Buying guide for Best clinical strength deodorant
Whether it’s hot, humid summer weather, a really tough workout or nerves at the prospect of an important presentation, it doesn’t take much to work up a sweat. You can find an entire aisle of deodorants for fighting sweat and its associated odor at the drugstore, but in some cases a regular formula just can’t get the job done. If you deal with excessive sweat, it might be time to upgrade to a clinical strength deodorant.
Clinical strength deodorants contain active ingredients that are similar to those in regular formulas but in greater amounts. While some regular deodorants only fight odor, clinical strength products also prevent sweat ducts from releasing moisture, so you stay dry and comfortable.
As a result, these potent deodorants are usually recommended for people with hyperhidrosis, a medical condition that causes excessive sweating. Your doctor might recommend a prescription deodorant, but clinical strength products are the strongest you can buy over the counter. They are nearly as potent as prescription products, providing similar protection against wetness and odor, but they aren’t as likely to irritate the skin as prescription formulas.
Best clinical strength deodorants
This potent clinical strength antiperspirant contains 15% aluminum chloride, making it a perfect formula for excessive underarm sweat. It’s also clear, so it won’t stain or leave white marks on clothing. Best of all, a single application provides up to seven days of protection from wetness and odor. The alcohol- and fragrance-free formula is also safe for sensitive skin.
This clinical strength deodorant from a trusted skin and body care brand is extremely effective at controlling excessive sweating and odor with 6.25% aluminum chloride. The alcohol-free formula isn’t as drying as some other formulas, and it contains 25% moisturizing ingredients to hydrate the underarms. It features Dove’s original scent, a light, fresh fragrance that’s perfect for daily use.
If you need extreme protection from wetness and odor when working out or adventuring in hot weather, this dermatologist-tested clinical strength antiperspirant is up to the task. It contains 6.25% aluminum chloride, so a single application can keep you dry and odor-free for up to 72 hours. It includes skin conditioning ingredients to limit irritation and help it glide across the skin for easy application.
With 6.25% aluminum chloride, this clinical strength formula provides four times the wetness and odor protection as regular Secret. It’s a particularly effective antiperspirant if you experience stress sweat, providing up to 72 hours of sweat-free performance. It also works as a deodorant, absorbing odor and releasing a fresh scent to keep you smelling great all day.
This powerful clinical strength antiperspirant contains 20% aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly, providing 72 hours of protection against excessive sweating. It also boasts Degree’s unique MotionSense technology that works with the body to control wetness and release a subtle burst of fragrance whenever you move. It comes in sustainable packaging that’s also easy to recycle.
This dermatologist-tested clinical strength deodorant offers 24-hour protection against odor and wetness. It contains 20% aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly, but the formula is still mild enough for sensitive skin. It’s also free of dyes, fragrance, parabens and other potentially harmful ingredients. It dries quickly and has a nonsticky texture that feels comfortable all day.
This affordably priced clinical strength deodorant contains 12% aluminum chloride to keep you sweat- and odor-free for up to 72 hours. It’s specifically formulated for hyperhidrosis and is one of the strongest antiperspirants you can buy without a prescription. The formula is unscented to reduce irritation, and the roll-on format is quick and easy to apply.
With 15% aluminum chloride, this clinical strength product can control sweat and odor for up to five days. The formula won’t stain clothing, so you don’t have to wait to dress after applying it. It’s also free of fragrance to reduce irritation, and the gentle roll-on container is easy to use. It is not tested on animals.
This potent antiperspirant contains 15% aluminum chloride to effectively stop glands from producing sweat for up to a week with a single application. It doesn’t clog pores like other formulas can, and it won’t stain clothing. A little bit of this antiperspirant goes a long way: a single bottle can last for up to two months.
Formulated to provide sweat protection for up to 96 hours, this antiperspirant contains 20% aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly to keep you dry and comfortable. The cruelty-free formula includes 25% moisturizing cream to soothe and nourish sensitive underarm skin, and it has a subtle, long-lasting fragrance. It also comes in recyclable packaging.
With 20% aluminum chloride, this powerful antiperspirant can protect against sweat and odor for 24 hours. The formula is free of parabens and phthalates and is dermatologist tested for sensitive skin. The easy-to-use roll-on formula has a fresh, unisex fragrance and doesn’t stain or stiffen clothes.
What to know before buying a clinical strength deodorant
Deodorant vs. antiperspirant
When you’re shopping for a product to deal with excessive sweating, it’s essential to understand the difference between a deodorant and an antiperspirant.
Deodorants are designed to keep the body from developing odor when sweating. Most formulas contain antimicrobial ingredients that reduce the bacteria that cause body odor when they come into contact with sweat. Many also include fragrance that helps mask any odor that might develop. Because deodorants only address odor, they’re considered cosmetic products.
