How long does body spray last?

It really depends on the individual product formula, but generally you can expect your body spray's scent to last for several hours, fading gradually. If you're looking for a scent that lasts all day, try an eau de parfum or eau de toilette like the Dior Sauvage Very Cool Spray on this list. You could also try layering your body spray with a lotion in the same scent, if available, to strengthen the scent.

Do body sprays expire?

Yes, but they typically have a very long shelf life—three to five years, on average and depending how the product is stored. Storing your scents in a cool, dry place can prevent any exposure to heat or UV light that can degrade the product over time .

How many sprays of body spray should I use?

It depends on how strong you prefer your scents—are you spraying all over after a shower, or just for a pick-me-up after a long day? Depending on your usage, you might want just a couple quick spritzes. There are no hard and fast rules about applying body spray; it's totally up to you.

The 10 Best Body Sprays for Men in 2022

On the staying fresh spectrum, a body spray lands somewhere between deodorant and cologne. To get technical about it, body spray is essentially a super light cologne—to the tune of about 0.5% perfume oil concentrations—in an otherwise water-alcohol mix. Yes, they can help cover up a slight stench, but they don’t go directly on the underarms, nor do they neutralize any odorous bacteria, so they're not exactly deodorants, either.

TL;DR, body sprays are like a post-shower splash, a midday pick-me-up, or a pre-date confidence boost—especially if you’re fragrance-averse. A body spray will wear super light, but it keeps you smelling fresh. (We suggest using a deodorant or antiperspirant, too.) All that being said, some brands blur the lines between all three categories, making high-concentration body sprays, or labeling them as deodorants and antiperspirants. So, while it’s important to know the technical distinction, don’t get too hung up on the execution of it and just find the one that's right for you.

While options for body sprays abound, there are a couple key things you should consider when selecting one, including the ingredients and the product function, if it's portable for travel, and how the value stacks up.

Read on for the best body sprays for men on the market now.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Jack Black Turbo Body Spray at Amazon

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Best Budget:

Axe Body Spray for Men Dark Temptation at Amazon

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Best Drugstore:

Old Spice Refresh Body Spray Pure Sport at Amazon

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Best Splurge:

Tom Ford Oud Wood Body Spray at Amazon

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Best Soothing:

Bálla Body Spray at Amazon

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Best Unisex:

ck one Body Spray at Sephora

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Best Natural:

Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe Herbs & Rosewater at Amazon

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Best Long-Lasting:

Dior Sauvage Very Cool Spray at Amazon

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Best Antiperspirant:

Dove Men+Care Dry Spray Extra Fresh at Amazon

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Best Powder:

Dry Goods Athletic Spray Powder Dry Goods Athletic Spray Powder at Amazon

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In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Byrdie

4.4

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What We Like

Lightweight
Feels refreshing
Smells natural

What We Don't Like

Pricey
Smell could be stronger

What do buyers say? 87% of 150+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.

Jack Black’s Turbo Spray is formulated as precisely as a fragrance, with notes of spearmint, eucalyptus, black tea, rosemary, lavender, wood, and palo santo. However, it bears the price of a body spray and pretends to be nothing but—it works terrifically as a boost before a big meeting or a date, without pronouncing itself to the people five tables over. It smells terrific and refreshing.

Scent: Spearmint and Juniper Berries | Size: 3.4 oz. | Cruelty-Free: N/A | Byrdie Clean: N/A

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What We Like

Unique spicy sweet smell
Affordable
48-hour scent

What We Don't Like

Dark chocolate smell

Dark Temptation is a little bit spicy, and a lot sweet, blending notes of hot chocolate (hm!), amber, and peppercorn. It’s the finest fragrance of Axe’s all-day-fresh body sprays, and one of the furthest from “this smells like a seventh-grader would wear it." It's also super affordable, making it an easy pick-up when you’re next at the drugstore

Price at time of publish: $20

Scent: Dark Chocolate | Size: 4 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

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What We Like

Lasts all day
Masculine smell
Great post-workout shower boost

What We Don't Like

Smell may be too strong for some

The citrus-crisp Pure Sport has officially replaced Old Spice’s signature, classic scent—that, or it’s the one that defines the millennial/Gen-Z deodorizing experience. Who hasn’t used the brand’s Pure Spice roll-on stick at some point? So, here it is in a deodorizing body spray, perfect for the post-workout shower boost. And it’s not as polarizing as many other drugstore options, since Old Spice keeps most of its scents in an ageless, universal-appeal territory. Pure Sport is the most universal of them all.

