Are aluminum-based formulas safe to use?

While some are quick to link the use of aluminum-based antiperspirants to breast cancer and Alzheimer's disease among other issues, board-certified dermatologist Alicia Zalka notes that "to date, there have been no clear-cut medical studies that have proved a cause-and-effect link." Green states that an aluminum-based formula is safe for people in good health to use, though if the ingredient irritates your underarm skin, then opt for an aluminum-free version.

How long does it take to adjust to a natural deodorant?

According to Seattle-based dermatologist Carly Roman, it may take a few weeks for your skin to fully adjust, but you can take the edge off by using an antibacterial soap in the shower as you transition between products. "This will help reduce the major contributor (bacteria) to body odor, allowing the natural deodorant to seem more effective," she says.

Should I use an antiperspirant or a deodorant?

That depends on your end goal. If you're aiming to eliminate sweat, an antiperspirant is your best bet. If you don't mind a little sweat and are focused on getting rid of odor, you'll want to reach for deodorant.

The 12 Best Deodorants for Men in 2022

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Commerce Photo Composite — Byrdie / Chloe Jeong

Summer may be the sweatiest season for many, but deodorant for men is a year-round necessity. That's because B.O. can strike at any time, during any season, and it's usually pretty unpleasant. Long story short: We are constantly in search of the next deodorant we can acquire to kick armpit wetness to the curb.

Since finding deodorants that work not only brings us joy on a personal level but a professional one as well, we get genuinely excited to share our findings with you. From natural deodorants (no aluminum, no problem) to antiperspirants (excessive sweaters, we got you), we researched the greatest odor-protecting formulas for men to swipe under armpits.

Keep scrolling to discover the best deodorants for men that offer something for just about everyone.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Malin + Goetz Deodorant at Amazon

Best Budget:

Tom's of Maine Long Lasting Stick Deodorant at Amazon

Best Drugstore:

Dove Men+Care Clean Comfort Deodorant Stick at Walmart

Best Splurge:

Corpus Natural Deodorant at Amazon

Best Natural:

Schmidt’s Natural Deodorant at Amazon

Best Antiperspirant:

Art of Sport Antiperspirant at Amazon

Best for Sensitive Skin:

Oars + Alps Natural Deodorant at Amazon

Best Unscented:

Ursa Major Base Layer Deodorant at Amazon

Best Spray:

Every Man Jack Dry Spray Deodorant at Everymanjack.com

Best Cream:

Nécessaire The Deodorant at Sephora

In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For

Courtesy of Nordstrom

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Bloomingdales

What We Like

Crisp, fresh scent
Works all day
Doesn't stain clothes

What We Don't Like

Could be stronger

The eucalyptus deodorant from Malin+Goetz isn’t anything new, but it’s been a bestseller since the brand was founded almost 15 years ago. Why? Because first of all, it smells amazing, and second, it works. The vegan, cruelty-free cooling gel deodorant uses real citronellyl and eucalyptus extract to neutralize odor, leaving only a crisp, fresh, aromatic aura behind for the entire day.

Type: Stick | Active Ingredients: Glycol, eucalyptus | Size: 2.6 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Tom's of Maine Mountain Spring Deodorant

Courtesy of Tom's of Maine

View On Amazon

What We Like

Made with organic ingredients
Great value
Light scent

What We Don't Like

Could be stronger

Founded on the principle of providing affordable access to natural and effective products, Tom’s of Maine uses vegetable-derived oils and moisturizers along with organic aloe in the formulation of its refreshingly fragranced deodorant. Add to that the company’s use of hops—yep, just like those found in your favorite beer—for deodorizing and you have a great alternative to the other similarly scented but significantly more synthetic solids for about the same price.

Type: Stick | Active Ingredients: Propylene glycol, aloe leaf juice | Size: 2.3 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Dove Men+Care Clean Comfort Deodorant Stick

Courtesy of Dove

View On Walmart

What We Like

Alcohol-free
Reasonably priced
Soft scent

What We Don't Like

Contains BHT

Dove Men+Care Clean Comfort Deodorant Stick uses an alcohol-free formula plus Dove’s signature moisturizer, so you won't have to worry about stinky pits or skin irritation. It also ditches sulfates, fluorides, aluminum, and parabens—all those questionable ingredients you worry about.

