Your Guide to Aluminum-Free Deodorant

Over the past two decades, there has been growing concern about aluminum in deodorants and antiperspirants. According to Healthline, studies in 2017 and 2018 suggested possible risks that could be traced back to high-level exposure to aluminum, which is found in many deodorants and related products. While there’s no conclusive evidence that aluminum-based products pose significant risks (yet), many buyers seek out aluminum-free options out of an abundance of caution.

At Thompson Tee, we firmly believe that underarm sweat solutions shouldn't compromise your health. In this guide, we’ll set the record straight about natural deodorants. We’ll define what “aluminum-free deodorant” is, walk through its benefits and potential drawbacks and provide tips for what to look for when comparing options.

What is Aluminum-Free Deodorant?

Aluminum-free deodorant is designed to eliminate or mitigate body odor, typically from underarm sweat, without using aluminum. However, the name itself can be a bit misleading. For starters, aluminum isn’t in all deodorants, and many commercial deodorant products are actually two-in-ones or hybrids mixing both deodorant and antiperspirant compounds.

A deodorant is meant to combat odors, not sweat itself. Odors often have to do with bacteria on the skin, which can interact with sweat. Deodorants typically include alcohol or other antibacterial substances to tackle odor, along with scents to mask it. They don’t need to have aluminum.

Antiperspirant, on the other hand, does exactly what its name implies: it combats sweat rather than odor. Most traditional antiperspirants do contain aluminum. Antiperspirants use chemicals like aluminum to physically plug your body’s sweat ducts and block sweat from coming out. 

So, because deodorants don’t stop sweat, they are not considered antiperspirants. But since sweat is typically not the source of odor, antiperspirants themselves are not deodorants.

Many popular off-the-shelf options combine deodorizing ingredients like alcohol and scents with true antiperspirants like aluminum. However, aluminum-free deodorants do not.

Does Aluminum-Free Deodorant Work?

Aluminum-free deodorant can certainly help deal with odors and the anxiety that can come with them. But whether a given solution will meet your needs depends on a few different factors.

For instance, antiperspirants, which typically contain aluminum, are best at alleviating wetness. If your primary goal is minimizing visual indicators of sweat, like sweat stains, aluminum-free options may not be the best for your needs. However, if you’re looking to eliminate or neutralize odors, then aluminum-free deodorant can make a difference.

There are also different tiers of both deodorants and antiperspirants.

• Some products are intended for more intense or severe use cases, and they may be labeled “clinical” or something similar. 

• Some products are primarily chemical-free.

• Some are 100% free of unnatural and unhealthy substances. 

There are even DIY deodorant solutions you can make with ingredients like activated charcoal, cornstarch, tapioca starch, baking soda and coconut oil.

To put it simply, aluminum-free deodorant can work, but it ultimately depends on your needs.

Benefits of Aluminum-Free Deodorants

Generally speaking, natural and aluminum-free deodorants don't stop sweat like antiperspirants. However, there are still a few reasons you might choose them instead.

1. Limiting Unnatural Chemicals

Beyond aluminum, most antiperspirants contain other chemicals, including parabens, phthalates and triclosan. Truly natural and organic deodorants can block odor and keep you smelling fresh without artificial chemicals. 

Chemicals commonly found in deodorants and cosmetics can have detrimental health effects, so it’s not a bad idea to avoid them. Per one NPR roundup of recent scientific findings, chemicals associated with fragrance are potentially harmful. Phthalates and parabens have known hormone-disrupting effects that negatively influence reproductive health. And other chemicals that can appear in deodorants, such as formaldehyde and dioxane, are either directly or potentially linked to cancer.

2. Protecting Sensitive Skin

Beyond long-term health effects, aluminum-free and natural deodorants can also prevent or mitigate short-term effects like irritation. If you have sensitive skin, ingredients like alcohol, aluminum and baking soda could irritate it through an allergy or even contact dermatitis.

The National Eczema Association explains that rashes—itchy, bumpy or red skin—in the armpits are often caused by an allergic reaction. This can go unnoticed or untreated if the reaction itself is to a trace chemical or substance that’s not a primary ingredient. Or it can be harder to pin down because numerous factors (e.g., sweat, fabric contact) are needed for a full diagnosis.

