10 Best Deodorants For Smelly Armpits

It is amazing how such a small region of our body can bring us such immense feelings of embarrassment and shame. The armpit and its associated stench can stop many from going out and living to the fullest, for fear of what others around us may be thinking of us.

And it can seem extra frustrating when you know you are doing all you can with personal hygiene, but the sweat just can't be overcome.

We would love to help change all that for you, though of course, we believe there is no shame in natural body functions like sweating.

With the right deodorant formulated just for people with smelly armpits and similar issues, you will be able to greet the world with wide open arms, 'pits bared, knowing you have nothing to be concerned about but maximizing your joy at the moment. Here’s our pick of the 10 best deodorants for smelly armpits worth trying out.

The Anti Perspiration Fallacy

If you've come this far on your journey of dealing with sweaty armpits you are probably sick of products that claim to provide clinical protection but constantly let you down.

Whether they don't work from the start or stop working eventually, one of the biggest hidden problems in the battle of the stench is the widespread and reflexive use of antiperspirant products.

So what exactly is the issue with antiperspirants? Adaptation and Homeostasis.

Your body uses sweat as a means to manage the physiological homeostasis of your body, preferring to keep you in a specific balance of temperature and chemicals, using sweat to cool and release toxic build-up.

Antiperspirants use aluminum to physically obstruct the skin's pores, stopping sweat from being released in the first place. Your body, however, wanted that sweat released.

There are thus two common reactions from the body from prolonged antiperspirant use. Either your body will increase sweat elsewhere in your body where you don't use the product, such as your back, neck and face, or it will amp up its sweat production in your armpits to overcome the aluminum blockage, and get the required sweat out of your body.

Thus you may experience that the product is not working, or stops working with time, leaving you potentially sweatier than before, especially if you miss a dose.

Deodorant: Your New Best Friend

Deodorants work on a different philosophy, specifically, that sweat is adaptive and functional and thus should be worked with rather than against.

So rather than trying to battle sweat levels, Deodorant looks to change the scent profile of your sweat, by working with the bacteria balance in your armpits to make the environment unsuitable for odor-causing microbes, cleaning out sweat and blockages, and depositing new fresh aromas onto the skin.

This way you can sweat naturally, but smell fantastic rather than offensive. Once you stop trying to keep your sweat blocked away you should notice a gradual reduction in sweat, naturally.

This is often referred to as the three-week detox period, which is recommended to keep in mind when switching from an antiperspirant to a deodorant. Your body needs time to rebalance and stop overcompensating, so you may find that during this transitional period, things get worse before they get better.

But the change is possible and within reach! Now let's get to the practical portion of this read; our best recommendations of deodorants for those with sweaty armpits.

Best Deodorants for Smelly Armpits

Deodorants are a product that tends to be marketed in a heavily gendered way. Because of this, we have tried to provide a balance of more masculine and feminine options, including some that are neutral enough to be an appropriate choice for any gender.

1. Blu Atlas - Coconut and Apricot Deodorant

Blu Atlas - Coconut and Apricot Deodorant

Gender: Men and Women, Male-oriented Brand

Number one on our list of the best deodorants for smelly armpits is the indomitable Coconut and Apricot Deodorant from Blu Atlas.

This powerful formula brings together clinical efficacy, science and an over 96% naturally derived ingredient set for the best and healthiest you. It rolls on smoothly, dries quickly, and has an absolute powerhouse of ingredients to keep your stench at bay.

Odor-Battling Ingredients

So let's get to talking about ingredients then.

First, we reach into the fiery remains of one of the most powerful forces of nature - Volcanic ash. Volcanic ash, also known as bentonite clay, has been popular for skin care recently, especially as a facemask for oily and acne-prone skin.

Volcanic ash is thus perfectly suited to the oily and volatile environment of the armpit - sucking up all those nasty oils and impurities while also having microbial-fighting properties. Everything bad is absorbed into this potent clay.

