9 Best Smelling Old Spice Deodorant Scents In 2023 (Buying Guide & Review)


Old Spice has continued to expand its grooming products from aftershaves and splashes they’re known for to deodorants and antiperspirants. Formulated with men’s needs in mind, what might be some of Old Spice’s best smelling deodorant scents?

Current Old Spice deodorant options have parted with singular scents from the past and released more complex fragrances, like After Hours from their Red Collection or Wolfthrorn from their Wild Collection. 

Explore their newer fragrance options through the list below. 

Best Smelling Old Spice Deodorant Scents

Top 9 Old Spice Deodorant Scents

Old Spice deodorants are all aluminum-free. Some scents protect against odor for up to two days, and all of them go on clear. You won’t have to worry about deodorant streaks on dark-colored clothing. 

Scents are formulated to smell as lasting as cologne. So if you have yet to find a cologne fragrance that you enjoy, then an Old Spice deodorant might be a good solution for you. 

Below are my top picks.

1. Old Spice Red Collection: Pure Sport Scent

Old Spice Deodorant for Men Pure Sport Scent Red Zone Collection 3 Oz (Pack of 3) Packaging May Vary
  • You will receive a Pack of 3 Old Spice Red Zone Collection Men's Pure Sport Scent Deodorant, 3 Oz.
  • Old Spice Men's Deodorant overpowers stink with good-smellingness
  • Provides 24-hour odor protection, in case you need to climb a mountain, fight off a bear, and ride an elevator all in the same day
  • Red Zone Collection transforms unfresh men into legends of confidence
  • Packaging May Vary

In keeping with their aim to invoke confidence in men, the tagline for this scent is that it smells like “victory and lemon.”

A spokesman for the company stated that there’s more to manhood than “getting the girl.” Winning in life and accumulating financial wealth have been more effective marketing strategies for Old Spice. So you’ll find that their fragrances not only describe a scent but incorporate some sort of affirming masculine act as well. In this case, victory.

You can expect bright lemon lime fragrance notes in this Pure Sport scent. It’s a strong but clean and fresh fragrance similar to the carbonated fizziness of Sprite.

It’s a great straightforward and practical smell that can last for a full 24 hours. 

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2. Old Spice Red Collection: Aqua Reef

Old Spice Men's Deodorant Aluminum-Free Aqua Reef, 3.0oz Pack of 3 with Travel-Sized Swagger Body Wash
  • Old Spice Aqua Reef smells like lime and cypress
  • Includes three sticks of aluminum-free deodorant and one travel-sized Swagger body wash
  • Tap into the triple protection power of odor protection, goes on clear and a bold scent with Old Spice Men's Deodorant
  • 48-hour aluminum-free odor protection goes on clear to keep clothes looking fresh
  • Old Spice Red Collection favors the bold, and that means you—day, night and the next morning too

For a more complex citrus scent, Aqua Reef is described as having the scent of lime, cypress, and sunshine. I’m not quite sure how to describe the smell of sunshine but fresh linens hanging on a clothesline come to mind. 

In addition to the freshness of citrus notes, limes add sharpness and sometimes subtle floral notes as well. 

Cypress carries those lime notes further. It has a fresh and clean woody scent that’s also herbaceous with hints of spice.

Although there are more scent notes, Aqua Reef is somehow more of a neutral scent than Pure Sport. It’s so much less intense than the last scent that even women like to use Aqua Reef.

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3. Old Spice Red Collection: After Hours Scent

Old Spice Red Collection After Hours Scent Deodorant for Men, 3.0 oz, Pack of 3
  • After Hours is a citrus and leafy green scent that's too sexy for ordinary business hours
  • Old Spice Men's Deodorant overpowers stink with good-smellingness
  • Provides 24-hour odor protection, in case you need to climb a mountain, fight off a bear, and ride an elevator all in the same day
  • Red Collection transforms unfresh men into legends of confidence
  • So easy to use you might accidentally put it on and only later realize your man-nificence

After Hours is another Old Spice deodorant scent that’s possibly suitable for both men and women. Described as a masculine scent that smells like “spice and intrigue,”

After Hours predominantly carries citrus and herbal notes. There is actually a hint of intrigue in this fragrance as well. The spiciness makes this scent more masculine and able to wear during a night on the town after work.

It’s reported to actually last the full 24 hours indicated on the container, even for athletes. 

