A good deodorant or antiperspirant is essential for every man. It gives you confidence and comfort, keeps you smelling fresh and clean, and most importantly makes sure you're feeling dry by banishing those unwanted odours. We're going to be covering some of the biggest perspiration-preventing powerhouses, such as Dove, Bulldog & Kiehl's, as well as explaining what to avoid for sensitive skin.
Whether you're looking for a spray, roll-on, or stick, you're in the right place as we'll introduce strong antiperspirants to eliminate excessive sweating, including natural options that are alcohol and aluminium-free! We have also partnered with Dermatologist Felipe Partarrieu to review the article so that we can deliver you the best information.
Quick List - Top Deodorants For Men
D.R. Harris & Co
A Long-Lasting Cream Formula With a Classic Citrus Fragrance
Felipe Partarrieu is a dermatologist, who is GMC registered with a full licence to practise in the UK. Specialising in cosmeceuticals, facial skin care, and hair disorders, we worked with Felipe to bring you top quality information to help you make informed buying decisions and understand more about what goes onto your skin.
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Felipe Partarrieu is a dermatologist, who is GMC registered with a full licence to practise in the UK. Specialising in cosmeceuticals, facial skin care, and hair disorders, we worked with Felipe to bring you top quality information to help you make informed buying decisions and understand more about what goes onto your skin.
This form is by far the most common formula for deodorant on the market, mainly because it's just extremely convenient. It can be applied simply and quickly, it's smooth, leaving no wet or sticky patches, and best of all dries instantly, so you can apply and be on your way out in flash.
There are a few downsides to sprays though. First off, the spray can be a bit severe, so you'll want to make sure you’re well ventilated when applying. They're also pretty cumbersome, so if you're a man on the move often this might not be the best choice. Finally, the environment. Even though aerosols no longer contain CFC's they still contain harmful compounds that add to air pollution.
Opt for a simple body spray if you don't want something that performs like an antiperspirant deodorant.
Spray deodorants use a fine mist and tend to dry quickly on your skin. They achieve this by avoiding water or other moist ingredients in the formulation. They are also flexible; with a spray, you can apply deodorant to other body parts other than the underarms.
Since this kind of deodorant sprays the product into the air, it can irritate people with asthma or allergies. If you’re sensitive to particles in the air, spray the product in a well-ventilated room or cover your mouth and nose during application.
If, as we mentioned, you are a man on the move, then roll-ons might be the choice for you. They're favourably sized, meaning that you can toss them into your gym bag or carry-on luggage and off you go. They're also great for guys with sensitive skin as the main ingredient tends to be water, meaning that they'll keep your skin well hydrated.
The central issue with roll-ons, however, is that they can take a while to dry. They've also been known to produce a sticky consistency which can make it a bit of a chore when re-applying during the day.
Most roll-on deodorants offer clear formulas specifically designed not to leave white marks on your clothes. Their compact size makes them ideal for keeping a spare at work or in your locker.
Most of the time, they also deliver more active ingredients to your underarms than spray deodorants; they are responsible for getting read of body odour and some nutrients and soothing ingredients like stearyl-ester alcohols, water and barley extract.
Cream sticks are effortless in applying and give you complete control, meaning no waste. Nowadays you can also pick one up that is no longer a stick form, but rather a balm that you squeeze out or scoop up and apply directly yourself.
Cream deodorants are the most moisturising option out of the three formulas as they include ingredients like shea butter. The big issue with them, however, is that they're notorious for leaving those dreaded white stains on your fresh work shirt because they don't tend to dry onto the skin as well as the other options.
Stick and cream deodorants tend to have much less alcohol in their formulation than roll-ons or sprays, hence less drying. People with dry and/or sensitive skin on the underarm area benefit from the use of cream deodorants as they usually contain moisturising ingredients and much more water than its counterparts. Another added bonus of cream deodorants is they tend to last longer.
If you want your underarms to stay dry and smelling nice for the longest possible time, pay attention to how many hours the deodorant works to protect from sweat and odours. This will be particularly useful for gym lovers, sports enthusiasts or simply hardworking men with active lifestyles who are constantly on the move.
Opt for a deodorant with at least 24-hour coverage to allow you stay fresh all day without having to reapply the product. Think about how much you'll appreciate that long lasting protection that keeps sweat and odours at bay, especially if you're commuting on a crowded train on a hot summer day!
Peep the best body sprays and deodorants for women who lead busy lifestyles too.
