Even if you don’t live in a hot, humid climate or workout daily, you probably rely on deodorant to stay fresh. But not all deodorants are created equal, and choosing the right one can be surprisingly personal.
Do you want to stop sweating entirely, or just manage odor? Are you team natural, or do you need something that can survive a 90-minute workout, a marathon of errands, and a 90-degree day? There’s also the matter of texture — gel, solid, spray, cream — and scent (or no scent), skin sensitivity, and whether the formula of your choice stains your clothes.
“Deodorants help prevent body odor by eliminating bacteria and masking smells, but don’t stop sweating,” says dermatologist Dr. David Johnson. Antiperspirants, on the other hand, contain ingredients that block sweat glands to reduce perspiration. “If you smell bad but do not sweat much, choose a deodorant,” he suggests. “If you sweat a lot, especially under the arms, an antiperspirant will be more helpful.”
Thankfully, there’s a deodorant for every armpit, and in a bid to find the ones that actually work, I’ve put a range of top-rated formulas to the test. After real-world testing, I found Evolvetogether’s natural deodorant ($26, Amazon.com) to be my favourite — it’s effective, and the scent was subtle. I’ve also found a gentle formula for sensitive skin, a cooling spray, and a luxury balm. Keep reading for the formula that passed my tests.
How I tested
As a busy mom of four, I don’t exactly live a low-impact lifestyle. Between chasing kids around, juggling work, and squeezing in my own workouts six days a week, a deodorant really has to show up to keep up with me. To give each formula a fair shot, I wore them during regular daily activities (think: playground hangs, grocery runs, and dinner dates), as well as during workouts, including weight sessions and long runs in 80- to 90-degree heat.
During the testing period, I wore each product for a minimum of three days, paying close attention to the following criteria:
- Application: I made a note of how the deodorant needed to be applied to the skin (roller ball, spray, solid stick), and how easy this process was — stick deodorants can pull on the skin, sprays are nice and speedy, and some formulas are messier to apply than others (I tried a balm that you apply with your fingers or an applicator tool).
- Scent: While this is subjective to an extent, I acknowledged whether I liked the scent and whether it was wearable for everyday, how strong they were, and how well they lasted. The more choice the better, so I also made a note of the number of scents available. I have also made sure to include fragrance-free options.
- Residue: I assessed whether the product stained my clothes or left any kind of zero residue, stickiness, white marks, or chalky buildup.
- Efficacy: I monitored how many hours of wear I could get from each deodorant without having to reapply.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Brigitt Earley has more than 15 years of experience in reviewing cosmetic products, finding those that cut through the noise and work. She has gleaned expertise from experts such as board-certified dermatologists, done extensive research on the different formulas, and has tested dozens to decide which ones are worth your money. She considers what matters, from skin type and key ingredients to whether the formula does what it says on the bottle. Beyond this, she works out six times a week, so she knows the importance of finding a good deodorant that works.
The best women’s deodorants for 2025 are:
- Best overall — Evolvetogether natural deodorant: $26, Amazon.com
- Best budget deodorant — Dove cooling whole body deodorant: $10, Amazon.com
- Best for sensitive skin — Each & Every Sunday morning natural fragrance deodorant: $22, Ulta.com
- Best refillable deodorant — Wild refillable deodorant: $15, Wearewild.com
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Evolvetogether natural deodorant
Best: Women's deodorant overall
Format: Clear gel stick
Aluminum-free: Yes
Scents available : Havana (spicy wood), Monaco (dry floral), Tulum (green herbal), Taormina (white floral)
Why we love it
- Clear gel texture dries with no residue
- Perfume-like scent that lasts
Take note
- Takes a few minutes to fully dry
Evolvetogether’s natural deodorant checks all the right boxes: it looks and feels luxe, and it's highly effective. The formula goes on like a smooth gel, and while I wish it dried down just a touch faster, it feels lightweight and cooling. It also has no residue, stickiness, white marks, or chalky buildup.
But it’s the scent that really sold me. Monaco is a sophisticated blend of mandarin, rose, patchouli, and oud. It’s floral and earthy all at once. In fact, it smells more like a high-end perfume than your typical deodorant. And, as a bonus, the packaging is made from 100 per cent post-consumer recycled materials and is recyclable.
Buy now £26.00, Amazon.com
Dove cooling whole body deodorant
Best: Budget women's deodorant
Format : Spray
Aluminum-free : Yes
Scents available: Coconut and vanilla, peach and white tea, raspberry and rose, sage and lavendar
Why we love it
- No white marks on clothes
- Gentle, even on freshly shaved skin
Take note
- Cooling sensation may not be for everyone
If you’re looking for something gentle, lightly scented, and easy to use, Dove’s cooling whole body deodorant is a solid pick. I tried the coconut and vanilla scent and loved that it was beachy without being overly tropical or sweet.
It goes on in a fine mist that has an instant cooling effect on skin. I don’t personally love how cold sprays feel on the skin, but those who do will definitely appreciate the blast of coolness that lingers. Still, it’s worth noting that unlike some other sprays I’ve tried, this one didn’t sting at all — not even post-shave.