Volcanic ash is also highly soothing to the skin's surface, which often has inflammation from excess sweat, products that dry out the skin completely, or shaving abrasions. Horsetail extract and bamboo stem extract also join in to calm the skin.

Bamboo itself has powerful antimicrobial properties, ensuring in the long-term that no odor-causing bacteria can thrive in that sweaty underarm environment.

Aloe Vera Juice also has soothing and microbe-fighting properties, paired with the hypnotizing and cleansing leaf extract of sage.

Sweats Nervously

Despite all of these powerful ingredients, we know that some of you will be feeling nervous about relying on deodorant to keep your smelly armpits at bay. That’s why we love that this deodorant has a gentle enough scent to be paired with your favorite perfume or cologne.

If you like a deep masculine scent, that could be a pairing with the Blu Atlas ATLANTIS Eau De Parfum. Keep in mind there is a fragrance-free variant of this deodorant too.

And for all those nervous about trying out a deodorant-based odor care routine- we love that Blu Atlas offers a money-back guarantee, so you can try this deodorant without stress. It’s just that good.

2. Aesop - Deodorant Roll-On

Aesop - Deodorant Roll-On

Gender: Men and Women, Women-Oriented Brand

Second, on our list of best deodorants for smelly armpits, is the Deodorant Roll-On by Aesop. Aesop is a high-quality clinical brand known for its elegant formulas with delicious scents.

This one is no exception on the aromatic front, with a deep, warm earthy scent starting with vetiver root and rounded off by more herbal aromatics.

Odor-Battling Ingredients

Two interesting and unique ingredients kick off this aroma wonder.

First up is Wasabia Japonica, better known as wasabi, or that spicy green paste that you might find in a packet of sushi.

What does wasabi do for battling the odor though, you might be wondering. We might ask, what doesn’t this powerhouse ingredient do? First up, wasabi has that all-important microbe-fighting property for rebalancing the biome of your armpit.

In addition, it is simply packed with a bunch of beneficial compounds - vitamin C, one of nature's most powerful antioxidants for fighting off damage, and phytochemicals, potassium and calcium. These will keep your skin balanced and protected in the longer term.

The other great ingredient is zinc ricinoleate. Ricinoleate is a purified fatty acid, but the zinc salt derived from it is known to be effective as an odor and moisture-absorbing chemical, lapping up all that excess sweat and odor particles.

Zinc also has a gentle sweat-reducing property, but not in the highly clogging manner of aluminum.

Sugar, Spice and Everthing Nice

This cocktail deodorant from Aesop is the encapsulation of the old adage- sugar, spice and everything nice. From the sweet and herbal scent notes, to the spicy wasabi, and all those nice odor-fighting compounds, this is a deodorant that checks all the boxes for battling those odorous armpits.

3. Menscience Androceuticals - Advanced Deodorant Fragrance-Free

Menscience Androceuticals - Advanced Deodorant Fragrance-Free

Gender: Men

If you are looking for a clinical formula, specially designed for men, and with no fragrance, weird staining or oily residue, this is the new deodorant for you.

Number three on our list of best deodorants for sweaty armpits comes from Menscience Androceuticals, the author of the popular men’s health magazine, Menscience. This is a no-fuss, to-the-point deodorant, for even the sweatiest of pits.

Odor-Battling Ingredients

We love the highly unique products in this blend, a great choice to give a go if other deodorants haven’t worked for you in the past.

As with zinc, microzeolites have the power to absorb bad odors and moisture, as tiny minerals that look like honeycomb under the microscope. This is fantastic even in the early stages of transitioning from an antiperspirant.

Next up is glycerin, which provides a great makeover to the skin, increasing its resilience, softness and elasticity. It is highly moisturizing while also absorbing excess moisture.

Aloe vera is another moisturizing and softening agent that also has little-known antimicrobial properties. This is paired with antioxidants for total protection of the skin against damage.