If you really want a long-lasting effect, the best time to put on your antiperspirant or deodorant is at night, before you go to bed. This allows the aluminium salts (if it contains them) to work, "clogging" the sweat ducts.
Sweat glands are more active in the morning, increasing the likelihood of sweat removing the antiperspirant before it even has time to start working correctly. Men with a lot of underarm hair might consider trimming or shaving it so that the deodorant can be applied more easily and reaches the skin.
It's worth looking out for added ingredients such as alcohol denat (denatured alcohol) and isoproply alcohol. These are controversial ingredients and while they have their benefits, they are some drawbacks to be aware of.
Alcohol denat and isopropyl alcohol are astringent so they leave a cool and refreshing feeling on the skin. But because they're also quick-drying, they often dry out the skin. So be mindful that large amounts of these ingredients in a product could irritate dry or sensitive skin. It helps to check what position they fall on the ingredients list and avoid if they're one of the first ingredients stated on the product.
Ethanol and other alcohols are a major component of many aerosol sprays and consumer products designed to contact the skin. Due to their astringent properties, they leave a cool and refreshing feeling on the skin, which may further encourage the constant use of alcohol-containing products, such as deodorants.
Alcohol kills some bacteria that form odour, but it can also dry out the skin and contribute to irritation. If you have a history of sensitive skin, you may prefer alcohol-free deodorants.
Another ingredient you might want to give a miss is aluminium, which is very commonly included for its antiperspirant properties. Although there has been no direct link made, some believe that it can have an effect on breast tissues and may keep the body from sweating out toxins that need to be released. Fortunately, there are many aluminium-free options out there, so you don't have to take a chance if you don't want to.
Opting for a deodorant with fragrance is another good way to keep those body odours eliminated all day. However, if you've splashed on some of that expensive cologne you got for Christmas and you don't want your smells to clash, or you have skin that is easily troubled, you could always opt for an unscented product, or do a patch test if you're concerned about irritation.
Read our article on aluminium-free deodorants for more info.
Aluminium chloride is the most common antiperspirant used nowadays in personal hygiene products. By "clogging" the sweat gland ducts, it prevents sweat from reaching the skin and being modified by bacteria that cause body odour. So it indirectly tackles body odour, unlike fragrances that cover it. Aluminium chloride is rarely a cause of skin allergy, but it can irritate if used in excess.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Dove Extra Fresh Antiperspirant Deodorant | ![]() | Gentle, Long-Lasting and Great Value for Money | |
2 | Mancave Eucalyptus Deodorant | ![]() | Formulated With Natural Odour-Banishing Ingredients Like Acai Fruit Oil | |
3 | Bulldog Original Natural Deodorant | ![]() | Free From Alcohol and Aluminium but Leaves You Smelling Fresh | |
4 | D.R. Harris & Co Arlington Stick Deodorant | ![]() | A Long-Lasting Cream Formula With a Classic Citrus Fragrance | |
5 | Dove Men+Care Clean Comfort Antiperspirant Deodorant | ![]() | A Moisturising Spray That’ll Keep You Sweat-Free for Two Days | |
6 | MALIN+GOETZ Eucalyptus Deodorant | ![]() | A Simple Yet Effective Natural Deodorant | |
7 | Sanex pH Balance Dermo Sensitive 24h Roll-On | ![]() | Inexpensive and Designed Especially for Sensitive Skin | |
8 | Procoal Activated Charcoal | ![]() | A Plastic-Free Balm That’s Kind to Both Your Skin and the Environment | |
9 | Molton Brown Mens Re-charge Black Pepper Deodorant | ![]() | Luxuriously-Scented, With Notes of Coriander, Black Pepper and Vetiver | |
10 | Sure Men Sport Cool Antiperspirant Deodorant | ![]() | A Budget-Friendly Option That Promises 48-Hour Protection |
This is certainly not the fanciest or most deluxe option on the list. But what it is, by far, is the hardest working. It easily boasts the best record of covering up that BO consistently. When you think you could buy 12x the amount of this as some of the more pricey options on the list, for LESS price, them pits of yours are going to be smelling fresh for a lot longer.
You're going to get reliable protection with a fresh and revitalising extra fresh scent, it also comes with Dove's famous ¼ moisturising technology so you're not going to get harmful or irritating pits. We think it's the best all-arounder there is, which is why it's made the top of our list.
