If you’ve ever raised your hand to hail a cab or leaned in for an around-the-neck hug only to catch a whiff of something not so pleasant, chances are, you’ve looked into adding a clinical strength deodorant to your hygiene routine. The problem is, with so many options on the market, it can be difficult to know which actually perform for hours on end, let alone throughout an entire day’s worth of wear. And psst, here’s the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant if you’re confused. 

With this in mind, we set out to uncover the best clinical strength deodorants. We started by sussing out the top-rated options on the market. Rather than relying solely on consumer reviews, though, we then had a group of reviewers put 34 antiperspirants to the test in our lab. To deeply analyze their performance, each reviewer wore their selected product for 24 hours straight, taking note of their texture, scent, efficacy, transfer resistance, and overall wear in the process. These winners were up to the task.

Best Overall

Uriage Clinical Strength Deodorant

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Designed to last for 24 hours, Uriage Clinical Strength Deodorant has made waves for its fresh, long-lasting appeal. It doubles as an antiperspirant, meaning it blocks odor, as well as sweat. While our tester admittedly found that it doesn’t last in its full glory for 24 hours, they were amazed by the product's performance nonetheless. “The deodorant went on smoothly and was instantly absorbed — it wasn’t tacky, sticky, or greasy, and left no stains on the black shirt that I wore,” they say. “I used it as directed, and even though I had minor sweat, no odor permeated through my clothes, and it still smelled and felt good."

Other highlights of this top-rated deo? It’s hypoallergenic, has a fresh unisex scent, and it’s infused with Uriage Thermal Water to nourish under-arm skin — all for under $15.

Type: Roll-on | Scent: Fresh | Lasting power: ~24 hours | Antiperspirant: Yes

Best Budget

Certain Dri Clinical Prescription Strength Antiperspirant

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Considering the name of this deodorant, you might be surprised to find that it applies wet — our tester was. That said, once on, Certain Dri Clinical Prescription Strength Antiperspirant dries down to a matte finish that offers full coverage against odor and sweat, without leaving any residue on clothes in the process.

“The deodorant neutralized any odor, but didn't have any noticeable fragrance either,” our tester reveals. “I felt coverage spanned over 24 hours — odor only started creeping in just after 24 hours, and [my full-fledged] natural body odor [only became noticeable] after a rigorous day of work the second day.”

While the deo performs well, feels comfortable, and doesn’t transfer, our tester admits that it has a slightly chalky feel, which they imagine would become more noticeable with more than two swipes of the product. Still, given the performance and the price, they found it was impossible to beat.

Type: Roll-on | Scent: Unscented | Lasting power: 24+ hours | Antiperspirant: Yes

Best Splurge

Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Deodorant

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Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Deodorant is beloved by over 35,000 Sephora shoppers — and for good reason. Unlike most deodorants, this deo is designed to smell like a luxury perfume. “This scent is very unique; it’s definitely the best-smelling deodorant I've ever experienced,” our tester reveals.

Scent aside, we found the deodorant, which is an antiperspirant stick, performs well, too. “The consistency of the product is very light, almost powdery,” our tester says, marveling over just how smoothly it applies. While it doesn’t block against odor and sweat all day long, it does adequately provide coverage for 12 to 16 hours. The one downside is that it leaves a slight-but-noticeable white residue. “There was a tiny, tiny amount of white on my t-shirt, but not much to bother me,” our tester admits.

Type: Stick | Scent: Cashmere | Lasting power: 12 hours | Antiperspirant: Yes

Best Antiperspirant

Secret Antiperspirant Deodorant with Pure Essential Oils

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Secret Antiperspirant Deodorant for Women With Pure Essential Oils smells deliciously of coconut and mandarin — which our tester found to be one of three key highlights of the product. “The scent was really lovely; it smelled fresh and clean, without being too perfumey or overpowering,” they say. “If they made a candle version of it, I would burn it in my room all day long.”

Another key takeaway? It’s an incredible antiperspirant — in fact, the best of the bunch. “After completing a 15-minute brisk walk on the treadmill, I had worked up a sweat on my forehead and neck, but didn't feel much, if any, dampness on my armpits — this deodorant is very effective,” our tester says. “Over the course of 24 hours, my armpit would get slightly damp when I was active (walking outside in the heat, packing for my move, etc.), but not enough to make my shirt sleeve wet. The antiperspirant effects are impressive.”

From a transfer stance, this deo wowed us even further. “Because of the standard dry, white form of deodorant, I expected there to be a significant white mark on the inside of my t-shirt, but I had to really look to find one minor white dot,” our tester says. “I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of transfer.”

