Best Deodorants for Athletes in 2022

Whether you’re a basketball player, baseball player, football player, soccer player, or any other athlete who engages in long-term bouts of competitive sports, deodorant is a must-have and must-use item. 

Both before a competitive match and after, deodorant helps to stave off both sweat and stench and can help you feel cool and clean throughout the game.

However, with so many different deodorants to choose from, it can be difficult to pick out the perfect one for use as an athlete. 

That’s why, below, we are going to discuss and review the best deodorants for athletes in 2022.  These deodorants not only work as hard as you do but go the extra mile in keeping you fresh and clean.

Difference Between Deodorant and Antiperspirant

While we will be discussing the best deodorants to use as an athlete, antiperspirants are also a good option and can be a useful choice, particularly if you engage in a physical, full-contact sport.  And while the two are often interchangeable, there are some unique differences.

Deodorant, as compared to antiperspirant, helps to protect against odor solely.  It is used to cover-up the smell beneath the underarms and is a useful tool in limiting the smell that is produced under the arms from everyday activity. 

If you are looking to mask and limit the smell beneath your underarms, then deodorant is your best bet.

However, antiperspirant, as compared to deodorant, helps to control both odor and sweat.  Antiperspirant is a great option for an athlete, or individual, looking to avoid, limit, and control underarm sweat and wetness. 

And while deodorant is a great option, most athletes tend to prefer antiperspirant as it controls both sweat and odor in one.

Why Should Athletes Wear Deodorant or Antiperspirant?

Whether you compete in a team sport or an individual one, both deodorant and antiperspirant will help you to maintain a fresh, clean feel.  And while deodorant is useful in masking body odors, particularly under the arms, it doubles as a means to eliminate bacteria.

Similarly, antiperspirants are particularly useful for athletes who engage in team sports.  As antiperspirants help to control both odor and sweat, you won’t have to worry about excess sweat and moisture seeping through your jersey, leaving behind sweat marks and residue.

However, the use of either deodorant or antiperspirants are especially useful for athletes and for individuals who engage in competitive sporting events.  Both deodorant and antiperspirants can help to maintain a fresh, clean feel and are worn as a common courtesy to other players around you.

What is Sweat?

Sweat, above all else, is a healthy, natural means for your body to cool down.  As a result of your body overheating, it will begin to sweat, promoting heat loss through evaporation.  Sweat helps to regulate your body’s temperature and is an effective control against overheating.

However, what your sweat is composed of generally depends on which sweat gland the sweat is coming out of.  While there are many different types of sweat glands on your body, only two main ones are recognized and are generally important.

• Eccrine Glands – the eccrine glands produce most of your sweat.  These glands are highly concentrated on your hands and palms, forehead, and armpit.  However, eccrine sweat is generally composed of bits of salt, protein, urea, and ammonia.

• Apocrine Glands – the apocrine glands are larger sweat glands, generally positioned on your armpits, groin, and breast area.  The apocrine glands are most often associated with body odor.  In addition, as these glands are located near hair follicles, this sweat tends to smell worse.

Why Do We Sweat When Playing Sports?

As mentioned above, sweat is a means for your body to cool off.  Sweating when you play sports or engage in. physical activity is not only normal but also expected.  By sweating, your body is able to promote the loss of heat through evaporation on your skin.

While playing sports, you are engaging in a high intensity activity.  Your body, as a result, will begin to warm up.  As a means to both control and regulate this increase in temperature, your body will produce sweat through both your eccrine and apocrine glands.

As many sports are a high intensity competition, your body will increase its internal temperature during play.  To combat this increase in internal temperature, your body will begin sweating to cool off and regulate your internal temperature.

What Factors Affect the Amount an Individual Sweats?

While sweating is normal and something that affects all people, there are some factors which can increase a person’s sweat production.  Not including hyperhidrosis, a condition in which a person sweats excessively, the additional factors which can increase sweat production are below:

• Gender – men tend to sweat more than women
• Age – younger people tend to sweat more than older adults
• Your overall body weight
• Genetics
• Humidity levels
• The type of exercise you are engaged in

Best Deodorants and Antiperspirants for Athletes

• Schmidt’s Unisex Aluminum Free Natural Deodorant – with a natural scent made from essential oils and one that is reminiscent of freshly fallen rain, Schmidt’s Unisex Aluminum Free Natural Deodorant is our top choice for the best deodorant for athletes.  Powerful protection against odor, just one or two applications in the morning is all you need to stay fresh and clean throughout the day.  Enriched with both magnesium and activated charcoal, Schmidt’s Unisex Deodorant contains no aluminum or by-products for a natural, organic clean.

• Art of Sport Men’s Deodorant – what better deodorant is there for athletes than one named Art of Sport?  And Art of Sports Men’s Deodorant is a great option for the active man.  Coming in three different scents, including energizing citrus, cool eucalyptus, and extra fresh rinse, this aluminum-free, vegan, non-irritating deodorant works all day long.

• Native Deodorant for Women – Native Deodorant for Women is a relatively newer brand but has quickly emerged as a top contender in the deodorant space.  Mad from only naturally derived ingredients, per the namesake, Native has tested thousands of ingredients before finding the perfect combination.  And while Native’s deodorant is geared towards women, they have scents that can be perfect for men too.

• Certain Dri Prescription Strength Clinical Antiperspirant – if you’re looking for a heavy-hitting antiperspirant, then look no further than Certain Dri’s Prescription Strength Clinical Antiperspirant.  With a 72-hour protection window from excessive sweating, this fragrance-free, roll-on deodorant is made with 12% aluminum chloride, the doctor’s recommendation to best combat excessive sweating.

• Bravo Sierra Aluminum-Free Deodorant – one of our favorites, Bravo Sierra’s Aluminum-Free Deodorant provides long-lasting odor and sweat protection, even in the most demanding and physical conditions.  But what we really love about this deodorant is the smell.  Reminiscent of a blend of citrus and cedarwood, the deodorant makes you feel fresh and ready to take on the day.