Finally, we will mention a trio of botanic herbs that make an appearance in this deodorant formula: witch hazel, green tea extract and allantoin. Together these provide soothing, antioxidant and cooling for that tender and volatile underarm skin.

Clinical Care

Menscience Androceuticals is dedicated to high-performance, professional grade and cutting-edge products for men that truly deliver results. They promise free shipping in the US and a 100% money-back guarantee, for a painless journey into the deodorant market.

4. Necessaire - The Deodorant Gel Eucalyptus

Necessaire - The Deodorant Gel Eucalyptus

Gender: Women

When it comes to deodorants for women, this is one that dreams are made of. This highly-rated triple-action formula from Necessaire treats skin bumps, odor and hyperpigmentation all in one.

Not only that but this gel formula is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, it dries clear, has a non-sticky texture and contains none of the nasties. That is, this deodorant contains no irritating baking soda, aluminum, parabens, PEGS or synthetic fragrances.

Odor-Battling Ingredients

The four key ingredients in this blend are 5% AHA, vitamin B3, vitamin B5 and chamomile extract. We are also fans of the inclusion of witch hazel water, citric acid and glycerin.

AHAs have been taking the skin world by storm. They are particularly excellent in the fight against smelly armpits as they lower the skin’s PH, which makes the environment inhospitable for odor-producing bacteria. They are also good for preventing razor damage.

Vitamin B3, also known as nicotinamide, is great for skin health, building up proteins and barriers, and improving dry and aging skin textures. Vitamin B5, also known as pantothenic acid is a great hydrator for skin, along with healing and anti-inflammatory actions.

Chamomile is a gorgeous flower, which as an extract is a wonderful skin soother, especially for skin conditions like hyperpigmentation and acne. Witch hazel water keeps you dry and clean, whilst citric acid kills odor and bacteria in one fell swoop.

Necessary - for you and the planet

We love a good clinical product that cares not only for your health and body but the health of our planet.

In line with this, Necessaire underwent a B Corporation Certification, with a social impact score of 98.4 - the required score for certification is 80%, with ordinary businesses scoring on average, 50.9. Impressive!

5. Malin+Goetz - Eucalyptus Deodorant

Malin+Goetz - Eucalyptus Deodorant

Gender: Men, neutral

Number five on our list of best deodorants for smelly armpits is the number one bestseller from MALIN+GOETZ - a product that has firmly stayed the number one seller for a decade.

We love that although this product is designed for men, it is neutral and versatile enough to really be used by any gender. The refreshing and cooling scent of eucalyptus is great for nature lovers and those under high stress.

Odor-Battling Ingredients

Our two favorite ingredients in this refreshing and cooling blend are citronella and eucalyptus.

Citronella is an excellent choice for deodorant for two reasons. First, citronella performs that vital antibacterial function for attacking those pesky odor-producing bacteria in your armpits. Second, its powerful aroma is great for overtaking a sweaty smell and is also invigorating to energize your mood.

Eucalyptus oil comes from trees that can grow to impressive heights. It is great for rejuvenating and healing dull and troubled skin textures, cleaning out clogged pores and adding some light moisture to the skin.

We love that the sharp scents mentioned so far are complemented with a citrusy trifecta of lemon fruit extract, orange fruit extract and cleaning,bacteria-killing citric acid.

Love it Once, Love it Forever

The eucalyptus deodorant from MALIN+GOETZ can be classified as a cult favorite. It has stayed as number one in their range because this is the type of product that works so well that you’ll be converted for the next ten years too.

6. Corpus Naturals Santalum Natural Deodorant

Corpus Naturals Santalum Natural Deodorant

Gender: Women, Neutral

Again, gone are the days of putting up with sticky, oily natural deodorants that are, frankly, unusable. The Santalum Natural Deodorant from Corpus is a smooth, water-based formula that has a divine aroma and fulfills all of your wants for a natural product.

On those natural notes, this formula has no aluminum, parabens, phthalates, talc, baking soda or synthetic ingredients. It is also vegan, cruelty-free and contains several organic ingredients.

