Using a deodorant for sensitive skin
When you have sensitive skin, even products that seem harmless can trigger a reaction. You might not think about the skin under your arms as being particularly delicate. Still, the ingredients most deodorants use to keep you smelling fresh all day can actually irritate your armpits, causing uncomfortable redness and itching.
That doesn’t mean you have to skip deodorant if you have sensitive skin, though. If you choose a formula free of the most common irritants in conventional deodorants, you’re much less likely to trigger a reaction. The trick is finding a gentle deodorant that’s still tough enough to control body odor.
Are you having trouble finding an effective deodorant that won’t leave you with itchy, irritated underarms? Take a look at our list of the best deodorants for sensitive skin to help you smell great without any irritation.
What makes a deodorant good for sensitive skin?
The skin under the arms is extremely thin, so it’s pretty easy to irritate. It’s also prone to bacteria growth because of the warmth and moisture. If you don’t want your deodorant to leave with red, itchy underarms, you should keep an eye out for some of the most widely used ingredients for stopping sweat and odor because they’re known to irritate sensitive skin.
Aluminum is often used in deodorants to block the sweat ducts and prevent moisture from developing. It can be irritating for sensitive skin, so aluminum-free formulas or deodorants that use a gentler form of aluminum are your best bet.
Plenty of deodorants also contain alcohol, which helps the formula dry more quickly. It can be highly irritating, though, because it dries out the skin. Alcohol-free formulas are usually much gentler.
Most deodorants contain synthetic fragrances, too, because they work to mask body odor. Artificial fragrances are among the most irritating ingredients for sensitive skin, though, so you’ll want to choose an unscented deodorant or one that uses a natural fragrance instead.
The best deodorants for sensitive skin
Vichy 24-Hour Dry-Touch Deodorant
This aluminum-free deodorant doesn’t contain any alcohol either, so it helps minimize odor without irritating even sensitive skin. It offers protection for up to 24 hours during moderate activity and doesn’t leave behind any visible residue.
Sold by Amazon, Lovely Skin and Ulta
Dove Men + Care Sensitive Shield Dry Spray Antiperspirant
For those who prefer the convenience of spray deodorant, this highly moisturizing formula helps protect the skin against irritation. Unlike other spray deodorants, it doesn’t contain any alcohol to dry out the skin. It offers up to 48 hours of sweat and odor protection and dries instantly for a more comfortable feel, too.
Sold by Amazon
This deodorant doesn’t contain any aluminum, baking soda or artificial fragrances, so it’s gentle enough for sensitive skin. It contains natural acids to control odor and a multi-mineral complex to soothe the skin. It also uses USDA organic essential oils for fragrance. The formula is vegan and cruelty-free and comes in recyclable packaging, too.
Sold by Amazon
Schmidt’s Aluminum Free Natural Deodorant
This plant-based deodorant doesn’t contain aluminum or baking soda, so it’s safe for sensitive skin. It takes just one or two swipes to provide odor protection that lasts all day, too. Its ingredients are of certified natural origin, and its fragrance uses hemp seed oil and patchouli for an earthy scent.
Sold by Amazon
Almay Sensitive Skin Clear Gel Antiperspirant & Deodorant
A gentle, hypoallergenic formula, this fragrance- and alcohol-free deodorant can provide all-day protection that won’t irritate sensitive skin. The gel dries quickly without leaving behind any white residue, so you don’t have to worry about marks on your clothing. It’s dermatologist and allergy-tested, too.
Sold by Amazon
Vanicream Clinical Strength Antiperspirant Deodorant for Sensitive Skin
This deodorant doesn’t contain any dyes, artificial fragrances, parabens, formaldehyde or other preservatives, making it an excellent option for sensitive skin. It’s still a clinical-strength formula, though, and can keep you smelling fresh for up to 24 hours.
Sold by Amazon and Lovely Skin
CRYSTAL Mineral Deodorant Stick
This natural mineral salt deodorant doesn’t contain any aluminum, parabens, phthalates or other chemicals. It creates a natural barrier against odor-causing bacteria to keep you smelling fresh all day. It’s unscented and hypoallergenic, and there’s no sticky residue that might stain your clothing either.
Sold by Amazon
This cruelty-free deodorant’s formula doesn’t have aluminum, talc, parabens or phthalates. Instead, it contains naturally derived ingredients to neutralize odor-causing bacteria and keep you smelling great. It can also last for up to 16 hours, through even the most challenging workouts.
Sold by Amazon
Hello Fragrance Free Deodorant with Shea Butter
This natural, vegan deodorant is dermatologist-tested and free of baking soda, parabens and dyes. It uses natural ingredients like tea tree oil to kill odor-causing bacteria and has a non-greasy, non-sticky finish. It features 100% previously recycled packaging, too.
Sold by Amazon, Kohl’s and Ulta
Briogeo B. Well Tea Tree & Eucalyptus Clean Deodorant
A gentle, aluminum-free deodorant, this formula is 99% naturally derived, vegan and cruelty-free. It can still effectively neutralize odor with tea tree oil and eucalyptus, though. It even contains coconut water to soothe irritation under the arms from shaving.
Sold by Amazon, Revolve and Sephora
Drunk Elephant Sweet Pitti Deodorant Cream
This unique cream deodorant is highly effective for soothing irritated underarm skin, thanks to the included shea butter. It also uses mandelic acid to help keep odor at bay throughout the day. It doesn’t contain any sulfates, essential oils, fragrances, dyes, silicones or alcohol either.
This long-lasting, potent deodorant is free of harsh chemicals, including aluminum, parabens and phthalates. Instead, it uses natural ingredients like baking soda, coconut oil and arrowroot powder to fight odor, wetness and bacteria growth. The formula is also certified vegan and cruelty-free and comes in a 100% recyclable tube.
Sold by Amazon
This highly effective all-natural deodorant is gentle enough for even the most sensitive armpits. The water-based formula uses vegan ingredients to keep you smelling great all day and is available in three natural scents. The stick glides over the skin but doesn’t leave behind any messy residue either.
Sold by Corpus
Megababe Rosy Pits Daily Deodorant
Featuring natural sage and green tea, this gentle deodorant doesn’t contain any aluminum, alcohol or parabens, so it’s safe for daily use on sensitive skin. You don’t have to worry about your clothing getting stained either because it doesn’t leave a white residue on the skin either. It features a natural rose scent, too.
Sold by Amazon
DERMAdoctor Total Nonscents Ultra-Gentle Brightening Antiperspirant
If you’re struggling with underarm discoloration, this gentle deodorant can help brighten the skin while fighting odor and wetness. It’s dermatologist- and allergy-tested and doesn’t contain any dyes or fragrances. The formula is also cruelty-free.
Sold by Amazon, Macy’s and SkinStore
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Jennifer Blair writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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