You know what happens when you forget to put deodorant on in the morning? Everything. Goes. Wrong. Really, the best deodorants for women can get you through anything from a presentation you hardly prepared for to a yoga class you didn’t know was “hot.” The humble deodorant sets the tone for your day—and can determine whether you spend it confidently or self-consciously sniffing your pits every hour.
Dove Even Tone Antiperspirant Deodorant Restoring Powder
With a quarter of its formula devoted to moisturizers, Dove’s Even Tone Antiperspirant Deodorant Restoring Powder ensures your underarms stay soft and soothed while delivering up to 48 hours of sweat and odor protection. The unique aspect of this 2020 Allure Best of Beauty winner is the vitamin B3 (niacinamide is a common form of this) in its formula, which helps brighten any discoloration and evens out your underarms’ natural skin tone.
Kosas Chemistry AHA Serum Deodorant
Available in two versions, Fragrance Free and Serene Clean (pictured above), Kosas’s Chemistry AHA Serum Deodorant goes beyond the call of an odor-masking deodorant. It’s formulated with a blend of AHAs (mandelic and lactic) to make odor-causing bacteria disappear, as well as aloe leaf juice, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin to visibly soften and soothe underarms. True to its name, the formula goes on like a clear, gel-like serum, it doesn’t stain, and the rollerball applicator feels nice and cooling. What more could you want?
Schmidt’s Rose + Black Pepper Deodorant
Formulated specifically for sensitive pits, Schmidt’s Rose + Black Pepper Deodorant is a natural, aluminum-free deodorant that packs coconut oil, arrowroot powder, shea butter, hemp seed oil (no CBD or THC), and magnesium for up to 24 hours of odor protection. This 2020 Allure Best of Beauty winner has a floral rosy scent with a splash of cracked peppercorn, creating a unique scent you’ll be totally drawn towards.
Tom’s of Maine PrebioticNatural Deodorant
Senior commerce editor Lauren Swanson is a fan of the sweet-smelling Fresh Apple variation (pictured above) of Tom’s of Maine’s Prebiotic Natural Deodorant, but it also comes in Clean Coast and Soft Rose for a subtle, refreshing scent. All of them, however, promise 48-hour odor protection with just a few swipes and zero aluminum. What sets this one apart is the inclusion of xylitol, a prebiotic ingredient that supports the good bacteria inside your body and kicks out the bad bacteria.
Hello Fresh Citrus Deodorant With Shea Butter
While Hello is well-known for its oral-care products, the natural brand is now venturing into the underarm arena with its Fresh Citrus Deodorant With Shea Butter. It contains arrowroot powder to absorb sweat, shea butter, and coconut oil to moisturize skin, and tea tree oil to keep odor in check. Also available in charcoal and fragrance-free options, it’s pleasant, lightweight, and free of aluminum, baking soda, and parabens. This is one of the best deodorants for women.
LAVANILA Sport Luxe Deodorant
There are a lot of natural options on this list, but we especially love this high-performance formula from LAVANILA. The invisible solid uses the brand’s SmartSport technology to break down sweat as it forms, delivering quick and effective odor protection as you move through your favorite workout routine.
It’s free of aluminum, parabens, propylene glycol, and other harsh chemicals commonly found in traditional deodorants. Sheer and natural, the formula gives your skin just the right amount of room to breathe, along with a subtle boost of fresh scent.
Degree Clinical Protection Deodorant
Stinky sweat doesn’t stand a chance against this clinical protection formula from Degree. An antiperspirant and a deodorant, it does an excellent job of keeping you dry and fresh with a light yet long-lasting scent. The more you move, the harder it works—it’s three times stronger than your standard antiperspirant.
Meanwhile, it remains gentle on the skin thanks to a unique combination of moisturizing ingredients. In order to best build a strong layer of protection for the day ahead, apply to your underarms before bed.
SECRET Antiperspirant Deodorant with Pure Essential Oils
A body basic turns luxe with sophisticated packaging and true essential oil-based scents like lavender, cedarwood, and rose in this Secret antiperspirant/deodorant, a Good Housekeeping Beauty Award winner. “No telltale ‘deodorant’ smell — more like aromatherapy than baby powder,” a tester marveled. It also comes in an aluminum-free version.