Odor-Battling Ingredients

Let’s first spend some time talking about this intoxicating and alluring scent profile. If you are a fan of deep exotic musks and warm tones, this is the blend for you. This scent arises from the blend of sandalwood, sandalwood root, Texas cedarwood and amber.

Together these will have you pining for the fall. Beneficial enzymes and plant extracts, naturally derived, drive this odor-busting formula.

One of the enzymes is saccharomyces ferment filtrate is made by fermenting vegetables. This helps neutralize odor and odor-causing bacteria and is packed with nutrition for the skin, including vitamins, beta-glucans and amino acids.

Tapioca starch is great at absorbing excess oils and depositing a slightly matte appearance on the skin. Citric acid makes another appearance in this product too.

Rethinking Natural

Corpus is motivated by rethinking natural products. Class, elegance, simplicity and efficacy are all considered when creating their products. It doesn't look cheap, doesn't feel oily, and yet is driven almost entirely by natural ingredients. We love the gender neutrality of the scent, too.

7. Dr. Squatch - Fresh Falls Natural Deodorant

Dr. Squatch - Fresh Falls Natural Deodorant

Gender: Men

If you are a fan of fresh clean scents with notes of citrus, this could be the deodorant for you. Fresh Falls Deodorant by Dr. Squatch has made it to number seven on our list of best deodorants for smelly armpits.

We love the Dr. Squatch philosophy of rethinking the natural product scene with practicality and little fun. These are designed for men, especially the outdoorsy and adventurous man, and they include a wide range of fragrances, from the forest to the top-shelf liquor cabinet.

Odor-Battling Ingredients

The Odor Squatchin’ System, trademarked by Dr. Squatch, uses no harsh chemicals or aluminum, instead spearheading its formula with a powerful natural trifecta of charcoal, arrowroot and probiotics.

Let's start with the power of charcoal, a well-known detoxifier and moisture absorber. Charcoal is an excellent cleansing agent, having been used for laundry in remote villages for centuries before soap. Charcoal is great for deodorant as it quickly absorbs odor particles.

Arrowroot powder is excellent for absorbing the sweat itself, excess oils and any toxins that are sitting on the skin's surface. Probiotics encourage the growth of positive, non-odor-causing bacteria to rebalance your armpit environment.

Dr. Squatch Has Your Back

This is another natural product that is guaranteed not to miss. That is, if you don't love it, Dr. Squatch has your back and will refund your purchase. When it comes to keeping those pits dry across all your adventures, you can’t go much better than a Dr. Squatch moment.

8. ZionHealth - ClayDry Deodorant Sweet Amber

ZionHealth - ClayDry Deodorant Sweet Amber

Gender: Women

We love a warm musk designed especially for women. Add in easy accessibility and affordability, and this is a winner in our book. Number eight on our list of best deodorants for smelly armpits is the CLAYDRY Sweet Amber Deodorant from Zion Health.

This has the classic and familiar twist-top mechanism from some of the earliest aluminum-free odor-fighting alternatives and contains many beneficial plant extracts and soothing oils for those of us who manage to have both sweaty and dry, sore armpits.

Odor-Battling Ingredients

There are many ingredients we love in this highly natural blend. We will cover just five we think are super special: calcium montmorillonite clay, witch hazel, vitamin A, arnica extract and green tea extract.

Calcium montmorillonite clay is a special clay with many healing properties stemming from its 57 minerals. This clay also absorbs odor particles and nasty toxins from your skin.

This action is supported by absorption from arrowroot powder, with added antibacterial essential oils for scent and rebalancing.

Vitamin E is excellent for deeply moisturizing and soothing the most sensitive of skin, along with green ea extract which will absorb any excess moisture for optimum balance.

Finally, arnica extract is a healing plant that stimulates the circulation of your blood helping to speed up the rate of skin healing and also provides warming comfort.

