We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Skin & Hair Products The 13 Best Clinical Strength Deodorants and Antiperspirants, Tested and Reviewed Our favorites will keep you fresh and dry all day long. By Rachael Schultz Updated on April 05, 2024 Medically reviewed by Susan Bard, MD Fact checked by Rich Scherr Print Verywell Health / Jhett Thompson When it comes to an extra-steamy day or intense workout, sometimes all you need to make you more comfortable is an extra-strength antiperspirant. The best clinical-strength deodorants and antiperspirants contain higher amounts of active ingredients that help minimize body odor and sweat, and they’re ideal for people with hyperhidrosis, hormonal dysfunction, or other conditions that make you sweat excessively. We tested 35 different deodorants and antiperspirants from the top brands and evaluated them for efficacy, transfer resistance, scent, application process, and value. We wore them through sweaty workouts, stressful meetings, and steamy commutes during a particularly humid summer in New York City. A dermatologist from our Medical Expert Board reviewed the medical claims in this article around hyperhidrosis, ingredients, formulations, and how to properly use deodorants and antiperspirants. Antiperspirants vs Deodorants Determining which product is best for you really depends on whether your main concern is moisture control, odor control, or both: Antiperspirants: Antiperspirants temporarily block sweat-gland openings using ingredients like metallic salts (aluminum or zirconium). They also reduce how much moisture you produce. Kate Austin, BScH, MD, CCFP, Dip.Derm, a dermatologist in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, points out that while they usually contain some deodorizer and are generally considered to be more effective, they also cause more irritation to the skin. Over time, blocking your sweat ducts with metallic salts can risk causing your sweat glands to become dysfunctional, says Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Vicky Zhen Ren, MD, at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. Deodorants: Dr. Austin explains that unwanted odor is usually caused by bacteria feeding on the organic materials in your sweat. While basic deodorants just mask the odor with a layer of fragrance, clinical-strength deodorants use antimicrobial ingredients actually to kill the bacteria and stop malodor. Because deodorants are considered cosmetic, they’re not regulated by the FDA. Natural deodorants aren't designed to be antiperspirants—they can only help control odor. Ingredients to Look For and Avoid in Clinical-Strength Deodorants and Antiperspirants Metallic salts: Multiple of our experts agree that metallic salts, like aluminum or zirconium, are the most effective way to block your sweat glands from producing moisture. However, aluminum salt, while highly effective at blocking sweat, can cause skin irritation (especially when applied to freshly shaved skin), which is why some clinical-strength deodorants can cause a rash.Antimicrobial ingredients: They work best because they kill the odor-causing bacteria rather than just masking it. Look for triclosan, a broad-spectrum antimicrobial commonly used in deodorants; benzalkonium chloride; low doses of metallic salts; or essential oils like tea tree, rosemary, pepper, rosemary, sage, thyme, lavender, or lemongrass. Dr. Austin also suggests avoiding parabens, as it's unclear whether or not they’re linked to cancer. She adds that certain ingredients—fragrance, propylene glycol, essential oils, and sometimes vitamin E and lanolin—can also cause allergic contact dermatitis (red, itchy, bumpy rashes in the armpits). Types of Clinical-Strength Deodorants and Antiperspirants Dr. Ren says the "best" type of clinical-strength deodorant and antiperspirant is mostly a matter of personal preference as there are advantages and disadvantages to each: Sticks: Easy to apply, often contain more skin-soothing ingredients, more likely to leave white residue on clothingRoll-on: Easy to apply, feels refreshing, requires drying timeCreams: Harder to apply, only need a small amount, product goes further, often contains more skin-soothing ingredientsSprays: Refreshing effect, usually goes on clear, leaves scent in the airWipes: Easy to apply, ideal for travel, wasteful Our Top Picks Best Overall: Uriage Clinical Strength Deodorant at Amazon ($14) Jump to Review Best Budget: Certain Dri Clinical Prescription Strength Antiperspirant at Amazon ($6) Jump to Review Best Antiperspirant: Jack Black Pit Boss at Amazon ($22) Jump to Review Best Aluminum-Free: Crystal Mineral Deodorant Roll-On at Amazon ($39) Jump to Review Best Stick: Secret Clinical Strength Invisible Deodorant at Amazon ($12) Jump to