Aluminum itself may or may not be the culprit for these particular issues, but deodorants made from natural ingredients offer a safer alternative with fewer variables and unknowns.

3. Avoiding Yellowing and Residue

When mixed with sweat, aluminum found in antiperspirants is known to cause yellow stains on clothing. Swapping antiperspirant for a natural deodorant could eliminate this issue and save more of your shirts. While aluminum-free options can have their own residue concerns, that tell-tale yellow hue that can be hard to get out is much less likely.

4. Embracing Normal Bodily Functions

Sweating is a natural function that helps regulate body temperature. As sweat evaporates on the surface of your skin, you feel cooler. Humans, like many other animals, rely on this normal bodily function to maintain comfortable, healthy body temperatures when the environment around us is hot—or when we’re exerting ourselves in cardiovascular or other kinds of exercise.

However, unabated or excessive sweating can be an embarrassing problem. It can also be indicative of an underlying medical condition, such as hyperhidrosis. Finding a natural solution that eliminates odors related to excess sweat can help alleviate the pressures around this issue.

Find out if charcoal deodorant is actually good for you.

Challenges of Aluminum-Free Deodorant

Before investing in aluminum-free or other natural deodorants, there are some potential downsides you should prepare for. Here are some pitfalls to be aware of, with solutions:

Application – Combining certain natural ingredients can create a gritty, almost Chapstick-like texture that can be difficult to apply, especially on sensitive skin.

• For most aluminum-free deodorants, pressing the product against your underarms for 30 seconds can soften it for a smoother application process.

Melting – Ingredients found in aluminum-free deodorants, like coconut oil, may have low melting points (i.e., ~77°F), so they often melt faster than conventional deodorants.

• To mitigate this issue, avoid storing your aluminum-free deodorant in direct sunlight or other hot environments (like your car).
  

Residue – Aluminum-free deodorants often contain ingredients that can leave behind residue on skin and clothing, even after showering—a common example is beeswax.

• Seek out solutions made with ingredients that are easier on your skin and clothes. A good alternative is candelilla wax, which is thinner and smoother.
  

Irritation – Other ingredients found in aluminum-free deodorant can irritate sensitive skin. For example, baking soda is a highly effective deodorizer that some find irritating.

• Be wary of natural deodorants that use baking soda or other irritants as their primary ingredients. Seek out alternatives that minimize or eliminate them.

By knowing what ingredients to look for in your aluminum-free deodorant—along with how to use and store it—you can get the most out of a healthy, natural solution.

Read more: 7 Tips for Switching to Natural Deodorant

What to Look for in Aluminum-Free Deodorant

Like with all consumer products, labels like "natural" or "healthy" don’t always mean what you think they mean. There are plenty of workarounds to watch out for—and positives to be aware of.

Here’s what to look for as you compare aluminum-free deodorant options:

Unscented vs. scented – The term "fragrance" often signals a trade secret mixture of chemicals in deodorant. Brands can use this phrase to avoid disclosing the chemicals that comprise the scent. If you have hyper-sensitive skin, avoid synthetic fragrance (or even essential oils) in natural deodorants, opting for unscented or fragrance-free formulas.

Talcum powder (talc) – Many deodorant brands use talc to absorb moisture, helping control odor and reduce friction during application. Even in its natural form, talc contains the cancer-causing agent asbestos. While talcum powder used in consumer products today is asbestos-free, you should seek out disclosures about talc use to avoid potential risks of ovarian and lung cancer.

Note: Studies on these potential links have had mixed results.

Propylene glycol – This chemical is used in antifreeze, along with consumer products like deodorant. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recognizes propylene glycol as safe for use in foods, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. However, those with sensitive skin may seek out options with little to none of this substance to avoid any potential issues.

The bottom line: If you’re concerned about the chemicals in your deodorant, you should check the ingredient list before you buy. Aluminum is not the only chemical you may want to avoid.

Read more: Top 11 Natural Deodorants