The 13 Absolute Best Deodorants for Sensitive Skin That Actually Work

The 13 Absolute Best Deodorants for Sensitive Skin That Actually Work

We talk a lot about sensitive skin when it comes to the face, but what about the sensitive skin under your arms? The skin in this area is already fragile, and when you add factors such as shaving or waxing, daily deodorant application, or even irritation from itchy clothes, you have a recipe for potentially ending up with some seriously red and itchy armpits.

That’s why when it comes to picking a deodorant, it’s important to pick a product that isn’t going to make matters worse or be a culprit for irritation. Common ingredients, like fragrance, aluminum, baking soda, or parabens found in both natural deodorants and traditional antiperspirants can be problematic. Even if you pick formulas without these ingredients, you sometimes end up with a deodorant that just doesn’t work. So how do you find a deodorant that won’t irritate your skin, but will still be effective?

You test them out, that’s what. And we’ve done that for you—these sensitive skin picks were tested by us and vetted by Dr. Joshua Zeichner, MD. Each one was evaluated based on its ingredients, formulas, application, and effectiveness. We then talked to Dr. Amreen Sitabkhan, a board-certified dermatologist to get to the heart (er, pit) of the matter on all things deodorant and sensitive skin. Ahead, find the ones that impressed us the most.

Our Top Picks

BEST OVERALL:
Dove Advanced Care Sensitive Deodorant at Amazon ($10)

BEST OVERALL, RUNNER-UP:
Schmidt’s Natural Deodorant at Amazon (See Price)

BEST NATURAL:
Nécessaire The Deodorant Gel at Amazon ($18)

BEST SCENT:
Megababe Daily Deodorant at Ulta ($14)

BEST FRAGRANCE-FREE:
Native Women’s Deodorant Unscented Sensitive at Amazon ($13)

BEST SPLURGE:
Corpus Naturals Deodorant at Amazon ($26)

BEST DRUGSTORE:
Vichy 24-Hour Dry-Touch Deodorant at Amazon ($20)

BEST SPRAY:
Aesop Deodorant Spray at Amazon ($36)

BEST WIPES:
Whish Deodorant Swipe at Amazon ($24)

BEST PASTE:
Drunk Elephant Deodorant Cream at Amazon ($16)

[…]

FAQ

• What should people with sensitive skin know when buying deodorant?

  “People with sensitive skin should look at the ingredients when choosing a deodorant,” says Dr. Amreen Sitabkhan, a board-certified dermatologist. “Heavily perfumed deodorants may smell good, but can be very harsh on the skin, especially delicate skin like that of the underarms.”

• What common deodorant ingredients can be irritating for sensitive skin?

  “People with sensitive skin should avoid deodorants with fragrance as many people can find this reactive on the skin,” says Dr. Sitabkhan. “Parabens, which are preservatives often found in deodorants, can also cause contact rashes in some people.”

• How can people test whether a deodorant is right for their skin?

  “There are many brands over the counter that are made for sensitive skin,” says Dr. Sitabkhan. “These deodorants have limited preservatives and are fragrance-free.” She recommends doing a “test spot” to see if a deodorant is right for your skin and does not cause any negative reactions. “Apply the deodorant to a small area of skin on the forearm and make sure no reaction occurs over the next 24 to 48 hours.” And if anything happens, talk to a dermatologist.

Why Trust Byrdie

Samantha Leal is a lifestyle and beauty journalist with more than 13 years of experience. She was trained by Mark/Avon Cosmetics as a makeup artist under their college ambassador program, and has been writing, editing, and reviewing makeup and beauty products ever since.

For this story, Samantha interviewed 2 experts to gather more insights about what to keep in mind when searching for a deodorant for sensitive skin.

• Dr. Amreen Sitabkhan is a board-certified dermatologist from U.S. Dermatology Partners North Dallas.

• Dr. Joshua Zeichner is a board-certified dermatologist and the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital’s Department of Dermatology in New York City.

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