It happens at the gym, the office, or even while running errands: You’re hot and sweaty, and suddenly you catch a whiff of something that definitely isn’t your perfume. Body odor is totally natural, but the best deodorant sprays can tone it down and help you feel your best, even in the dog days of summer.
After talking to dermatologists and SELF editors, we’ve put together a top-notch list of deodorant and antiperspirant sprays. Our picks are lightweight, non-sticky, and leave behind a fresh, just-showered scent that lasts all day long.
What’s the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant?
First, some important info: BO doesn’t come from sweating alone—it’s a reaction that happens when your sweat mixes with bacteria on your skin. Deodorant and antiperspirant both deal with BO differently.
Deodorant masks body odor with fragrance and, in some cases, also contains antimicrobial ingredients like zinc neodecanoate or mandelic acid that kill those bacteria. Meanwhile, antiperspirants contain ingredients (typically aluminum salts) that block your glands to stop them from producing sweat, preventing the problem at the source.
Pro tip: Antiperspirant takes a few hours to penetrate your sweat glands, so you’re better off applying it at night.
Our top picks
- Best Overall Deodorant: Dove Aluminum Free Deodorant Spray, $40
- Best Overall Antiperspirant: Secret Dry Spray Antiperspirant Deodorant, $9
- Runner-Up Deodorant: Native Whole Body Deodorant Spray, $14
- Best Long-Lasting Antiperspirant: Degree Advanced Antiperspirant Deodorant Dry Spray, $17
- Editor Favorite: Lume Invisible Spray Deodorant, $16
In this article
Shop the best deodorant sprays
So long, stinky pits.
Best Overall Deodorant: Dove Aluminum Free Deodorant Spray
Dove
Aluminum Free Deodorant Spray
Dove’s Aluminum Free Deodorant Spray is a staple for SELF’s editor in chief, Jessica Cruel. “Recently, I switched from Dove’s tried-and-true antiperspirant to this deodorant. I was expecting a big drop off in overall freshness, but while this aerosol doesn’t totally stop sweat, it does go head to head—or should I say pit to pit—with odor,” she says. “It also comes in the same cucumber scent that I love in the antiperspirant formula.”
First on its ingredient list is quick-drying denatured alcohol, so you won’t need to fan your pits after applying. But its star ingredient is zinc neodecanoate, an antimicrobial, anti-caking agent that eliminates bacteria. This is key because your sweat only smells when it mixes with bacteria on your skin. No bacteria? No odor.
Size: 4 oz | Aluminum-free: Yes
Best Overall Antiperspirant: Secret Dry Spray Antiperspirant Deodorant
Secret
Dry Spray Antiperspirant Deodorant
More worried about sweat than odor? Try an antiperspirant, like this Healthy Beauty Award winner from Secret. It’s made with aluminum salts (the active ingredient in most antiperspirants) to help you dodge pit stains.
We’re also huge fans of the light rose scent: “It smells amazing and really keeps you feeling good all day,” our tester said. “The rose scent is subtle, but combats sweat expertly. Spray deodorant, when done right, really is a game changer.”
Size: 4 oz | Aluminum-free: Yes
Runner-Up Deodorant: Native Whole Body Deodorant Spray
Native
Whole Body Deodorant Spray
If you’re not already familiar with Native’s aluminum-free deodorant, let us introduce you. Brendan Camp, MD, board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City, likes that the formula doesn’t contain any aluminum salts, baking soda, parabens, or talc—all of which can irritate sensitive skin. That said, this spray doesn’t come in a fragrance-free version (so if you know your skin reacts to fragrance, we recommend doing a patch test before going full spritz mode).
Note: No matter how your skin responds to the formula, we don’t recommend spraying “whole body” deodorants like this one everywhere—here’s why.
Size: 3.5 oz | Aluminum-free: Yes
Best Long-Lasting Antiperspirant: Degree Advanced Antiperspirant Deodorant Dry Spray
Degree
Advanced Antiperspirant Deodorant Dry Spray
Dr. Camp recommends this antiperspirant spray for anyone hitting the gym because it has a strong, sweat-blocking formula (thanks to aluminum salts) that lasts all day. Plus, it’s available in three scents that can help mask body odor.
We’re fans too—so much so that we gave this spray a Healthy Beauty Award a few years ago. “At first, I wasn’t sure if this dry spray would be strong enough to protect me on sweaty days, but the product held its own quite well,” our tester said. “The sweet, floral scent did waft away after a while, but it definitely kept sweat at bay.”
Size: 3.8 oz | Aluminum-free: No
Editor Favorite: Lume Invisible Spray Deodorant
Lume
Invisible Spray Deodorant
Lume was my introduction to spray deodorants—and after trying it, I quickly considered kicking solid sticks to the curb. It dries instantly, and I never see any white powder on my shirts after I use it. The fresh, powdery fragrance lingers for hours, but isn’t so strong that I notice it throughout the day. It doesn’t only use fragrance to mask odor, though—it also contains mandelic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) with antimicrobial properties that can kill stink-causing bacteria.
Size: 3.6 oz | Aluminum-free: Yes
How we chose the best spray deodorants
To build this list, we first sifted through past SELF Healthy Beauty Award–winning spray deodorants and antiperspirants. We also reviewed tester feedback, choosing options that impressed us with their light scents and all-day staying power. Then we asked dermatologists for their favorite formulas, plus intel on how spray deodorants work and how to find the best ones.
FAQs about deodorant sprays
What are the benefits of spray deodorants?
Deodorant sprays are dry quickly, feel lightweight on the skin, and often leave little or no residue. On top of that, “they can be better for sensitive skin because they minimize friction and may contain fewer waxes or thickening agents,” Dr. Camp says. That said, sprays can contain alcohol or fragrance that might irritate sensitive skin, so make sure to check labels and patch test new products before adding them to your daily routine.
Which ingredients should you look for in a spray deodorant?
Dr. Camp’s green flags include:
- Aluminum chlorohydrate or aluminum zirconium, to block sweat
- Baking soda, zinc ricinoleate, or magnesium hydroxide for odor control
- Soothing ingredients like aloe vera or chamomile to calm irritation
For folks with sensitive skin, he suggests avoiding products that contain high amounts of alcohol, fragrance, and propellants (like butane or isobutane). Parabens and phthalates are also no-gos.
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