These Deodorants For Sensitive Skin Won't Make You Itchy

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Like brushing your teeth or washing your face, applying deodorant is one of those things you do every. single. morning. But for people with sensitive skin, the ingredients that make deodorant so effective at masking odor and preventing sweat, like aluminum or sulfates, can also irritate skin, causing rashes or redness.

Since razor burn and an allergic reaction can look very similar, you may not even know when you're experiencing an allergy or sensitivity to certain ingredients. "Some symptoms of a deodorant allergy or sensitivity include red, itchy patches under your arms, burning, inflammation, swelling, or even blisters/lumps in your armpits,” says founder of Bergen Dermatology Naana Boakye, MD. To avoid this, you can shop for deodorants for sensitive skin specifically, which minimize your risk of a bad reaction.

Finding the best one for you can involve a bit of trial and error since every body is different. To help you with your search, we spent countless days in the sweltering heat testing a variety of antiperspirants to find out which ones are the most gentle and effective. We’ve put tens of deodorants to the test under stressful, sweat-inducing situations and found that these formulas kept our armpits dry and odor-free without any irritation.

Below are the 15 best deodorants for sensitive skin that won’t leave you red and raw.

Aluminum-Free Deodorant

Formulated without aluminum, baking soda, or any added fragrance, this natural deodorant uses tapioca starch and Dead Sea natural salts to keep your underarms dry and stink-free.

We especially love the coconut oil, which gives this deodorant a creamy texture that helps it glide on smooth and prevents you from over-applying. Even though there is no added fragrance, it has a natural, earthy scent that’s pleasant without being too overpowering.

Advanced 72H Sweat & Odor Protection Antiperspirant

If you’re looking for a spray-on option, this antiperspirant from Degree does the trick. It goes on dry so you don’t have to worry about any deodorant smears on your shirt. We love the calming almond and vanilla scent, which completely masked our body odor even at the end of a very long, sweaty day.

Anti-Perspirant Deodorant

Some deodorants can work a little too well and actually dry out your underarms, causing redness and irritation. This antiperspirant from Dove contains moisturizing ingredients and an alcohol-free formula to protect against sweat while keeping your skin hydrated and smooth.

Aluminum-Free Gel Deodorant

If you have sensitive skin, you may already be familiar with Vanicream, which specializes in making skincare products specifically for sensitive skin.

This deodorant is made with only five ingredients, as simple formulations are less likely to irritate sensitive skin. Its formula doesn't include any plant-based starches or mineral clays, which are commonly used to absorb sweat but may be a source of irritation for some.

Essentials Natural Deodorant

While some people with sensitive skin can’t use deodorants with baking soda, others can tolerate it just fine. Baking soda is known for its ability to absorb odors, which is why it has become popular in some natural deodorant formulations. If you sweat profusely, this is a great deodorant to try.

Natural Deodorant

All you need is a thin layer of this natural gel-formulated deodorant to keep your pits in prime condition. Unlike a lot of other natural deodorants which are coconut-oil based, this one utilizes seaweed extracts and hyaluronic acid to moisturize the skin, while probiotics help balance the bacteria under your arms.

0% Aluminum Deodorant For Odor Protection

Dove is known for its moisturizing ingredients, and this aluminum-free deodorant is no different. Its formula includes moisturizing ingredients for soft and smooth underarms. This gentle deodorant provides 48-hour protection from odor so you can go about your daily activities with comfort and confidence.

Antiperspirant Clinical Strength Deodorant

If you’re looking for a gentle, non-irritating deodorant that’s on the stronger side, look no further than this clinical-strength deodorant from Secret. It’s designed to stand up to three different types of sweat—stress, heat, and activity. We found that it was the most effective at blocking sweat glands, reducing both wetness and the release of foul-smelling body odor.

Unscented Deodorant

The unique formula of this deodorant is what makes it so effective at reducing and neutralizing odors associated with sweat. Tallow from grass-fed cows, white kaolin clay, and arrowroot powder come together to absorb excess moisture without drying out your pits.

It contains a small amount of naturally-mined baking soda, which is less abrasive than traditional baking soda, and gentle enough for even the most sensitive of skin.

Sensitive Deodorant

If you’re curious about natural deodorant, you’re probably already familiar with Native. While most Native deodorants include baking soda, this one was specially formulated without it for those with skin sensitivities. While baking soda can help neutralize odor-causing bacteria, we found that the tapioca starch in this formula is enough to keep you feeling dry and clean-smelling.

