The 7 Best Clinical-Strength Antiperspirants for Men

Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links. Here’s how we test products and why you should trust us.Harry'sProsGoes on invisibleUp to 96 hours of protectionFirst up, look for the drugstore brands you’re used to using and see if there’s a clinical-strength variant available. For me, that’s Dove Men (plus care!). Turns out, this is actually a good one, albeit pretty typical (read: basic) in terms of scent options. Still, I can’t fault an antiperspirant deodorant that goes on clean and invisible and works its magic to reduce sweat for a full day—no matter how long that night goes.While I can’t attest to a full 96 hours of protection, a formula made up of 20 percent aluminum sesquichlorohydrate is going to work hard for you no matter what. That’s just science.ProsAll day protection from sweat and odorEasy to throw in a bagConsSmall stick is a bad valueThis is another one with a high aluminum sesquichlorohydrate percentage, 17, that you can find for pretty much the same price as your standard stick of Old Spice. Or Degree, as it is in this case. Really, this one is on par with the Dove Men equivalent, only for some reason it comes in a smaller 1.6 ounce stick instead of a standard 2.6 ounce one. All I know is that fits a whole lot better in my Dopp kit or backpack.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsUnscentedReal deal sweat reliefI get it. The packaging isn’t very appealing and it’s a ball roller applicator—probably the least sexy thing to have in your vanity, But if you suffer from hyperhidrosis, it’s hard to find a better antiperspirant that you can simply add to cart and have shipped to you the next day. With a formula containing 15 percent aluminum chloride, this has what it needs to curb perspiration in a matter of seconds. It is unscented, which can be good for fragrance heads because sometimes deodorants smell too strongly.ProsLots of scent options, and variety packsGood for sensitive skinConsDoesn't go on invisible and can leave a residueHarry’s is a shaving and men’s grooming brand I’m always eager to recommend. When it comes to antiperspirants, Harry’s has more elevated scents and packaging than Degree or Dove, but ingredients-wise it’s a lot of the same or similar stuff. Take the active ingredient. Aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly isn’t quite the same as what those brands use, but it’s aluminum-based, therefore having the same sweat-duct blocking properties. Natural supporting ingredients like ginger root and jojoba oil give it soothing properties, making this a great fit for sensitive skin.Just be warned that plenty of customers have complained about this antiperspirant leaving a residue behind. If you’re not careful for one day, that can stain your shirt. If this is something you’ve had issues with before, you may want to look elsewhere.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsGel goes on clear without residueSame aluminum-based sweat blocking as othersAnother good option for sensitive skinIt’s not my bag personally, but if you’re a gel deodorant guy who wants more in the way of sweat-resistance, it will feel like Gillette made this just for you. It’s still an aluminum-based sweat blocking formula that will keep you dry and smelling fresh for hours on end. Sometimes the drier antiperspirants can bother even me, so if you have sensitive underarms this is a hydrating and soothing way to give yourself relief in more ways than one.ProsEffective for full day sweat reliefWon't stain or leave residue behindConsVery strong fragranceIf you prefer spray, this is the same stuff as Degree Clinical only in liquid form. Not literally down to every ingredient, but the active ingredient, aluminum sesquichlorohydrate, remains the same. It will give the same all-day effect as the solid stick version, keeping you dry and body odor-free.Because it’s a spray, the fragrance is more concentrated and honestly it’s easier to blow yourself out. This can be frustrating if you want to try that new cologne you’ve been eyeing but not smell overwhelmingly of “Intense Fresh.”Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsAlways good to have in a pinchDrying starts immediatelyCan help with pit stainsConsNot going to replace a stick or sprayIt’s not what we would recommend as the primary method of antiperspirant, but having a few wipes in your back pocket is never a bad idea. Really, these are for when you need a pit refresh. Or if you frequently suffer from pit stains ruining your shirts, these are ways to prevent that in between morning and night applications of antiperspirant.Containing 15 percent aluminum chloride as the active ingredient, these wipes get to work quickly, drying and freshening up with a fresh, yet manly scent. And if you don’t like the smell (which has proven to be divisive) you can pick ‘em up in unscented as well.