Price at time of publish: $14

Scent: Pure Sport | Size: 3.75 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

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What We Like

Distinct woody, spicy, earthy notes
Lasts for a good amount of hours
Travel-friendly

What We Don't Like

Pricey

Tom Ford could own a lot of spots on this list if it were a rundown of the very best body sprays, sans category. And of all its beloved fragrances that have been transitioned into body spray scents, we love Oud Wood best, for its woody-spicy-earthy notes, which deliver come-hither energy directly to your skin. Plus, despite being $75 for 5 ounces, it’s a fraction of the price tag worn by Tom Ford’s 3.4-ounce eau de parfum cologne of the same name. Sure, it won’t project as long or as far, but you’ll still smell incredible for a couple hours.

Price at time of publish: $110

Scent: Rose Wood, Tonka Bean, Amber | Size: 4 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: N/A

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What We Like

Clean and cool yet masculine smell
Long-lasting
Refillable

What We Don't Like

May have to spray more on for longevity

This aloe- and chamomile-packed spray is cooling and calming to the touch, and is technically targeted at your junk and feet (since the Bálla’s signature powder also hits the same spots, to absorb moisture and cool on contact). But this isn’t a powder spray; it’s a traditional body spray with those added refreshing benefits, to keep everything smelling ripe and fresh, just in case you need to make a good impression in that department.

Price at time of publish: $22

Scent: Oak and Musk | Size: 6 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: N/A

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What We Like

Light, relaxed scent
Unisex
Can be used lavishly

What We Don't Like

Might have to use a lot for longevity

CK One is one of the most balanced fragrances you can buy, and the brand’s take on body spray is equally harmonious. The scent blends spicy, floral, sweet, citrus, and musk notes together, for a positively uplifting result that's terrific for any pick-me-ups throughout the day. We say, buy the actual fragrance for special occasions, and wear this one around the house or on errands.

Price at time of publish: $20

Scent: Bergamot, Cardamom, Pineapple | Size: 5.4 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Courtesy of Amazon

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What We Like

Tones while soothing
Treats sun exposure
Gentle

What We Don't Like

Might not work on sensitive skin

While this product is technically a facial mist, you can spray this natural potion all over your body for a toning, refreshing, soothing sensation. It combines rosewater with aloe gel and seaweed extract—though it smells nothing like seaweed, we promise. Wherever you spray it, a tingling, calming feeling follows. It’s like a shot of caffeine for your skin, and plays especially well on overly-sunned (not yet sunburned) patches.

Price at time of publish: $7

Scent: Rose Water | Size: 4 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

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What We Like

Crisp, spicy scent
Long-lasting
Travel-friendly

What We Don't Like

Pricey

Nomenclature gets murky here because Dior touts this as an eau de toilette body spray. The truth is, it’s the former, but it still wears as strong and for as long as an eau de toilette, given you’re applying it to bigger swaths of the body. And it smells like a fresher version of the classic, crisp, spicy Sauvage, no less, which merits all kinds of accolades.

Price at time of publish: $105

Scent: Bergamot | Size: 3.4 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

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What We Like

48-hour protection
Gentle
Affordable

What We Don't Like

Smell might be too weak for some

Foremost an underarm antiperspirant, you can spray this super fresh deodorant on any part of your body that sweats, if you want to mitigate the moisture. Don’t get too crazy with daily all-over applications (after all, it’s derived for your pits), and definitely don’t spray it on your face, but deploy it in those instances where you simply don’t want to arrive someplace with a sweat-drenched back. If you’re avoiding swamp crotch or soggy feet, we suggest using the powder spray below.