The only downside was the consistency. “It didn’t glide smoothly onto my armpits, as it was slightly dry,” our tester says. “But it wasn't sticky or greasy — it had a barely-there feeling, which I found comfortable [once applied].”

Type: Stick | Scent: Coconut Oil + Mandarin | Lasting power: 24 hours | Antiperspirant: Yes

Best for Sensitive Skin

Vanicream Anti-Perspirant Deodorant

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If you have sensitive skin, this fragrance-free antiperspirant deodorant is a must. Beloved by over 10,000 Amazon shoppers, Vanicream Anti-Perspirant Deodorant works well to block everyday sweat and odor — as in the type you’d experience going about your commute, running errands, engaging in a low-to-moderate intensity workout, and so on. “In 24 hours, I did a brisk walking workout, had a very hot and sweaty commute home, and did a second low-intensity strength training workout — I'm pretty impressed that there is no odor,” our tester reveals.

While it works well to block sweat and provide odor protection, this stick deodorant does leave behind white residue. “This product doesn't claim to go on clear. It did leave some white residue on my shirt after a workout, but it washes out easily and doesn't result in any staining,” our reviewer says.

That’s not enough to be a deterrent, though. “I really love that this deodorant doesn't have any fragrance at all. And since I went the full 24-hour period (with a few workouts and a very sweaty commute) without noticing any smells, I'd say it doesn't need any added fragrance to work.”

Type: Stick | Scent: Unscented | Lasting power: 24 hours | Antiperspirant: Yes

Best Unscented

DERMAdoctor Total Nonscents Ultra Gentle Antiperspirant

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DERMAdoctor Total Nonscents Ultra Gentle Antiperspirant is another fabulous option for sensitive skin, not to mention our top pick as far as unscented formulas go. “I have very sensitive skin so most times scented products irritate my skin or don’t work well with my body chemistry,” our tester shares. “As such, this deodorant was perfect for my needs. I couldn’t smell any body odor under my arms after 24 hours, even with it being unscented.”

In addition to blocking odor — even after a rigorous jumping jack warm-up and stint on the treadmill — our tester found that this deodorant, which goes on clear, works exceptionally well to minimize sweat. “I didn’t perspire as much while using this deodorant, which was nice. It's rare that roll-on deodorants with ball applicators work that well with my body, but I didn’t smell or feel sweaty at all.”

Type: Roll-on | Scent: Unscented | Lasting power: 24 hours | Antiperspirant: Yes

Best Solid

Secret Clinical Strength Invisible Deodorant

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The Secret Clinical Strength Invisible Solid is your typical smooth white stick deodorant with far-beyond-typical odor-blocking benefits. After 24 hours of wear, our tester found that their armpits still smelled lightly fragranced with no trace of body odor. “My armpits were a little damp after a brisk 15-minute walk but [it didn’t show], and the odor was controlled very well,” they share. “This is officially my all-time favorite deodorant — it has, by far, excelled my expectations.” As with all solids, if you drop it, it can crack and crumble, so be gentle with it when you’re tossing it in your gym bag or suitcase.

Type: Stick | Scent: Lavender | Lasting power: 48 hours | Antiperspirant: Yes

Best Gel

Secret Derma+ Invisible Gel Antiperspirant and Deodorant

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Prefer the texture of gel deodorants? Secret Derma+ Invisible Gel Antiperspirant and Deodorant has earned five-star accolades from over 1,800 Amazon shoppers. During our testing, we found that it applies quite wet but it dries down after a few seconds or so. “There’s no transfer at all and it smells very nice,” our reviewer says. That said, it doesn’t last for the full 24 hours it promises. “The fragrance wore off by the end of the day and you can definitely smell the sweat,” our testers says. “Still, I love how effective and affordable this deodorant is [for shorter wear] — I would recommend this product to someone who does not sweat very much.”

Type: Gel Tube | Scent: Coconut | Lasting power: 12+ hours | Antiperspirant: Yes

Best Cream

Biotherm Deo Pure Antiperspirant Cream

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For a less wet, more creamy deodorant application that dries down for matte wear, check out Biotherm Antiperspirant Cream. “The deodorant went on really nicely — with the unusual dispenser, I felt like I could rub in a smaller amount without adding more to my armpit, so it fully absorbed without getting caked on,” our tester shares.

In addition to applying beautifully, this antiperspirant smells subtle and delightful. “I didn't realize this deodorant was scented until I really put my nose into my armpit — even then, I rechecked the packaging to make sure it wasn't just leftover body wash or fabric softener scent,” our tester says.

Best of all, despite being a white cream that takes a second to dry down, it doesn’t transfer at all. “I wore a dark blue shirt to the test and I didn't see any transfer — the fact that it was so easy to rub in may have helped,” our tester says.

