These Dermatologist-Recommended Deodorants Are Gentle Enough for Sensitive Skin

If you aren’t a fan of the white cast that some deodorants leave behind, you may prefer a gel formula. This hypoallergenic gel deodorant from Vanicream is free of aluminum, lanolin, and fragrance. It’s a deodorant only, so it prevents odor, not sweat.

“This prescription-strength antiperspirant is super moisturizing,” says Gabriela Soza, MD, of PfrankMD in New York City. “Prescription strength” doesn’t mean that you need a prescription to get it, but rather, that it’s as strong as certain prescription antiperspirants. “Its hydrating formula contains vitamin E and feels like velvet on your skin,” Dr. Soza says. She recommends applying the cream before you go to sleep for the best results (more about that later). “If you want or need to, you can reapply in the morning or apply a deodorant of your choice,” she adds.

As with most antiperspirants, this option contains aluminum, which helps block pores and prevent sweating. Deodorants typically don’t contain aluminum, since their focus is odor prevention, not preventing sweat. This product doesn’t contain baking soda, which is also common with antiperspirants.

Instead of a stick, spray, or roll-on, AKT balm is a cream formula that you apply with your fingers. You’ll need only a pea-sized amount. It can be used on the armpits but also anywhere else you may need odor protection, like the chest or face. The balm dries to an invisible powder finish. This deodorant contains moisturizing ingredients that hydrate skin, like shea butter and sunflower seed oil.

AKT’s SC.00 deodorant balm has a no fragrance version, but some people with sensitive skin may still prefer scented deodorant, and AKT delivers a luxe blend of scents in its other offerings, including a cedar, eucalyptus, and orange blend as well as an option with amber, violet, and tonka, which has a spicy vanilla scent.

Some people prefer the ease of spray deodorant, and this one from Dove offers 72-hour protection and is made with ingredients that help soften the underarms. It dries almost immediately with no residue, and it’s easy to apply — just shake and spray 6 inches from your armpits. It doesn’t contain baking soda or alcohol.

Armpits aren’t the only place that may need a little odor prevention — this deodorant is for “pits, privates, and beyond,” according to the company's branding. Lume deodorant started as a product to counter vaginal odor and was created by an ob-gyn. Our pick is the unscented solid stick, but if you prefer a scent, Lume has many options, including lavender, cucumber, and coconut. Many users like the ease and precision of the solid cream stick, but the whole-body formula is also available in a spray or cream in a tube (like a lotion). The company lists the ingredients of its most popular products on its website.

If you like your deodorant to double as a subtle perfume, this sensitive-skin deodorant, made without aluminum and baking soda, will be your go-to (the brand has an extra-strength version that contains baking soda). It has an earthy scent that smells high end without being overpowering, and it is made with less than 1 percent of synthetic fragrance, which is enough to make it smell good but generally too little to irritate sensitive skin.

The gel formula glides on smoothly and dries instantly, leaving no residue, even if you put on a black shirt immediately after applying. I have sensitive skin, and this is my favorite deodorant — my husband has also started “borrowing” it.

This natural deodorant is quick drying and long-lasting, and comes in an easy-to-apply roll-on that doesn’t leave behind residue. New York City–based Hannah Kopelman, DO, host of the podcast Derm Club, says that when looking for a deodorant for sensitive skin, “look for products with soothing agents like aloe vera, chamomile, or glycerin.”

This product is similar in texture to a lotion. The package has four small holes where the deodorant squeezes out, so it can be easy to accidentally apply too much your first few times — you don’t need a lot. In addition, the plastic packaging is recyclable, as is the entire container, so there’s no need to disassemble it.

The words “clinical strength” on an antiperspirant mean that the product contains higher concentrations of active ingredients than most regular-strength over-the-counter antiperspirants. This version from Secret (one of the most recognizable brands in deodorant) delivers while still being kind to sensitive skin.

“For individuals who require extra sweat protection, this clinical-strength formula provides up to 72 hours of protection. It’s also enriched with skin conditioners, helping to keep sensitive skin calm and hydrated,” Dr. Kopelman says. This one is designed to fight three types of sweat caused by stress, heat, and activity. It’s available in several scents, and the solid goes on without any chalky residue.

Refillable deodorant is a great way to reduce plastic while still having a deodorant stick that feels solid and sturdy. Wild is a popular U.K. brand that has now debuted in the United States.

You choose the color or print on your case (cases are available on Amazon, but there are more pattern and color choices on the brand’s website). When you subscribe, refills ship every 4, 8, 10, 12, or 14 weeks for 20 percent off. Plus, subscriptions include three refills, which saves you money on shipping. Refills are packaged in cardboard and recyclable.

You can choose from various sensitive-skin refill options (which are made without baking soda), including cotton and sea salt, lavender and geranium, and cherry blossom. Limited-edition seasonal scents are sometimes available. There’s also an unscented, fragrance-free, and baking soda-free starter pack.

A video on the website shows you how to refill your deodorant (it’s easy once you get the hang of it — basically, the bottom pulls out and you pop in the refill). We found the deodorant case to be sturdy and pretty enough to leave out on a vanity, and it was very easy to insert the refill.

You may expect to pay more for a refillable product (because you can use it, well, forever), but this one is a great price — a similar refillable deodorant from Bite retails for $44.