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Young people can develop body odor at the onset of puberty. Deodorants can help to protect against body odor, and some are formulated specifically for children.

There is no specific time for a child to start using deodorant. However, many children may want to begin using deodorant from the onset of puberty, as hormonal changes around this time can lead to increased sweating.

This article outlines 9 of the best deodorants for kids, provides information on the safety of deodorants, and offers tips on choosing a deodorant. Finally, we answer some frequently asked questions about deodorants for kids.

Medical News Today chooses products that meet the following criteria:

  • Price: MNT chooses products available for a wide range of budgets.
  • Ingredients: MNT chooses products that clearly list all ingredients.
  • Skin concerns: Where appropriate, MNT selects products that target a specific skin concern, such as dryness, oiliness, or aging.
  • Safety: MNT chooses products that contain ingredients safe for topical use.
  • Reputable: MNT selects products from businesses that adhere to industry best practices.
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Best stick: Not My Mama’s Movie Night Deodorant

This deodorant has a sweet and sugary lemon smell that some children may enjoy.

Other scent options are available, including Clean Spice, Honeysuckle, Black Bamboo, Lavender, and Sweet Melon.

The product contains the following ingredients to help absorb sweat or fight odors:

  • baking soda
  • magnesium hydroxide
  • lactobacillus ferment

The product is free from the following:

Reviewers state that the deodorant does not stain clothing.

Best roll-on: Fresh Kidz Natural Roll-On Deodorant

  • Price: $11
  • Weight: 1.86 oz
  • Form: roll-on
  • Key ingredients:

Fresh Kidz makes easy-to-apply roll-on deodorants for boys and girls.

The manufacturer claims that the ingredients are non-staining, and the effects can last up to 24 hours.

The deodorant is cruelty-free and vegan, and free from the following:

  • aluminum
  • parabens
  • drying alcohols

Best cream: Truly’s Deodorant for Kids

  • Price: $10
  • Weight: 2.5 oz
  • Form: cream
  • Key ingredients:

This deodorant for kids is a cream formulation. Truly recommends applying a pea-sized amount to the entire surface of the underarm.

The deodorant is unscented, and its ingredients are organic and free from genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

It is free from:

  • parabens
  • aluminum
  • propylene glycol

Best for all ages: Pretty Frank Natural Deodorant

Pretty Frank market this deodorant as suitable for both teens and adults.

Pretty Frank offers an unscented deodorant, in addition to nine scented options, including:

  • lavender
  • orange vanilla
  • coconut lime
  • jasmine

The deodorant is cruelty-free and vegan. It does not contain:

  • baking soda
  • aluminum
  • parabens
  • sulfates
  • gluten
  • GMOs

The manufacturer uses activated charcoal, zinc, and magnesium hydroxide as natural deodorizers. This may make this option suitable for people with sensitive skin.

Pretty Frank offers traditional deodorant glide-on applicators as well as cream-based formulas.

Best vegan: Good for You Girls Natural Deodorant

  • Price: $12
  • Weight: 3 oz
  • Form: roll-on
  • Key ingredients:

This deodorant, marketed for young girls, has a fresh honeydew melon scent. A powder fresh scent is also available.

The product is vegan, cruelty-free, and non-staining.

The product contains essential oils, such as:

  • lavender
  • chamomile
  • calendula

Essential oils can cause skin sensitivity in some people. Users should consider carrying out a patch test on a small area of skin before applying the product to the entire underarm area.

This product is free from:

  • aluminium
  • parabens
  • sulfates
  • phthalate
  • silicone
  • synthetic fragrance
  • dyes
  • talc
  • baking soda

The manufacturer recommends applying to clean, dry underarms after bathing or showering.

Best organic: Natural Deodorant Kids

  • Price: $17
  • Weight: 2.5 oz
  • Form: roll-on
  • Key ingredients:
    • rose water
    • chamomile flowers
    • aluminum-free baking powder
    • arrowroot
    • white willow bark

This all-natural deodorant comes in an orange scent, or an original scent that the manufacturers describe as light and clean.

The product is both a deodorant and an antiperspirant. It does not contain the following:

  • aluminum
  • alcohol
  • dyes
  • preservatives
  • phthalates
  • artificial color
  • gluten

The product is paleo, vegan, gluten-free, and manufactured in a solar-powered facility.

Best unscented: TBH Kids Deodorant

  • Price: $9
  • Weight: 2 oz
  • Form: stick
  • Key ingredients:
    • charcoal
    • arrowroot powder
    • coconut oil
    • sodium bicarbonate
    • witch hazel

This kid’s deodorant is unscented, making it a good option for children sensitive to fragrance, or those who do not want anyone to know they are wearing deodorant.