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4. Old Spice Fresher Collection: Fiji with Palm Tree Scent

Old Spice Men's Deodorant Aluminum-Free Fiji with Palm Tree, 3oz (Pack of 3) with Travel-Size Swagger Body Wash
  • Prepare yourself for the unmatched freshness of a virtual Fiji trip, where the aroma of palm trees surrounds you, without any luggage fees.
  • Indulge in the exotic fragrance of Fiji Deodorant, a captivating fusion of coconut and lavender that will transport you to tropical paradise.
  • Experience the power of triple guard protection with this deodorant: it provides a clear application, a refreshing scent, and effective odor control, ensuring you stay confident throughout the day.
  • Choose health with confidence by opting for this deodorant that is proudly aluminum-free, allowing you to prioritize your well-being without compromising on freshness.

Old Spice conducted a nature scent study to investigate whether scents from their Fresher Collection have the same effects as being in nature. They conducted multiple tests on 100 males aged 18 to 34 and found that scents from the fresher collection:

  • Actually made the men feel as good as a person feels when they’re experiencing and smelling nature
  • Relaxed them in the same way as being in nature
  • Reminded them of engaging in masculine activities

So their tagline, “Smell as great as nature is” is actually research-based.

Fiji is an antiperspirant and deodorant, so it offers 48 hours of odor protection and dryness.

One might find the primary scent notes to be an odd combination: coconut and lavender. But I guess it’s in keeping with the adventurous theme of their Fresher Collection. Fiji is fruity and earthy  – some men even describe it as sexy. 

This scent might be best reserved for summer vacations or weekend plans. 

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5. Old Spice Fresher Collection: Timber with Sandalwood Scent

Old Spice Men's Deodorant Aluminum-Free Timber with Sandalwood, 3.0oz Pack of 3 with Travel-Size Swagger Body Wash
  • Timber deodorant smells like Sandalwood and tonka bean
  • Three Aluminum-free deodorant sticks included plus one travel-sized Swagger Body Wash
  • Deodorant with long lasting protection
  • Triple protection: Anti-odor, goes on clear, fresh scent
  • Smells fresh like we got sandalwood and put it in here because that’s what we did.

Sandalwood is one of the most favored wood scents used in personal fragrance products. In this deodorant, it’s combined with tonka bean. And you know how complex tonka beans can be.

Tonka bean adds woody, spicy, and smoky notes to sandalwood, but takes it even further. It’s also sweet and herbaceous. Both sandalwood and tonka bean add a sense of warmth as well. 

If you’re looking for a fresh forest scent, then you have found it with Timber. It also lasts up to 48 hours but is only a deodorant.

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6. Old Spice Fresher Collection: Wilderness with Lavender Scent

Old Spice Deodorant for Men, Wilderness With Lavender, Inspired By Nature, 3 Ounce (Pack of 12), Package may Vary
  • Wilderness With Lavender smells like wild lavender, which is much rowdier than ordinary lavender
  • The Fresher Collection has real freshness forged with real ingredients
  • Tell your underarm odor to take a hike! And then take a hike in the opposite direction from your underarm odor
  • Old Spice Deodorant trounces underarm odor for 24 hours without aluminum or parabens
  • Once you smell like nature, you'll forget about all of your problems and your life will be better and you'll finally get that promotion you know you deserve

Old Spice makes a point to mention that this deodorant is fragranced with wild lavender to place emphasis on its stronger scent notes. It’s unlikely that this is an exaggeration because different species of lavender can smell different from one another. 

The company describes it as smelling like, “a hike through the rugged backcountry in spring.”

Smelling like an adventure is still the goal; instead of an island escape, though, this adventure is through the wilderness. You can expect 24-hour protection with this scent.

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7. Old Spice Wild Collection: Wolfthorn Scent

Old Spice Wild Collection Wolfthorn Scent Men's Invisible Solid Antiperspirant Deodorant 2.6 Ounce (Pack of 4)
  • Item Package Length: 5.842cm
  • Item Package Width: 12.954cm
  • Item Package Height: 13.462cm
  • Item Package Weight: 0.49kg

Described as another unisex Old Spice fragrance, women like this scent even more than they like After Hours. 

Wolfthorn is an antiperspirant and deodorant that has a sweet, fruity citrus fragrance. To some it smells like gummy bears, to others, Skittles or Hawaiian Punch. 