Type: Cream Tube | Scent: Floral | Lasting power: 24 hours | Antiperspirant: Yes

Best Wipes

SweatBlock Antiperspirant Wipes

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Whether you travel a lot, are looking for a deodorant solution in your car or gym bag, or simply prefer the idea of a wipe over a stick, gel, or cream, SweatBlock Clinical Strength DRIBOOST Antiperspirant Wipes are worth considering. Despite being unscented, the expertly-formulated wipes prevent BO for hours on end (though, our tester did notice a musty smell around the 24-hour mark). “I stayed dry throughout my entire wear,” our tester adds. “The product appears to be a sweat reducer (the brand claims for up to seven days), and I think combined with a stick deo after day-one it would be a great pick for super sweaters.”

Type: Wipe | Scent: Unscented | Lasting power: Seven days | Antiperspirant: Yes

Best Pack

Degree Advanced Antiperspirant Deodorant

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When you find a deodorant you love, it’s only natural to want to keep a backstock. With Degree Advanced Antiperspirant Deodorant, you can do so by picking up one of the best-selling bundles of four, which have earned five-star reviews from over 8,000 Amazon shoppers. “After a full day of testing, commuting, sleeping, etc., I'm so impressed by the results,” our tester marvels. “Not only am I stink-free but my underarms also stayed dry the entire time, too. This would be an especially great product for hard workouts or marathon days.”

Type: Stick | Scent: Shower Clean | Lasting power: 72 hours | Antiperspirant: Yes

Best for Workouts

Arm & Hammer Ultra Max

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Arm & Hammer Ultra Max Deodorant is formulated with baking soda to naturally absorb odor and help prevent excess sweating — which is especially important when you’re powering through an intense workout. “This deodorant has a smooth application, great smell, and it’s an amazing bang for your buck,” our tester confirms. “I didn’t feel sweaty at all during wear, and the scent smells like laundry detergent, which I’m personally obsessed with.”

The only downside is the size of the applicator. The mouth of the stick is quite wide, which we assume is to encourage only passing it over the pit area once or twice, as the directions say to only use thin layers.

Type: Stick | Scent: Cool Blast | Lasting power: 24 hours | Antiperspirant: Yes

Best Scented

Harry's Odor & Enhanced Sweat Control, Extra-Strength Antiperspirant

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We cranked the workout intensity up a notch to test this stick and it held up: We didn’t stink and had less wetness than we experienced with our go-to deodorant. We had a very slight sweat smell—not odor, but that slightly salty waft. Even after a super hot day in NYC, we weren’t craving a shower (due to smell, feeling fresh is another factor) because our antiperspirant lasted.

What really wowed us were the scents. They are light, fresh, and unlike anything we had tried before. The fig one had a slight sweetness that wasn’t overly sugary. It’s not a scent we’d ever encountered but really enjoyed. And if a strong scent isn’t your thing: this one dissipated so it didn’t remain super strong throughout the day.

Type: Stick | Scent: Fresh | Lasting Power: 24 hours | Antiperspirant: Yes

Best Aluminum-Free

Crystal Deodorant Stick

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Despite the name, most clinical strength deodorants are actually antiperspirants, meaning they contain aluminum. Aluminum is the ingredient that blocks sweat glands to prevent wetness. If you truly want an aluminum-free option, this Crystal deodorant performed best in our testing.

This stick rolled on smoothly and is unscented for those who have sensitive noses. It relies on a mineral salt to control odor, but fair warning it won’t do much for wetness. If you don’t mind that moist underarm feeling, we had great results in the malodor department. Even after working out and a full 24 hours of wear, we still smelled fresh.

Type: Stick | Scent: Unscented | Lasting Power: 24 hours | Antiperspirant: No

Other Options You Might Like

Dove Dry Spray 

This is a solid spray option and the brand is known for including a quarter moisturizer that keeps underarms hydrated as it prevents wetness and odor. The formula is also transfer-proof, although it does remain a little wet unless it dries down. It tackled a workout and sweaty commute with ease, however it didn’t last a full 24 hours. We started to feel a bit musty by the next morning. This isn’t a deal breaker since we typically apply deodorant daily, but it didn’t live up to its 48 hour claim.

Clinique Antiperspirant-Deodorant Roll-On

The liquid formula of this antiperspirant rolls on easily, dries immediately, and didn’t leave white marks on our clothes. While it worked through our testing period—we remained odor-free and dry after our workout—the lightweight formula may be best for day-to-day use. If you’re wanting a marathon formula, for ultra sweaty workouts or a long travel day, you may need a stronger one.

