The 8 Best Clinical Strength Deodorants of 2023

Secret's Clinical Strength Invisible Solid got a near-perfect score

Melanie Rud is a freelance beauty writer, editor, and expert living in Chicago.

Jump to a Section

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more.

PEOPLE / Tamara Staples

Deodorant: It's probably something that you use daily, but don't think much about. Maybe you have one that you’re loyal to and have used for years, or maybe you just grab whatever is cheapest at the drugstore. If what you’re using is working for you, then by all means, stick with it. But if you’re dealing with serious sweating, the kind that actually impacts your day-to-day life, it may be worth considering a clinical strength deodorant.

First, one major note. Clinical strength deodorant is a little bit of a misnomer. There are both deodorants and antiperspirants on the market, and it's important to clarify the distinction between the two. "Deodorants contain perfumes and other ingredients that mask odors for those who want to avoid body odor," explains Dr. Alicia Zalka, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Surface Deep. "Antiperspirants contain aluminum-based ingredients that block the release of moisture from sweat ducts for those who wish to avoid wetness." All of the "clinical strength deodorants" on the market contain these aluminum-based ingredients (more on those in a moment) to actually block sweat, so they’re technically clinical strength antiperspirants, Dr. Zalka points out. Most of them and the other antiperspirants on the market do also contain perfumes and fragrance that act like a deodorant and keep you smelling good as well. We’ll stick with the term "clinical strength deodorant" to keep things simple, but it's just something to keep in mind.

To see exactly which clinical strength deodorant performed the best, our testers swiped on 34 different formulas, and put them through some real-world protocol, engaging in physical activity for 15 minutes to see just how sweaty they got. They left it on (without reapplying) and then evaluated the product's efficacy after 24 hours, as well. Testers ultimately weighed in on how well each one worked and how nice it smelled, plus how easy it was to apply and whether or not it left behind any tell-tale streaks. At the end of the day, the Secret Clinical Strength Invisible Solid was the clear winner across the board, though there are also some other great options that our testers loved.

Below, the eight best clinical strength deodorants that PEOPLE tested.

Amazon

Applies smoothly

Its "clean lavender" scent imparts just the right amount of fragrance

Dries down quickly

It didn't block sweat entirely, especially after physical exercise

This clinical strength deodorant solid is actually designed to be applied before bed to to take advantage of your body's natural temperature variations as well as in the morning for added sweat-stopping protection. It claims to reduce sweating three times the amount of other formulas. Designed in partnership with dermatologists, it's formulated with provitamin B5 to help protect the skin barrier and retain its moisture levels so it's caring for your skin while preventing excessive sweating. It also comes with a pleasant lavender scent to mask odors.

Our tester raved about this formula: "I would be the spokesperson for this product, that's how much I love it, and would recommend it to anyone I know." Even though it left her armpits "a little damp" after a 15 minute walk outside on a hot day, she still lauded it for how well it controlled odor. The scent (which even lingered after 24 hours) also earned rave reviews, as did the smooth and silky texture of the gel-based formula.

Price at time of publish: $13

Active Ingredient: Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex Gly (20%) | Size: 2.6 fl. oz. | Type: Gel

Jessica Juliao

Amazon

Fresh and woody scent is appealing to many

Effectively keeps odor at bay for a full 24 hours

It's pricier than many other deodorants, ringing in at $21

The product may transfer a bit onto clothing

Thanks to aluminum, this stick works to keep sweat at bay and is designed with sensitive skin in mind. It's also got aloe to help hydrate the skin and vitamin E to nourish the often agitated armpit area.

Even after a "super sweaty day on the subway" our tester didn't smell any odor coming from her underarms, a feat she deemed, "miraculous." That being said, it didn't entirely block sweat after 24 hours (scoring a four of five in the efficacy category), but given how well it masked any smell — and how smoothly it applied — our tester still said she’d recommend it. The fresh and woody scent was also a plus, though it did wear off somewhat quickly, and it also bears mentioning that this did transfer a bit to the inside of clothing.

Price at time of publish: $21

Active Ingredient: Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrate | Size: 1.3 oz. | Type: Stick

Tamara Staples

Dermstore

Ideal for those with sensitive skin

A large bottle provides about 90 applications

The concentration of aluminum is lower than in other clinical-strength formulas

Even though this deodorant contains lower levels of a sweat-blocking active ingredient, it still scored a perfect score when it came to efficacy; our tester didn't feel sticky or sweaty, even after a full day, nor did she smell any odor. Per the smell part of things, this option is fragrance-free, a nice choice for those with sensitive skin or who are prone to irritation: "I have very sensitive skin so most times scented products irritate my skin or don't work well with my body chemistry. This deodorant was perfect for that and there's absolutely no odor I can smell from my body, even with it not having a scent," said our tester. She also pointed out that even though the roll-on felt moist upon application, which concerned her a bit, it dried clear and without feeling clumpy or leaving behind any residue, either on skin or clothing.

