As a general rule, men are usually not as conscious as women when it comes to their personal hygiene. For most men, the smell of deodorant gives them flashbacks to boys changing rooms when they would shower themselves in Lynx instead of jumping in the shower. For many, the ‘rough and ready’ look is desirable, but there is a difference between looking ‘rough and ready’ and smelling ‘rough and ready’, in case you weren’t sure, you want to avoid the latter.
On a daily basis, men will workout or work, so are generally around a lot of people, and keeping your body odours in check will ensure that those people want to stay around you. Luckily, there are now hundreds of beautifully scented deodorants and anti-perspirants out there that will solve that problem.
This article looks to highlight 10 of the best deodorant/anti-perspirants on the market, some of which are optimal for those with sensitive skin. Considering the fact that body odour is a problem that many are faced with and is even one of the biggest turn offs for women when looking for a man, having a good deodorant by your side can be a lifesaver.
Table of Contents
Deodorant vs Anti-Perspirant
Many people will ask ‘how are deodorants and anti-perspirants different, and there is a simple answer, but it is important to know that even though they are different, they work together in harmony. A deodorant on its own will eliminate bad smells that are caused by bacteria, usually in areas like the armpits that are likely to produce sweat.
Anti-perspirants on the other hand, prevent further sweat from occurring and therefore prevent further bacteria growth. Many deodorants available on the market today are actually anti-perspirants as well, so offer the perfect sweat-busting one-two combination.
What to look for in a good Deodorant
Is it a 2-in-1?
This simply means ‘does it have an anti-perspirant as well?’. Sometimes, a deodorant with an anti-perspirant will be a little more expensive, but the extra cost is worth the peace of mind.
Scent
I mean, if the deodorant smells as bad as the sweaty armpits or is too overpowering, then it defeats the purpose of having the deodorant in the first place. Finding one that not only smells nice, but that appeals to you is vital when choosing the best deodorant spray.
Price
It doesn’t need to be Gucci deodorant (although Gucci does smell amazing) but you should never sell yourself short when it comes to having a nice smell either. Many quality 2-in-1 deodorants will set you back about $5-10 and are just as effective as $30-40 deodorants from high-street brands.
Resistance
This is probably the most important factor. How long will the spray protect you for? Even if you do find a nice smelling deodorant, if you have to keep topping it up every hour, it probably won’t last long, and won’t offer great protection. Many of the sprays on the list below offer 8–24-hour protection from sweat formation, they are the ones you need to look out for.
The List
1. Dove Men + Care Clean Comfort Spray
I am going to be vain and kick off the list with my personal favorite deodorant. Not only are there six separate scents available within the range, but each of them are non-invasive and are approved by dermatologists, so they are perfect for those with sensitive skin as well. It offers 48-hour protection against sweat and unwanted odors and comes in a 150ml canister, so has decent longevity to it as well.
The clean comfort variant smells like clean cotton and is perfect for after a shower or to freshen up after a session in the gym. It also contains no alcohol or active irritants, so you can top up when you need to and won’t feel any burning or irritation. It is available in most convenience stores and can usually be bought standalone for $3-4 or in a set with shower gel (would highly recommend) for $5-6.
2. Tom’s of Maine 24-Hour Men’s Long Lasting Natural Deodorant
This completely natural deodorant stick is a little more expensive than others, but is free from additives, preservatives and is 100% natural. It also has active odor fighting ingredients that will help to keep you smelling fresh for longer. The smell itself is bespoke and has an earthy/woody fragrance to it, it is not tested on animals and contains aloe vera as well, so is kind on the skin. If you are someone who is passionate about using natural and safely tested products, then the entire Tom’s range is worth considering. These particular sticks offer 24-hour protection, come in packs of 3 and are available for about $20-25.
3. Old Spice for Men
The classic. Old spice is nearly considered a family heirloom, passed down over generations between men. Little has changed since the old days where it rose to popularity, it is in fact still as popular now among all ages and is available as a deodorant, stick, roll on, cologne and shower gel. Its consistency in the market is akin to its effectiveness at fighting odors and bad smells.
One modern variant that I really enjoy is the Pure Sport deodorant stick, not only is it clear, so is invisible on your clothes, but also provides 24-hour protection and still manages to provide that masculine musty smell that Old Spice is famous for. The roll on is non-invasive and easy to use. The Pure Sport range is available in packs of 3 and can be found in most places for about $10.
4. Gillette Endurance Antiperspirant
Their motto is ‘the best a man can get’, and they look to prove it with their gel-based Endurance stick. It is made with ‘scent xtend’ technology, which looks to provide you with a longer lasting scent that fights odors and is easy to apply. The cool wave scent is fresh and perfect for use after the gym or after a shower, just beware not to use too much, because of the fact that it is gel based, using too much may make you feel like your armpits are slippery and wet. The beauty of Gillette is often its accessible price points, and this stick is no different. Available for about $4, it smells great, offers lasting protection and is easy to apply.
5. Degree Men 72-Hour Antiperspirant Deodorant Spray
For any European readers, ‘Degree’ is the American version of ‘Sure’, and the same anti-perspirant varieties are available. This particular deodorant is not only the longest lasting in terms of its protection, but it is cheap, it smells great, and it is an award winner. Yes, the 2020 grooming awards named it the ‘Best Anti-Perspirant’ for men.
It is a dry spray that leaves no marks on your clothes and offers scents of citrus and spice, for a classic and clean smell. If you are looking to find a cheap 2-in-1 deodorant that can keep your sweat at bay, then this is the best option by a distance, it offers industry leading wetness protection and peace of mind for $6, an absolute bargain.
6. Hawthorne Deodorant
There is a lot to like about Hawthorne, not only do they provide brilliant smelling deodorants, but they ensure that you get the right spray based on your lifestyle and personal preferences. Simply go to their website, answer questions about yourself like what your favorite drink is and what you do and the smells you like to wear, and Hawthorne will choose the scent that they feel matches with you the best from over 500,000 combinations.
They do not just aim to sell you a deodorant, they aim to help you find your signature scent too. Some of their fragrance options include Eucalyptus, Mint or Tropical. When I did the test, I was given deodorant, shampoo, cologne, hand, and face wash recommendations, it is a truly incredible service.
The deodorant offers 8-hour protection, prevents odor, and absorbs sweat, oh and it smells amazing. It is certainly a service for the wealthier gentleman, costing $40 for the deodorant alone, but if you want personalized products that cater to you and your personality, this is the place to go.
7. Jack Black Antiperspirant and Deodorant
If you have a medium price range for deodorants, then Jack Blacks Anti-perspirant and deodorant combination is one of the best you can get. It is made with Vitamin E and aloe vera to allow for maximum comfort and protection for the skin. It is sold primarily as a stick but is also available as a deodorant as well.
Some reviews do suggest that it can leave white patches, but in terms of odor prevention, it is touted as one of the best within its price range. They also take pride in not tasting on animals and remaining a ‘cruelty-free’ brand, which is another attractive quality. Expect to pay anywhere from $18-25.
8. Oars + Alps Deodorant
Not as well known as some of the others on the list, but still a beautifully crafted vegan, natural, cruelty-free deodorant that is kind on the skin and won’t break your wallet either. It offers long lasting protection, and its eucalyptus scented smell is rich in antioxidants and parabens and protects the skin from environmental hazards like inflammation. Considering the fact that it is all natural and contains powerful ingredients, its $14 price tag seems awfully cheap. Definitely worth a buy.
9. Olivina Men Aluminum Free Deodorant
If you are looking for a classic and fresh scent that will keep you protected all day long and leave you feeling confident in your smell, then this deodorant by Olivina is exactly what you need. With aromas of Bourbon and Cedar, you will exude a musky and manly freshness and with its improved odor-fighting formula, you can rest assured that bacteria will not build up where it shouldn’t. It is stain-free and is available in most convenience stores for about $8, so is one of the cheaper deodorants on the list.
10. Axe 48-Hour Odour Protection Body Spray
I just had to include them. Arguably the most popular brand of deodorant in the US, Axe has released hundreds of deodorant and anti-perspirant combinations over the decades. However, their new deodorant is the reason they have a place on this list. Their new cedarwood and fresh sage 2-in-1 deodorant is both cheap and offers lasting 48-hour protection from sweat and bacteria.
One of their main selling points is that all of their packaging will be from recycled materials by 2025, so even if you are unhappy that your deodorant spray may not be too healthy for the environment, you can rest assured that at least Axe are doing their bit to make themselves future proof.