Type: Stick | Active Ingredients: Dipropylene glycol, sodium stearate | Size: 3 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Applies smoothly
Great range of scents
Made with organic ingredients

What We Don't Like

Expensive

Fragrance really is the foundation of this luxury vegan deodorant. Corpus offers five very different, very natural options, each boasting its own infectious, unique scent. Of the five, it’s hard to choose, but if we have to, we’ll go with the rich, layered rose aroma. All its offerings are aluminum- and paraben-free and lack talc and baking soda, which might irritate sensitive skin.

Regardless of the scent that wins you over, they all harness the natural healing power of essential oils and enzymes derived from flowers, fruits, and plants to really pamper your pits.

Type: Stick | Active Ingredients: Propylene glycol, saccharomyces ferment | Size: 2.6 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Schmidt’s Natural Charcoal Magnesium Deodorant

Courtesy of Amazon

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What We Like

Contains several active ingredients
Applies smoothly
Great range of scents

What We Don't Like

Can irritate very sensitive skin

A favorite among all-natural deodorant users is Schmidt’s. The activated charcoal and magnesium hydroxide in this deodorant option are meant to work together with arrowroot powder and baking soda to fend off odor-causing bacteria for up to 24 hours, according to the brand—a claim not easily made when it comes to natural deodorant.

By first warming the stick under your pits, the active ingredients go on smooth and work hard. With an array of fragrances as well as sensitive skin formulas in both stick and cream varieties, Schmidt’s really aims to please just about everyone.

Type: Stick | Active Ingredients: Arrowroot powder, baking soda, coconut oil | Size: 3.3 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Long-lasting scent
Strong formula
Works all day

What We Don't Like

Scent may be strong for some

Just as great for the CrossFit enthusiast as it is for the businessman who can’t keep a shirt dry during a board meeting, Art of Sport is really just great for guys who want to stop sweating—period. Matcha and arrowroot are meant to boost the powerful performance of aluminum to block sweat all day, no matter where your sprint takes you. What’s more? The fragrances offered aren’t those stereotypical “sport” fragrances you’ll find elsewhere. Fresh, citrus, and—our favorite—eucalyptus, keep you smelling good, not like a high school locker room.

Type: Stick | Active Ingredients: Propylene glycol, arrowroot powder | Size: 2.7 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Helps absorb wetness
Doesn't stain clothes
Works all day

What We Don't Like

Could be stronger

Free from aluminum and alcohol, this naturally skin-soothing, lightly scented deodorant uses cornstarch meant to absorb sweat while leaving behind notes of citrus and amber. Made in the U.S. and cruelty-free, this natural deodorant is also great for sensitive skin, thanks to its allergen-free fragrance that works hard, so you can play hard.

Type: Stick | Active Ingredients: Propanediol, aloe leaf juice | Size: 2.6 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon View On Dermstore View On Ursamajorvt.com

What We Like

Helps absorb wetness
Goes on smoothly
Made with organic ingredients

What We Don't Like

Could be stronger

Sometimes, those with sensitive skin (or just sensitive noses) prefer no fragrance. None. High-caliber ingredients found in this unscented cruelty-free gem make it one of the best unscented deodorants you can choose. This is key for the most sensitive skin since many fragrances are made up of essential oils that can irritate, even with the best intentions. Natural kaolin clay (think oil-absorbing face masks) promises to absorb that sticky sweat while hops and saccharomyces ferment are meant to neutralize odor.

Type: Stick | Active Ingredients: Aloe leaf juice, propanediol, saccharomyces ferment | Size: 2.6 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Courtesy of Walmart

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What We Like

Dries quickly
Eco-friendly packaging
Reasonably priced

What We Don't Like

Comes in only two scents

This spray deodorant might just be the best thing you have never heard of from Every Man Jack. Available in two masculine fragrances, the dry spray goes on easy and dries fast. Without any animal testing, this 98 percent naturally derived spray is free of aluminum, parabens, phthalates, dyes, and gluten, according to the brand. Spray knowing you aren’t hurting yourself or the environment when you use this, thanks to the special bottle design that eliminates any need for chemical propellants.

Type: Spray | Active Ingredients: Alcohol denat, saccharomyces ferment, chamomile extract | Size: 3 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

4.6

Courtesy of Nécessaire

View On Sephora View On Nordstrom View On Violet Grey

What We Like

Exfoliates
Great scent
Helps absorb wetness

What We Don't Like

Expensive for a small amount

Nécessaire is a cream deodorant offered in the familiar stick application. It’s made with mandelic and lactic acids meant to help neutralize odor, while silica, zinc, and kaolin clay are meant to absorb sweat. Free from the baking soda found in many cream deodorants, this also lacks potentially irritating aluminum and synthetic fragrance. Eucalyptus is the main scent here, but subtle notes of lavender and patchouli round out the fragrance profile, making this the most robust and complex eucalyptus we've smelled in a while.