Price at time of publish: $24

Active Ingredient: Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex Glycine Complex 11.25% | Size: 3.04 oz. | Type: Roll-on

Jessica Juliao

Amazon

One wipe can stop sweat for up to seven days

Wipe format is easy-to-use and convenient for travel

Even though these are fragrance-free, our tester noticed that there was a bit of a musty scent that emanated during physical exertion

These wipes claim to offer some serious sweat-stopping power. According to the brand, one wipe can block sweat for up to seven days, an appealing premise for those who sweat excessively. While we only tested the products on this list for a 24 hours period, our tester was impressed by the fact that she stayed dry the entire time. The product is fragrance-free, and, but to that point, she did note a bit of a musty scent the following day. "I think combined with a stick deodorant after day one, this would be a great pick for super sweaters," she said. (The brand also suggests pairing this with a deodorant for odor-masking purposes.) And even though the wipes felt wet going on, the dry-down was quick and they left behind no marks on clothing or skin.

Price at time of publish: $19

Active Ingredient: Aluminum Chloride 14% | Size: 10 wipes | Type: Wipes

Tamara Staples

Walmart

Excelled at preventing both sweat and odor for a full 24 hours

Fresh scent was still noticeable, even after 24 hours

Affordable

The scent of the product is strong, which may be off-putting to some

This unique antiperspirant-deodorant hybrid is infused with Degree's MotionSense™ technology which releases a jasmine-rose-fruity fragrance every time you move. Of the formulas we tested, this one claimed to have the longest-lasting effect of offering sweat- and odor-defense for up to 72 hours.

"I’m so impressed by these results. Not only am I stink-free, but my underarms also stayed dry the entire time, too. This would be a great product for hard workouts or marathon days," said our satisfied tester. The fact that the scent lasted the entire day was also a plus, as this wasn't always the case with many of the other deodorants tested. That being said, the fragrance is strong, so something to keep in mind. It also earned perfect marks for not leaving behind any white marks, as well as great price, given both the quantity and quality of the product.

Price at time of publish: $15

Active Ingredient: Aluminum Sesquichlorohydrate 16% | Size: 2.6 oz. | Type: Stick

PEOPLE / Tamara Staples

Ulta

Goes on smoothly and totally clear

Fragrance-free

Hypoallergenic

Dermatologist-tested

This wasn't the most effective pick when it came to stopping sweat

For many, the scent of a deodorant is part of the appeal, but if that's not the case (or you’re sensitive to fragrance), this fragrance-free roll-on choice is a great option. It excelled when it came to texture and application; our tester loved that it went on smooth and clear and absorbed almost immediately, without leaving behind any visible streaks or residue. That being said, she did ding it a bit when it came to efficacy. After 24 hours, her underarms were damp and there was some body odor present. "This product is a good, lightweight deodorant for everyday use. If I were to work out or sweat more, I might want something with more of a scent and a stronger antiperspirant," she said.

Price at time of publish: $19

Active Ingredient: Aluminum Chlorohydrate | Size: 2.5 oz. | Type: Roll-on

Jessica Juliao

Amazon

The fig scent is a unique option when it comes to deodorants

Residue-free

The scent of the deodorant does dissipate fairly quickly

This option earned a (nearly) perfect score when it came to efficacy; it didn't entirely block out sweat and body odor, but worked well enough that our tester was still impressed and noted that she would recommend the product. "My armpits were not nearly as sweaty as they usually are, and they didn't smell, so this definitely did what it set out to do. It didn't leave me dying to take a shower, even after a really hot day in New York City," she said. The unique fig scent — described as light and fresh with a bit of sweetness — also earned rave reviews, as did the fact that it applied smoothly, felt cooling, and was completely clear, with no residue, even on a black shirt.