The product is free from the following:

  • aluminum
  • parabens
  • sulfates
  • phthalates
  • gluten
  • soy
  • nuts

The manufacturer recommends applying to warm, clean, and dry skin. It suggests washing any residue off completely before reapplying.

Best long lasting protection: Tom’s of Maine Wicked Cool! Deodorant

  • Price: $9
  • Weight: 2.25 oz
  • Form: stick
  • Key ingredients:

This easy-to-apply deodorant offers 24 hours of odor-fighting protection.

The deodorant has a scent that the manufacturers describe as suitable for both boys and girls.

This product is vegan and free from aluminum, parabens, and artificial fragrances.

Best for sensitive skin: Mona 100% Natural Deodorant for Kids

  • Price: $13
  • Weight: 1.76 oz
  • Form: stick
  • Key ingredients:
    • shea butter
    • arrowroot powder
    • coconut oil
    • avocado oil
    • natural fragrance
    • magnesium and zinc oxide
    • rosemary oil
    • vitamin E

This deodorant is hypoallergenic, meaning it is suitable for people with sensitive skin. It contains zinc oxide and magnesium, which act as gentle deodorizers.

It is also free from the following ingredients:

  • baking soda
  • propylene glycol
  • aluminum
  • alcohol
  • talc
  • petrolatum
  • parabens
  • artificial colors and preservatives

This deodorant is available in three scents:

  • orange
  • honeydew
  • vanilla spice

Below is a comparison of all the above products:

PriceWeightFormScent
Not My Mama’s$141.7 ozStickLemon
Fresh Kidz$111.86 ozRoll-onVarious
Truly’s$102.5 ozCreamUnscented
Pretty Frank$152.7 ozStick or
cream
Various
For You Girls$123 ozRoll-onHoney dew melon
Natural Deodorant$172.5 ozRoll-onOriginal
TBH$92 ozStickUnscented
Tom’s of Maine$92.25 ozStickUnscented
Mona$131.76 ozStickOrange, honeydew,
or vanilla spice

When choosing a brand of deodorant or antiperspirant, a person may want to consider the following:

  • Allergies or sensitivities: A person should consider their child’s allergies or sensitivities. People can find the full list of ingredients on the product label.
  • Lifestyle considerations: Vegans should check that their deodorant brand is cruelty-free and that the deodorant does not contain animal products.
  • Scent: An unscented deodorant may be a more suitable option for children with sensitive skin or those who do not want others to know that they are wearing deodorant. On the other hand, a scented deodorant may be more appealing to some children.
  • Price: People whose children will be wearing or reapplying deodorant regularly may want to consider more affordable options.

Below are some factors that parents and caregivers may wish to consider when helping a child choose a suitable deodorant:

Antiperspirants vs. deodorants

Antiperspirants usually contain aluminum salts or other chemical substances to prevent sweating and odor.

Deodorants contain compounds called parabens that help to reduce the growth of odor-causing bacteria. They also typically contain fragrances to mask body odor.

Some people have expressed concerns that aluminum and parabens may cause cancer. However, according to Penn Medicine, no medical evidence supports this claim.

Potential for sensitivity or allergic reaction

As a general rule, parents or caregivers should supervise a young person who is applying deodorant for the first time.

A parent or caregiver should note if a child’s skin changes color, swells, or itches after applying deodorant. If signs of skin irritation develop, the child should stop using the deodorant.

Below, we answer some frequently asked questions about deodorants for kids.

When do kids start wearing deodorant?

Children may want to start wearing deodorant when they enter puberty, as hormone changes can lead to increased sweating and body odor.

The age at which puberty develops can vary between individuals. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development states that girls typically enter puberty between the ages of 8 and 13, while boys typically enter puberty between the ages of 9 and 14.

What kind of deodorant is safest for kids?

The safest deodorant for kids is one that does not contain aluminum, parabens, alcohol, or other harsh chemicals. This is because a child’s skin is usually more sensitive than an adult’s.

Children may develop body odor around the time that they reach puberty. Applying a deodorant can be an effective way to prevent body odor.

Parents and caregivers may want to consider various factors when helping their child to select a deodorant. Factors to consider include whether the child has any skin allergies or sensitivities, whether the child would prefer a vegan product, and the scent of the deodorant.

Parents and caregivers should watch for skin irritation when their child is applying deodorant for the first time. If signs of irritation develop, the child should stop using the deodorant. A person can ask their pharmacist for help choosing a deodorant with different ingredients.