Review Best Wipes: SweatBlock Antiperspirant Wipes at Amazon ($20) Jump to Review Best Spray: Dove Dry Spray Antiperspirant at Amazon ($7) Jump to Review Best Cream: Biotherm Deo Pure Antiperspirant Cream at Walmart ($33) Jump to Review Best for Workouts: Arm & Hammer Ultra Max at Walmart ($7) Jump to Review Best Degree: Degree Advanced Antiperspirant Deodorant at Amazon ($20) Jump to Review In This Article Expand Antiperspirants vs Deodorants Ingredients to Look For and Avoid in Clinical-Strength Deodorants and Antiperspirants Types of Clinical-Strength Deodorants and Antiperspirants Our Picks We Also Tested How We Tested What to Look For Our Experts FAQ Why Trust Verywell Health Best Overall Uriage Clinical Strength Deodorant Amazon View On Amazon $14 View On IHerb $14 View On Uriage.com $14 Our Ratings Efficacy 5/5 Scent 5/5 Texture 5/5 Transfer Resistance 5/5 Overall Value 5/5 Pros Combination antiperspirant and deodorant Alcohol- and paraben-free Works for hyperhidrosis Cons Small tube Contains fragrance Why We Recommend It Our best overall choice from Uriage is a roll-on deodorant and antiperspirant that kept our armpits smelling and feeling fresh for a full 24 hours, even after a sweaty workout. We like that it’s formulated to be strong enough to tackle hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). The smell is bright but not overly fragrant, and it dried quickly after application without any burning or itching. The active ingredient of aluminum chlorohydrate controls sweating without blocking this natural bodily process. This deodorant also helps heal irritated skin, thanks to trace minerals in the base. In addition to its effectiveness against both sweat and odor, it also went on smoothly, was instantly absorbed, didn’t leave any stains on our black shirt, and is also hypoallergenic, paraben-free, and well-priced. Keep In Mind It comes in a smaller tube and contains some added fragrance that may not be ideal for some. Key Specs:Type: Roll on | Key Ingredient: Aluminum Chlorohydrate (20%) | Fragrance: Lightly scented Verywell Health / Jhett Thompson Best Budget Certain Dri Clinical Prescription Strength Antiperspirant Amazon View On Amazon $6 View On Walmart $6 View On Riteaid.com $9 Our Ratings Efficacy 5/5 Scent 5/5 Texture 5/5 Transfer Resistance 5/5 Overall Value 5/5 Pros Fragrance-free Effective against excessive sweating Cons Takes a few minutes to dry after application Why We Recommend It This antiperspirant costs less than a fancy latte, but it’s one of the most effective roll-ons at stopping sweat, including excessive moisture. You have to apply it as directed—at night after you shower—otherwise, it doesn’t work properly. However, it keeps you dry the entire next day, even in the summer heat. We like that it didn’t burn or leave a rash when applied (though it's worth noting that the active ingredient, aluminum chloride, can be irritating when applied to freshly shaved skin). It’s fragrance-free (not simply unscented), so it doesn’t include perfumes. So, in addition to being a great deodorant and antiperspirant, it’s also great for sensitive skin. Keep in Mind The brand claims it works for multiple days, but in our experience, the freshness wore off a bit after 24 hours (although we were still pleased by its odor-blocking abilities). Key Specs:Type: Roll on | Key Ingredient: Aluminum Chloride (12%) | Fragrance: Fragrance-free Verywell Health / Jhett Thompson Best Antiperspirant Jack Black Pit Boss Amazon View On Amazon $22 View On Walmart $22 View On Sephora $22 Our Ratings Efficacy 4/5 Scent 5/5 Texture 5/5 Transfer Resistance 4/5 Overall Value 4.5/5 Pros Combination antiperspirant and deodorant Invisible solid Nice woodsy smell Cons Expensive Why We Recommend It Although it’s a bit pricey, we like this antiperspirant for all-day dryness and a pleasant woodsy scent that fades to a neutral odor. This stick-style antiperspirant uses aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex to reduce underarm wetness for days on end. We like that it also contains vitamin E and aloe leaf juice to soothe your skin; we found it non-irritating to apply. But that fragrance settled in quickly and we noticed that by the end of the day, there wasn’t any smell—from the deodorant or from our own body odor. Keep in Mind The scent can be a little strong initially, but it settled in quickly. At the end of the day, we couldn't smell it (or our odor) at all. Also, it did leave a little residue when we tried it out. Key Specs:Type: Stick | Key Ingredient: Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex (20%) | Fragrance: Lightly scented Verywell Health / Jhett Thompson Best Aluminum-Free Crystal Mineral Deodorant Roll-On Amazon View On Amazon $39 View On Walmart $10 View On Vitamin Shoppe Our Ratings