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The 10 Best Deodorants for Sensitive Skin of 2025

We often focus on sensitive skin care for the face, but your underarms deserve just as much attention. Shaving, tight clothing, and harsh deodorants can easily lead to irritation, redness, and discomfort. That’s why choosing a gentle, effective formula (and natural deodorants) is key, especially since common ingredients like fragrance, aluminum, and baking soda can trigger reactions.
To help you narrow down the ones that work, we extensively researched top contenders, considering their ingredients, formulas, application, and effectiveness. We then consulted two board-certified dermatologists—Dr. Joshua Zeichner, M.D., and Dr. Amreen Sitabkhan, M.D.,—to get to the heart (er, pit) of the matter on all things deodorant and sensitive skin.
What We Like
Moisturizing
Long-lasting
Doesn’t sting
Key Ingredients: Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex GLY, natural oil | Size: 2.6 oz | Scent: Unscented | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Made with one-quarter moisturizing ingredients, this formula glides on seamlessly and will leave your armpits feeling smooth. Since it is a true antiperspirant, it does contain aluminum (which can be pore-clogging and has been linked to developing breast cancer though that’s not supported by medical data) but it lasts up to 48 hours making it a choice pick for those who simply don’t want to deal with sweat. Plus, because it’s alcohol-free, it won’t sting going on if you’re already dealing with underarm irritation. The bottom line: If you’re looking for a soothing, effective, lasting formula and don’t mind deodorants that contain aluminum, this option is for you. We think it’s ideal for those who are active but don’t want a formula that’s so strong that it’ll burn or irritate your skin.
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What We Like
Aluminum-free
Long-lasting
Affordable
Key Ingredients: Magnesium, coconut oil | Size: 3.25 oz | Scent: Charcoal and Magnesium | Cruelty-Free: Yes
A long list of Byrdie editors are fans of the brand, which offers an impressive line-up of scents and formulas. But we love this one for people with sensitive skin because it’s baking-soda-free (baking soda can be irritating on the skin) and instead relies on charcoal and magnesium for all-day odor protection. (Speaking of, those essential oils also give it a lovely floral scent.) Pro tip: Hold it against your skin for a second to allow the natural oil and wax base to warm up and soften slightly so that it glides on smoother.
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What We Like
Has a clear, quick-dry, and no-residue gel formula
Smells good
Clear formula doesn’t transfer onto clothing
Key Ingredients: Alpha hydroxy acid, silica, kaolin, zinc | Size: 1.7 oz | Scent: Eucalyptus, unscented | Cruelty-Free: Yes
The ingredients this formula doesn’t contain are noteworthy: aluminum, parabens, baking soda, synthetic fragrance, and phthalates, just to name a few—all ingredients that can cause irritation for people with sensitive skin. But what it does contain is equally as exciting. Namely, a blend of mandelic and lactic alpha-hydroxy acids, which help smooth skin. There are also wetness-absorbing silica, zinc, and clay in the mix, and while the eucalyptus scent is a fave among Byrdie team members, there’s a fragrance-free version for those whose skin is super sensitive.
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Key Ingredients: Coconut, green tea, vitamin E, sage, sandalwood, horsetail plant | Size: 2.6 oz | Scent: Fresh, rosy | Cruelty-Free: Yes
We love this option, for its lovely and fresh rosy scent and smooth formula. Despite the cutesy name and packaging, the formula is still totally hardcore when it comes to keeping odor-causing bacteria at bay, thanks to ingredients like green tea and sage.
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What We Like
Unscented
Long-lasting
Nongreasy
Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, shea butter | Size: 2.65 oz | Scent: Unscented | Cruelty-Free: Yes
We totally get wanting a deodorant that smells good, but if your armpits are really beaten up, avoiding any kind of fragrance (even if it’s naturally derived) can be a good move, at least for a little while. In the meantime, reach for this formula. Paraben-, aluminum-, and baking soda-free, it boasts a simple and straightforward ingredient list containing shea butter, tapioca starch, and coconut oil that ward off odor and moisture, while simultaneously soothing skin.
