10 Best Deodorants for Excessive Sweating in 2022 (Dermatologist-Reviewed)

Dr. Levy is a board certified dermatologist practicing in NYC and Westport, Connecticut. She has expertise in treating inflammatory skin conditions like acne, rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis. She has an interest in skincare and takes a personalized approach to all of her patients.

We asked her to evaluate our buying guide below for accuracy, and she also contributed some extra tips and advice. You can also follow her on Instagram for more skincare tips!

To choose the best deodorant for excessive sweating, we took into consideration the following:

• If it can both deodorize and address perspiration
  
• What ingredients it uses to do the jobs, and if there are any potentially irritating ones
• What type it is; roll-on, stick, gel, or spray
• What scent it has
  

Don't forget to check out our buying guide after the products to make sure you have all the information you need to make a good decision about deodorant.

The following deodorants all contain ingredients to help you address excessive sweating. They come in various scents, and you can also choose from a roll-on, solid, gel or spray type.

*Please note that these products were chosen after extensive research by mybest writers. The choices are not necessarily affiliated with or recommended by Dr. Lauren Levy.

The buying guide below should get you started in picking the right deodorant for excessive sweating and odor control. 

There is a difference between deodorants and antiperspirants. Deodorants address body odor by going after the bacteria that cause it, or by masking it with other fragrances. On the other hand, antiperspirants go straight to your sweat glands and reduce the amount of sweat produced.

Antiperspirants contain aluminum salts to block your pores from producing sweat. Common compounds are aluminum chloride, aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly, and aluminum sesquichlorohydrate. While they all are effective at stopping sweat, they have slightly different properties. 

The most common, aluminum zirconium, is less irritating to the skin than aluminum chloride. But aluminum chloride is a more powerful sweat blocker and used in high concentrations in prescription products. Salicylic acid can neutralize much of the irritating hydrochloric acid it forms, so some products contain both.

Aluminum sesquichlorohydrate is the most gentle, and also provides long-lasting results. This is a great form to look for if you have sensitive skin. Finally, check the percentage of aluminum used in the product, as this affects how well and for how long it works.

While safe for general use, experts advise refraining from aluminum-based deodorants if you have certain conditions such as kidney disease. You may also want an aluminum-free product if you're worried about stains on your shirts since the acidic mixture created when aluminum and sweat mix can lead to the yellowing of white fabric.

You can find aluminum-free deodorants with ingredients such as talc, charcoal, baking soda, arrowroot powder, tapioca starch, or corn starch, which absorb moisture. While these don't stop sweat in its tracks the way aluminum does, they can provide some protection against wetness if you want to avoid aluminum.

Body odor isn't caused by your sweat itself but is a byproduct of the bacteria that live on your skin. So, deodorants often have antibacterial ingredients to stop odor. Triclosan has been phased out by some manufacturers due to health concerns but is still found in other formulas. Alcohol is another frequently-included antibacterial ingredient.

Magnesium hydroxide, zinc ricinoleate, silver, and copper can all reduce bacteria, with magnesium and zinc being especially popular in deodorant. Other things to look for on the label are coconut oil, baking soda, aloe, and essential oils.

Coconut oil works to neutralize bacteria and can also soften and moisturize your skin. However, you may find that it leaves your armpits feeling less than dry. Aloe is also known for moisturizing the skin while preventing bacteria buildup and is less greasy.

 
Meanwhile, deodorants with essential oils like tea tree, lavender, and peppermint can also reduce bacteria. Essential oils provide a pleasant aroma, too, but they are a common skin irritant, so use them with caution, especially if you shave your armpits.

Baking soda is a great odor absorber, but unfortunately, it can also cause skin problems. Baking soda is highly alkaline, while the skin is acidic, so it can lead to dryness or rashes.

Gel and solid deodorant types are ubiquitous. Gel deodorants have thicker consistencies, so don’t apply too much. Solid deodorants are usually opaque instead of transparent, which may leave a white residue on the skin or clothes.

If you’re looking for a quick approach to refreshing the body, a spray deodorant is advised. Because they dry fast, you don't have to wait long before getting dressed.

A roll-on deodorant leaves an even and consistent amount of product on the skin and dries quickly, too. They're also clear, so you won't have to worry about white marks on your shirt. However, with any type of deodorant, your safest best against stains is to let it dry before getting dressed.

Use your deodorant only on clean, dry skin to prevent the product from causing irritation, mixing with sweat or limiting its efficacy. The best time to apply antiperspirant is at night, to give the product more time to work. This also means less residue on your clothes the following morning.

Experts advise switching deodorants every six months if a particular brand seems ineffective, to give the skin enough time to test the product. Furthermore, you can also change your deodorant after this time frame if your skin has become resistant to your current brand.

In addition to reviewing our buying guide, Dr. Levy also answered some commonly asked questions on the Internet.

"Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, is caused by overactive sweat glands," Dr. Levy explains. "The part of the nervous system that controls the release of sweat is working overtime in this medical condition. Some medications can also cause increased sweating, so if you experience hyperhidrosis, check to make sure this is not a side effect of your medications. 

Hyperhidrosis can occur in the armpits but may also affect the hands, feet, face, and torso. Antiperspirant deodorants can be helpful for this condition as well as prescription wipes and oral pills, which block the release of the molecule that causes the gland to release sweat."

Dr. Levy says, "I usually recommend CARPE or Certain Dri to my patients as over-the-counter options. When that fails, prescription Drysol, which is 20% aluminum chloride, or Qbrexa Towelette Wipes are the next steps."

Dr. Levy says, "Deodorant is not bad for you, and there have been no conclusive studies to show that it causes cancer or other systemic diseased. Sometimes, deodorants can cause rashes or skin irritation that can be frustrating, itchy, or painful. However, these usually resolve with stopping the product and switching to a different one."

Check out these deodorants and antiperspirants that can keep you dry, comfortable, and smelling great.

Finding the right deodorant or antiperspirant is difficult, because everyone has different body chemistry. Have a look at what Amazon shoppers find works for them.

Author: Susan Lucier-Ogawa

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