Efficacy 4/5 Scent 4/5 Texture 4/5 Transfer Resistance 5/5 Overall Value 4/5 Pros Fragrance-free Gentle on skin Affordable Cons Doesn’t block sweating May not be strong enough for heavy odors Why We Recommend It While aluminum isn’t the villain it was once thought to be, this active ingredient can be irritating to the skin (especially if you apply your antiperspirant to freshly shaved skin). This aluminum-free deodorant instead utilizes naturally occurring mineral salts to prevent odor-causing bacteria from thriving. It’s fragrance-free, so the result is a clean, neutral smell that lasted a full day, even when we were exercising. This deodorant rolls on wet, but it dries rather quickly and is super gentle on your skin. In addition to being free of aluminum chloride, it’s also devoid of parabens, sulfates, and fragrances, and it’s cruelty-free. Keep in Mind We found this deodorant didn’t completely block the sweat, but we didn’t experience any malodor either. Also it may not be strong enough for heavy odors. Key Specs:Type: Roll on | Key Ingredient: Mineral Salts | Fragrance: Fragrance-free Verywell Health / Jhett Thompson Best Stick Secret Clinical Strength Invisible Deodorant Amazon View On Amazon $12 View On Walmart $13 View On Target $9 Our Ratings Efficacy 4/5 Scent 5/5 Texture 5/5 Transfer Resistance 5/5 Overall Value 5/5 Pros Doesn’t transfer onto clothing Combination antiperspirant and deodorant Cons Includes fragrance Why We Recommend It If you prefer a stick deodorant, we liked Secret’s Clinical Strength in our test and found that it goes on smooth and silky, dries invisible, doesn’t transfer onto clothes, and smells just lovely. When we used it before a treadmill workout, it didn’t block the sweat completely—our armpits were a little damp after, but it wasn’t bothersome, and the deodorant controlled odor extremely well. The scent in this deodorant is pleasant but not overly fragrant. We loved the crisp lavender scent, which was feminine without being overpowering or offensive. That scent fades over the course of the day, but then leaves you just with a neutral odor while the sweat-stopping properties kept us dry and smelling fresh for 24 hours. In fact, the brand claims this deodorant offers three times more sweat protection than an ordinary antiperspirant, thanks to the aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex GLY. In our experience, it also wasn’t irritating to the skin (that’s probably thanks to the skin-soothing vitamin B5 included in the formula). Keep in Mind It does include fragrance, which can be irritating to some. Key Specs:Type: Stick Key | Ingredient: Aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly (20%) | Fragrance: Scented Verywell Health / Jhett Thompson Best Wipes SweatBlock Antiperspirant Wipes Amazon View On Amazon $20 View On Walmart $20 View On Sweatblock.com $20 Our Ratings Efficacy 4.5/5 Scent 4/5 Texture 4.5/5 Transfer Resistance 5/5 Overall Value 4.5/5 Pros Stops sweat Works for multiple days Ideal for travel Cons Expensive Strong smell Why We Recommend it Wipe-style antiperspirants are ideal for traveling, tossing in a gym bag, or bringing along in case you need a refreshing touch-up before a date or big meeting—SweatBlock Antiperspirant Wipes, specifically, are the best. Doctors formulated them to be strong enough to help hyperhidrosis, nervous sweating, hormonal sweating, or excessive perspiration from prescription drugs. They use aluminum chloride to block armpit moisture. After working out, our armpits still felt completely dry. Ensure you follow the application directions—you’re to dab your underarm with the towelette, not rub, which can cause irritation. But they really do minimize sweat and last. We noted that they were powerful enough to minimize sweat (although we only tested them for 24 hours, so we can’t confirm the brand’s claim that they will work for a full 7 days on one application). Keep in Mind The only real downside is that they’re a bit pricey since you only get 10 wipes. We thought the smell was quite strong and unique, like cloves or chai tea, which might or might not be to your taste. Key Specs:Type: Wipe | Key Ingredient: Aluminum chloride 14% | Fragrance: Unscented (but when testing, we thought it had a strong smell) Verywell Health / Jhett Thompson Best Spray Dove Dry Spray Antiperspirant Amazon View On Amazon $7 View On Walmart $7 View On Walgreens $10 Our Ratings Efficacy 3.5/5 Scent 3.5/5 Texture 4/5 Transfer Resistance 5/5 Overall Value 4/5 Pros No white marks on clothes Combination deodorant and antiperspirant Cons Lingering fragrance from spray may be bothersome Why We Recommend It Spray deodorant is great if you don’t want to risk white residue on armpits (or clothes). Dove’s Dry Spray smells fresh, dries quickly, and