15 Best Deodorant for Men 2025, According to Dermatologists

This antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory mineral safely and effectively kills bacteria without irritating skin, says Mian.

Dr. Mian also endorses the non-irritating magnesium hydroxide, a naturally occurring compound that neutralizes bacteria without absorbing into the skin.

“The terpenes in tea tree oil make this ingredient naturally antibacterial and antifungal, helping to reduce body odor,” Turner says. “In its pure, concentrated form, it can be very irritating. It’s best to use a product that’s formulated with tea tree oil at low percentages. It’s still effective when diluted, and a little bit goes a very long way.”

This one is controversial to some. Most skin types will tolerate baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) just fine, but only trust reputable, well-reviewed brands who use it. “Baking soda has a very alkaline pH level, while that of the skin is more acidic,” explains Turner. “This disrupts the skin’s natural barrier, harming the good bacteria in our microbiome, and leaving our skin more susceptible to irritation and inflammation.” (We’ve included a few deodorants with baking soda below, plus many natural picks that explicitly exclude it.)

It’s easy to get these two confused, but they share a principle. “Prebiotics feed the good bacteria on our skin (bacteria that does not break down sweat releasing a foils odor), which then overpopulates those odor-producing bacteria,” explains Mian. “Probiotics are the good bacteria that will ideally populate the skin and overtake odor causing bacteria.” The names of these might be strange to you, like lactobacillus acidophilus or saccharomyces ferment. Chances are, a brand will proudly tout their pre- and probiotics, so look for that indication instead.

“These chemical exfoliating ingredients help resurface the skin, which also strips away bacteria as well as removes the dead skin that bacteria break down, which causes body odor,” says Turner. And Dr. Rogers echoes the love: “Using acids to exfoliate the skin in our armpits helps rebuild the acidic mantle [which is compromised with age], leading to better control of bacterial growth and odor. Many acids work great; glycolic, lactic acid and mandelic acid are my favorites. Salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid, has a higher chance of irritation.”

“This non-irritating starch won’t clog sweat ducts like aluminum which can cause breakouts,” notes Mian. (It’s terrific in anti-chafe products for the same reason.)

“Like tapioca starch, corn starch pulls moisture from the skin to leave a powdery feeling behind. Unless you have an allergy to these specific plants, they are safer to use,” says Turner. This includes arrowroot powder, too.

Both docs tout arrowroot powder, another starch, as a non-irritating favorite for natural-based moisture absorption.

“Activated charcoal can help to absorb sweat and help to neutralize odors,” says Turner.

You knew this one would be on the list. Anything labeled “antiperspirant” will use one of many aluminum compounds to effectively plug up the sweat ducts, thus preventing moisture accumulation on the skin. “Obviously, deodorant isn’t inherently antiperspirant, but the opposite can largely be true,” Mian says. For some, it’s a necessary way to stay comfortable, even if there is controversy around the use of aluminum. “There has been a concern about the absorption of aluminum through the skin and its potential link to health issues, including Alzheimer’s disease and breast cancer. The evidence on this is inconclusive, and FDA have not found sufficient evidence to support these claims,” Rogers explains. And don’t get too in the weeds regarding the type of aluminum in your antiperspirant: Chances are, the one they’ve chosen aligns to the mode of delivery (stick, roll-on, aerosol, etc), and addresses the intensity of the task at hand (clinical-grade, longevity of protection, sensitivities, etc).

While it’s easy and obvious to celebrate a fully natural recipe, keep in mind that not all natural formulas are inherently good for your skin. Some natural ingredients, like baking soda and tea tree oil, might disagree with lots of sensitive skinned individuals. “What’s most important is to consider the manufacturer of the products—are they reputable? Do they perform extensive testing? What are the ingredients used and from where are they sourced?” says Turner. Use this for both natural and non-natural options, with a fair consideration of both. Look, there’s a reason dermatologists love Dove, as a non-natural example: It may be synthetic, but the brand has the muscle to safely formulate, test, and manufacture in mass quantities, which also brings their consumer prices down significantly compared to the more niche and natural options. Ditto for a large-scale natural-forward brand like Native.

If your skin is finicky, then you need to consider ingredients that mitigate moisture and bacteria without any compromise to your comfort. Avoid baking soda, tea tree oil, and acids, for example. You’ll also want to look for gentler antiperspirants, if that’s a product you’d prefer to use. Of all the aluminum compounds, try to prioritize aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex glycine, says Rogers. It should be effective against sweat and much gentler on skin compared to other aluminums.

Some people just can’t live with their sweat—especially folks with hyperhidrosis, or clinical-grade sweating. These people will rightfully want to cut to the fastest and most effective solution. We won’t judge you for choosing an aluminum-based antiperspirant. And while we need not remind you of its potential risks, we also say this: Use your god-given right to make an educated decision. If tests remain inconclusive about these risks, but usage is proven to change your happiness every day, well…maybe it’s worth the risk.

You can choose from solids, sprays, roll-ons, and even deodorant pastes. Not all can board a flight (aerosol sprays are often tossed at TSA, even if they’re under 3.4 fl. oz.), and you also need to consider your own preferred delivery method. We think you should reconsider pastes, in particular, which takes some getting used to (since you rub it in with your finger tips), but just use a product that works with your tastes and lifestyle.