Antiperspirants are formulated to fight moisture and excessive sweat. They contain a metallic salt like aluminum chloride or aluminum zirconium that temporarily blocks sweat (eccrine) glands to keep them from producing as much moisture. Some antiperspirants also contain fragrance to mask body odor, but they also minimize odor by reducing the amount of sweat that has a chance to come into contact with the bacteria on skin. Antiperspirants are classified as drugs, so they’re subject to U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations.
All clinical strength deodorants are antiperspirants: they keep you dry. Many also work as deodorants because they contain fragrances and/or antibacterial ingredients that help control body odor. If you have an issue with excessive sweating, it’s crucial to choose an antiperspirant that can fight wetness in addition to odor.
Ingredients
Clinical strength deodorants contain metallic salts that temporarily block sweat glands so they don’t produce as much moisture. Aluminum chloride is the one most commonly used, but some formulas use aluminum zirconium or other aluminum variations. People with sensitive skin should avoid deodorants containing aluminum chloride because they can irritate the skin over time.
In addition to metallic salts, some clinical strength deodorants contain antibacterial or antimicrobial ingredients to kill the bacteria on skin that can lead to body odor. These ingredients include chlorhexidine, triclosan, benzalkonium chloride and some low concentrations of aluminum salts. In addition, natural formulas might include an antibacterial essential oil like tea tree, lemongrass or rosemary.
You’ll also want to watch for some potentially harmful ingredients you should avoid in clinical strength deodorants. Check that the formula doesn’t contain parabens or phthalates, two common preservatives in cosmetics that can cause various health issues with long-term use.
Formula
Like regular deodorants, clinical strength products are available in several formulas that determine how they perform and how easy they are to apply.
Stick or solid: These deodorants are very easy to apply and may be less likely to irritate skin. However, some formulas can leave white marks on clothing.
Roll-on: These deodorants also offer easy application but have a thinner texture than stick formulas. They don’t leave marks on clothing, but many require some drying time before you can get dressed.
Gel: These deodorants are also easy to apply. They dry clear, so they won’t leave marks on clothing, but they can dry the skin.
Spray: These deodorants are quick and easy to apply and won’t leave marks on clothing. They also require time to dry and may leave a lingering scent in the air.
Cream: These deodorants aren’t the easiest to apply, but a little goes a long way, making them a good value. Many also contain moisturizing ingredients.
Wipe: These disposable deodorants are very easy to apply and great for travel, but they aren’t the most environmentally friendly.
Drying time
Some clinical strength deodorants dry instantly after application, so you can dress immediately without worrying about the product streaking or staining clothing. Other formulas take a few minutes to dry completely, so you’ll have to wait a bit before dressing to avoid any marks on your clothes. Consider how much time your grooming routine usually takes when choosing a formula.
Duration
Nearly all clinical strength deodorants provide protection against odor and wetness for eight to 12 hours. However, some formulas last even longer, so you can stay dry and odor-free through a full day of work, a workout and dinner with friends. You can even find some clinical strength deodorants that provide at least 24 hours of protection, with some lasting for up to seven days, so you don’t have to worry about reapplying the product periodically.
Fragrance
To mask any odor that might develop, some clinical strength products are scented. The fragrance is usually subtler than what you typically find in a regular deodorant, but it can effectively keep you from developing body odor throughout the day.
Note that if you have sensitive skin, you might prefer an unscented clinical strength deodorant. Artificial fragrances can irritate skin, but some natural scents, such as those from essential oils, can also cause a rash or other irritation. Fragrance-free formulas don’t contain any added chemical or natural fragrance, so they shouldn’t cause any redness or itchiness.
FAQ
Q. How much does clinical strength deodorant cost?
A. Expect to pay about $5 to $6 an ounce for popular drugstore brands and as much as $17 to $20 an ounce for premium brands.
Q. Who should use clinical strength deodorant?
A. It’s usually recommended for anyone who struggles with hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating. The average person might not need such a potent deodorant every day. However, you may want to have one in your arsenal for situations when you’ll sweat more than usual. For example, if you live in a climate that gets very hot and humid in summer, you might want to switch to a clinical strength deodorant for those months. You might also want one for days when you have to squeeze in a workout before you head to work or school.
Q. When is the best time to apply clinical strength deodorant?
A. Most people probably apply deodorant in the morning before leaving the house for the day. However, it’s better to apply a clinical strength formula at night. Since it’s an antiperspirant, you should give your skin time to absorb the metallic salts so they can effectively block the sweat glands. You’re also less likely to experience irritation if you apply it at night.
Q. Can I use regular and clinical strength deodorants together?
A. You could apply a regular deodorant over a clinical strength formula, but you probably won’t see any benefit. Since clinical strength deodorants are antiperspirants that block sweat glands, applying a weaker formula over it won’t do much good.
However, you could layer a deodorant with a scent you like over a clinical strength formula to mask any body odor that might develop. But you can find plenty of clinical strength formulas that combine antiperspirant and deodorant, so you don’t necessarily need two products.