Base Layer

This natural deodorant is truly unscented, which makes it great for all skin types, especially people who are extremely sensitive to smells. It glides on smooth, thanks to the addition of aloe and shea butter in the formula, and lasts all day without letting any sweat or stink escape.

The Deodorant Gel

Nécessaire makes a multi-purpose and effective deodorant that feels like a luxury product, but at $15 doesn’t break the bank. Designed to combat odor, address hyperpigmentation, and minimize bumps, it glides on easily and works all day long, even during heat waves.

All Over Clean & Fresh Deodorant Cream

We love the generous size of this cream deodorant made from all-natural vegan ingredients like coconut and glycerin, which provide moisture to sensitive skin. Plus, you can use it on other body parts that might be sweaty, like your thighs or feet.

Fragrance-Free AHA Serum Deodorant

Part serum, part deodorant, this product is an overachiever. Not only does it combat body odor, but it also minimizes the look of discoloration and helps heal ingrown hairs faster. What makes it different from other deodorants is the blend of mandelic, lactic, and polyhydroxy acids, which reduces odor and improves skin texture for clear, smooth underarms.

Original Unscented 24-hour Invisible Antiperspirant

This affordable deodorant rolls on clear and blocks sweat and odor for up to 24 hours. Not only does it significantly reduce perspiration, but it also reduces odor caused by bacteria breaking down sweat on your skin’s surface.

How our team chose the best deodorants for sensitive skin

Women’s Health editors, including beauty director Brian Underwood, and contributor Cristina Montemayor vetted the bestselling, top-rated deodorants for sensitive skin. Our team consulted a dermatologist and then evaluated hundreds of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the best deodorants for sensitive skin for a wide range of needs and preferences.

What causes sensitivity to deodorant?

You can develop an allergy to any ingredient at any time, but deodorant allergies are most often caused by added fragrances. Deodorant allergies are a form of contact dermatitis, which is a condition in which you develop a rash on your skin that’s triggered by contact with a particular substance.

The underarm area is particularly vulnerable to contact dermatitis because the skin is very thin and delicate, which makes it more prone to disruption. The warm, moist environment is also an ideal habitat for bacteria to multiply, spreading contact dermatitis around the entire surface area of your underarms.

What should I look for in a deodorant for sensitive skin?

If you’re not sure which ingredient you’re allergic to, it’s best to use a deodorant with simple, natural ingredients that are formulated without any common irritants. "If you have sensitive skin, you should look for a deodorant that is free of fragrances, dyes, parabens, baking soda, aluminum, alcohols, or any other ingredients that may trigger contact dermatitis," says Dr. Boakye. Instead, look for ingredients that will soothe sensitive or irritated skin, like aloe vera, shea butter, or chamomile. Dermatologist-tested deodorants are typically more gentle on the skin.

What ingredients should I avoid in a deodorant for sensitive skin?

Until you know which ingredient is to blame for your skin irritation, it’s best to avoid anything with fragrance or fragrance-related ingredients, like essential oils and certain alcohols. Oftentimes these ingredients aren’t easily identifiable, which is why we asked Dr. Boakye to break it down for us and tell us the specific ingredients we should look out for when buying deodorant for sensitive skin.

"You may experience deodorant irritation/contact dermatitis if your deodorant has fragrance, cetylstearyl alcohol derivatives, propylene glycol, butylated hydroxytoluene, benzoic acid, triclosan, phenoxyethanol, sorbitan sesquioleate derivatives, and vitamin E," she says. Dr. Boakye also says people with sensitive skin should avoid any essential oils (such as isoeugenol, citronellal, lyral, cinnamic aldehyde, etc.), fragrances (limonene, linalool, hydroxycitronellal), and baking soda.

Can you use antiperspirant if you have sensitive skin?

It really depends on the severity of your allergic reaction and what triggers it. If your skin can tolerate baking soda, you might be able to use an antiperspirant that uses baking soda as its active ingredient. Natural deodorants without baking soda are more gentle on the skin, which is why they're recommended for people with sensitive skin. "Because baking soda and fragrance are active ingredients, it may behoove individuals to look for fragrance and baking soda-free products," says Dr. Boakye.

Read more about the best deodorants

Best Deodorants For Women | Best Natural Deodorant | Best Aluminum Free Deodorants | Beauty Products For Sensitive Skin

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