didn't leave marks on our garments when we tested it. With aluminum chlorohydrate as the active ingredient, this spray keeps your underarms dry and smelling clean for about 24 hours (however, by the 24-hour mark, we did notice some natural body odor was peeking through). It contains 0% alcohol, so it doesn’t burn when applied or cause skin irritation, and the formula contains nurturing oils to help keep your skin hydrated and smooth. We liked how the spray felt cool when applied, though she noted it does leave a bit of a wet film until your skin has fully absorbed it (which took a few minutes). We loved how it really did apply clearly and did not leave any residue on clothing. Keep in Mind While the spray's fragrance smelled good on the body (light and fresh), it lingered in the room for hours after application, which might bother some people. Key Specs:Type: Spray | Key Ingredient: Aluminum chlorohydrate (20%) | Fragrance: Scented Verywell Health / Jhett Thompson Best Cream Biotherm Deo Pure Antiperspirant Cream Amazon View On Walmart $33 View On Fragrancenet.com $21 Our Ratings Efficacy 5/5 Scent 5/5 Texture 5/5 Transfer Resistance 5/5 Overall Value 4/5 Pros Combination antiperspirant and deodorant Neutral smell Only small amount required for application Cons Expensive Why We Recommend It This deodorant goes on like a face cream—squeeze a little out of the tube and rub it on your underarms. We loved how smoothly the cream went on, and we felt we could rub in a smaller amount than one traditional use with a stick. This helps minimize that build-up you often get with a stick and helps you use less product—therefore, the tube will last you longer. With aluminum chlorohydrate as the active ingredient, this antiperspirant effectively keeps armpits dry all day. It’s super sensitive on skin, and the scent is really mild and clean—we didn’t even realize it was scented until we put our nose into our armpit—making it ideal if you like to use perfume or body spray. We also like that even though it’s a white cream, this deodorant didn’t leave any residue, even on dark clothing. Keep in Mind This is one of the pricier options on our list. If this isn't in your budget there are other great options as well. Key Specs:Type: Cream | Key Ingredient: Aluminum chlorohydrate | Fragrance: Light scent Verywell Health / Jhett Thompson Best for Workouts Arm & Hammer Ultra Max Amazon View On Walmart $7 View On IHerb Our Ratings Efficacy 5/5 Scent 5/5 Texture 4/5 Transfer Resistance 4/5 Overall Value 5/5 Pros Affordable Goes on clear Neutral smell Cons May not be strong enough for hyperhidrosis Why We Recommend It This deodorant uses the best antiperspirant ingredient, aluminum salts, to block moisture, and one of the best odor-neutralizers (and Arm & Hammer’s signature ingredient), sodium bicarbonate—more commonly known as baking soda. According to Dr. Austin, sodium bicarbonate alters your skin’s pH, so bacteria can’t survive. Together, that means when you’re seriously sweaty—like during a grueling workout—you won’t have pit stains or offensive odor, which was borne out by our testing results. Despite doing a high-impact workout that included jumping jacks and a treadmill circuit, we didn’t break a sweat. We like that Arm & Hammer Ultra Max's after scent is decidedly neutral but crisp, so there isn’t any overpowering fragrance. While we think this is a great pick for workouts, this deodorant also goes on smooth, is super gentle on the skin, and has a great price. It’s a good pick for anyone who tends to get sweaty. Keep in Mind There was a little bit of residue under our arm afterward, but not an overwhelming amount. Key Specs:Type: Stick | Key Ingredient: Aluminum Chlorohydrate (19%) | Fragrance: Scented Verywell Health / Jhett Thompson Best Degree Degree Advanced Antiperspirant Deodorant Walmart View On Amazon $20 View On Walmart $5 View On Target $5 Our Ratings Efficacy 5/5 Scent 4/5 Texture 5/5 Transfer Resistance 5/5 Overall Value 5/5 Pros Goes on clear Combination deodorant and antiperspirant Cons Scent may be too strong for some Why We Recommend It Degree is one of the top deodorant brands because of its effective products, and the Degree Advanced Antiperspirant Deodorant was the best of them all in our test. After a treadmill workout, our armpits were dry and only smelled like the product—none of our sweat or personal body odor was peeking through. The aluminum salts in the formula keep your underarms dry, and this deodorant is formulated to work with your body as it moves. It uses unique technology to release a burst of rose and jasmine fragrance every time you work up a sweat. The formula went on smooth and clear—and we saw zero white marks on our skin or shirt. And at the end of 24 hours, we could only smell the deodorant. Keep