No matter if it’s summer or winter, the right deodorant will keep you smelling fresh and feeling dry year-round. While there are plenty of options when it comes to deodorant, spray deodorant has unique benefits over other types, such as its ease of use, less visible residue and variable application over the body.
If you’re looking for a great-smelling spray deodorant, the Dove Advanced Care Spray Deodorant might be ideal for you. It’s popular for its sleek bottle, quick-drying formula and light, fresh scent.
What to know before you buy a spray deodorant
Canister size
If you’re keeping your deodorant at home for a quick spritz before work and school, canister size may not be a major concern to you. However, consider bringing it to the gym or in a backpack to refresh throughout the day. Spray deodorants are available in larger full-size canisters with 30 ounces or travel friendly sizes of 3.8 ounces.
Duration
Older deodorant formulas used to require several applications throughout the day to prevent body odor. Now, spray deodorants claim to provide 12-hour, 24-hour, and even 48-hour protection from sweat. While some claim 48-hour deodorants don’t quite last that long, it does depend on your activity levels throughout the day. For those who might be more active, consider buying a stronger, longer-lasting deodorant.
Ingredients
More and more, people are paying more attention to the ingredients in their deodorants, either as a personal preference or for skin sensitivity. Some spray deodorants contain aluminum, parabens, propylene glycol and triclosan. While these are very common ingredients in preventing sweating and body odor in deodorants, some can opt for more organic deodorants that use alternative ingredients like coconut oil or tea tree oil to disinfect and reduce odor.
Spray deodorant features
Scent
Spray deodorants are available in many different scents, and can be chosen entirely based on personal preference. Deodorants, regardless of brand, are often available in non-scented or baby powder variants. Now, you can buy deodorants in scents, like cucumber and sage. You may need to test a few before finding the one that speaks to you.
Spray type
Big brand name deodorants canisters will come with a continuous spray nozzle, meaning you can just press and spray until the deodorant runs out. Organic brands of deodorant have started selling their blends in pump bottles that require a manual pump for every spritz. While there’s not too much difference effort-wise, you may compromise on the surface area you are able to spray and the variation of the mist with a manual pump bottle, which can leave certain areas untouched or, on the other hand, soaked.
Spray deodorant cost
The true variation in deodorant cost will come from your choice of brand. Spray deodorants made from organic ingredients or from smaller companies may have a higher price tag. Deodorants like Dove or Degree can cost as little as $0.50 per ounce, where small businesses or brands that use artisan ingredients can cost as much as $6 per ounce.
Spray deodorant FAQ
Are spray deodorants safe to use?
A. Spray deodorants are easy to use, but do come with some considerations. Because you are spraying your deodorant, it’s more likely that you will inhale some of the deodorant aerosol. While in small doses it is nontoxic, some do have concerns over the use of spray deodorants over time. Spray deodorants are also harder to travel with given you can’t bring an aerosol canister in a carry-on bag.
Are spray deodorants flammable?
A. Yes, many spray deodorants contain alcohol, so please be careful when using your deodorant around any open flame like a candle or campfire.
Do spray deodorants that use organic ingredients work well?
A. It’s complicated. While organic ingredients like tea tree oil can help kill underarm bacteria that can cause bad body odor, they are not very powerful or long lasting. The biggest draw to use a deodorant with organic ingredients is to avoid contact with some of the potentially harmful chemicals like aluminum.
Is there a difference in men’s and women’s deodorant?
A. There is no difference in men’s spray deodorant and women’s deodorant except for the scents typically offered. Have a sniff around and see which one you like!
Which spray deodorant should I get?
Best of the best spray deodorant
Dove Advanced Care Spray Deodorant: available at Amazon
Our take: A simple, sleek bottle with an unobtrusive, fresh scent, this is a powerful deodorant that prevents moisture with ingredients that keep your skin from drying out.
What we like: This deodorant does not contain alcohol, resulting in a deodorant that helps keep skin soft. It dries fast for quick touchups throughout the day without showing on clothes, and it comes in several scents that are mild to the nose.
What we dislike: Antiperspirant capabilities may not last all day, so some recommend reapplying if participating in heavy activity.
Best bang for your buck spray deodorant
Old Spice Pure Sport Antiperspirant: available at Amazon
Our take: Don’t be fooled by the low price — this spray deodorant is designed to protect against sweating during physical activity.
What we like: Long-lasting, some customers say it can work as long as 30 hours. It can be used as a deodorant and body spray.
What we dislike: It can be difficult to find in brick and mortar stores, and some buyers reported being dissatisfied with its smell.
Honorable mention spray deodorant
Degree UltraClear Antiperspirant Spray: available at Amazon
Our take: A spray deodorant that ensures a clear finish to keep clothes looking untouched, even preventing yellow stains on white clothes. You can use it on any body part for a day’s worth of sweat protection.
What we like: Alcohol-free and dermatologist-tested to protect skin, this deodorant is even good for using between thighs, on feet and on other cracks and crevices. Some customers say the fresh scent is a huge draw.
What we dislike: Some have experienced issues with the spray nozzle not producing a consistent stream.
Daisy Kelly is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
