10 Best Deodorants for Kids in the Philippines 2022 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Dermatologist

Here are some key points to consider:

1. Choose between deodorant or antiperspirant.
2. Inspect the active ingredients to ensure the product's safety.
3. Pick the formulation that your child is comfortable with.

For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.

It's a common misconception that these two terms are interchangeable, but they're actually not. Here is what you need to know about the difference between the two. 

Deodorants are topical products that neutralize body odor by killing the bacteria that contribute to its development. They do not in any way reduce the amount of sweat produced. Natural mineral salts like potassium alum and ammonium alum are commonly used to inhibit the growth of bacteria. This is a good enough choice for kids who do not sweat excessively but simply want to smell fresh and free of body odor.

On the other hand, antiperspirants do exactly what their name indicates, which is to stop or reduce perspiration. They usually contain aluminum salts like aluminum chlorohydrate and aluminum zirconium that block the opening of sweat ducts. 

This action leads to a temporary decrease in sweat production. By doing so, it lessens the opportunity for bacteria to develop and produce body odor. This is best for people who are worried about excessive sweating and would like to avoid underarm wetness. 

Just like with any product for children, it's important to read the label on a product to find out its active ingredients. That way, you can determine if it is safe for your child to use. 

Deodorants made with natural ingredients are definitely a safer bet for children than those with largely chemical formulations. They are generally skin-friendly, and some include ingredients with added moisturizing benefits, such as coconut oil, tea tree oil, sunflower oil, castor oil, aloe, glycerin, and shea butter. They are also less likely to clog sweat glands. 

Other natural ingredients that are helpful in fighting moisture are baking soda, arrowroot powder, magnesium, and cornstarch. These absorb moisture and help keep odor at bay. Microsilver and eucalyptus are also effective in reducing odor because of their antiseptic and antibacterial properties. 

However, it's also important to note that your child might experience dryness and irritation even with natural ingredients. To be safe, you can check for sensitivity by testing the product on a small section of their body first. 

Parabens are widely used as preservatives in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry, but they are frequently met with debate because they are said to be harmful to your health. However, studies have been inconclusive on this matter, so it's a good rule of thumb to be cautious when using products with parabens. 

The more important consideration is the quantity used because they are currently considered safe but only up to a maximum of 25%. Another thing to check is the presence of fragrances. While it can be tempting to choose a lovely scent to mask underarm odor, fragrances, especially synthetic ones, might do more harm than good by causing allergies or irritation on your child's skin. 

Deodorants come in different formulations and dispensing methods. It is solely a matter of preference, so make sure to choose one that your child is comfortable using. Scroll down to find out what you can expect with each type of formulation. 

By far the most common of all types, the roll-on deodorant is designed to follow the contours of the armpit for precise coverage. The product itself is in liquid form and glides onto the skin wet. However, it may take longer to dry and can feel sticky. Most roll-ons also contain alcohol and may leave some residue on clothing. 

Spray deodorants are convenient and easy to use because they can cover wide areas quickly with just one spritz. However, children need to be reminded to spray from a proper distance because they might get an aerosol burn if they spray the product too close to their skin. It's also best to remind them to shake the bottle before spraying to make sure the contents are dispersed evenly. 

Stick deodorants are pretty much straightforward and perhaps the easiest to apply for kids. They simply glide the product on their armpits and wait a short time for it to dry. This type also commonly has other beneficial ingredients like emollients that can keep the underarm area moisturized. 

Like roll-ons, gel deodorants come in a clear liquid form, although they are thicker. They feel very light on the skin and typically leave no stains or residues on clothing. The downside is that they take a bit longer to dry, which can be difficult for kids who are always on the go.

Of all the formulations, cream deodorants have the advantage of being the most long-lasting. This type is a paste-like formulation that you apply on the underarms with your fingers or a spatula. And because it lasts a long time, it's more cost-effective. Cream deodorants also tend to be more gentle and moisturizing on the skin because of nourishing ingredients added to them. 

To give you a rundown, here are our top 5 picks for the best deodorants for kids you can buy online:

1. Best overall: Deonat Aloe Mineral Deodorant
2. Best chemical-free and vegan option: Nuud Natural Deodorant Starter Pack
3. Best for sensitive skin: Dove Sensitive Deodorant Stick
4. Best for sweaty underarms: Dr Teal’s Aluminum-Free Deodorant with Eucalyptus
5. Best natural fresh scent: Human Nature All-Natural Deodorant Stick Powder Fresh

The products we introduce below were carefully curated by the mybest team, from the best-sellers of E-commerce sites like Lazada, and using the points mentioned in our detailed and thoroughly researched buying guide.

Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by Dr. Katrina.

Bromhidrosis typically occurs after puberty and is more common in males. But if it develops way before puberty, that's something you'd want to check in with your board-certified dermatologist as it can be a clue to other conditions. Your dermatologist can also advise if deodorant is needed or an antiperspirant would suffice.

Remember, a sweaty odor can be expected from active children who run and play all day. However, a foul or unpleasant odor isn't too common amongst kids. So it would be good to see what could be the possible cause of the body odor and if deodorant is warranted.

In general, you would want a deodorant to get rid of the unpleasant odor. But you also want the deodorant to be gentle, moisturizing, and safe to be applied onto the underarm skin. A patch test is always a good idea!

Deodorants per se do not cause underarms to darken. However, an irritant or allergic contact dermatitis to an ingredient contained in the deodorant can. Once the inflammation from the reaction subsides, it typically resolves and leaves hyperpigmentation, aka darkened underarms. Thus, the importance of patch testing, yet again!

Teaching your child to practice good hygiene habits is essential to keep them clean, healthy, and smelling fresh the whole day. Check out the links below for more products that are recommended for babies and kids!

Author: A. Ugay

Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.