37.99 at Walmart

Pros & Cons

• Suited for delicate skin

• Aluminum-free

• Soothing gel formula

• Takes a bit longer to dry

• Higher price point

As the only cream deodorant to make our list, this cream deodorant is definitely one worth trying. It's ideal for delicate or problematic skin. Not only does it contributes to irritation-free skin, but it also provides effective odor and sweat control. Your sensitive armpit skin will welcome the soothing gel-feeling of this lotion, as it has a light almond smell ,which  dissipates quickly after it soaks into the skin.

It’s more expensive than other choices. However, we think it’s advanced gel formula and elevated scent make it worth the splurge. Try it out, and you’ll quickly see why we vote it one of the best women’s deodorants for sensitive skin.

How to choose the right deodorant for you

When standing in the deodorant aisle, you'll find a dizzying array of options. To make your choice easier, first, identify your needs: antiperspirant or deodorant?

As the names imply, deodorants aim to manage odors, while antiperspirants control the amount of sweat produced from your armpits. While it is human body's natural response to perspire and create body odor, these options are designed to help you target your main problem area.

Once you’ve decided between a deodorant or an antiperspirant, or both, it’s time to determine which type of application you prefer: spray, roll-on, powder, solid or cream forms.

Next consider the ingredients. Do you want more natural ingredients or are you OK with standard deodorant formulas? Is cruelty-free important to you? When it comes to fragrances, do you prefer stronger or weaker scents? Asking yourself these questions can help you to narrow down your options.

To find your perfect match, consider which types appeal most to you, and you’ll be on your way to smelling fresher, sweating less and feeling more comfortable throughout the day.

Our top picks for the best deodorants

Our editor roundup displays the fundamental differences between the six best women’s deodorants. Some have dual functions and are great at addressing both odor and sweat. We love that companies are including more natural ingredients while removing toxic ones. We’re also impressed that more companies are choosing to go cruelty-free and eco-friendly.

Our top recommendations for the best deodorants for women are:

• Drunk Elephant Sweet Pitti Soothing Deodorant Cream: It’s effective at neutralizing bacteria that triggers odor. While not advertised as an antiperspirant, its highly absorbent quality controls sweat and it works with even the most sensitive skin types. The price may be higher than others on our list. However, it’s free of skin-irritating ingredients, making it worth the splurge.

• Secret Aluminum Free Deodorant: If you're looking for something less expensive and don't mind scents or occasional marks on clothing, then this deodorant by Secret is a closer runner up. It’s great at helping you to manage odors, and in addition to being cruelty-free, it provides up to 48 hours of protection. So, you’ll smell fresh all day long.

Prices updated on 07/25/2023. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.