7 best deodorants for women that actually work, tested by a beauty expert

Your questions answered on women’s deodorants

What is the best deodorant for women?

Balancing effectiveness, comfort and a refreshing scent, Vichy’s 48-hour intensive treatment is the best women’s deodorant following my tests. It does a great job at eliminating body odour and minimising moisture from sweat. For something cheaper, the best budget deodorant is Nivea’s black & white invisible clear, which was a close second. It has a long-lasting fragrance and a lightweight feel. Lastly, if you’d prefer an aluminium-free deodorant or you’re all about clean beauty, Fussy’s balm roll-on was my top pick of the natural options, with strong day-to-day odour control and eco-friendly refillable packaging.

How I selected the best deodorants

As outlined already, I put more than 10 different deodorants to the test, and only those that passed my tests made the cut. I tested during the warmest months of the year (from May until September) to get a good idea of how the formulas would fare in hot conditions. I also wore each one to the gym and to hot yoga classes, as well as on my morning commute, to make sure I’d checked performance. When selecting the best deodorants, though, I considered the following:

• Packaging: I assessed whether the quantity was stingy or not, plus how easy the dispenser was to function without causing leakages when on the move.
• Texture and feel: No one wants their roll-on to feel akin to sandpaper when you’re applying it, so I sought out lightweight formulas that were easy to glide onto the skin.
• Scent: I recorded how long each scent lasted through the day, as well as any particularly pleasant ones or ones that didn’t effectively mask the smell of body odour.
• Performance: Key performance criteria included how long and to what extent the deodorant would last – for example, whether it was better for day-to-day use versus in a gym class – and, if an anti-perspirant formula (more on the difference between the two further down), if it actually stopped sweat production.

Why you can trust IndyBest reviews

As IndyBest’s beauty writer, Lucy Smith has been covering things like the best women’s perfumes, the best hypochlorous acid sprays and more for The Independent since July 2024. She’s garnered quite the skin and body care knowledge after speaking to a variety of dermatologists and GPs – like Dr Cherry Armstrong and Dr Ahmed El Muntasar – and, personally, suffers from excess sweating as a common side effect of the medication she takes. Together, these components put her in good standing to review the best deodorants, not to mention the fact that she did so through the height of summer, including some heatwave highs of 25C.

What’s the difference between deodorant and anti-perspirant?

Speaking to The Independent, NHS GP and This Morning guest doctor Dr Raj Arora broke down the key differences between the products. Deodorant “works to control odour,” says Dr Arora, “It does this by neutralising the bacteria that cause smell, often adding a fragrance to keep you feeling fresh, too. However, it does not reduce or stop sweating.” In comparison, “anti-perspirant goes a step further by temporarily blocking sweat glands with aluminium compounds, which reduces perspiration itself. By tackling the sweat, it also reduces and helps to control the odour associated with it.”

Is it better to use aluminium-free deodorant?

Dr Arora argues there are benefits to both aluminium and aluminium-free deodorants. “Aluminium compounds reduce perspiration by temporarily blocking the sweat glands,” and recommend them “for people with excessive sweating (known as hyperhidrosis)”.

“There has been a lot of media speculation over the years linking aluminium-based deodorants with health concerns such as Alzheimer’s and breast cancer.” While assuring me that there is “no conclusive scientific evidence to support this”, she cautions that aluminium-free deodorants can be “a good choice for people who feel anxious about the speculation”. She also notes that aluminium-free deodorants “often use more natural ingredients, which can be gentler on sensitive skin and may cause less irritation”.

Ultimately, though, “aluminium-free deodorants are less effective at reducing perspiration. While they can help neutralise odour, they don’t block sweat glands, meaning sweating still occurs.”

Do pregnant women need a different deodorant?

In short, no, but it comes down to personal preference. Dr Arora says that “some women prefer to switch to aluminium-free or natural deodorants because their skin can become more sensitive and they want to avoid products with harsher chemicals.” But, she adds, “there is no evidence to suggest that aluminium-based deodorants are harmful during pregnancy.”

How to manage strong-smelling armpits

There are several steps you can take to minimise unpleasant underarm odours, according to Dr Arora:

• Maintaining regular hygiene: “Washing with soap and water is key to reducing the bacteria that cause odour, especially in high-sweat areas like the armpits, groin, and feet.”
• Clothing choices: “Breathable fabrics such as cotton and linen allow airflow and reduce sweating,” she remarks, highlighting the benefits of these textiles over synthetic ones.
• Diet: Echoing the NHS advice above, Dr Arora affirms that “strong spices and alcohol are known to intensify body odour, so cutting back can help.”
• Applying antiperspirant in the evening: As much as using deodorant before bed might sound strange, Dr Arora assures that “this allows the active ingredients to work overnight, reducing sweat production the following day.”

After more tested beauty products? These are the 12 best teeth whitening kits from strips and gels, to powders and pens