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Our picks at a glance
- 1Best OverallDove Advanced Care Cool Essentials Antiperspirant Deodorant Stick4.733,879 ratingsSee it on Amazon
- 2Best Aluminum-FreeNative Aluminum-Free Deodorant, Coconut & Vanilla4.4137,862 ratingsSee it on Amazon
- 3Best UnscentedCrystal Mineral Deodorant Roll-On, Unscented4.438,013 ratingsSee it on Amazon
The first choice is between an antiperspirant, which the federal rule for over-the-counter antiperspirants defines as reducing sweat, and a deodorant, which targets odor. Dove Advanced Care Cool Essentials is an antiperspirant. Native's Coconut and Vanilla stick is an aluminum-free deodorant that its listing says is for women and men. The Crystal roll-on is an unscented mineral deodorant whose listing says it contains no aluminum chlorohydrate or aluminum zirconium. All three are sold by Amazon.com and rated 4.4 or higher.
How we picked
We searched Amazon for women's deodorant and set aside sponsored results, clinical- and prescription-strength products, whole-body products and wipes, and listings rated below 4.3 or on fewer than 200 ratings. From what was left we kept one antiperspirant, one aluminum-free deodorant and one unscented option, and saved each one's title, bullets, ingredients, seller and return terms.
For men's picks, see the best deodorant for men, and for what aluminum-free can and cannot do, does aluminum-free deodorant work?
Dove Advanced Care Cool Essentials Antiperspirant Deodorant Stick
It has the highest rating here, 4.7 across 33,879 ratings. It is an antiperspirant with aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex GLY (15.2%) as its active ingredient. Dove calls it alcohol-free, dermatologist-tested and hypoallergenic, describes a pear and cucumber scent, and says its Pro-Ceramide Technology helps skin repair after shaving. The protection claim is worded two ways: 72-hour odor and all-day sweat protection in a bullet, 72-hour sweat and odor protection in the description.
What the listing says
- Antiperspirant: aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex GLY 15.2%
- Alcohol-free (per Dove)
- Pear and cucumber scent
- 72-hour claim, worded two ways
- Pack of four 2.6 oz sticks
Shipped and sold by Amazon.com, with free 30-day returns, per the listing.
Native Aluminum-Free Deodorant, Coconut & Vanilla
The most rated of the three, at more than 137,000 ratings. It is a deodorant, not an antiperspirant: Native claims 72-hour odor control and makes no sweat claim. The listing calls it aluminum free, paraben free, phthalate free and talc free, and the ingredients include shea butter, coconut oil and tapioca starch. The title says it is for women and men, and the department field says unisex.
What the listing says
- Aluminum-free deodorant; odor claims only
- 72-hour odor control (per Native)
- Shea butter and coconut oil in the ingredients
- Coconut and vanilla scent
- Unisex per the listing; one 2.65 oz stick
Shipped and sold by Amazon.com, with free 30-day returns, per the listing.
Crystal Mineral Deodorant Roll-On, Unscented
A roll-on that Crystal describes as unscented and fragrance-free, with odor protection for up to 24 hours. Its bullets say it contains no aluminum chlorohydrate or aluminum zirconium, and the description's ingredient list includes potassium alum. The page gives two different ingredient lists, one in the description and one under important information; the FAQ below shows both. The description says it can be used by both men and women.
What the listing says
- Unscented roll-on its listing calls fragrance-free
- Up to 24 hours of odor protection (per Crystal)
- No aluminum chlorohydrate or aluminum zirconium (per Crystal)
- Description lists potassium alum
- One 2.25 fl oz bottle
Shipped and sold by Amazon.com, with free 30-day returns, per the listing.
Side by side
| Product | Type | Scent | Claim (per brand) | Pack | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dove Advanced Care Cool Essentials Antiperspirant Deodorant Stick | Antiperspirant | Pear and cucumber | 72-hour | 4 x 2.6 oz | 4.733,879 ratings |
| Native Aluminum-Free Deodorant, Coconut & Vanilla | Deodorant, aluminum-free | Coconut and vanilla | 72-hour odor | 1 x 2.65 oz | 4.4137,862 ratings |
| Crystal Mineral Deodorant Roll-On, Unscented | Mineral deodorant roll-on | Unscented | Up to 24-hour odor | 1 x 2.25 fl oz | 4.438,013 ratings |
What to look for
Sweat or odor
Dove Advanced Care is an antiperspirant. Native and Crystal are deodorants and claim odor protection only.
Scent
Dove lists pear and cucumber and Native coconut and vanilla. Crystal is unscented.
Stick or roll-on
Dove and Native are solid sticks. Crystal's title calls it a roll-on, and its description calls it both a liquid roll-on and a roll-on deodorant stick.
Ingredient lists
All three publish ingredients. Crystal's page shows two lists that do not match, so check the bottle you receive.
The bottom line
Native Coconut & Vanilla, a deodorant its listing says is for women and men.
Crystal Mineral Deodorant Roll-On, an unscented roll-on its listing calls fragrance-free.
Frequently asked questions
Do aluminum-free deodorants stop sweat?
Neither the Native nor the Crystal listing claims that; both describe odor protection. Under the federal rule for over-the-counter antiperspirants, reducing sweat is the job of an antiperspirant, and Dove claims sweat protection for Advanced Care. Our aluminum-free explainer covers the difference.
Is Crystal aluminum-free?
Its listing says it contains no aluminum chlorohydrate or aluminum zirconium, and its title says aluminum chloride free. The description's ingredient list includes potassium alum. We use the listing's own words and do not call it aluminum-free ourselves.
What is in the Crystal roll-on?
The page gives two lists. The description says purified water, mineral salts, potassium alum and Celquat (cotton cellulose). The important information section says water, potassium, alum (mineral salts), cellulose, sodium bicarbonate, benzoic acid and zinc gluconate.
Can men use these?
Native's title says it is for women and men, and Crystal's description says it can be used by both. Dove markets Advanced Care as a deodorant for women. Our men's guide has picks made for men.
Why are the ratings different from what I see on Amazon?
Ratings change over time. The figures here are what each listing showed on the date at the top of this page.
Ratings and listing details were checked on Amazon on the date shown at the top of this page. We have not used these; everything above is from their Amazon listings.
Keep reading
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