Sounds O-Clay

We love the novel inclusion of the powerful ionic clay mineral. We didn't mention the nourishing oils in detail, but if this is what your skin is gasping for, note that this reparative blend includes jojoba seed oil, olive leaf extract, coconut oil, shea butter and safflower seed oil.

9. LUMIN - Natural Mineral Deodorant

LUMIN - Natural Mineral Deodorant

Gender: Men, Neutral

Sometimes excessive armpit sweating has us wishing for a day at the beach to dive into the cool refreshing arms of the ocean. Luckily for us, LUMIN has harnessed the power of deep sea minerals to bring the ocean and its healing to your armpits.

Number nine on our list of best deodorants for smelly armpits is the aesthetically pleasing and minimalist Natural Mineral Deodorant by LUMIN. Deep Sea Minerals are no longer for just high-end skincare but can work miracles on your underarms too.

Odor-Battling Ingredients

Minerals aside, there are three key ingredients driving this refreshing and gentle deodorant.

First up is Shea Butter, a moisturizing and luxurious addition that is packed with fatty acids for smooth and hydrated skin. It is also calming and soothing with anti-inflammatory action and contains vitamins for long-term skin health.

Peppermint oil is next on our list of refreshing and rejuvenating ingredients. This does the heavy lifting in battling stench with its antibacterial, antiseptic and deep cleaning properties. All of this is achieved while, counterintuitively, providing maximum soothing to irritated skin.

Finally, we have another fragrant and grounding herb - rosemary leaf extract. The actions here mirror those of peppermint, doubling up on that antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic action and also removing impurities.

A Daily Dip in the Ocean

Deodorants are part of most people's daily routine. With this in mind, LUMIN has formulated this as a gentle and long-term solution to your smelly armpits, being gentle and sensitive enough for daily use.

10. Salt & Stone - Santal Natural Deodorant

Salt & Stone - Santal Natural Deodorant

Gender: Men, Neutral

Last up on our list of ten best deodorants for smelly armpits is a powerful, high-strength formula heralding from sunny California. We feel these residents will know a little something about heat and excess odor!

Unlike the shy and sensitive scents we've covered so far, Santal by Salt & Stone is dynamic, intoxicating and unafraid to take over the room. If you're looking to roll your perfume and deodorant regime into one, this is an excellent pick.

Odor-Battling Ingredients

A little bit of the ocean vibes of the preceding deodorant have followed us here, with the inclusion of potent seaweed extracts and even the plastic comes from recycled ocean trash.

Seaweed makes for a powerful elixir for the skin, and there's not much it doesn't do. From highly moisturizing fatty acids that mimic the skin barrier, to antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, this do-it-all natural beast will soften, heal and balance your delicate and beaten-down underarm skin.

Probiotics are also used in this formula to manage the bacteria population of your armpit, working towards minimizing those odor-causing bacteria.

For silky, nourished skin in the long term, this deodorant is supported by hyaluronic acid, which smooths the skin alongside luxurious, nutrient-filled shea butter.

Sensual and Alluring

If you want a scent that oozes luxury and mystery, this is a fantastic choice. The exotic trio of amber, cedarwood accord and sandalwood engage to mesmerize the senses.

Salt & Stone designs its products for an evolving world, suspended in perpetual motion and transformation. If you are a man with a growth mindset, with your eyes on the prize, this deodorant is a real winner.

Smelly Armpits: A Final Note

We hope you feel encouraged and inspired that there are real and effective actions to be taken against your armpit aroma woes.

Many of the options in our list of the best deodorants for smelly armpits the overall health and well-being of your body and the environment too.

While we can't recommend switching to a deodorant enough, we acknowledge the struggle in finding the right product for your unique skin. We hope this list makes it easier.

If you are really concerned about your smell, we recommend checking in with your doctor and considering other sweat-inducing factors, such as the breathability of your clothing fabrics, diet, climate and more.

Don't Despair- Deodorize!