Price at time of publish: $16

Active Ingredient: Aluminum zirconium trichlorohydrex GLY 16% | Size: 2.5 oz. | Type: Stick

Jessica Juliao

Amazon

Residue-free

Unique applicator helps dispense the perfect amount and ensure it's rubbed in completely

Contains soothing properties

It does contain fragrance, which is a potential irritant

Costing over $20, it's one of the more expensive products we tested

A unique application for an antiperspirant, this tube dispenses a nourishing cream that can be applied with your fingertips which is especially great for those that are prone to razor burn. And despite the fact that this is a white, cream formula, our tester was quick to note that this didn't leave behind any residue, giving it a perfect score when it came to transfer-resistance. She attributed that to the unique applicator, which made it easy to dispense the perfect amount of product and rub it in fully, without it ever getting caked on. It performed extremely well during the first part of our testing: "My underarms felt perfectly dry after a few minutes of jumping jack and all I can smell is the faint scent of the deodorant, not any sweat," said our tester. That did dissipate over the course of the day, although, "I never felt overly sweaty or gross," she said.

Price at time of publish: $24

Active Ingredient: Aluminum Chlorohydrate | Size: 2.53 oz. | Type: Cream

Jessica Juliao

"Read the label and look for the presence of one of the following ingredients which blocks the sweat ducts by forming a plug that lasts from 12 to 48 hours, depending on the percentage of one of [the following] active ingredients," says Dr. Zalka. These include: aluminum chloride, aluminum trichloride, aluminum hexahydrate, aluminum zirconium trichlorohydrex glycine, aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex glycine, aluminum chlorohydrate, and aluminum hydroxy bromide. For example, the winning Secret Clinical Strength Invisible Solid, contains a 20% concentration of aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex glycine.

Many of these active ingredients, particularly in higher concentrations, can come with an increased risk for skin reaction or irritation, notes Dr. Zalka. If you have sensitive skin, look for formulas that contain the addition of ingredients such as aloe or moisturizing oils, which can help mitigate irritation, she says.

As you've seen in our roundup, antiperspirant-deodorants come in a wide array of formats from gels, to wipes, to roll-ons, to sticks. Wipes, like those from SweatBlock, are a fantastic option for travel or for when you're wearing a dark, fitted shirt and don't want to risk any transfer, though if residue is your main concern, many formulas excel at drying down quickly and clear like Clinique's roll-on. Ultimately, which one you go with is a matter of personal preference.

Again, scent is a matter of personal preference. However, if you have sensitive skin, you may want to opt for something complete devoid of fragrance. Many synthetic fragrances are irritating to those with reactive skin, and even natural essential oils can cause a burning sensation, so it's best to look for "fragrance-free" on the label if you're worried about any interactions.

Jessica Juliao

Our testers first applied the product and assessed its consistency, scent, and if it left a residue. They then engaged in 15 minutes of physical activity from jumping up and down to running on a treadmill — enough to get their heart rate elevated — and noted how sweaty they felt before performing a "sniff test." 24 hours later, they once again rated the efficacy, in terms of both sweat and odor-protection (without ever reapplying the product). Application, scent, transfer-resistance, and overall value were also assessed and ranked on a scale of one to five.

Clinical strength deodorants (which are technically antiperspirants) work because they contain higher levels of the aluminum-based, active ingredients that are found in traditional formulas. These form a plug that blocks the sweat duct to prevent sweat from escaping.

It all comes down to the level of active ingredients, a variety of aluminum-based options such as, but not limited to: aluminum chloride, aluminum trichloride, and aluminum zirconium trichlorohydrex glycine. Regular antiperspirants tend to have between 12 to 15%, whereas clinical-strength versions can contain up to 20%, notes Dr. Debra Jaliman, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. As such, they’re more effective at blocking sweat and keeping your underarms from feeling wet.

"All of us have moments of what we would call ‘excessive sweating,'" says Dr. Zalka. "Think of a hot yoga class, public speaking, or hiking uphill on a hot, humid day. It is momentary and episodic. However, if you have severe sweating at times of rest, all day long, or when not under exertion or stress, you may indeed, have true, excessive sweating, also known as hyperhidrosis."

For those who experience life-interrupting sweating, Dr. Zalka says a clinical-strength deodorant could be a great option.

Melanie Rud is a freelance beauty writer, editor, and expert who writes for PEOPLE, Real Simple, Brides, Byrdie, and other outlets. To bring you this review, she spoke with our testers, who considered many clinical strength deodorants' active ingredients, soothing ingredients, formats, and scents. While researching clinical strength deodorants, we spoke with Alicia Zalka, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Surface Deep, and Debra Jaliman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

But we don't stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

Up next: These Drugstore Concealers Are Extremely Effective at Covering Dark Circles and Hyperpigmentation