in Mind We thought the scent was nice—it reminded us of fresh laundry—but we did note that it might be too strong depending on your preferences. Key Specs:Type: Stick | Key Ingredient: Aluminum sesquichlorohydrate (16%) | Fragrance: Scented Verywell Health / Jhett Thompson Best Smelling Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Deodorant Ulta View On Amazon $32 View On Walmart $32 View On Ulta $32 Our Ratings Efficacy 4/5 Scent 5/5 Texture 4/5 Transfer Resistance 4/5 Overall Value 5/5 Pros Great smell Lightweight feel Cons Expensive May leave white marks on clothing Why We Keep in Mind The best-smelling deodorant we tested, Donna Karan’s Cashmere Mist, has a wonderful, subtle, feminine scent that is strong enough to mask body odor without being overpowering. That pleasant waft lasts all day, too. This deodorant goes on smoothly and is incredibly lightweight, almost like a powder. This deodorant contains aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex GLY to help lower moisture, but it does so in a lower amount than many other deodorants, which means it’s less irritating on your skin. Keep in Mind After application, it left a white residue under our arms and the smallest residue on our clothes. Also, while this deodorant keeps you smelling nice, it doesn’t keep you bone-dry all day, so it’s probably not ideal for anyone who sweats excessively. Key Specs:Type: Roll on | Key Ingredient: Aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex GLY(15.40%) | Fragrance: Scented Verywell Health / Jhett Thompson Best Gender-Neutral Scent DuraDry AM Deodorant & Antiperspirant Amazon View On Amazon $35 View On Duradry.com Our Ratings Efficacy 4.5/5 Scent 5/5 Texture 4/5 Transfer Resistance 3/5 Overall Value 4/5 Pros Smells nice Combination antiperspirant and deodorant Effective Cons May leave white marks on clothing Why We Recommend It If you’re partial to scented deodorants but don’t want something that comes off as too masculine or too feminine, we recommend this stick from DuraDry. The fragrance is decidedly clean and well-balanced, but compared to most drugstore deodorants, we really liked the scent. When we wore this antiperspirant during a workout, we noted that our underarms remained completely dry and odor-free. And that’s not surprising since this stick was formulated specifically to be a clinical strength for hyperhidrosis, with the full 20% aluminum salts to block moisture. It also goes on smoothly, with no stinging or irritation. Keep in Mind We did see minor streaks left behind on clothing. Key Specs:Type: Stick | Key Ingredient: Aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly (20%) | Fragrance: Scented Verywell Health / Jhett Thompson Best Refillable Glossier Orange Blossom Neroli Deodorant Glossier View On Glossier.com $23 Our Ratings Efficacy 4.2/5 Scent 4.5/5 Texture 4.5/5 Transfer Resistance 4.5/5 Overall Value 4.4/5 Pros Natural, vegan, and environmentally-friendly Recyclable and reusable case Skin conditioning ingredients Cons More expensive than most products on the list Why We Recommend It We chose the Glossier Orange Blossom Deodorant as our best refillable deodorant for its sweat-fighting abilities that last all day without having to reapply and its environmentally friendly case. Formulated without aluminum, baking soda, or exfoliating acids, it's non-irritating for sensitive skin and won't disrupt the pH level of your underarms. Compared to most powdery and dry-on-contact deodorant sticks, this one has a creamier texture upon application.Glossier bills this stick as more of a deodorant than an antiperspirant, but we would say it did a very good job of both. After our workout, our armpits felt dry to the touch, and we didn't smell any body odor. After 24 hours, our armpits smelled fairly neutral; the fragrance had faded, but there wasn’t any sweat odor either, which we thought was pretty impressive. There was no transfer, the package is reusable, refillable, and recyclable, Keep in Mind It feels slightly wet (almost like a lotion) for a couple of minutes until it dries. It's also pricier than some of our other picks. Key Specs:Type: Stick | Active Ingredient: Magnesium Hydroxide | Fragrance: Scented We Also Tested Dove Clinical Protection Antiperspirant at Amazon: This roll-on kept our armpits dry, but it transferred onto multiple items of clothes and didn’t 100% mask odor. For the price, we think there are better options out there.Secret Stress Response: This antiperspirant did its job of minimizing moisture, but it had a surprising floral scent even though it's not labeled as unscented, and it left a white residue on clothing.Degree Men Clinical Strength Deodorant Antiperspirant Sport for Profuse Sweating: This deodorant did its job of minimizing moisture, masking