Price at time of publish: $8

Scent: Fresh | Size: 3.8 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

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What We Like

Prevents chafing
Absorbs moisture
Lightweight

What We Don't Like

Comes out a bit streaky

This powder spray has one clear task: to prevent moisture from accumulating in your junk drawers and socks. Spray it on after a shower (but dry yourself off fully first), particularly on the days you plan to sweat a bunch (be it before sports, on a hot sunny day, or just from sitting at work for 8 hours). Once it lands on the skin, it dries into a nice powder residue, one that also helps prevent friction and can be applied to the thighs to prevent rubbing and chafing.

Price at time of publish: $17

Scent: Original | Size: 5.4 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Final Verdict

If all you need is a post-workout or post-shower boost, opt for the drugstore body sprays like Axe Body Spray for Men Dark Temptation. However, if what you want is something that is almost a fragrance, but a subtle one at that, then the Jack Black Turbo Body Spray and the CK One Body Spray are your best bets—and they don’t cost exorbitant amounts, either.

What to Look For in a Body Spray for Men

Ingredients

Given that body spray means different things to different brands, it’s important to understand exactly what it is you’re buying. Is it something that stops sweat, or masks odor? Is it slightly more concentrated with perfume oils, and thus something closer to a lightweight cologne? Is it a natural, skin-toning face mist that can also refresh the body? Read the label carefully, to understand what it is this product does once applied. No two are the same.

Value

If you’re paying top dollar for a body spray, is it simply because the brand is prestige? Or is it because they are using less alcohol, higher perfume concentrations, and offering a bigger size? You’ve got to weigh all these things against one another, because the prices of body sprays can range from $5 to $100. Also, if you’re buying one from a top-tier fragrance brand, is it worth simply upgrading to their actual eau de toilette or eau de parfum in the same scent, given you’ll use less of it on each application, and thus it’ll actually last longer?

Portability

Anything under 3.4 ounces won’t be allowed in your carry-on bag. And anything with aerosol spray must not be flammable if you’re planning to check it or carry it on (regardless of its size). Check for that little flame icon on the backside of the product, and leave it home if it is, in fact, flammable. Many drugstore brands sell their body sprays and spray-on deodorants/antiperspirants in travel-friendly sizes, but again, always double-check whether or not it’s flammable.

FAQ

How long does body spray last?

It really depends on the individual product formula, but generally you can expect your body spray's scent to last for several hours, fading gradually. If you're looking for a scent that lasts all day, try an eau de parfum or eau de toilette like the Dior Sauvage Very Cool Spray on this list. You could also try layering your body spray with a lotion in the same scent, if available, to strengthen the scent.
Do body sprays expire?

Yes, but they typically have a very long shelf life—three to five years, on average and depending how the product is stored. Storing your scents in a cool, dry place can prevent any exposure to heat or UV light that can degrade the product over time.
How many sprays of body spray should I use?

It depends on how strong you prefer your scents—are you spraying all over after a shower, or just for a pick-me-up after a long day? Depending on your usage, you might want just a couple quick spritzes. There are no hard and fast rules about applying body spray; it's totally up to you.

Why Trust Byrdie?

Byrdie contributor Adam Hurly has been covering grooming for nearly eight years. He began working for Birchbox in 2013, then became a freelance writer/editor in 2016. Since then, he has written for GQ, Men’s Journal, Men’s Health, Esquire, Gear Patrol, Bloomberg, Men’s Fitness, Muscle & Fitness, Forbes...and of course, Byrdie.

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any body sprays for men from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.

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Article Sources

Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

Blakeway JM, Frey ML, Lacroix S, Salerno MS. Chemical reactions in perfume ageing. Int J Cosmet Sci. 1987 Oct;9(5):203-14. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-2494.1987.tb00475.x. PMID: 19456979.