Mancave deodorant is free from pretty much everything. It's completely environmentally and cruelty conscious. Its use of acai fruit oil, a natural anti-bacterial, helps it prevent odour. Then combines this with a fantastic blend of eucalyptus, tea tree oil, witch hazel and chamomile to leave you smelling truly luscious.
For those who have sensitive skin, for those who want to be more cruelty accountable, or just for those who want to stay dry naturally, this is one of the best products on the market today.
Bulldog Original Deodorant is a firm fan-favourite of pretty much anyone who comes across it. It's easy to apply and has none of the hiccups usually associated with roll-ons, so no sticky residue! It will keep your pits feeling fresh, comfortable, and pleasantly moisturised.
This product is completely aluminium- and alcohol-free, so has no hidden nasties. Just apply and you'll feel crisp and clean all day, with ingredients like citrus lemons and key lime to leave you smelling great whilst fighting away that bad bacteria.
This product is about as classic as they come, produced by one of London's oldest men's perfumers. They've treated us to their signature Arlington scent in a compact stick deodorant. The ingredients list contains bacteriostat, which is known for eliminating the nasty bacterias which produce body odour.
The Arlington deodorant manages to completely knock-out any ornery odours without the use of antiperspirant qualities which make it perfect for the man who wants to let his body do its natural thing while still smelling great.
Got sensitive skin? Committed to using a spray? We've got you covered. This antiperspirant from Dove comes with new ¼ Moisturiser Technology, so although it's a spray it protects users with sensitive skin from the normal irritations that can occur. It comes with a crisp, clean fragrance that can be easily topped up throughout the day.
Coming in at under £2 for 250 ml it's fair to say this is an absolute bargain when compared to other products on the market, just be careful not to apply too close to the skin to avoid the sticky white residue!
This Malin+Goetz product has a cult-like fan base. People just seem to love it, and we get it – it has a sophisticated, fresh, gender-neutral scent that is applied clear leaving you with no fears over those dreaded marks.
It also has excellent antiperspirant worth due to its use of eucalyptus and citronellyl. This is a truly top-class product, but unfortunately, that also brings with it a top-class price tag, so although it may be suitable for your pits, it might not be for your wallet.
This product from Sanex is a two-in-one antiperspirant and deodorant. It stops the sweat from making an appearance then banishes odour through biological action. It's easily applied in a roll-on fashion and claims to keep you dry for 24 hours.
It has been specially formulated for people with sensitive skin and gives great care to delicate skin. It also works to restore your skin's natural PH and contains lactoserum to enrich the underarm skin while minimising irritation. On the other hand, some people found the product a little wet when applied, but it doesn't wear off quickly!
This fresh subtle lavender scent is for those of you out there that have the environment on the mind. It's a natural deodorant that's not only 100% alcohol and aluminium free, but also completely cruelty- and plastic-free too! With this, you'll have a completely clean conscience to go with your new-found confidence.
It is worth noting, however, that this is a cream, and therefore it has been known to leave grey marks on users' clothes (due to the activated charcoal) after they have been wearing it for a while.
This deodorant is going to have you feeling like a million dollars. Using their iconic scent, with notes of coriander, black pepper and vetiver it gives you a truly luxurious smell. It's also vegan-friendly, as well as paraben-free.
But, coming in at over £20, you're going to have to think twice before re-applying! Which you may have to do anyway, as it's not a smell that is known for sticking around very long.
This is a deodorant for the budget-conscious buyer that's always in the gym. Using Motionsense technology this deodorant works when you do. It promises 48-hour protection in keeping your pits dry, plus it's alcohol-free!
However, it's not a deodorant for the faint of heart, with reviews saying it has a strong smell and a thick cloud when sprayed, so be careful not to use it in tight spaces.
It is safe to use deodorant every day. One application a day is fine as many are effective for at least 24 hours, but if you sweat more you may need to reapply especially if it doesn't contain anti-perspirant.
Deodorant works best on clean skin, so you can put it on after a shower or bath. However, applying it on damp skin might not give the best results, so you should towel off and allow your skin completely dry before using the deodorant.
Written and researched by Lewis Clark
No. 1: Dove|Extra Fresh Antiperspirant Deodorant
No. 2: Mancave|Eucalyptus Deodorant
No. 3: Bulldog|Original Natural Deodorant
No. 4: D.R. Harris & Co|Arlington Stick Deodorant
No. 5: Dove|Men+Care Clean Comfort Antiperspirant Deodorant
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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