These Dermatologist-Recommended Deodorants Are Gentle Enough for Sensitive Skin

Armpits aren’t the only place that may need a little odor prevention. This deodorant is for “pits, privates, and beyond,” according to the company's branding. Lume deodorant started as a product to counter vaginal odor and was created by an ob-gyn.

Our pick is the unscented solid stick, but if you prefer a scent, Lume has many scents, including lavender sage, minted cucumber, and toasted coconut. Many like the ease and precision of the solid cream stick, but the whole-body formula is also available in a spray and a cream tube (like a lotion — more on this below). The company lists the ingredients in the most popular products on its website.

This natural deodorant is quick drying and long-lasting. Plus, it comes in an easy-to-apply roll-on that doesn’t leave behind residue.

It’s a roll-on that contains vegetable glycerin, aloe vera, and moisturizing ingredients like olive and apricot oil. Its fresh scent comes from lavender and rosemary essential oils, not lab-made fragrances.

Bonus: Many reviewers find that this deodorant, while not an antiperspirant, helps control wetness, too.

If you’re not a fan of the white cast that some deodorants leave behind, you may prefer a gel formula. This hypoallergenic gel deodorant from Vanicream is free of aluminum, lanolin, and fragrance. It’s a deodorant only, so it prevents odor, but it won’t stop sweat.

“I like the simple ingredient list and that it’s non-irritating,” says writer Jessica Migala. “Once dry, I liked how it felt good on my skin.”

“The aluminum-based active ingredients in antiperspirants, especially in higher-strength formulations, can sometimes cause skin irritation,” says Dr. McTighe. Vanicream Deodorant is made from just five ingredients and is considered hypoallergenic, so it’s unlikely to cause an allergic reaction.

If you’re familiar with Drunk Elephant, you’ll know it as a high-end skin-care brand with candy-colored packaging. But it turns out that the company has deodorant, too.

This product is similar in texture to a lotion. The package has four small holes where the deodorant squeezes out, so it can be easy to accidentally apply too much your first few times — and you don’t need a lot. In addition, the plastic packaging is recyclable, as is the entire container, so there’s no need to disassemble it.

Jack Black’s Black Reserve Pit Boss Antiperspirant & Deodorant is a premium body-care product featuring a sophisticated scent of cardamom and cedarwood. We love this product because its gentle ingredients are meant to help you avoid irritation, and it’s made with natural ingredients — like aloe vera, hydrogenated castor oil, and vitamin E — that will help to soothe easily irritated skin.

This is an easy-on, roll-on deodorant that gives full coverage with two or three quick swipes. It does go on slightly wet, so it’s a good idea to give it a short time to dry before dressing for the day. This is both a deodorant and antiperspirant, so it helps control odor while managing sweat.

During testing, we noticed that it goes on smoothly and feels very moisturizing. It doesn’t leave residue on skin or clothes, either. “It also smells amazing right away,” says writer Katie Mannion. “Of all the deodorants I tested, this one worked the best. It kept me pretty dry even after working up a sweat, plus the scent lasted all day.”

There's no need to worry about stains and marks left behind on clothing with Clinique’s Antiperspirant-Deodorant Roll-On. This product rolls on easily and dries quickly, so you can get dressed and get on your way. It’s both an antiperspirant and a deodorant, so it manages both sweat and odor, and it’s considered a high-strength deodorant providing all-day protection.

We love this deodorant because it’s made without synthetic fragrances and colors, parabens, sulfates, and oils that can be hard on sensitive skin.

“It's 100% clear, both in the container and after application,” says Mannion. “There's absolutely zero residue on your skin or clothing. In fact, after letting it dry, I wouldn't even know I was wearing it.”

Deodorant shouldn’t break the bank, and this hardworking antiperspirant costs less than many of the products on this list. It’s a clinical-strength formula, meaning it contains a high level of its active ingredient.

“It works very well to prevent sweating and is also meant to avoid irritation,” says Carina M. Woodruff, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Dallas and Rockwall, Texas.

Because this formula is highly concentrated and contains 15 percent aluminum chloride, a little goes a long way, which means you get even more bang for your buck. One swipe in each armpit should be plenty. As a clinical-strength antiperspirant, it does contain a higher level of aluminum chloride, which could be irritating for those who are sensitive to the ingredient. On the other hand, it contains moisturizing and soothing ingredients like aloe leaf juice, glycerin, and more.

Some people prefer the ease of spray deodorant. This one from Dove offers 72-hour protection and is made with ingredients that help soften your underarms. It dries almost immediately with no residue, and it’s easy to apply: Just shake and spray 6 inches (in) from your armpits. It doesn’t contain baking soda or alcohol.

“I used it daily and before working out. It helped reduce odor during my runs, where I typically sweat a lot,” says writer Melissa Mitri. “I have sensitive/dry skin; however, I didn’t experience any sort of negative reaction from wearing it.”

“This prescription-strength antiperspirant is super-moisturizing,” says Soza. The term prescription-strength doesn’t mean that you need a prescription to get it; rather, it means the product is as strong as certain prescription antiperspirants.

Soza recommends applying the cream before you go to sleep for the best results (more about that later). “If you want or need to, you can reapply in the morning or apply a deodorant of your choice,” she says.

