The 8 Best Deodorants For Kids To Keep Them Comfy And Dry

There comes a certain point when you start to notice a, shall we say, less than fresh smell coming from your child. While that age can vary widely from 8 to the teenage years, whenever it arrives, you’ll want to introduce them to deodorant. “If you or your child start noticing body odor that doesn’t go away with regular bathing, it’s probably time to try something,” says pediatrician Dr. Whitney Casares. She says the best deodorant for kids “is one that doesn’t irritate your child’s skin, controls odor effectively, has ingredients you feel good about and feels good to them, because if they hate the smell or feel, they won’t use it.”

Considering what goes into the deodorant that’s making contact with their skin is important, as many kids are still developing in these years—however, just because it says “natural” on the packaging doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe or effective. “Many deodorants that are marketed as more ‘natural’ contain some of the ingredients parents may hope to avoid and some products also add more plant-based extracts and essential oils that can still lead to allergy or irritation,” says Dr. Harper N. Price, division chief of dermatology at Phoenix Children’s Hospital who advises parents to do some research before committing and recommends “products that have a proven track record of efficacy, are less likely to irritate a child’s skin and have a good record of safety.” In general, “fragrance-free or lightly scented options with natural odor-fighters tend to work well,” she says.

Why Trust Forbes Vetted

As parents ourselves, the baby and kids gear team at Forbes Vetted is dedicated to helping parents find the best products to keep their babies safe. We’ve spent countless hours testing and researching products, including products parents might want to stock up on for summer fun near the water like the best infant life jackets and the best water shoes for kids.

• The author of this story, Esther Carlstone, is a longtime parenting editor, product tester and mom of three whose kids have used several of the deodorants on this list (and then some) and has recently reported on everything from the best iPads for kids to the best mattresses for teens.
• The editor of this story, Rose Gordon Sala, is a mom to three and the deputy editor of baby and kids gear at Forbes Vetted. She’s an experienced parenting journalist who has extensively tested and reviewed dozens of baby and kids gear, including the best shoes for kids.

How We Chose The Best Deodorant For Kids

As a mom to a tween and a teen, wearing deodorant is a regular part of their daily routine. To find the best deodorant for kids, I consulted with experts, parents of deodorant-wearing kids and conducted extensive research in dozens of deodorant brands for kids.

• I spoke with pediatrician, mom of two and founder of Modern Mommy Doc, Dr. Whitney Casares. I also interviewed dermatologist and division chief of dermatology at Phoenix Children’s, Dr. Harper N. Price.
• I surveyed over a dozen parents whose kids regularly use deodorant, including some whose kids are athletes, to learn about which brands their kids preferred, which the parents thought actually worked effectively and more.
• I analyzed online reviews and only selected brands that had an average rating of four stars or more and overwhelmingly positive ratings.
• I also considered the ingredient makeup of each product to ensure they would work with even sensitive skin.

What To Look For In The Best Deodorant For Kids

Deodorant Vs. Antiperspirant

“Simply put, a deodorant works to neutralize unpleasant odors produced by skin bacteria that reside in specific areas of the body containing sweat glands by using antibacterial ingredients as well as fragrance (to mask the smell) and odor absorbers,” says Price. “Antiperspirants work to reduce sweating, most often by using various aluminum salts that plug the sweat glands to reduce or inhibit sweating on the surface of the skin.” As for which your child will need, it really depends on their daily activity level and how much they sweat, but young children will likely be fine with just deodorant. “Most kids don’t need full-on antiperspirant unless they’re dealing with excessive sweating,” says Casares.

Ingredients

Casares If your child has sensitive skin, look for deodorants that are fragrance-free or made with essential oils only, free of baking soda (which can cause irritation in some kids), and labeled “hypoallergenic” or “dermatologist-tested.” Aloe, shea butter, or coconut oil bases are often soothing, but always patch test first. And if they’ve had reactions before, check with your pediatrician or dermatologist to be extra safe.

Scents

Parents of older kids, tweens and teens know they can be notoriously picky about what scents. If you’re able to, take them to the store with you to sniff various scents before landing on one to bring home. Having a scent they do like can often be an incentive to use their deodorant on a consistent basis.

If your child has a history of allergies or sensitive skin, a fragrance-free option is best as fragrances are “the most common culprit of irritation or allergy” in deodorants, according to Price.

Efficacy

At the end of the day, if their deodorant isn’t working, leaving them stinky day after day, it’s not worth it and it’s probably time to try a new brand. Older kids that have hit puberty and play sports that make them sweat a lot may need an aluminum-based antiperspirant on certain game and practice days. While some natural deodorants are quite effective, certain kids may end up needing to use a mix-and-match combo option of natural and aluminum-based to keep the odor at bay, says Casares.