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Babies smell like a glorious combination of milk and freshly baked bread when they first come home from the hospital. While parents would love to keep that innocent scent forever, it's bound to disappear, first to be replaced with sun-dried sweat, and next, as pre-pubescent hormones begin to surge, with the uncanny scent of "I'm growing up." No, this is not a welcome smell, and it might come much sooner than parents expect. The first step isn't deodorant, particularly if your kids are in the four- to five-year-old range. The first step is usually addressing their shower habits and addressing the bacteria that may be (definitely is) hiding in their recently-sweet little armpits and stinking up a storm. But when your kids get a little bit older and healthy shower habits aren't cutting it, finding the best deodorant for kids can save you some trouble.
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The Best Deodorant for Kids - Our Top Picks
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- Best Overall Deodorant for Kids: Tom's of Maine Wicked Cool! Deodorant
- Best Natural Deodorant for Kids: Fresh Monster Natural Deodorant for Kids
- Best Deodorant for Kids with Sensitive Skin: Keep it Kind Fresh Kidz Natural Roll On Deodorant
- Best Aluminum-Free Deodorant for Kids: Not My Mama's Aluminum-free Deodorant for Kids and Teens
- Best Roll-On Deodorant for Kids: Good For You Girls Aluminum Free Natural
- Best Fragrance-Free Deodorant for Kids: Kobi Sport Deodorant for Kids
- Best Scented Deodorant for Kids: Grownish Deodorant for Kids
- Best Charcoal-Based Deodorant for Kids: TBH Kids Deodorant
Best Overall - Tom's of Maine Wicked Cool! Deodorant
SPECS
- Size: 1.6 oz.
- Scent(s): Freestyle and Summer Fun
- Form: Stick
- Aluminum-free: Yes
Tom's of Maine is known for their natural and effective self-care products. This Wicked Cool! Deodorant makes a great first choice for the active child who wants to enjoy a fresh scent for 24 hours or more. This deodorant is not only free from aluminum, it's also free from a whole list of common additives, including parabens, mineral oil, and sodium laureth sulfate.
This natural product incorporates things like aloe to help protect the tender armpits of children ages 8 and up. Even better, Tom's donates 10 percent of all sales to animal shelters, schools, and environmental projects like beach clean-ups. You can read more about that here.
What We Like
- Light, fruity fragrance is appealing to kids
- Effective odor control for ages 8+
- Natural, non-irritating ingredients
- Cruelty-free products that also benefit the environment
- Gender-neutral packing
What We Don't Like
- May not be appropriate for sensitive skin
- Smaller packaging makes this a higher price point compared to similar products
BUY: Tom's of Maine Wicked Cool! Deodorant
Best Natural Deodorant for Kids - Fresh Monster Natural Deodorant for Kids
SPECS
- Size: 1.76 oz.
- Scent(s): Gummy Burst, Beach Breeze
- Form: Stick
- Aluminum-free: Yes
Fresh Monster Natural Deodorant for Kids is a long-lasting, light-smelling option for kids who are starting to stink. It's made from natural ingredients like coconut oil and tapioca starch, avoiding ingredients like aluminum and phthalates. Fresh Monster is great for sensitive skin and can reportedly last up to 72 hours. So when your child inevitably forgets to reapply for a few days, they are still covered.
This product is hypoallergenic, vegan, and cruelty-free, although the main ingredient is coconut oil, so certainly steer clear of this one if there is a coconut allergy in your home.
What We Like
- All-natural ingredients
- Effective against body odor for an extended period of time
- Smells great according to most reviewers
What We Don't Like
- The scent may be too heavy for some
- The price is high compared to similar products
- The texture of the product can be challenging when applying
BUY: Fresh Monster Natural Deodorant for Kids
Best Deodorant for Kids with Sensitive Skin - Keep It Kind Fresh Kidz Natural Roll-On Deodorant
SPECS
- Size: 1.86 fl. oz.
- Scent(s): Pink, Purple, and Blue
- Form: Roll-on
- Aluminum-free: Yes
Keep It Kind Fresh Kidz is a roll-on deodorant boasting 24-hour protection formulated for younger and sensitive skin. All products are free of aluminum, parabens, alcohol, and are vegan-friendly.
One of the most common complaints regarding kids deodorant is that it melts in shipping. That's not a problem the consumer will face when ordering a roll-on. These will come ready to fight odor!
What We Like
- Sized for kids
- Light, fresh scent
- Good for sensitive skin
What We Don't Like
- Won't work with some personal chemistry
- Can be irritating to those sensitive to specific ingredients in the product
BUY: Keep it Kind Fresh Kidz Natural Roll On
Best Aluminum-Free Deodorant for Kids - Not My Mama's Aluminum-Free Deodorant for Kids and Teens
SPECS
- Size 1.7 oz.
- Scent(s) Honeysuckle, Clean Spice, Lavender, Sweet Citrus, Minty Fresh, Black Bamboo, Unscented
- Form: Stick
- Aluminum-free: Yes
Not My Mama's deodorant is kid and teen-friendly, coming in multiple scents (as well as unscented) in order to please everyone's nose. This "young yet sophisticated" product is free of phthalates, parabens, aluminum, and other weird chemicals. The vegan wax base glides on easily after heating it against the body for about 30 seconds.
Scents adequately cover body odor from kids (and adults who find themselves in a pinch) and are made without synthetic fragrances. This product does need to be reapplied daily for the best effect. They are also made with coconut oil, so be careful about allergies.