Our Testing Process

On the hunt for the best clinical strength deodorants, we started by rounding up the 34 most highly-rated products on the market. Then, the InStyle team of testers put every deodorant to the test, evaluating each based on its texture, efficacy, scent notes, transfer resistance, and overall wear. They did so by wearing each deodorant for at least 24 hours and taking note of how they held up in typically stinky and/or sweaty situations — like working out, commuting, and sleeping. In doing so, they were able to weed out the less effective formulas to deliver the 12 best clinical strength deodorants.

What to Keep in Mind

Format

When shopping for clinical strength deodorant, it’s important to keep the format in mind. For starters, do you prefer stick, gel, cream, roll-on, or wipe formulas? Once you narrow that down, you’ll be better able to find the best option for your preferences. What’s more, consider whether you’re in the market for a highly effective deodorant or an antiperspirant (which is typically what people are referencing when discussing clinical strength deodorants). Depending on your answer, you’ll be able to further whittle down your product pool.

Scent

Some deodorant scents can be quite overpowering, while others hardly last. Then there’s the fact that some people simply can’t tolerate fragrance on their skin. As such, take note of how you want your pits to smell, and whether or not they can withstand the scent. If you prefer fragrance, Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Deodorant features a perfume-esque cashmere scent that our testers say is extremely unique. For those who prefer unscented formulas, though, try DERMAdoctor Total Nonscents Ultra Gentle Antiperspirant.

Lasting Power

Are you looking for a deodorant that will last throughout a day at the office? Or perhaps you’re hoping for something that will get you through your morning workout, work, and after-work drinks. You’ll want to pick a deodorant with compatible hourly protection based on your preference. Our best overall pick Uriage Clinical Strength Deodorant provides an impressive 24 hours of protection, so you can feel fresh and clean for an extended period of time.

Your Questions, Answered

How is clinical strength deodorant different from regular deodorant? 

Clinical strength deodorant is the common term for antiperspirant. “Clinical strength is a term used by companies to indicate that the product has a higher amount of aluminum (the active ingredient in antiperspirants) than the regular strength,” says Jeremy Fenton, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City and Long Beach, NY. “This is usually around 20 percent concentration.” While a higher percentage of aluminum can mean less sweating and odor, Dr. Fenton points out that the higher concentration can also potentially lead to a higher chance of irritation. As such, if you have sensitive skin, you’ll want to be especially mindful about which clinical strength deodorant you reach for, ideally opting for a fragrance free product. (Vanicream Anti-Perspirant Deodorant is our top pick for sensitive skin.)

Diving deeper into the logistics, board-certified dermatologist DiAnne Davis, M.D., says that deodorants are primarily intended to chemically block BO-causing bacteria. “They do not affect wetness or dampness from sweating,” she explains.

Antiperspirants, on the other hand, contain active ingredients (like aluminum) to physically block sweat ducts and prevent moisture. “They create superficial plugs just below the surface of the skin to block the sweat ducts,” Dr. Davis explains.

How does clinical strength deodorant work?

It works the same as regular antiperspirant. “Clinical strength items contain a higher concentration of aluminum salts which are substances that are absorbed into the sweat gland, and form a plug that slows down the rate of perspiration that comes from the sweat gland,” Dr. Davis explains. This is notably different from deodorants, which simply chemically block odor.

Can you use regular deodorant and clinical strength deodorant together?

You can, but that doesn’t mean you need to or should. “If you are using clinical strength, applying a weaker version of the same thing in addition would be of no value,” Dr. Fenton says. That said, if you peruse the deodorant aisle, you’ll likely find that most products are a combination of deodorant and antiperspirant to adequately block BO and prevent excessive sweating.

Does clinical strength deodorant cause cancer?

While clinical strength deodorant gets a bad rap for potentially causing cancer thanks to its aluminum make-up, Dr. Davis points out that there’s no definitive evidence. “According to the National Cancer Institute, to date there has been no scientific evidence that links the use of antiperspirants or deodorants to the development of breast cancer,” she assures us.

Does clinical strength deodorant have aluminum?

Point blank: Yes. All antiperspirants, and two-in-one antiperspirant-deodorants, contain aluminum, as it’s the ingredient that blocks sweat glands.

What Is InStyle Picks?

Did you notice the InStyle Picks seal of approval at the top of this story? That means our team of testers has reviewed every product on this list using a unique methodology to ensure it's really worth your time, money, and attention. We may get samples for free to try but we never promise positive (or any!) coverage in exchange. Put simply: InStyle Picks are products we love, and we've put them to the test to be sure you will too.

Why Shop With Us

Rebecca Norris has covered beauty for over eight years. For this story, she spoke with a group of a dozen testers, as well as two board-certified dermatologists, to determine the best clinical strength deodorants, as well as what to look for in a high-quality formula.