7 Harmful Ingredients in Deodorant to Steer Clear Of (and Natural Alternatives)

Most of us use deodorant on a daily basis to reduce sweating or body odor. But few think about how these products work and ingredients used in them.

The truth is, there are several potentially harmful ingredients in deodorant that can negatively affect our health and increase the risk of illness. Let’s take a look at the biggest culprits, why they’re bad, and how to choose brands that are safer for your body.

Deodorant Vs Antiperspirant

Before we get into the ingredients, it’s important to know the difference between a deodorant and antiperspirant. Although they’re often lumped into the same category, they are quite different—and the difference affects the types of ingredients present in them.

A deodorant is primarily meant to mask the smell of body odor caused by sweating and underarm bacteria. Deodorants create an environment where bacteria can’t grow, plus most help neutralize the odor with fragrance and propylene antibacterial chemicals.

An antiperspirant works to actually reducesweating of your underarms. The compounds in antiperspirant mix with sweat to temporarily shrink and plug up the sweat gland ducts.

Antiperspirants are often combined with deodorants to provide the benefits of both, although you can also buy each separately.

Now, let’s look at the most harmful ingredients in deodorant and/or antiperspirants.

1. Aluminum

Aluminum salts are the active ingredient in antiperspirants—the things that plug up the pores and reduce sweating. While less sweating is nice, it can come at a cost.

Chemicals in antiperspirants like aluminum can absorb into the skin, especially if the skin is slightly broken or nicked from shaving. Some research has shown aluminum may lead to gene instability in the breast tissue, which might promote tumor or cancer cell growth [1].

Plus, half of breast cancers begin the area of the breast closest to the armpit region.

Aluminum in the form of aluminium chloride or aluminum chlorohydrate, a common form in antiperspirants, amy also interfere with estrogen action, which plays a part in breast cancer cells [2].

Aluminum ingredients in deodorant to watch out for including:

Aluminum chlorohydrate
Aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly

2. Parabens

Parabens are used as preservatives in many cosmetics and personal care products, including deodorants. While they’re very common, there’s some concern about their safety.

A study done in 2004 showed parabens can be found intact in human breast tissue and linked them to breast cancer [3]. They may also mimic estrogen and disrupt the body’s hormonal balance.

Like with aluminum, the worry is that putting parabens coming in close contact with breast tissue (from the armpit region) may promote cancer growth in both men and women. For these reasons, many companies have started producing paraben-free deodorants and other personal care products.

Parabens in deodorant to watch out for include:

Methylparaben
Ethylparaben
Benzylparaben
Propylparaben
Butylparaben

3. Phthalates

Like parabens, phthalates are a preservative found in deodorants and many other products. Phthalates help the fragrance of the product stick to your skin and stay on longer.

The problem? Phthalates may negatively affect the way your body makes and uses the testosterone hormone. Testosterone is important for maintaining muscle, producing energy, and promoting healthy hormone balance—in both men and women.

The other biggest worry about phthalates is potential disruption of reproductive function in men or fetal development in women who are pregnant.

4. Triclosan

Triclosan is used by many cosmetic manufacturers to kill bacteria on the skin and prevent bacterial contamination. It’s found in antiperspirants, deodorants, acne-fighting products, and hand sanitizing soaps.

There are a few problems with triclosan:

Research has shown 75% of the U.S. population has detectable levels of triclosan in their urine and that it affects the gut microbiome [4].
Triclosan can irritate skin and may cause contact dermatitis in some people [5].
The EPA has had a number of concerns about the health effects of triclosan.

5. Talc

Talc is a mineral used in many cosmetics—including deodorant, of course—for its anti-caking properties and its ability to improve how certain products feel on the skin. Talc is sometimes used to produce a white color.

The IARC claims that if talc contains asbestiform fibers, it’s considered a carcinogen. Telling if talc in a deodorant contains asbestiform fibers, or how many are present, is tricky because the ingredient isn’t regulated for cosmetic products.

To play if safe, it’s best to avoid it talc in your deodorant products.

6. Silica

Silica is one of the most abundant and complex families of materials in the world that exists in many forms, including as sand or quartz. It’s also used as a synthetic product in many modern industries, including pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetics.

Companies add silica to deodorant to help absorb moisture from sweat. It’s unfortunately irritating to many people, so if you’re ever felt itchy or had irritated skin from a deodorant, it’s likely from silica.

A certain type of silica, known as crystalline silica, can silicosis, a lung condition that cause inflammation, thickening, and scarring of lung tissues over time.

While companies don’t use the crystalline form of silica, it’s possible for the silica in deodorant to be contaminated with crystalline quartz.

7. Artificial Colors and Fragrances

Colors and fragrances in deodorants and antiperspirants might not seem like a big deal, but this is where manufacturers can be the sneakiest.

Products can list “perfume” or “fragrance” on their ingredient label without getting specific about any chemicals or artificial substances used to create that fragrance or color.

Plus, some artificial colors used in deodorants can lead to allergic reactions or even contain carcinogenic ingredients.

How to Avoid Harmful Ingredients in Deodorant

So, now that we’ve covered the ingredients to avoid in deodorants, the question is how do we avoid them?

Chances are, most brand name deodorants and antiperspirant deodorants at your local grocery store contain one or more of these ingredients—probably several.

Thankfully, many healthier, all-natural deodorants products are available today. Many health food stores will carry them, but you can also easily buy them online.

Look carefully at the label, and try to choose products with the least amount of the above products as possible. Colors and fragrances can be okay—just look for those that list no artificial colors or fragrances.

Best Natural Deodorant Brands to Buy

Here are just a few of the best natural deodorant brands:

Nature’s Ideal carries all of the above and 30+ other safe, natural deodorant products for you to buy at any time. Shop now here.

Nov 30th 2023 Nature's Ideal