It’s truly invisible — it left no white marks on my clothes, even when the spray made direct contact with fabric. As for staying power, it held up surprisingly well through a warm, active day complete with both an indoor and an outdoor workout.
Buy now £10.00, Amazon.com
Native deodorant
Best: Women's deodorants for scents
Format: Solid stick
Aluminum-free : Yes
Scents available: 25
Why we love it
- Tons of scent options
- Glides on smoothly
- No residue
Take note
- May not be ideal for heavy workouts or exceptionally hot days
When I polled my friends who have tried this Native’s deodorant, lots of them said the eucalyptus and mint scent was their go-to, and now I understand why. While it’s not the most powerful deodorant I’ve ever tried, it strikes a nice balance between clean ingredients and everyday performance.
The texture is smooth and creamy, and glides on without tugging. It also dries down quickly with no chalky residue. I wore this deodorant on errand-heavy days and on a few outdoor walks, and it kept me smelling fresh through all of it. I did, however, notice a fair amount of wetness under my arms on the hotter days, but that makes sense, since this isn’t an antiperspirant.
I especially liked that this scent skewed a little masculine without being overpowering, and seemed to offer more coverage than some of the lighter women’s scents available, like vanilla or cucumber and mint. Plus, the brand’s wide range of scent options makes it easy to find something that you like.
Buy now £13.00, Amazon.com
Lume whole body deodorant
Best: Women's deodorant for the whole body
Format: Solid stick
Aluminum-free: Yes
Scents available: Peony rose, lavender and sage, tangerine, toasted coconut
Why we love it
- Works anywhere on the body
- Long-lasting odor control
- Totally clear and feels like a lotion
Take note
- Scent preferences can be hit or miss
Lume’s deodorant is unique because it’s designed to work anywhere on your body, not just under your arms. You can use it on your thighs, back, under your breasts, really anywhere you want to combat any resulting odors from sweat and bacteria mixing. I tried the peony rose scent and thought it smelled light, fresh, and not overly floral.
Overall, I was impressed with how well this aluminum-free deodorant worked. The brand promises 72-hour odor control, and while I didn’t go three days without showering to test that, I can confirm it held up well through long days, workouts, and serious summer heat. I used it on my underarms and under my breasts, and it delivered solid odor control. I also liked that even though it’s a stick format, it looks and feels like a lightweight moisturizer going on. It’s smooth, non-greasy, and totally invisible.
Buy now £13.00, Target.com
Secret clinical strength invisible solid antiperspirant
Best: Women's deodorant for sweat
Format: Solid stick
Aluminum-free : No
Scents available: Mandarin, strawberry, watermelon, waterlily, lavender, coconut, sensitive, powder protection, shower fresh, stress response
Why we love it
- Actually stops sweat
- Fresh scent that layers well with perfume
- Long-lasting odor-control
Take note
- Contains aluminum
If you need a deodorant that doesn’t just mask odor but actually stops sweat in its tracks, Secret’s clinical strength invisible solid antiperspirant is the one you want. Unlike aluminum-free options, this product works by blocking sweat glands. While this isn’t something I feel like I need every single day, I could tell the difference on hotter, more humid days, especially if my plans took me out for a long run. When using this formula, my underarms stayed noticeably drier compared to the more natural options I tested.
I tried the completely clean scent, which smells sort of like clean laundry. It’s simple and unassuming — a perfect base if you’re like me and like to wear perfume throughout the day. The stick glides on smoothly, and even though it’s not marketed as invisible, it dries down pretty quickly without much of a residue. I didn’t notice any overt white marks or transfer to my clothes throughout the day.
Buy now £12.97, Amazon.com
Salt & Stone extra-strength aluminum-free deodorant
Best: Natural women's deodorant
Format: Solid stick
Aluminum-free: Yes
Scents available : Santal and vetiver, bergamot and hinoki, saffron and cedar, neroli and basil, black rose and oud
Why we love it
- Unisex fragrance
- Good at managing odor
- Didn't irritate the skin
Take note
- Didn't keep me completely dry
Think of this deodorant as the cool girl of the natural deodorant world. With its minimalist-meets-luxe packaging, elevated ingredients, and alluring scent, it’s a magnetic choice — even if it does cost more than most. I tried the black rose and oud, a unisex fragrance that’s warm, woody, and fresh all at once. It smells more like a niche perfume than a deodorant, and I loved catching subtle whiffs of it throughout the day.
Performance-wise, it’s one of the better aluminum-free formulas I tested. It’s labeled “extra strength,” and while it didn’t keep me totally dry — especially during a 45-minute run in 80-degree weather — it did an impressive job managing odor. I also appreciated that the formula glides on smoothly and didn’t irritate my skin at all, even post-shave.
