10 Best Deodorants for Sensitive Skin That Soothe Itching and Control Sweat

Best Overall

Dove Advanced Care Sensitive Deodorant

$7 at Amazon $7 at Target $17 at Walmart

Key Ingredients: Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex GLY, natural oil | Size: 2.6 oz | Scent: Unscented | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Made with one-quarter moisturizing ingredients, this formula glides on seamlessly and will leave your armpits feeling smooth. Since it is a true antiperspirant, it does contain aluminum (which can be pore-clogging and has been linked to developing breast cancer though that’s not supported by medical data) but it lasts up to 48 hours making it a choice pick for those who simply don’t want to deal with sweat. Plus, because it’s alcohol-free, it won’t sting going on if you’re already dealing with underarm irritation. The bottom line: If you’re looking for a soothing, effective, lasting formula and don’t mind deodorants that contain aluminum, this option is for you. We think it’s ideal for those who are active but don’t want a formula that’s so strong that it’ll burn or irritate your skin.

Best Without Aluminum

Schmidt’s Natural Deodorant

$12

$8 at Amazon View on Thrive Market $12 at Walmart

Key Ingredients: Magnesium, coconut oil | Size: 3.25 oz | Scent: Charcoal and Magnesium | Cruelty-Free: Yes

A long list of Byrdie editors are fans of the brand, which offers an impressive line-up of scents and formulas. But we love this one for people with sensitive skin because it’s baking-soda-free (baking soda can be irritating on the skin) and instead relies on charcoal and magnesium for all-day odor protection. (Speaking of, those essential oils also give it a lovely floral scent.) Pro tip: Hold it against your skin for a second to allow the natural oil and wax base to warm up and soften slightly so that it glides on smoother.

Best Gel

Nécessaire The Deodorant Gel

$22 at Amazon $22 at Sephora $22 at Nordstrom

Key Ingredients: Alpha hydroxy acid, silica, kaolin, zinc | Size: 1.7 oz | Scent: Eucalyptus, unscented | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The ingredients this formula doesn’t contain are noteworthy: aluminum, parabens, baking soda, synthetic fragrance, and phthalates, just to name a few—all ingredients that can cause irritation for people with sensitive skin. But what it does contain is equally as exciting. Namely, a blend of mandelic and lactic alpha-hydroxy acids, which help smooth skin. There are also wetness-absorbing silica, zinc, and clay in the mix, and while the eucalyptus scent is a fave among Byrdie team members, there’s a fragrance-free version for those whose skin is super sensitive.

Best for Itchy Armpits

Megababe Daily Deodorant

$25 at Amazon $14 at Ulta $14 at Target

Key Ingredients: Coconut, green tea, vitamin E, sage, sandalwood, horsetail plant | Size: 2.6 oz | Scent: Fresh, rosy | Cruelty-Free: Yes

We love this option, for its lovely and fresh rosy scent and smooth formula. Despite the cutesy name and packaging, the formula is still totally hardcore when it comes to keeping odor-causing bacteria at bay, thanks to ingredients like green tea and sage.

Best Fragrance-Free

Native Women’s Deodorant Unscented Sensitive

$14 at Amazon $14 at Nativecos.com

Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, shea butter | Size: 2.65 oz | Scent: Unscented | Cruelty-Free: Yes

We totally get wanting a deodorant that smells good, but if your armpits are really beaten up, avoiding any kind of fragrance (even if it’s naturally derived) can be a good move, at least for a little while. In the meantime, reach for this formula. Paraben-, aluminum-, and baking soda-free, it boasts a simple and straightforward ingredient list containing shea butter, tapioca starch, and coconut oil that ward off odor and moisture, while simultaneously soothing skin.

Best for Body Odor

Corpus Naturals Deodorant

$26 at Amazon $26 at Revolve $26 at Goop.com

Key Ingredients: Glycerin, tapioca starch | Size: 2.6 oz | Scent: Bergamot, pink lemon, orange blossom, cardamom | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Our editors rave about this luxe pick for its sophisticated scent combinations and its buttery smooth application (which is not always the case with natural deodorants). It’s on the pricier side, for sure, but the soft formula and chic, display-worthy packaging, and again, those scents, make it well worth the price tag. Plus, we appreciate that it’s free from common irritants, like synthetic fragrances, aluminum, and baking soda. Our only gripe is that it doesn’t last as long as some others that we tested.

Best Budget

Vichy 24-Hour Dry-Touch Deodorant

$20 at Amazon

Key Ingredients: Zinc gluconate, perlite | Size: 1.7 oz | Scent: Unscented | Cruelty-Free: No

The active ingredient in this formula, zinc ricinoleate, combats odor-causing bacteria to keep you fresh for, you guessed it, 24 hours. It’s aluminum-, alcohol-, paraben-, and fragrance-free, so gentle that it can even go right onto freshly shaved underarms, and has a clear formula that won’t leave behind any telltale residue. Just make sure you’re applying it onto totally dry skin for the best results.

Best Spray

Aesop Déodorant Spray

$39 at Nordstrom $37 at Aesop.com

Key Ingredients: Vetiver Root, zinc ricinoleate, coriander seed | Size: 1.7 oz | Scent: Woody, herbaceous, earthy | Cruelty-Free: Yes

There’s no aluminum to be found in this spritz; instead, it relies on refreshing essential oils, such as sage, rosemary, and eucalyptus, that help neutralize odor. The naturally derived, unisex vetiver scent also helps to camouflage odors. Plus, it’s completely clear, meaning you won’t have to worry about staining your clothing when applying it.

Best Cream

Drunk Elephant Deodorant Cream

$18 at Ulta $18 at Drunkelephant.com $18 at Kohls.com

Key Ingredients: Mandelic acid, arrowroot powder, shea butter, marula oil, mongongo oil, baobab seed oil | Size: 2 oz | Scent: Sweet | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Cream deodorants have a big following but can be admittedly messy to apply, which is why we especially like that this has a twist-up applicator. (But if you want, you can still apply it with your fingertips.) It’s pH balanced and has protective and soothing shea butter, too. Meanwhile, other ingredients, such as mandelic acid and arrowroot powder, work to kill odor-causing bacteria and absorb any moisture. Also noteworthy: This is one of the few natural formulas that doesn’t contain essential oils, which can be problematic and irritating for those with especially sensitive skin.

Best Refillable

Sol de Janeiro Rio Deo Aluminum-Free Refillable Deodorant Cheirosa '62

$18 at Amazon $18 at Sephora View on Soldejaneiro.com

Key Ingredients: Papaya enzyme, bacuri butter, mango seed butter, coconut oil, tapioca starch | Size: 2 oz | Scent: Sweet gourmand | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Refillable beauty products are having a moment, and this one happens to be a solid pick for sensitive skin, too. The aluminum-free, baking soda-free formula is packed with moisturizing butters and coconut oil, while papaya enzyme gently exfoliates to help keep underarms smooth. The 98% naturally derived formula uses skin-soothing ingredients like bacuri butter and mango seed butter to help support the skin barrier while fighting odor. Plus, the iconic Cheirosa 62 fragrance, with notes of pistachio, salted caramel, and vanilla, leaves behind a warm gourmand scent without relying on aluminum or baking soda.