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Key Ingredients: Glycerin, tapioca starch | Size: 2.6 oz | Scent: Bergamot, pink lemon, orange blossom, cardamom | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Our editors rave about this luxe pick for its sophisticated scent combinations and its buttery smooth application (which is not always the case with natural deodorants). It’s on the pricier side, for sure, but the soft formula and chic, display-worthy packaging, and again, those scents, make it well worth the price tag. Plus, we appreciate that it’s free from common irritants, like synthetic fragrances, aluminum, and baking soda. Our only gripe is that it doesn’t last as long as some others that we tested.
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Key Ingredients: Zinc gluconate, perlite | Size: 1.7 oz | Scent: Unscented | Cruelty-Free: No
The active ingredient in this formula, zinc ricinoleate, combats odor-causing bacteria to keep you fresh for, you guessed it, 24 hours. It’s aluminum-, alcohol-, paraben-, and fragrance-free, so gentle that it can even go right onto freshly-shaved underarms, and has a clear formula that won’t leave behind any telltale residue. Just make sure you’re applying it onto totally dry skin for the best results.
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What We Like
Has an evaporative mist
Long-lasting
Doesn’t stain clothes
Key Ingredients: Vetiver Root, zinc ricinoleate, coriander seed | Size: 1.7 oz | Scent: Woody, herbaceous, earthy | Cruelty-Free: Yes
There’s no aluminum to be found in this spritz; instead, it relies on refreshing essential oils, such as sage, rosemary, and eucalyptus, that help neutralize odor. The naturally derived, unisex vetiver scent also helps to camouflage odors. Plus, it’s completely clear, meaning you won’t have to worry about staining your clothing when applying it.
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Key Ingredients: Mandelic acid, arrowroot powder, shea butter, marula oil, mongongo oil, baobab seed oil | Size: 2 oz | Scent: Sweet | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Cream deodorants have a big following but can be admittedly messy to apply, which is why we especially like that this has a twist-up applicator. (But if you want, you can still apply it with your fingertips.) It’s pH balanced and has protective and soothing shea butter, too. Meanwhile, other ingredients, such as mandelic acid and arrowroot powder, work to kill odor-causing bacteria and absorb any moisture. Also noteworthy: This is one of the few natural formulas that doesn’t contain essential oils, which can be problematic and irritating for those with especially sensitive skin.
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Key Ingredients: Aloe, probiotics, sage | Size: 2 oz | Scent: Unscented | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Available in five unique scents, this Myro deodorant relies on plant-powered ingredients to keep odors to a minimum. The formula is packed with skin soothers like aloe vera, probiotics, and sage, and we love that the ingredient list is short and free from potential irritants, like essential oils and synthetic fragrances. What else makes it stand out? The fact that it comes in refillable packaging. Each time the stick runs out, you can get a new insert rather than needing to repurchase the product and the packaging all over again. Also nice: the minimal ingredient list is great for those who experience sensitivity on their underarms.
What to Look for in Deodorants for Sensitive Skin
- Ingredients: The most important thing to consider when buying a deodorant for sensitive skin is the ingredients. Ingredients like aluminum, fragrance, baking soda, and alcohol can all contribute to skin irritation (especially if you already have sensitive skin), so finding a formula that’s free from these ingredients is key. Instead, it’s wise to choose formulas that lean on more nourishing and gentle ingredients that help to fight odor.
- Format: Deodorant sticks are the most common format, but you’ve got other options, too. If you prefer lightweight formulas that you can spritz on, try a spray deodorant. If you prefer a roll-on formula, you’ve got options there, too.
- Scent: Fragrance-free deodorants are great for people with sensitive skin because synthetic fragrances and fragrances derived from essential oils can be irritating. However, if you can tolerate fragranced deodorant and prefer that, finding a scent that you love will add to the user experience.
Meet Our Experts
For this story, Byrdie interviewed two experts to gather more insights about what to keep in mind when searching for a deodorant for sensitive skin.
- Dr. Amreen Sitabkhan, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist from U.S. Dermatology Partners North Dallas.
- Dr. Joshua Zeichner, M.D., 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.
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.
Melanie Rud is a writer for Byrdie covering beauty and lifestyle product recommendations. She’s dedicated to learning the science behind products and personally vetting them herself.