These 10 Clinical-Strength Deodorants Will Keep You Smelling Good All Summer Long

This sleek bottle — which is slimmer than most products — is incredibly easy to use due to its size and shape. It’s a roll-on antiperspirant, so it will feel wet when you first apply it, but it dries in less than a minute. On top of that, it’s 100-percent clear, both in the container and after application. There’s absolutely zero residue on your skin or clothing. In fact, after letting it dry, I wouldn’t even know I was wearing it. Despite the fact that it’s fragrance-free, it kept me smelling good even when I did sweat. If you want something that absolutely will not leave any white marks or residue on your skin or clothes, this is the best option around.

It goes on smoothly and feels very moisturizing. Even though it’s white in the container, it applies almost entirely clear. It dried quickly without leaving any residue on my skin or clothing. Best of all, it smells amazing, with five gender-neutral scent options to choose from. I chose the original scent, which has an earthy, citrusy smell. It’s definitely a stronger fragrance than typical deodorants for women, but I didn’t find it overpowering. Of all the deodorants I tested, this is the one that worked the best. It kept me dry even after working up a sweat, and the scent lasted all day.

Clinical-strength antiperspirants contain higher amounts of active ingredients, which makes them more effective at controlling sweat. Unfortunately, this can also make them pricier. But Secret Clinical offers incredible sweat protection at an affordable cost.

It contains 20-percent aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly in a traditional deodorant stick. The texture is smooth and powdery, and while it’s not overly moisturizing, it’s also not drying or irritating. It comes in eight scents, such as Lavender, Shower Fresh, Coconut, and Free & Sensitive. It’s marketed as an invisible solid, and although it goes on clear for the most part, there can be some slight residue transfer to your clothes, which isn’t unusual for most deodorant sticks.

Unlike most typical deodorant sticks, Carpe feels more like a lotion when you apply it, says Raki Swanson, a Minnesota-based writer who tested Carpe for Everyday Health. Because of that, it takes a bit more time to dry and fully sink into your skin. “Once it’s absorbed, there’s no indication you’re wearing it,” she says.

As for the efficacy, Swanson has high praise. “This is an utterly amazing product. I did not have a lot of sweat; I was bone-dry the entire time I used it,” she says. In fact, it worked so well that after the testing period she gave it to her teenage son, who works outside on a daily basis. “I had him use it, and he noticed that he didn’t sweat and he didn't smell. The anti-odor benefit is huge.”

It comes in a variety of scent options, too, including more masculine scents like Sandalwood and Mountain Breeze as well as traditionally feminine scents like Rose Water and Lavender Citrus. Swanson opted for Fresh Powder, which has a very clean, subtle fragrance. It’s not overwhelming, she says, and it’s perfect for both men and women.

This antiperspirant deodorant is made with Dove’s signature ¼ moisturizing cream, meaning that a quarter of the formula consists of moisturizing ingredients like sunflower oil and dimethicone. That’s especially helpful for anyone who suffers from underarm irritation after shaving.

Dove Clinical Protection is also alcohol-free, which means it’s less likely to cause skin irritation. The 20-percent aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly works to prevent sweat, while the subtle, clean scent works to ensure you smell your best. But the gentle formula makes it ideal for those with sensitive skin, and it’s really beneficial for those with dry skin. During my testing, I noticed that it goes on dry and smooth and feels incredibly hydrating. It also didn’t leave any residue on my skin or clothes and didn’t clump up during the day.

However, it didn’t keep me quite as dry as the other products I tested. Part of that, though, comes from the container itself. It has a twist-up mechanism, so instead of a flat stick, the cream rolls out of small holes in the top of the container. Because of that, less product is dispensed with each use.

For people with hyperhidrosis, just using antiperspirant under their arms might not cut it. If you sweat a lot all over, you may want to consider a whole-body deodorant. Unfortunately, most whole-body deodorants are aluminum-free, meaning they won’t prevent sweating, only eliminate odor. That’s why Duradry Antiperspirant Wipes are such a game changer.

These wipes contain 20-percent aluminum chlorohydrate, so they block sweat to keep you dry everywhere. Aside from your underarms, you can use these wipes on your hands, feet, back, chest, groin, thighs, and any other body part that’s prone to sweating. The fact that they come in a wipe format makes them even better. Many whole-body deodorants come in creams or lotions, which can make application messy and awkward. Deodorant wipes, on the other hand, are a breeze. They’re premoistened with the right amount of antiperspirant, making them convenient to use. Unlike creamy formulas, they also dry faster, so you can use them on the go.

If you prefer an antiperspirant deodorant spray, Unlimited by Degree is a good place to start. There are several benefits to using a spray deodorant instead of a stick. They dry quickly, leave less residue, and can offer a cooling sensation upon application, which is particularly nice during the hot summer months.

This dry spray contains 18-percent aluminum sesquichlorohydrate and features the brand’s exclusive SmartAdapt Tech, which works to adapt and respond to your body to create a barrier against sweat and odor. Basically, this microscopic barrier is activated in response to movement, heat, and stress. The spray goes on clear and dries within seconds, and the fragrance works for both men and women. There are four different gender-neutral scents to choose from: Bold, a fruity mango-and-jasmine fragrance; Clean, which is sweet and airy with notes of bergamot; Fresh, a crisp eucalyptus-and-mint scent; and Marine, which evokes a cool ocean aroma.

If you’re looking for some seriously strong protection, SweatBlock is your best bet. These clinically strong antiperspirant wipes were created by a doctor to stop excessive sweating for a long time — seven days long.

The best way to use these is at night, right before going to bed. Apply to clean, dry skin and let air-dry for five minutes. In the morning, use your favorite deodorant for scent, with no need to worry about sweating. Since they come individually wrapped, they’re also easy to toss in your bag in case you forget to put on your deodorant before going out. However, they aren’t cheap. A pack of 10 individually wrapped wipes is around $20. But because each wipe is designed to last up to a week, that’s $20 for more than two months of protection.

Heavily fragranced antiperspirants can seem like they work better, in part because the strong scent can mask any potential body odor. But if you have extremely sensitive skin, get headaches triggered by fragrance, or simply prefer being scent-free, this antiperspirant is the best option for you.

It has 20-percent aluminum zirconium trichlorohydrex gly, so it’ll keep you completely dry all day. It’s also free from parabens, dyes, alcohol, talc, preservatives, and, most importantly, any fragrance whatsoever. During my testing, that lack of fragrance really stood out. Often, even unscented products have a slight, subtle smell. Vanicream, on the other hand, literally has no smell. It comes in a typical stick format, but unlike other stick deodorants, it doesn’t really have a powdery feel. Instead, it has a smooth, thicker texture that’s almost like a lotion.

That thickness can be somewhat of a downside, though. I found that it would easily pill or clump up, even if I only used a small amount. Of all the products I tested, this one left the most residue. Again, because of how thick it was, it would clump almost immediately. However, it didn’t rub off on my clothing at all, and it kept me dry the entire day.