There's a Big Difference Between Antiperspirants and Deodorants—Here’s What You Want to Buy (2024)

Do you find that no matter how much deodorant you swipe on in the morning, your armpits are decidedly damp a few hours later? If the wetness bugs you, then you'll want to switch to an antiperspirant. We tend to think of deodorants as a catchall category, but actually "there are key differences between deodorants and antiperspirants," says Brendan Camp, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology. "Deodorants mask body odor; antiperspirants block sweat."

Deodorants tend to contain odor neutralizers (like baking soda, silver chloride, zinc citrate, alpha hydroxy acids, or coconut oil), fragrances to cover up smell, and moisture absorbers (like arrowroot powder or tapioca starch). Interestingly, Camp shares that sweat by itself doesn't smell. It's when the sweat mixes with the bacteria on the skin's surface that you get that, er, pungent aroma that deodorants help contain.

Antiperspirants, however, rely on aluminum chlorohydrate or aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex GLY. These ingredients act like plugs, effectively stopping sweat before it's released, explains board-certified dermatologist Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD. They also contain the odor neutralizers, fragrances, and skincare ingredients you'll find in deodorants. But some people may find that their pore-clogging nature can irritate skin, leading to a discoloration called hyperpigmentation, Camp says.

What you choose to buy is all about preference. If you hate feeling damp, worrying about visible streaks of wetness, and lead an active life, then we recommend an antiperspirant. If you aren't a big sweater, care most about odor control, or worry about potential skin irritants, consider a deodorant. Whatever you choose, we've gathered the best deodorants and antiperspirants to keep underarms fresh, clean, or sweat-free.

Whether the cause of your sweat is due to movement, heat, or stress, this spray will keep it in check. The formula features what the brand calls SmartAdapt Technology, which creates a flexible barrier on the skin that controls sweating and odor along with the sweat-preventing abilities of antiperspirant. It comes in five neutral fragrances, and is also available in a stick.

Despite not containing any aluminum or baking soda (both ingredients that might be irritating to sensitive skin), this gel deodorant keeps skin fresh and odor-free all day. It contains an alpha hydroxy acid, which gently exfoliates the skin, combats odors, and minimizes the look of discoloration. It also has niacinamide to strengthen the skin's barrier and chamomile extract to soothe. While all three of the scent offerings are excellent, its newest iteration, sandalwood, is a personal favorite.

This formula, recommended by Woolery-Lloyd, one of Dove's dermatologist partners, doesn't contain aluminum, so it's perfect for those concerned about clogged pores and discoloration of the underarms.

Many people are hesitant about trying natural aluminum-free deodorants because they worry about experiencing a transition period, which is when your body can take up to four weeks to adjust to new ingredients, explains Woolery-Lloyd. However, once you get through that, we've found that this tapioca starch-infused formula absorbs moisture and keeps us smelling fresh for hours. The uplifting scent comes from a blend of citrus and vetiver (similar to lemongrass) essential oils.

Remember, sweating doesn't cause body odor. It's the sweat mixing with the bacteria that builds up underneath the arms that does that. Luckily, this formula contains arrowroot powder and charcoal to work like magnets that draw out odor-causing impurities. It also dries to a clear powder-like finish and is available in three delicious scents.

If you experience severe sweating, Woolery-Lloyd recommends searching for clinical-strength antiperspirants, like this one, which contains aluminum zirconium to help prevent sweating. "Clinical formulas tend to have the highest concentrations of the active ingredients that reduce sweating," she says. This formula offers up to 72 hours of sweat protection.

This deodorant is jam-packed with natural ingredients that can address excess moisture and body odor: Hops, baking soda, and eucalyptus inhibit unpleasant smells while kaolin clay helps to absorb moisture.

Play Pits is a Black-owned small business created by a mother who wanted natural deodorant options for her family. The sweet and sultry mix of lemon, rich amber, and jasmine in her formula for adults will have you feeling like a true queen while kaolin clay, cornstarch, and baking soda help neutralize other unwelcome smells.

Sol de Janeiro is known for its delicious scents, and this deodorant is no exception. The formula contains citric acid esters to keep you smelling sweet and prevent bacteria from forming. It also has papaya enzymes to gently exfoliate dead skin cells, even skin tone, and prevent ingrown hairs caused by shaving. Tapioca starch helps absorb excess moisture to keep underarms dry.

There's nothing worse than when you're on the go and realize you forgot to apply deodorant. These individually packed wipes are small and handy, so you can conveniently keep one in your purse, gym bag, or even your wallet. A single swipe cleans underarms and wards off odor with glycolic acid (to help remove odor-causing bacteria) and probiotics (to promote the presence of good skin-balancing bacteria).

The best part of this deodorant is the application. It goes on clear and is so lightweight it dries in no time. Your skin never feels sticky, tacky, or wet. It contains grape water (a prebiotic that soothes skin) and fresh-smelling eucalyptus.

Not just for armpits, this fine-misting, ozone-friendly spray is a multitasker made to be used all over. It contains denatured alcohol, an ingredient made from corn that protects against odor, and comes in six scents derived from essential oils.

Free of aluminum and baking soda, this formula utilizes corn starch to absorb odor and wetness and a fresh rosy scent that you'll enjoy the occasional whiff of throughout the day. It also has coconut, green tea, and vitamin E to help hydrate and protect skin.

This deodorant is skin- and planet-friendly with packaging that's plastic free and 100 percent biodegradable. Arrowroot powder keeps wetness in check while each fragrance comes from essential oils.

You can take this small but mighty deodorant everywhere you go. Bentonite clay, tapioca starch, and arrowroot powder help absorb sweat. They come in a bundle of three with a range of fragrances, so you have a scent for every potentially sweat-inducing occasion.