The 8 Best Antiperspirants for Women, According to Experts and Hands-On Testing

During testing, Certain Dri stood out from the rest. I liked the convenient roll-on bottle, which didn’t leave behind any residue like some of the sticks I tried. It takes a minute to fully dry, but once it does, it’s nearly undetectable on the skin. Still, I could notice it working. I experienced less sweat while exercising when I used this antiperspirant compared to some others. And while it’s not scented, its ability to block sweat also prevents odors.

Four of the five dermatologists we consulted with also said that this Certain Dri antiperspirant is one they recommend often to patients. “This product contains 12 percent aluminum chloride, which is one of most effective over-the-counter (OTC) ingredients for controlling hyperhidrosis,” says Mona Foad, MD, the founder of MONA Dermatology in Cincinnati, and “aluminum chloride is the same ingredient found in some prescription formulas.” It’s also fragrance-free, which could be a plus for those with sensitive skin.

One thing to note, however, is that stronger isn’t always better. If you sweat excessively, this could be your solution, but higher strengths of active ingredients also increase the risk for skin irritation, notes Leah Ansell, MD, a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Rye, New York. While I didn’t experience any skin irritation while using this, a patch test is always a good idea if you’re extra sensitive. A patch test is used to see if a new product might cause a negative reaction. To perform a skin patch test, apply the product to a small area of skin and observe how your skin tolerates it.

This is one of the more affordable antiperspirants we tested, and it ranked near the top in terms of effectiveness and all-around pleasant experience. It’s a stick, so I expected it to have a powder consistency that leaves behind residue, but it was surprisingly smooth and leaves behind no trace. I liked that I didn’t have to wait for it to dry like some others. Plus, it comes in a convenient travel size, so it’s perfect for throwing in your purse or gym bag.

While scent is subjective, I would have preferred a different fragrance. The scent leans more masculine — it was similar to wearing men’s cologne. When you combine the heavy fragrance with the aluminum and baking soda, you get an odor-fighting recipe, so this budget-conscious pick could be ideal for people worried about odor.

While testing this product, I went to a baseball game on a sweltering summer day. I noticed significantly less sweat and zero odor, even after spending hours in the heat. I also enjoyed the Fresh Linen scent and the product's smooth consistency. It glides onto the body with no resistance, and even though the actual stick has a gray hue, it goes on invisible and doesn’t transfer or leave any residue. I tried other Carpe products during the testing process, but preferred this one for its feel, scent, and performance.

Carpe is also more than twice the cost of some others I tried, but when you find a product that works for you, sometimes it’s worth paying a premium for.

When I asked dermatologists about the best antiperspirant for active women, the answer was this one from Degree. “I recommend this product for the active patient as it boasts 72-hour protection and is great for those long, hot summer days,” says Alexandra Bowles, DO, a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Cincinnati.

To find out if it really works during sweaty workouts, I put it to the test, and it delivered. I noticed less underarm sweat during and after exercise. With its fresh, floral scent, it also had one of the best fragrances of the lot I tested, which helped with odor control and smelling fresh for hours after I first applied it. This antiperspirant is unlike others I tried because it’s not solid — it’s silky and goes on easily with a stick application. The thick consistency is similar to lotion, but I ended up really liking how it moisturized my underarms. So, what’s the catch? Expect a little bit of residue on your clothes. I was careful to avoid deodorant stains, but some white marks were inevitable.

There are multiple scents, such as Cool Citrus and Cedar, to choose from. I tested the Clear Sky formula, which has notes of pear and vanilla. Of all the antiperspirants I tested, this one had the best scent. It’s not fragrance-free, but I didn’t have any issues with skin sensitivity. I also didn’t find the scent overpowering. The scent was most noticeable immediately after I applied it, and it faded throughout the day.

An antiperspirant that reduces moisture is one thing — a deodorant that prevents odors is another. Duradry does both. “This antiperspirant provides maximum sweat control and odor protection for your underarms,” Dr. Bowles says. As for its performance, it certainly did its job. I experienced a reduction in sweat while using it. It also had great staying power — when I tried to rinse it off in the shower, it was somewhat difficult to remove. I also found that it had some slight transfer to darker clothes, but this wasn’t an issue with lighter fabrics.

How often should you use antiperspirant? Every day, said the dermatologists I spoke to. The idea is to apply antiperspirant before you sweat, so you get ahead of excessive perspiration and odors. “This product is perfect for everyday use,” Bowles says. “It offers the wetness protection of a prescription-strength product formulated to be gentle on the skin.”

What I liked most about this product is how easy it is to apply. While I didn’t particularly struggle with any of the antiperspirants I tested, I ran into some unfamiliar territory. This is a simple stick that looks, feels, and applies the way you’re used to. The texture is somewhere between a powder and cream — it’s neither dry nor mega moisturizing, and you don’t really notice it once applied. Yes, it causes slight transfer onto clothes, but unlike some others, the white marks were easy to brush away. With a slightly feminine scent, it also smells great.

Antiperspirants can prevent odors by reducing sweat in the first place, but that’s not their primary purpose. If odor isn’t a huge concern, this roll-on antiperspirant from Dermadoctor could be a good choice because it doesn’t mask smells with added fragrances. I sweat but I don’t struggle with odors. The aluminum-based formula reduced underarm moisture without unnecessary fragrances. Unlike traditional stick antiperspirants, this one has a gel formula that I applied using the roll-on applicator. It goes on wet, so I had to wait a minute or so before getting fully dressed, but once it dries, it’s invisible and weightless on the skin. It doesn’t smell like anything, so I didn’t even notice it was there.

Since it’s fragrance-free, it’s especially suitable for those with skin sensitivities. “I recommend this product to patients with sensitive skin,” says Foad, adding that it’s hypoallergenic. “It is very gentle on the skin and free from irritants and allergens that can cause it to react negatively.”

I tested multiple antiperspirant wipes and found these Certain Dri wipes the most effective. They reduced sweat and odors, and I liked how it went on invisible. During the testing period, I experienced a lot of white marks from antiperspirants, so this stood out to me as an option you could wear with dark clothes and not worry about residue. These aren’t fragrance-free, and the scent was quite strong, however.

If there’s one antiperspirant brand that dermatologists name drop the most, it’s Certain Dri. Nearly every dermatologist we spoke to praised the brand, including Amy Huang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist with Medical Offices of Manhattan. “Certain Dri is formulated with high amounts of metallic [aluminum] salts that effectively stop sweating,” she explains. We tested and loved the roll-on from this brand, but the wipes are a good find, too.

The box includes 10 individually wrapped wipes, which are convenient for travel or keeping them handy in your purse or gym bag. The price per wipe is a bit steep, so these may not be ideal for everyday use, but they’re great for on the go. Using them is straightforward — simply swipe the wipe across your underarm. You’ll feel a bit of moisture, but it’s not as wet as others I tested, so it doesn’t take long to dry.