What We Like
- A variety of scents—something for everyone
- Beautiful packaging, easy to grip
- Good for sensitive skin
What We Don't Like
- Need to warm up the stick before use
- Shorter length of effectiveness when compared to other products
BUY: Not My Mama's Aluminum-free Deodorant for Kids and Teens
Best Roll-On Deodorant for Kids - Good For You Girls Aluminum-Free Natural
SPECS
- Size: 3 oz.
- Scent(s): Fresh Melon and Baby Powder
- Form: Roll-on
- Aluminum-free: Yes
Good For You Girls Natural Deodorant comes in a happy and colorful 3-ounce container. This girl-centric product uses antimicrobial actions of probiotics and certain nutrients to break down unwanted odors. Good For You Girls Natural Deodorant avoids aluminum and harmful chemicals.
The size of this deodorant makes it stand out from the rest; since it's larger than many competitors, this roll-on will last for a while.
What We Like
- Natural ingredients, no aluminum
- Nice packaging
- Large size for the price as compared to deodorant sticks
- Good for sensitive skin
What We Don't Like
- It does not work with some people's chemistry
- Not many scents to choose from
BUY: Good For You Girls Aluminum Free Natural
Best Fragrance-Free Deodorant for Kids - Kobi Sport Deodorant for Kids
SPECS
- Size: 3 oz.
- Scent(s): Mountain Mint, Sunset Bloom, Fresh Lime, Vanilla Dream, Unscented
- Form: Roll-on
- Aluminum-free: Yes
Kobi Sport is a gentle roll-on deodorant good for toddlers on up. It rolls on clear and leaves no sticky residue. Kids can play comfortably, even if they are playing soccer in the Arizona summer. The folks at Kobi say that this 3-ounce bottle will last two to three months.
While the variety of scents mean there is something for everyone, the unscented version stands out as one of the more effective fragrance-free deodorants for active kids we've seen.
What We Like
- Good for young kids
- Good for extra-sensitive skin
- Made in the USA
What We Don't Like
- Some kids don't like the initial wetness when rolling it on
BUY: Kobi Sport Deodorant for Kids
Best Scented Deodorant for Kids - Grownish Deodorant for Kids
SPECS
- Size: 2.5 oz.
- Scent(s): Sweet Pink (water lily and honey pear), Strawberry Vanilla, Kiwi Melon
- Form: Stick
- Aluminum-free: Yes
This product is free of parabens, aluminum, and other chemical irritants, making it great for sensitive skin. Grownish glides on smooth and fights invisible odors for a full day. After a recent reformulation of the product, these fresh new scents are available and ready to eliminate odor in an armpit near you.
What We Like
- Great value
- Aluminum-free, free of other common irritants
- No residue
What We Don't Like
- Doesn't work for some individuals, based on personal chemistry
- Scents are purchased together, so if you prefer one over the others, you'll still be buying all 3. Other scents can be purchased in a 2-pack (two of the same scent).
BUY: Grownish Deodorant for Kids
Best Charcoal-Based Deodorant for Kids - TBH Kids Deodorant
SPECS
- Size: 2 oz.
- Scent(s): Unscented
- Form: Stick
- Aluminum-free: Yes
Charcoal-based? No, this is not the same as the charcoal you would use in a grill. Charcoal actually absorbs stench-causing bacteria. This ingredient works with coconut oil, a natural antibacterial, as well as arrowroot, to help absorb excess moisture. No black armpits here! Just natural odor neutralizing and moisture absorbing goodness.
What We Like
- Works all day
- No odor to the product
- Good for sensitive skin
What We Don't Like
- Sticks may dry out quickly—store them in a sealed container when not in use
- May need to warm up the product to apply well
BUY: TBH Kids Deodorant
What to Look for When Buying Deodorant for Kids
When looking for a deodorant for kids, it's best to look for products with more natural ingredients and avoid ingredients that may be harsh on sensitive skin. It's also important to avoid potentially harmful ingredients like parabens, phthalates, and aluminum. Many deodorants feature more natural ingredients that achieve odor domination in a much gentler way. Coconut oil, witch hazel, lemon juice, shea butter, and essential oils are all time-tested elements for the child who wants to smell like ambrosia. Or at least like a less-stinky kid. It's also best to avoid aerosols, as they can be irritating to a child's eyes and lungs when not used properly.
FAQs About Deodorant for Kids
Why does my 7-year-old have body odor?
It's likely because of a perfusion of the bacteria Staphylococcus hominis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Cutibacterium avidum. That didn't clear things up? Just like we have bacterial populations in our guts to keep us healthy, we have them in our mouths and on our skin, too. This bacterial population begins to grow as the child experiences the onset of prepubescent hormonal shifts. As long as the child doesn't have any other signs of puberty, this is just the trailer that preempts the feature hormonal storm of teenagehood. Enjoy!
At what age should a child start wearing deodorant?
When choosing a natural product like the ones listed in this article, it's safe to start as early as 6 years old, sometimes even earlier. Be sure to chat with your pediatrician to keep them up on your child's body changes.
Is there a deodorant safe for kids?
When choosing deodorant for a child, keep it as natural and light as possible. Avoid phthalates, parabens, and aluminum. Just like with adults, each child has their own personal chemistry, so a product that works perfectly for one child may not be as effective for another. As with any new product, there is always the potential for an adverse reaction. Monitor for any changes to the skin—irritation or darkening of the skin means a new product is in order. Kids may also have personal preferences between roll-ons and sticks. Plan to try a few options to find the right fit.
Preschool and Kindergarten Lunch | Best Lunchbox for Kids | Healthy Snacks for Kids | Best Water Bottle for Kids | Best Vitamins for Kids | Best Probiotics for Kids | Best Melatonin for Kids | Best Thermometer for Kids | Best Deodorant for Kids | Best Sunscreen for Kids
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