Aluminum in Deodorant: How to Avoid Harmful Chemicals

Whether you battle body odors with a deodorant, antiperspirant or some combination of the two, you’ve probably heard about avoiding aluminum. Although aluminum-free, all-natural products are easier to come by these days, many manufacturers still manage to sneak these chemicals in. So, what’s the big deal about aluminum? And what other chemicals might you want to avoid? Follow along as we delve into deodorants, and everything you ought to look out for on your labels.

What does aluminum in deodorant do?

Before we examine the possible dangers of deodorants laden with chemicals, let’s take a look at what exactly aluminum does. Aluminum helps minimize underarm moisture, alleviate body odor, and mitigate bacteria that’re the common cause of that icky sweat stench. It does so by blocking your body’s sweat glands, keeping these odors contained.

You’ll find aluminum notated under a handful of ingredient names, including aluminum chloride, aluminum zirconium, and aluminum chlorohydrate. Despite the fact that aluminum is a naturally occurring element, it’s still a metal that doesn’t exactly belong on or inside of the human body.

Is aluminum in deodorant bad for you?

The two most commonly sighted concerns about aluminum are Alzheimer’s disease and breast cancer, both very serious and potentially deadly. Several studies have been conducted revealing that Alzheimer’s patients tend to have alarmingly high levels of aluminum in their brains. While further research is needed to establish a certain correlation, there definitely appears to be some sort of link between the two.

Breast cancer is another major medical issue that has been associated with prolonged exposure to aluminum. This is largely due to the breasts’ proximity to our underarms, where we often apply aluminum antiperspirant deodorant. The use of aluminum antiperspirants alone isn’t likely to be the sole cause of cancer. However with sustained use, combined with the aluminum we’re exposed to in other common household items, over time we can start to see our health suffer.

Aluminum and other chemicals commonly found in deodorant

●     Parabens - Interfere with your body’s natural hormone production by posing as imposter hormones, such as estrogen. Parabens are essentially preservatives that extend product shelf life. It’s easily absorbed into the skin, and has been linked to breast cancer in certain studies.

●     Phthalates - Phthalates are used as plasticizers in plenty of everyday products. They work to make other ingredients more malleable, and also help preserve the life of scented products. Toxic phthalates have been suspected to cause reproductive and fertility issues, breast cancer, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, and more.

●     Triclosan - Intended to kill bacteria, triclosan is in fact a type of pesticide added to beauty products without unsuspecting consumers even knowing. Similar to parabens, triclosan interrupts hormone production. It’s even thought to potentially make bacteria resistant to certain antibiotics.

●     Diethanolamine - Plenty of personal care products include diethanolamine, including deodorants and antiperspirants. Like others on this list, diethanolamine is linked to certain cancers. Often abbreviated as DEA on most labels, diethanolamine contains known carcinogens such as 1,4-dioxane.

Tips for avoiding aluminum

●     Shop for products that are aluminum and paraben free.

●     Check that items labeled as “antibacterial” or “germ fighting” don’t contain triclosan as their main germ-busting ingredient.

●     Avoid products labeled strictly as antiperspirants. Antiperspirants are meant to fight sweat, and often use aluminum as the primary agent for doing so. Deodorants, on the other hand, don’t always contain aluminum, so be sure to skim the label.

Best aluminum-free deodorant

Moody Sisters is proud to offer natural deodorants that are safe, effective, and smell downright irresistible. Free of artificial fragrance, aluminum, and parabens, our formulas can be broken down to basics like coconut oil, baking soda, and other natural ingredients.

With a generous selection of scents to choose from, you’re sure to find one you love. Some of our favorite fragrances include Sweet Orange, Lime & Eucalyptus, or Spearmint & Vanilla. Stay smelling fresh throughout the day without having to worry about what you’re putting in your body. Can’t settle on a scent? Try a Sampler Pack instead! Test out our various samples to discover which compliments you best.

Our sweat proof products don’t stop at the underarms. Keep your entire body cool and dry with one of our Deodorizing Body Powders. Beat that unwanted boob sweat, or apply to your upper thighs to prevent rubbing or sticking. Shorts season is here ladies, and chaffing is a serious summer vibe killer. There’s no need to feel self-conscious, it’s just a fact of life, and our body powders are there to back you up when the sun gets a bit too hot to handle.