The Akt London: Born to Perform Deodorant (£18) is at the top of the list for a reason: it's damn good. Designed in London by two West End professional dancers, Akt was created to be both effective and functional — and it delivers on both fronts. The packaging feels luxe, and I especially love that it's plastic-free and recyclable, from the box it comes in to the custom-made aluminium caps on the tube.
Texture wise, Akt London: Born to Perform Deodorant is like a thick, dry-ish paste that feels creamy on application, but dries down almost instantly. Unlike any of the other deodorants I tried, Akt manages to keep you reasonably dry throughout the day (thanks to sodium bicarbonate and magnesium oxide which helps to absorb odour and wick away wetness). It comes in three scents that are suitable for all genders, and each are a mix of spicy freshness from the essential oils and flower extracts.
To use the product, you squeeze a pea-sized amount onto your fingertips and apply to your underarm (then repeat for the other side). But if you want to upgrade your experience, you can also purchase the Akt London Applicator (£26), which is inspired by Gua Sha, to help you apply the product without using your fingertips — and it also has a suggested massage technique that can promote lymphatic drainage and is made of brass, so is naturally antimicrobial. In case you can't tell, I love this product, and would compare it to a clinical-strength antiperspirant — highly recommend.