Buy now £20.00, Sephora.com
Each & Every Sunday morning natural fragrance deodorant
Best: Women's deodorant for sensitive skin
Format: Solid stick
Aluminum-free : Yes
Scents available: Lavender and lemon, coconut and lime, and raspberry and mandarin, citrus and vetiver, rose and vanilla, cedar and vanilla, fragrance-free
Why we love it
- Great for sensitive skin
- Considered scents
Take note
- On the expensive side
If you have sensitive skin or just want a deodorant that steers clear of harsh ingredients, Each & Every is a standout choice. It’s crafted without aluminum, baking soda, parabens, artificial fragrances, and gluten, making it one of the best formulas for sensitive skin. It’s so gentle you can use it right after shaving or waxing without irritation.
The available scents are also unique and thoughtfully blended. I tried the lavender and lemon, coconut and lime, and raspberry and mandarin — and while I liked them all, lavender and lemon was the one I kept reaching for over and over again.
The texture is silky smooth and glides on easily, drying clear and staying invisible on skin without transferring to clothes. It offered reliable odor protection through a mix of errands and workouts. And, as a nice bonus, the brand uses recyclable packaging, which is a thoughtful touch in a world full of single-use plastics.
Buy now £22.00, Ulta.com
Wild refillable deodorant
Best: Refillable deodorant
Format: Solid stick
Aluminum-free: Yes
Scents available: Strawberry and cream, Cola, watermelon, cherry tart, fresh cotton and sea salt, coconut and vanilla, pink grapefruit and lime, cedar and sandalwood, coconut milk, ylang ylang and vanilla cream
Why we love it
- Refillable packaging with compostable refills
- Gentle formula for sensitive skin
- Convenient travel-size version available
Take note
- Formula doesn’t glide as well as some others
If you're trying to reduce your plastic waste without sacrificing performance, Wild is one of the most thoughtful deodorant options out there. The brand uses a refillable case system (in a variety of fun colors) and compostable deodorant refills made from bamboo pulp. Once you’re done, all you toss is a biodegradable cartridge. There’s even a portable mini stick option, perfect for travel or popping in your bag for midday touch-ups.
I tried the limited-edition sugar plum fairy scent, and although it’s sweeter and fruitier than I normally go for, I really liked it for daily wear. I also appreciated that the formula is designed for sensitive skin. It didn’t stop sweat, since it’s not an antiperspirant, but it kept odor in check on errand-filled days and even during light workouts.
Buy now £15.00, Wearewild.com
Kosas chemistry AHA serum deodorant
Best: Gel-like deodorant
Format: Serum with rollerball
Aluminum-free : Yes
Scents available: Beachy clean, serene clean, fragrance-free
Why we love it
- Contains skincare ingredients to give underarms more TLC
- Lightweight formula with no residue
- Subtle, fresh scent
Take note
- Thin, goopy texture may feel a bit cold at first
Kosas chemistry feels more like skincare than deodorant. It’s packed with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) that gently exfoliate and help prevent odor by lowering the pH of your underarms. I’ve always been a little self-conscious about the darker areas of my underarms, so it’s also nice to see a formula that also contains ingredients like mandelic acid to speed up cell turnover to visibly brighten areas of discoloration — no harsh scrubs or irritation required.
The texture takes some getting used to. The gel-like formula applies via a rollerball applicator, but this makes it feel a bit goopy at first. It does dry rather quickly, though, and leaves no residue on skin or clothes. I used the serene clean scent, which is super subtle and fresh — perfect if you don’t want anything competing with your perfume. And the real win? It kept odor away, even through sweaty workouts.
Buy now £18.00, Kosas.com
AKT natural deodorant balm
Best: Luxury women's deodorant
Format: Balm
Aluminum-free : Yes
Scents available: Unfragranced, after thunder (cedar, eucalyptus, orange), orange, the onsen (vetiver, lavandin, yuzu), halcyon summers (mint, pomelo, tomato vine), Columbia Road (amber, violet, tonka)
Why we love it
- Luxe balm formula feels like skincare
- Sophisticated scents
- Optional applicator tool adds lymphatic drainage benefits
Take note
- Requires fingertip (or tool) application
This deodorant balm may look like a tube of hand cream, but it feels like something you’d find in a luxury spa. I tried the orange grove scent — a bright citrus layered with herbaceous notes that’s equal parts fresh and sophisticated. You apply it with your fingertips, which might be a dealbreaker for some, but I got used to it quickly. If you'd rather skip the hands-on approach, though, the brand sells a sleek brass tool called the applicator ($34, Credobeauty.com) that doubles as a gua sha-inspired massage tool for lymphatic drainage benefits.
On contact, the balm melts into skin like a rich body butter, and a little goes a long way. It dries down quickly, and like a good lotion, leaves no residue or stickiness. It’s also surprisingly versatile. You can use it anywhere you tend to sweat, like your chest, thighs, or even feet. The compact size makes it a great travel companion, too.
Buy now £26.00, Amazon.com
What is the best women’s deodorant?
If you want one deodorant that does it all, Evolvetogether Monaco is my top pick. It’s easy to apply, effective, and smells like a high-end fragrance. For sensitive skin, Each & Every Lavender & Lemon is a gentle option with clean ingredients and a silky-smooth texture. And if sustainability is your priority, Wild’s refillable system is both fun and planet-friendly with a variety of great scents that change seasonally.
For more recommendations, read our review of the best drugstore mascaras for longer lashes on a budget
