Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between clinical-strength and standard deodorant?
“Clinical” is more of a marketing term than a medical demarcation, says Dr. Spearman—but products with this label are still notably different from other over-the-counter antiperspirants, specifically in their potency. Clinical deodorants “usually contain higher concentrations of active sweat-reducing ingredients, such as aluminum salts, which temporarily block sweat ducts to decrease perspiration,” Vidya Shivakumar, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Chicago, tells Allure.
Aluminum chloride is a common active ingredient to look for, she says, specifically in concentrations between 12 and 15%. Aluminum zirconium compounds and aluminum sesquichlorohydrate are also effective, though slightly less potent than aluminum chloride. The trade-off, Dr. Shivakumar explains, is that they tend to be less likely to irritate your skin. Dr. Oska recommends a concentration range of 15 to 20% for products containing aluminum zirconium compounds.
Who actually needs to use clinical-strength deodorant?
Sweating is an important bodily function, but if the state of your armpits interferes with your life—say, you have to reapply regular deodorant throughout the day, change into fresh clothes frequently, or just feel uncomfortably sweaty—you may benefit from trying a clinical-strength deodorant, Dr. Oska says.
Leveling up to clinical deodorant “can also be helpful for individuals who experience persistent body odor, despite good hygiene practices,” Dr. Spearman says. “When sweating begins to impact confidence, clothing choices, or social comfort, that is often a sign that a clinical-strength option may be appropriate.”
If you’re still dealing with excessive sweating or persistent body odor after switching products, consider speaking with a board-certified dermatologist. They can diagnose any underlying conditions and provide you with prescription-strength treatments if needed.
What ingredients should I look for in a clinical strength deodorant?
Dr. Spearman recommends aluminum-based active ingredients—aluminum chloride or aluminum zirconium—especially if sweat or hyperhidrosis is your biggest concern. “These ingredients help significantly reduce sweating, while deodorizing ingredients like sodium bicarbonate help with odor caused by bacteria on the skin,” she says.
Along with fragrance, sensitive skin might want to avoid these stronger actives to prevent irritation because “they create a more substantial blockage within the sweat ducts,” Michael Tassavor, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York and New Jersey, previously told Allure.
Meet the experts
- Alicia Zalka, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University, and founder of Surface Deep, based in Litchfield County, Connecticut
- Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
- Michael Tassavor, MD, MS, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York and New Jersey
- Sandra Oska, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles and Santa Monica, California
- Vidya Shivakumar, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Chicago
- Dara Spearman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Fort Wayne, Indiana
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best clinical-strength deodorants, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