As with most antiperspirants, this option contains aluminum, which helps block pores and prevent sweating. Deodorants typically don’t contain aluminum, since their focus is odor prevention, not preventing sweat. This product doesn’t contain baking soda, which is also common with antiperspirants.

“It goes on dry and smooth and feels incredibly moisturizing,” says Mannion. “It goes on fairly clear and I haven't noticed any residue on my skin or clothes.”

This antiperspirant and deodorant is our pick for men because of its long-lasting odor control and strong sweat protection. It’s available as a roll-on or a gel creamstick that doesn’t leave a white residue.

Note that this antiperspirant is unscented but not fragrance-free. What’s the difference? Unscented products have no noticeable scent, but they may still contain fragrances or chemicals that mask odors. Fragrance-free products have no added synthetic fragrance (often listed on ingredient lists as parfum), though they may sometimes contain essential oils (also called natural or non-synthetic fragrance).

Instead of a stick, spray, or roll-on, AKT’s Deodorant Balm is a cream formula that you apply with your fingers. You’ll need only a pea-sized amount. It can be used on your armpits but also anywhere else you may need odor protection, like your chest or face. The balm dries to an invisible powder finish.

This deodorant contains moisturizing ingredients that hydrate skin, like shea butter and sunflower seed oil. The chic packaging is plastic-free and recyclable. (It’s packed in an aluminum tube.)

AKT Deodorant Balm SC.00 has no fragrance, but some people with sensitive skin still may prefer scented deodorant. AKT delivers a luxe blend of scents in its other offerings, including SC.02 - After Thunder (cedar, eucalyptus, and orange) and SC.05 - Columbia Road (amber, violet, and tonka, which has a spicy vanilla scent)

Do you like your deodorant to double as a subtle perfume? If so, this sensitive-skin deodorant, made without aluminum and baking soda, will be your go-to. (The brand has an extra strength version of this product that does contain baking soda.) This deodorant is available in five earthy scents that smell.

The gel formula glides on smoothly and dries instantly, leaving no residue, even if you put on a black shirt right after applying. I have sensitive skin, and this is my favorite deodorant. My husband has also started “borrowing” it.

Many of the deodorants and antiperspirants on this list are great for women. But this deodorant gets our seal of approval because it truly goes on totally clear without any chalkiness, so you don’t have to worry about any white marks on darker tops.

“Before discovering Kopari, I tried all kinds of natural deodorant, only to find myself stinky and disappointed,” says writer and editor Olivia Campbell. “This is one of the first natural deodorants that actually works for me. One of my favorite features is the texture: Kopari glides on really smoothly compared to other natural stick deodorants.” Campbell found this deodorant both effective and nonirritating, noting that the fragrance isn’t overwhelming.

This gender-neutral option is available unscented or in several kid-appropriate scents derived from natural fragrances, such as honeydew, orange, and vanilla spice. It doesn’t contain baking soda, propylene glycol, or synthetic fragrance. It glides on clear and won’t stain clothes. Safe for sensitive skin, the formula includes moisturizing ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and avocado oil.

The words clinical strength on antiperspirants mean that the product contains higher concentrations of active ingredients than most regular-strength over-the-counter antiperspirants. This option from Secret (one of the most recognizable brands in deodorant) delivers while still being kind to sensitive skin. It’s designed to fight three distinct types of sweat caused by stress, heat, and activity. It’s available in several scents, and it goes on without any chalky residue.

“It performed well in terms of odor-prevention and dryness,” says Campbell. “Protection lasted a decent amount of time, even through stress-sweat situations.” While Campbell didn’t quite reach the 100-hour point, she says it lasted over 24 hours without the need for reapplication.

If you’re looking for a sensitive-skin deodorant that can withstand a long run or a hot yoga class, this solid is for you. The moisturizing formula helps prevent friction whether you’re lifting, running, boxing, or rowing.

Both an antiperspirant and a deodorant, this product fights sweat and odor. This option is unscented, though scents like powder fresh and shower fresh are available. It's affordable, and the simple ingredient list makes it a good option for people with sensitive skin.

However, while it’s clear on skin, some reviewers note that it stained clothes. So it helps to give it a minute to dry before throwing on your workout clothes.

Refillable deodorant is a great way to reduce plastic use while still having a deodorant stick that feels solid and sturdy. Wild is a popular brand in the United Kingdom, and it has now debuted in the United States.

You choose the color or print on your case. (Cases are available on Amazon, but the brand’s website offers amore pattern and color choices.) When you subscribe, refills ship every 4, 8, 10, 12, or 14 weeks for 20 percent off. Plus, subscriptions include three refills, which saves you money on shipping. Refills are packaged in cardboard and are recyclable.

You can choose from sensitive-skin refill options (which are made without baking soda), or classic, which has more scent options. Sometimes, limited-edition seasonal scents are also available.

A video on the website shows you how to refill your deodorant. It’s easy once you get the hang of it; basically, the bottom pulls out and you pop in the refill. We found the deodorant case to be sturdy and pretty enough to leave out on a vanity, and it was very easy to insert the refill.

You may expect to pay more for a refillable product (because you can use it, well, forever), but this one is available at a great price; a similar refillable deodorant from Bite retails for $44.