To me, its fragrance doesn’t hearken to the image of the ferocious illustrated on its packaging. But many people can’t speak highly enough of its scent, so clearly I’m in the minority. You might love it, too. It’s a middle of the road fragrance that isn’t too masculine or too feminine.

This is one of three initial scents released from the Wild Collection. The other two were Hawkridge and Foxcrest, but Wolfthorn was the most popular and well-liked fragrance because the other two have since been discontinued. 

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8. Old Spice Wild Collection: Bearglove Scent

Old Spice Aluminum Free Deodorant for Men, Bearglove Scent, 48 Hr. Protection, 3 Oz (Pack of 3) with Travel-Sized Swagger Body Wash
  • The #1 aluminum-free odor fighter, Old Spice Bearglove is an improved deodorant with the long-lasting scent of crisp apples and success
  • Includes three sticks of aluminum-free deodorant and one travel-sized Swagger body wash
  • Stay sniffworthy longer with 48-hour odor protection that goes on clear and clean
  • Unleash the improved triple protection power of: odor protection, goes on clear and lasting scent with Old Spice Men's Deodorant
  • Remember, the ladder of success is slippery unless you're wearing beargloves

More citrus notes, but this time with apples, crips greens, and spice, Bearglove smells like Thanksgiving.

Its tagline encourages you to “climb the ladder of success without fear of slipping” with this deodorant.

Bearglove might not help you to actually advance in your career, but it does have longevity. This deodorant gives you 48-hours of protection.

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9. Old Spice Wild Collection: Dragonblast

Old Spice Aluminum Free Deodorant for Men, Dragonblast, 48 Hr. Protection, 3 oz
  • The #1 aluminum-free odor fighter, Old Spice dragonblast is an improved Deodorant with a long-lasting sandalwood and vanilla scent
  • Stay sniffworthy longer with 48-hour odor protection that goes on clear and clean
  • Unleash the improved triple protection power of: odor protection, goes on clear and lasting scent with Old Spice Men's Deodorant
  • Embrace the Dragon. But not literally, he does not like to be touched

Woodsy but sweet, Dragonblast’s primary scent notes are sandalwood and vanilla. This scent combination has hints of floral and velvety balsamic notes as well.

This deodorant lasts all day and was formulated to even extend to 48-hours of protection.

And as you might have guessed, this is another scent that women frequently use as their own deodorant. 

Calling out the wildness of men might have been the goal of Old Spice, but in the process of creating these scent combinations, they ended up making a product line that appeals to women as well. 

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All About Old Spice for Men

Established in 1937, Old Spice has dominated the male grooming industry for 85 years. But there’s a twist. The company that we’ve come to associate with men was initially created for women. 

The company was first called Early American Old Spice and was founded by William Lightfoot Schult. His manufacturing company was called Shulton Inc.

Its first scent release for women was called Early American Old Spice and smelled like potpourri, a fragrance inspired by the founder’s mother. 

During this time, there was increased interest in the history of colonial America. Not only did this influence the product line, but it’s also the reason why the brand logo was and continues to be a clipper ship. Although the types of water vessels used for branding has changed over the years, the nautical theme persists to this day.

In 1938, the company released grooming products for men and Old Spice was born. This line started with aftershave lotion and shaving soap. They added men’s fragrances in 1970 and subsequently, deodorants, antiperspirants, and skincare items.

Twenty years later, in 1990, the company was purchased by Procter & Gamble. They’ve since added body wash and body sprays to the product line, and dramatically expanded the Old Spice scent options.

In 2014, Procter & Gamble added shampoos, conditioners, and other men’s hair care products to their offerings.

Old Spice Product Lines

Currently, Old Spice products include items for the body, underarms, hair, and beard. All of their products are still created with the male customer in mind. As you’ll notice further down in the article, this doesn’t prevent women from using Old Spice products as well. 

Here’s what is specifically offered in their current product line:

  • Body (lotion, body wash, bar soap, cologne spray)
  • Underarms (deodorants and antiperspirants)
  • Hair (shampoo, conditioner, thickening styler, pomade, putty, moisturizers, leave-in conditioners, bald care products, and hair gel)
  • Beard (beard oil, beard wash, beard conditioner)

The original Old Spice fragrance that many of us associate with our grandparents still exists and has since been tagged, “Classic Scent.”

