For the past five years, Men's Health has dedicated itself to discovering and recommending the best grooming products for men via hands-on testing and in-depth research. Men's Health grooming has been featured on national news outlets like The TODAY Show and Good Morning America, showcasing the latest new grooming products for men and presenting why we love the brands we select. Conventional deodorants usually have a low level of aluminum that acts as an antibacterial, according to Gmyrek. They’ll also have laboratory-derived topical antibacterial ingredients like triclosan (the main antimicrobial used in soaps, shampoos, creams, lotions, toothpastes and more), chlorhexidine and alcohols, which work to decrease the bacteria in moist and warm environments like the underarm area, says Gmyrek. Fragrances are a combination of chemical compounds that create a pleasant smell, according to Green. Are antiperspirants safe? Diet and stress can also have a big impact on body odor, according to Green. Eating spicy foods, for example, may lead to sweating, which mixes with the bacteria and causes odor. For some people, garlic and onions increase how much you sweat, leading to body odor. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli contain sulfur, and eating them may cause the bacteria to make more sulfur-containing compounds that produce an odor, says Green. If you’re looking for a deodorant that won’t cause unsightly white streaks on your clothing, consider an aluminum-free deodorant. “Any deodorant and antiperspirant with aluminum can stain clothes because aluminum-based compounds, such as aluminum chloride, bonds with your sweat,” says Gmyrek.

Aluminum salts in antiperspirants can leave chalky white marks on the skin, which can transfer to clothes. Yellow staining occurs when minerals (salts) in sweat mix with aluminum in deodorants or antiperspirants, according to Green. How to prevent and reduce body odorThere are a few different types of deodorants to consider, but the one you choose ultimately depends on your personal preference — there isn’t really a difference when it comes to effectiveness, according to Gmyrek.

We chose the Glossier Orange Blossom Deodorant as our best refillable deodorant for its sweat-fighting abilities that lasts all day without having to reapply and its environmentally friendly case. Formulated without aluminum, baking soda, or exfoliating acids, it's non-irritating for sensitive skin and won't disrupt the pH level of your underarms.Deodorants are applied topically to simply mask or eliminate bad odors. Unwanted odor is usually caused by bacteria feeding on the organic materials in your sweat, Dr. Austin explains. While basic deodorants just mask the odor with a layer of fragrance, clinical-strength deodorants use antimicrobial ingredients to actually kill the bacteria and stop malodor. Because deodorants are considered a cosmetic, though, they’re not regulated by the FDA. At Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest. Whether you’re going to the gym or bearing the brunt of a hot summer day, sweating and body odor go hand in hand. That’s when deodorants and antiperspirants can save the day: they manage to mask body odor and, depending on whether it has aluminum compounds or not, prevent you from sweating and creating odor-causing bacteria in the process. But choosing the one that’ll have you smelling good throughout the day depends on a few factors, including how much you actually sweat on a daily basis, your skin type and your general preferences. Kitchen Appliances & Tools Home & Kitchen All Kitchen Appliances & Tools Coffee Makers Cookware Air Fryers Mixers Kitchen Gadgets Skin type: Those with sensitive skin should look for hypoallergenic formulas and consider antiperspirants that are unscented, according to our experts. You may also want to consider arrowroot as a moisture-absorbing alternative to baking soda, which can irritate sensitive skin.