While Ursa Major’s probiotic formula works effectively from day one, you’ll notice its powers improve over time as you build up that “good bacteria” army in the skin. And with that, you enjoy harmonious, soothes pits day in and day out, with a fresh sage scent that only you will perceive. (It’s a nice one for fragrance lovers to wear, since it will never compete against or alter the state of your signature scent.)
Dr. Mian takes an ingredient-focused approach to Salt & Stone’s clinical-strength pick, which is one of her top recommendations for her own patients who need a stepping-up in the B.O.-reduction department: “Besides propylene glycol, which some can be allergic to, this deodorant does not have the common potentially harmful ingredients like aluminum, paraffins, or BHT,” she starts. “Meanwhile, it has a blend of probiotics, plant-based extracts, antioxidants, starch for moisture absorption, and soothing ingredients to prevent irritation. It’s highly effective at decreasing moisture, reducing odor, hydrating the skin, and improving skin’s microbiome.”
The Best Men’s Antiperspirant: Miles Antiperspirant
I respect Miles’ choice to primarily target foul-smelling teenagers with this antiperspirant, but don’t ignore them if you’re an adult. Rather, think of it this way: If this is targeted at the stinkiest humans (hey, we’ve all been high schoolers in gym class at one point), then it’s damn well effective for the rest of us. I, a late-30s male, have been using these deodorizing antiperspirants for the past few months, with benefits that often extend into a second full day (meaning, I apply at night, stay dry all the next day, occasionally forget to reapply that next night, but with few consequences the following day yet). It’s the one brand that has steered me away from my usual antiperspirant pick (which is Dove, see below), and I have to acknowledge some good branding when I see it. Miles has the endurance you want in a sweat stopper, and basically doubles as a deodorant as a result. It wears gently on skin, and looks nice on the sink ledge, too.
The Best Antiperspirant Spray for Men: Dove Men+Care Antiperspirant and Deodorant Spray
I am a sweaty person. I wouldn’t call it hyperhidrosis, but it’s certainly above average, and it’s everywhere. I’m also not too shy when it comes to using aluminum products—hey, it’s a personal choice, because I am a miserable human being when I’m sweaty. And Dove’s aerosol antiperspirant is a life saver for me. First, there’s the fact that it lasts as long as three days (can vouch for this), and secondly, it’s got the brand’s signature 1/4-concentration of moisturizing ingredients, to keep the synthetic formula soothing on all skin types. This one spares my clothes of any stains and, if I may confess, I even use it on my thighs, feet, and back whenever I know i’ll be in a poorly ventilated or overly warm situation. And I repeat: It is a life saver for this reason.
The Best Clinical Antiperspirant Deodorant for Men: Duradry AM Deodorant & Antiperspirant
I asked dermatologist Heather Rogers (of Doctor Rogers Skincare) for a pick here, knowing that she’s quicker to endorse regular deodorant over antiperspirant. (While studies remain inconclusive about aluminum use in antiperspirants, many remain skeptical about the ingredient absorbing into the body and potentially irritating skin.) However, anyone who is supremely sweaty might also choose their battles and opt into daily comfort over potential (and uncertain) long-term risks. So, what would a reticent doctor with the highest defenses choose for her super-sweaty patients?
First, Rogers notes that of all the different aluminum formulas you can find in antiperspirants, people with clinical needs will want to seek out one of the following: aluminum chloride (“Highly effective at reducing sweat production, but it commonly causes irritation of the skin.”) or aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex glycine (“A newer generation of aluminum compounds that is thought to provide effective sweat control with less potential for skin irritation.”). And so that leads us to her pick: Duradry’s formula calls on that probably-less-risky ingredient of the two primary options, while remaining strong enough for anyone suffering from hyperhidrosis.
The Best Drugstore Deodorant for Guys: Axe 48-Hour Deodorant
A proliferation of deodorant brands has stolen the spotlight from staple brands like Axe. But don’t underestimate a synthetic recipe: There’s some significant staying power in this deodorant stick, and how nice that it doesn’t cost you a cool $20 just to keep your B.O. restrained?
And I have to call out this specific scent, Cool Ocean, for its choice to be supremely subtle—meaning you won’t smell like the deodorant itself. Hey, I’ll admit, one hangup I have with some of these everyday drugstore brands is how recognizable their scents are; I don’t want people to know what deodorant I’m wearing. I want them to know that I don’t stink, and that I instead smell like my go-to cologne. Anyway, good work here, Axe. I haven’t forgotten you, all these years later!
The Best Probiotic Deodorant for Men: Hume Supernatural Deodorant
In different iterations of this roundup, Hume’s deodorant is much higher on this list (keep in mind, this roster isn’t in any order, aside from my #1 pick being at the top). But this one comes close to winning multiple categories (Best Natural Mens Deodorant, Best Baking Soda-Free Deodorant, Best Natural Alternative to Antiperspirants, etc). And in particular, I think this unscented option is perhaps the best fragrance-free deodorant in the biz, too. But all of the brand’s excellent sticks go on clean, persist into the next day, and most importantly, keep your pits supremely dry and funk-free, with a very short window of adjustment needed (if you’re transitioning away from synthetics to naturals).
The Best Baking Soda Deodorant for Guys: Native Charcoal Deodorant
Baking soda deodorants are a terrific choice for anyone who insists on a natural odor solution, but a polarizing choice too: The highly alkaline ingredient can leave some sensitive skin irritated, which emphasizes the importance of finding a baking soda-packed deodorant that is carefully balanced for the most sensitive among us. Native has made a huge name for itself in the deo world (to the tune of a $100 million acquisition by Procter and Gamble), and this stick is my absolute favorite in the brand’s roster. It’s not because of the baking soda, though: I love it for the charcoal, which works with magnesium to absorb excess moisture in the pits, and to prevent a buildup of odorous bacteria. And then the baking soda handles anything that does proliferate from there. This one prioritizes balance, too, hence its use of nourishing base ingredients (shea oil and coconut oil), and I have yet to meet any naysayers, despite a frequent endorsement of this one to friends and family.
How We Tested
GQ writers on the grooming beat are sent just about every product on the market, but we don’t crown winners lightly while. Instead, we wait to see which ones outlast the others in the long haul—which products are the ones we use over and over, despite the mounting pile of replacements on the way?