Type: Cream | Active Ingredients: 5% alpha hydroxy acid, silica, kaolin | Size: 1.7 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes

NÃ©cessaire The Deodorant — Byrdie / Jenna Igneri

Courtesy of Walmart

View On Amazon

What We Like

Portable
Reasonably priced
Strong formula

What We Don't Like

Could be more hydrating

If you’re a gym rat or just a guy on the go, you might want a deodorant wipe at the ready. Degree infused its seriously sophisticated odor-fighting technology into these aluminum-free wipes, which are designed to pair perfectly with Degree's leading athlete-approved antiperspirants or your normal deodorant of choice. They can also be used on their own. These make a great addition to glove compartments, gym bags, backpacks, and briefcases. If you’re a serious sweater, we suggest all of the above.

Type: Wipe | Active Ingredients: Cocamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate | Size: 25 count | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes

4.8

View On Sephora View On Nordstrom View On Credo Beauty

What We Like

Helps with ingrown hairs
Feels cooling on the skin
Doesn't stain clothes

What We Don't Like

Could be stronger

This deodorant from Kosas’ KosaSport collection caught us off guard. With skincare brands throwing AHAs into just about everything these days, we were sure this was going to be just another deodorant. We were wrong. Okay, sure, it’s not saving the world, but it is saving our armpits. That’s all to say that the AHAs in this new cooling serum deodorant (yes, the texture is amazing) not only fight B.O. but also skin issues, such as darkness and ingrown hairs. You don’t need to be a guy who trims his armpit hair to benefit from this formula though. It’s a great addition to any guy who has skincare on his mind.

Type: Serum | Active Ingredients: AHA blend, aloe vera juice | Size: 2.4 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

What to Look For in a Deodorant

Antiperspirant vs. Deodorant

Fun fact: While the term "deodorant" is generally used as a blanket term for underarm products, according to New York City–based dermatologist Michele Green, true deodorants don't contain aluminum nor do they prevent sweating. On the other hand, antiperspirants do prevent sweating and contain the ingredient. Deodorants are designed to prevent odor, so while you'll still break a sweat when using them, you won't smell. Determine whether you'd like to block odor, sweating, or a combination of both, then pick your formula accordingly.

Scented vs. Unscented

While the scent doesn't impact the overall performance of a deodorant or antiperspirant, some may prefer an unscented version while others may prefer a scented option that pairs well with their fragrance of choice.

Stain-Free Ingredients

Whether you opt for a natural deodorant or an aluminum-based antiperspirant, keep in mind that certain ingredients may stain your clothes. Aluminum has gotten a rap for giving once-pristine white shirts a yellow tint, as has coconut oil. Though household remedies may help to remove the stains, steer clear of these ingredients if scrubbing your T-shirts with an old toothbrush and baking soda doesn't sound like your idea of fun.

FAQ

Are aluminum-based formulas safe to use?

While some are quick to link the use of aluminum-based antiperspirants to breast cancer and Alzheimer's disease among other issues, board-certified dermatologist Alicia Zalka notes that "to date, there have been no clear-cut medical studies that have proved a cause-and-effect link." Green states that an aluminum-based formula is safe for people in good health to use, though if the ingredient irritates your underarm skin, then opt for an aluminum-free version.
How long does it take to adjust to a natural deodorant?

According to Seattle-based dermatologist Carly Roman, it may take a few weeks for your skin to fully adjust, but you can take the edge off by using an antibacterial soap in the shower as you transition between products. "This will help reduce the major contributor (bacteria) to body odor, allowing the natural deodorant to seem more effective," she says.
Should I use an antiperspirant or a deodorant?

That depends on your end goal. If you're aiming to eliminate sweat, an antiperspirant is your best bet. If you don't mind a little sweat and are focused on getting rid of odor, you'll want to reach for deodorant.

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15 percent of products in our newly published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough deodorants for men from Black-owned and/or Black-founded businesses to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.

The 12 Best Natural Deodorants for Men That Actually Work

Article Sources

Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

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