It’s possible that the fragrance has been altered over time as some resources from over 80 years ago are either no longer available and/or no longer meet product safety standards of our present time.

The company has since made a lot of changes to fragrance offerings in order to market their product to younger and middle-aged men. Their aim has been to reframe societal understanding of who the most appropriate customer for these products has become. 

Old Spice Marketing Evolution

For over a decade, Old Spice marketing efforts have steered away from the original “old man” scent.

Rebranding began with comedic ad campaigns from about 12 years ago featuring Isaiah Mustafa, and then Terry Crews. You might remember commercials like the one below.

https://youtu.be/LpUrz9RvuPk

These campaigns were hugely successful.

But they’ve even moved away from Old Spice products as mere grooming tools. Old Spice executives have been positioning their products against the more sophisticated competitors out there. Their indirect messaging is that not only can you smell nice using their products, but their products can help position you in the right places in life. 

Thus, they now market their newer lines to young men between the ages of 18 to 24 years. As they are finding their place in life, it’s suggested that Old Spice deodorant and other products can reliably help them build their confidence and manliness in the process.

Old Spice Deodorants

As Old Spice has evolved its fragrance options over the years, their changes have resulted in three deodorant collections for men:

  1. The Red Collection – These are the more common, often sporty, scents that are most associated with the original brand fragrances. 
  2. The Fresher Collection – Less intense, nature-inspired fragrance options for customers who found the Red Collection to be overwhelming. 
  3. The Wild Collection – An even subtler and more sophisticated scent option, the Wild Collection was intended to evoke wildlife or the wilder side of a man without the soapy intensity of the Red Collection.

Each collection has corresponding fragrances within each theme. Individual scents are not readily available. It seems that you have to hunt around to find scents from each category as they are discontinued, but I did my best to include at least one scent from each collection on this list. 

Overall, regardless of fragrance note combination or intensity, Old Spice scents are intended to emphasize “manly” masculinity.

Read more: Aftershave vs Cologne

Customer Opinions about Old Spice Deodorants

As with all fragrances, opinions about the scent of deodorant vary widely. The difference with options about these Old Spice products is that the effectiveness of deodorant performance is also called into question. 

What Customers Love about Old Spice Deodorant Scents

  • Men love that they feel more confident when wearing these deodorants and that they get so many compliments.
  • Old Spice solid deodorants are actually a solid gel instead of the white paste-like solids that you find in Old Spice’s antiperspirant deodorants. Men especially seem to prefer the gel solid format and texture.
  • Some of the fragrances are subdued enough for women to wear. In many cases, active women find that these deodorants work better for them than some brands or collections marketed to women. 
  • Similarly, some of these deodorants work better for women than the maximum strength women’s deodorants on the market.
  • Men like the fact that the deodorants smell like a lightly fragranced cologne. 
  • For many customers the polished, classy, and confident qualities that Old Spice hopes to inspire in their customers has been effective.

What Customers Dislike About Old Spice Deodorant Scents

  • When scent formulas change after a customer has been using the same scent for an extended period of time, it’s understandable that they become upset and disappointed. 
  • Some people feel that in recent years Old Spice deodorants don’t perform as well as they used to. In some cases, men begin to smell body odor within a few hours of use, even with limited physical activity.
  • Some of the newer fragrance lines don’t smell as “masculine” as some men would like for them to. 

Final Thoughts

Old Spice has an ever-expanding and ever-evolving deodorant line for men. Fragrances range from fiercely masculine to borderline feminine. There’s literally at least one fragrance for every man or person who wants to wear Old Spice deodorant.

For the more traditional Old Spice scent Pure Sport from the Red Collection is probably your best bet. For a rugged spring scent that doesn’t reek, try Wilderness with Lavender.

Dragonblast is a nice neutral woodsy fragrance that smells and lasts like a cologne. It’s also probably the most unisex fragrance on the list if you’re looking for something that your partner wouldn’t mind smelling on you.

Old Spice scents have come a long way from the classic grandpa fragrance from eons ago. The scent you choose is up to you, but I hope this article helps you to see that you have a lot more Old Spice deodorant scent options than you did in the past.

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Grace

Hello and welcome to Fragrance Advice! My name is Grace Young, and I’ve been drawn to fragrances since I was a little girl. There's just something about scent that brings me so much joy! 

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