Leaving the house means entering into an unspoken contract with anyone you encounter in the outside world: You will do your best to curb your B.O., and you hope they’ll do the same—in other words, you will wear deodorant. This goes doubly in the heat of the summertime, when it seems nearly impossible to keep the sweat and stink at bay. But, with the right deodorant, you stand a fighting chance at breezing through the day feeling fresh and dry (or, at the very least, confident that you did your best).
Whether you’re a fan of clinical-strength gel or prefer an aluminum-free soft solid, your main goal as a deodorant user is ultimately the same: avoid smelling too bad and sweating too profusely. Sadly, for most of us, some trial and error is required to accomplish this noble goal. You may need to be open to trying different formats and formulas, or learning what ingredients your skin is actually sensitive to. “Natural” deodorants, for example, can contain some of the most common skin allergens out there. And, as SELF has reported previously, there’s no definitive research that shows aluminum is a dangerous ingredient in deodorant. But that’s not to say that you shouldn’t try out a botanical-based, aluminum-free variety—the best deodorants are the ones that work for you.
If you’re still on the hunt for your B.O. silver bullet, you’ve come to the right place. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best deodorants on the market now, including big name bestsellers and enthusiastic reviewers’ ultimate favorites.
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