odor, and not transferring to any clothing. It didn’t win best of any categories, but overall, we liked it.Tom's Antiperspirant Lavender: Although we like other brands better, this is still a good pick for an all-natural clinical-strength deodorant as it goes on smooth, smells good without being overpowering, and holds up against a workout. How We Tested the Clinical-Strength Deodorants and Antiperspirants To find the best clinical-strength deodorants and antiperspirants, we tried 34 different products from top brands like Degree, Secret, Dove, and more. To create our methodology, we spoke to experts and then assessed each based on the following criteria: Efficacy: We applied the products and wore them for a full 24 hours each and, during that time, performed at least one workout. We paid specific attention to how wet our armpits felt and whether we could smell our own sweat after a workout. We also assessed how we felt and smelled after a full 24 hours (before showering). Transfer resistance: We checked all of our clothing after application to see whether it transferred, whether it was easy to clean, and whether it dried clear or temporarily stained.Scent: We noted whether the deodorant had any scents or fragrances, how strong they were, and how well it masked our own.Application process: We assessed the product's consistency, texture, and feel against our skin during the application. We also paid attention to whether the packaging was easy or difficult to use.Value: We compared the product's overall performance to its price to determine whether its value matched the financial cost. What to Look for in Clinical Strength Deodorants and Antiperspirants Scent: Fragrance-free deodorants do not contain added chemicals or scents to mask body odor and are the best option for people with sensitive skin, as fragrances (even natural ones, like essential oils) can cause a rash or burning sensation for some. Unscented deodorants generally do contain some kind of chemical that neutralizes or masks the odor of the other ingredients. Deodorants with fragrances or scents typically contain ingredients that help balance out the odor from the other ingredients in the formula and/or the natural odor of your sweat and bacteria. Our Experts Joshua Zeichner, MD, an associate professor of dermatology and the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital's Department of Dermatology in New York City Vicky Zhen Ren, MD, Assistant professor of dermatology, at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas Kate Austin, BScH, MD, CCFP, Dip.Derm, a dermatologist with GraceMed Olde Oakville Dermatology in Oakville, Ontario, Canada Mary Stevenson, MD, Dermatologist with NYU Langone Health in New York City and a member of the Women’s Dermatologic Society (WDS) Jeaneen Chappell, MD, owner of Chappel Dermatology in Dallas, Texas, and a member of WDS Frequently Asked Questions Is clinical-strength deodorant better? Clinical-strength deodorant has higher concentrations of the active ingredients, so theoretically, the effect is stronger, whether that be reducing how much you sweat or preventing malodor, says. Dr. Austin. However, Dr. Ren points out that not everyone needs this next level of effect. Clinical-strength deodorants are often more expensive and run a higher risk of irritating your skin. Start with a typical deodorant; if that doesn’t produce the desired effect, move up to a clinical deodorant. Can some deodorant cause body odor? No. Dr. Austin explains that odor is caused by the breakdown of sweat by bacteria on the skin, and deodorants are made (and tested) to reduce the bacteria and mask it with a scent or fragrance. When is the best time to apply deodorant? Mary Stevenson, MD, a dermatologist with NYU Langone Health and a member of the Women's Dermatologic Society (WDS), explains that nighttime application is best so the most common active ingredient in antiperspirants (aluminum salts) has time to settle into the skin before sweat production. Jeaneen Chappell, MD, a dermatologist based in Texas and a member of the WDS, adds that there's also a lower risk of irritation. Does aluminum in deodorants cause breast cancer? Although aluminum in deodorants was once thought to be linked to breast cancer, that idea has been debunked. Dr. Ren says studies show that the body absorbs minimal aluminum and largely leaves the body via urine. Why Trust Verywell Health Rachael Schultz has been diving into the science behind health and wellness for a decade. She specializes in combing through studies, interviewing doctors, and considering the research body as a whole to help readers get the most accurate, understandable, and well-balanced information possible about their health. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit