The Best Deodorants for Smelly Armpits
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You shouldn’t have to choose between smelling like a cave dweller that hasn’t washed his pits since, well, ever, or Greg from accounting, who uses high-powered Axe deo laden with harsh chemicals. If you’ve got stinky pits, you want a product that works but doesn’t burn your underarms or fill your skin with unhealthy chemicals.
We’re here to help you find that sweet, ooey gooey middle spot where natural deodorants cover up stinky scents and help you control sweat and bacteria. While some folks may be ready to switch to natural deo, we recognize that others prefer stronger bacteria-killing products like antiperspirants.
We’ll cover all the best deodorants for folks who often deal with the stink that comes along with an active life. Let’s dive into the best deodorants for smelly armpits.
1. Blu Atlas Deodorant 
bluatlas.com
Don’t just mask body odor. Eliminate it. With Blu Atlas Deodorant, the best deodorant for smelly armpits, you get a two-in-one combo of smell-destroying, odor-neutralizing, and skin-soothing product for one sweet price. That’s because Blu Atlas’s formulas use ingredients of natural origins, making this a safe, natural, aluminum-free deodorant even your granny will trust.
Instead of reaching for your typical, chemical-laden deo stick, why not switch to a natural product that helps you smell just as manly, without the junk? A research team and medical advisory board guided every step of the process and chose three key ingredients to help men solve the issue of the stank.
Bamboo stem extract, volcanic ash, and horsetail extract work together to keep the underarms clear of sweat and bacteria. Volcanic ash naturally absorbs impurities and excess oil and helps close the pores. Horsetail extract and bamboo extract contain anti-inflammatory properties that keep the skin irritation-free and soothe inflammation.
Keep stinky smells away with the best deodorant on the market. You can choose from three scent options, Classic, Coconut Apricot, and Fragrance-Free. It’s an odor-killing son of a gun that will help you stay stink-free, even in those hot summer months.
2. Native Deodorant Coconut & Vanilla 
nativecos.com
Following a close second behind Blu Atlas, you’ll find Native, another natural deodorant alternative that makes going aluminum-free easy. Native is all about helping people “practice safe sweats.” That means there are no harsh or unwanted ingredients that could cause reactions.
Every stick is free of aluminum, parabens, phthalates, and talc. Instead, the vegan and cruelty-free product uses coconut oil, baking soda, and shea butter to kill all those funky odors. If you’re worried this natural deodorant can’t handle your smelly armpits, we’re happy to report that you’ll be surprised.
Native’s deodorants stick around all day and help you keep that fresh “just applied” deo scent, making it one of the best deodorants for stinky pits.
3. Lume Solid Stick Deodorant 
lumedeodorant.com
It’s aluminum-free and safe for the whole body. What’s not to love? Lume offers smelly customers a super-effective formula that’s 100% free of baking soda, parabens, and aluminum. Even better, the Whole Body Deodorant keeps you fresh for up to 72 hours and helps you control unwanted odors anywhere on the body. Even those private bits known to get a bit stinky after a sweat sesh.
Even though it’s a natural deo option, it has an incredibly effective formula. That’s probably because it’s a doctor-developed formula. Dr. Shannon Klingman wanted to give men and women a safe product that actually gets rid of odor, including those smelly armpits.
Lume Whole Body Deodorant is a great deodorant for smelly armpits and the number one choice for folks who want a full-body odor-killer.
4. Degree Women Clinical Protection Shower Clean Antiperspirant Deodorant 
amazon.com
Looking for full coverage for your smelly pits? Then you’ll want to call in the big guns. Clinical strength formulas, like this one from Degree, contain an active ingredient that blocks sweat production and stops body odor in its tracks.
Clinical-strength antiperspirants are the perfect choice for folks who are heavy sweaters, live an active lifestyle, or reside in a seriously hot or humid region. It’s both an antiperspirant and deodorant, so it blocks the forming of sweat and masks any unwanted odors with a fresh, clean scent.
Degree has multiple “Clinical Protection” sticks to choose from for both men and women. Find your favorite scent and take care of those smelly pits once and for all. It’s our top pick for men and women dealing with out-of-control body odors.
5. Uriage Clinical Strength Antiperspirant Deodorant 
amazon.com
Roll it onto your pits and forget about body odors for up to 24 hours. Uriage Clinical Strength Antiperspirant Deodorant offers soothing ingredients and a lightweight unisex scent. A few swipes of the roll-on deo stop sweating and reduces odor.
You can tackle your next workout with a fresh fragrance or feel confident at work—even when the ac stops working. Ingredients like thermal water and aluminum salts combat odor and perspiration so that you can focus on more important things.
It’s the top choice for ladies and gents who want an easy-to-use, roll-on deodorant product that also blocks sweat production.
How to Find the Best Deodorant for Smelly Pits
Are you and your armpits ready to upgrade to a stench-killing deodorant or antiperspirant? Here’s everything you need to know before you make the switch.
What’s the Difference Between Deodorant and Antiperspirant?
While “deodorant” and “antiperspirant” are often used interchangeably, they’re actually two different products. Deodorants are classified as cosmetics; their job is to protect against odor and keep your underarms fresh. They help eliminate or cover up bad body odors and don’t contain aluminum.
Antiperspirants contain aluminum and are classified as a drug because it’s an active ingredient that changes the body’s function. They are more potent than deodorants and actually prevent sweat from forming while eliminating unwanted odors. It’s important to note that blocking sweat production also reduces the chance of bacteria that cause bad body odor.
There isn’t a “one-size” fits all when it comes to deodorant and antiperspirant. Men and women have to experiment to find a product that works well for their skin type and amount of sweat.
How to Choose a Deodorant for Smelly Armpits
Picking a new deodorant isn’t as easy as rolling up to your local grocery store and buying the flashiest one you see. As you shop, there are key features to be aware of that will help you pinpoint the right ingredients and deodorant type for your pits.
Best Ingredients for the Skin
Grab a deodorant that’s loaded up with natural skin-loving and odor-squashing ingredients. Natural and aluminum-free deodorants are some of the safest, best-quality options for the underarms. They’re gentle on the skin while still tackling unwanted body odors.
Natural ingredients soothe dry, stressed-out skin and ensure your pits stay moisturized and fresh. Some great ingredients include aloe vera, rose extract, coconut oil, bamboo extract, arrowroot powder, jojoba oil, vitamin E, natural essential oils, volcanic ash, and calendula oil.
Ingredients to Avoid
Many deodorants and antiperspirants contain ingredients that mess with your body’s hormones. An easy way to avoid “bad” deodorants—or as we like to call them, cheap deo’s that are trying to ruin your body—is to ignore products with hard-to-read ingredient lists.
Check the label to see if there are 20+ ingredients. If there are, then you should cross it off your list. There are several harsh chemicals that may cause side effects like redness, swelling, bumps, itching, and more.
Try to avoid products with phthalates, sulfates, parabens, aluminum, mineral oil, formaldehyde, and artificial fragrances and dyes.
Types of Deodorant: Invisible Solid, Soft Solid, Sprays, and Gels
Consider what form of deodorant fits best in your lifestyle. For example, do you need a spray deo that you can apply in a few seconds? Or do you have a moderate pace in the morning and have time to wait for a gel deodorant to dry before putting your clothes on?
Each type of deodorant has its own list of pros and cons. Two of the most common deodorant options are invisible solids and soft solids. The biggest difference is that invisible solids go on clear and shouldn’t leave residue on your clothes. Soft solids appear slightly white and powdery and could potentially cling to your clothes.
How Much Does an Antiperspirant or Deodorant Cost?
If you’re standing in the deodorant and antiperspirant aisle at the grocery store, you’ll notice a huge range of prices, from as little as $5 to three times as much for clinical-strength options.
A good quality deodorant that covers up any scents or smelly pits typically costs between $10 to $20. Some clinical- and prescription-strength deodorants may cost $20+, and high-quality natural deodorants usually cost about $20 to $30.
Tips and Tricks for Smelly Pits
We know you’re no rookie when it comes to using deodorant and antiperspirant. But our top tips and tricks may highlight a few tricks you don’t know yet and help you reduce your pungent underarm scent.
What’s the Best Time to Apply Deodorant to Smelly Armpits?
If your armpits are smelly and you want to apply deodorant, first, you should wash your underarms with soap and water. (Or whatever shower gel you have on hand).
The absolute best time to apply deodorant is when you’ve just stepped out of the shower and completed your morning or evening routine. Apply deodorant first thing in the morning—to clean dry pits—before sweat has a chance to form.
How Often Should I Apply Deodorant?
Does your deodorant say it works for up to 48 hours? But you notice that you need to reapply after the 12-hour mark? If you’re a moderately active person, you’ll need to reapply your deo more frequently to keep armpit odors under wraps.
The best time to apply deodorant or antiperspirant is before you start sweating. However, there’s nothing wrong with touching it up during the day if you’re only slightly sweaty. When you get too sweaty, though, applying deodorant over the sweat and bacteria won’t be enough to eliminate bad body odors. You’ll need to shower, use soap and water, or get a cleansing wipe to remove the sweat and bacteria that have built up before re-applying.
There is no “perfect time” to re-apply deodorant, but the best time to do so is before getting sweaty and stinky. Also, re-applying deo may cause problems and stress out your skin. So look out for signs of irritation like redness, itchiness, or swelling.
How to Switch to Natural (Aluminum-Free) Deodorant
Switching to natural deodorant can be tricky. Many who try and make the switch often end up with super-smelly pits and give up halfway through. While it may seem challenging to make the switch, there are some practical tips you can follow to reduce your body odor.
- Pick a cool (or less humid) season to switch to aluminum-free deo. This gives you a better chance of smelling fresh daily with your natural deo. (When you first switch to natural deodorant, your body needs an adjustment period, and your pits will likely smell for a few weeks).
- Keep your pits clean and exfoliated. Use a gentle soap and exfoliator in the shower to remove bacteria and dead skin cells. When you’re done bathing, dry your underarms really well because trapped moisture can cause unwanted odors.
- It will take your body about a month to adjust to a new aluminum-free, natural deodorant. During this time, you’ll likely want to apply your deo more than once per day. Take it with you so you can reapply it 2 to 3 times per day to keep your underarms fresh.
It typically takes men and women one month to transition to aluminum-free deodorant. During weeks one to three (and sometimes four), you may experience more sweating and funky odors than usual. This is normal and a sign that your body is adjusting to the new ingredients.
After four weeks, your underarms should adjust to and utilize the new deo and keep bad body odors at bay.
Frequently Asked Questions Does “natural” deodorant really work?
If you’re thinking of switching to natural deodorant and aren’t sure if it’s worth the effort, time, or money, this is for you. For many people, natural deodorant works just as well as antiperspirants. Natural deodorants can and do absorb sweat and bacteria that cause odor.
Men and women with conditions like hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) may not enjoy using natural deodorant due to the formula and strength. But it’s typically a good choice for folks with a “normal” amount of sweat.
Natural deodorants are a favorite for many because they contain natural ingredients and cut out harmful materials that cause stress to the skin. Be careful when shopping for natural products, though, because some companies use the word “natural” when the ingredient list is actually full of harsh chemicals.
What does “clinical strength” mean?
Clinical strength means that a deodorant uses the maximum amount of an active ingredient that’s available over the counter. They use a form of aluminum and should be strong enough to help most get smelly armpits under control. If clinical-strength deodorants still aren’t strong enough to cover odors or sweat, find a prescription-strength deodorant.
Prescription-strength deodorants have super-concentrated formulas and a higher dose of aluminum. Be aware that prescription deodorants are known to cause seriously irritating side effects like burning, swelling, and itching. They have also been know to cause harmful reactions.
Does shaving my armpits reduce smell?
It’s sad but true; body hair traps funky body odors. While men don’t typically shave their underarms, it’s a great way to cut down on bad odors and reduce the chance of smelly armpits. Some studies indicate that shaving underarm hair reduces the risk of bad body odors, and they smell better than people who don’t shave.
How does body hair trap more odors? When your body produces sweat, it creates bacteria which causes body odor. Underarm hair keeps it trapped, which is a perfect place for bacteria to grow. This is why men and women with underarm hair are likelier to have more pungent body odor.
Should I use antiperspirant or deodorant?
The choice between deodorant and antiperspirant is a big one. It will dictate how fresh your underarms are throughout the day. There are a few questions that will help you determine which is the right one for you.
Do you sweat a lot or participate in intense physical activity throughout the day? For example, men and women with manual labor jobs. Do you live in a region with high temperatures or high humidity? Those who answered yes will need an antiperspirant that can reduce sweat and kill bacteria that cause bad body odors.
On the flip side, men and women who participate in low to moderate physical activity, work in an office, or don’t sweat that often will likely do well with a deodorant.
What’s the best deodorant for smelly armpits?
Blu Atlas Deodorant is the best deodorant for smelly armpits. Keep your pits fresh from dawn to dusk with this powerful natural deo. With the help of effective ingredients of natural origins, it keeps unwanted scents under wraps and helps you smell your best. Volcanic ash, bamboo extract, and horsetail extract ensure your underarms stay free of sweat and odors. It’s an aluminum-free formula and is also free from parabens, phthalates, artificial fragrances, and sulfates.
