Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a deodorant and antiperspirant?
Sometimes the terms “deodorant” and “antiperspirant” are used interchangeably, but they serve different purposes: Deodorants help mask or minimize odor, while an antiperspirant prevents sweating. And despite what you might think, sweat itself isn’t necessarily the culprit behind what makes you stink. While sweat glands can be found all throughout our body, Mona A. Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Branford, Connecticut, previously shared that our “armpits, genitals, buttocks, and feet” are the areas prone to odor.
When our body’s natural-occurring bacteria (emphasis on natural) begin to feast on said sweat, that’s when body odor can occur. “Odor is released when bacteria come into contact with the thicker, milkier substance produced by apocrine glands in our armpits and groin,” Shereene Idriss, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, previously told Allure. Deodorants use fragrance or antimicrobial agents to target these odor-causing bacteria, so when it enters the picture, it can be helpful “to prevent skin maceration during high humid seasons or to prevent skin irritation from friction,” Julie E. Russak, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC, previously said, especially where there’s skin-on-skin contact (under the breasts, for instance). Some formulas, like natural deodorants, rely on baking soda or cornstarch as an alternative to absorb moisture.
If sweating becomes unmanageable, that’s when you should consider an antiperspirant. Unlike deodorants, these formulas typically include aluminum compounds, such as aluminium zirconium and aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly, which temporarily “plug” the sweat glands to tame sweat. “Traditional antiperspirants do not decrease sweating, but rather block sweat from reaching the skin’s surface,” Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, previously explained.
It’s important to remember that B.O. or sweating is entirely normal and important bodily function, but the right formula can help you feel fresh—and confident—for longer.
When should you use a clinical-strength deodorant?
Think of a clinical-strength deodorant as a more heavy-duty version of an antiperspirant. “When sweating begins to impact confidence, clothing choices, or social comfort, that is often a sign that a clinical-strength option may be appropriate,” Dr. Spearman previously said, even when there’s good hygiene. Whether excessive sweating is caused by hyperhidrosis or not, “clinical” deodorants “usually contain higher concentrations of active sweat-reducing ingredients, such as aluminum salts, which temporarily block sweat ducts to decrease perspiration,” Vidya Shivakumar, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Chicago, previously told Allure.
Meet the experts
- Dara Spearman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
- Julie E. Russak, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
- Mona A. Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Branford, Connecticut, and an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine
- Shereene Idriss, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
- Vidya Shivakumar, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Chicago
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best deodorants, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
