Best Non Toxic Deodorant Options | Aluminum-Free & Toxin-Free

Is Deodorant Bad For You?

Believe it or not, sweat alone does not have an odor. Body odor is caused by the interaction of sweat and bacteria. Deodorant is designed to reduce bacteria that interacts with sweat. This is how deodorant fights odor.

Unfortunately, ingredients like aluminum are used in deodorants because it can block the sweat glands. (Source). Fragrances are used to counteract any body odor that does occur. However, fragrance is a general term that can be any one of hundreds of harmful ingredients.

There are at least 20 lymph nodes in the armpit. Applying toxic deodorant chemicals over the armpits means these ingredients have direct access to absorbing into the lymphatic system and are more prone to affecting breast tissue.

Swapping out your deodorant will eliminate these toxins from being absorbed into your body on a daily basis.

Ingredients to Avoid in Deodorant

Conventional deodorants contain ingredients that are dangerous for our health. The safest deodorant to use is one that does not include these toxic ingredients.

Aluminum: neurotoxin (PubChem ID: 5359268), potentially linked to breast cancer (PMID: 16045991) and Alzheimer’s at a high rate of exposure (PMID: 26494454)
Triclosan: antimicrobial associated with endocrine disruption, reproductive & developmental defects, bioaccumulative (PMID: 29182464); can degrade into dioxins (endocrine disruptor/carcinogen) when exposed to light and in water posing environmental pollution
Polyethylene glycols (PEGs): ethoxylated ingredient that may be contaminated with 1,4 dioxane and ethylene oxide, byproducts of ethoxylation (see above for ethoxylated ingredient description)
Parabens: preservatives linked to endocrine disruption (PMID: 29596967), known to be carcinogenic due to endocrine disruption (PMID: 36746253) Parabens may be listed as methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, and benzylparaben.
Butylated compounds (BHA/BHT): linked to endocrine disruption at high doses, developmental & reproductive toxicity (PubChem CID: 31404); BHA is a known carcinogen, developmental & reproductive toxin (PubChem ID: 24667)
Phenoxyethanol: deemed generally safe at a 1% concentration, however it’s production process, ethoxylation, can potentially contaminate phenoxyethanol with 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide (see above for ethoxylated ingredient description) (PubChem CID: 31236)

Baking Soda Vs Non Baking Soda Deodorant

Baking soda is often used in deodorants for its odor-fighting properties. While baking soda is not a toxic, it can be irritating to those with sensitive skin. In the following recommendations, I point out which deodorants include baking soda and which do not so you can decide which option is best for you.