The human body is prone to emitting unpleasant odors during the summer. When the weather is hot, your body naturally attempts to regulate its internal temperature by sweating. While sweat itself is almost odorless—composed of approximately 99% water and 1% salt, protein, electrolytes, urea, and ammonia—excessive sweating, combined with the reaction between skin bacteria and sweat compounds, causes noticeable body odor, especially in the armpits. [1]
Your armpits contain apocrine glands, one of two types of sweat glands. Unlike eccrine glands—which produce watery sweat and are found on your palms, soles, forehead, and armpits—apocrine glands release more concentrated secretions after puberty. When skin bacteria break down the proteins in these secretions, they produce the characteristic smell we associate with body odor. [2]
Deodorants and antiperspirants are formulated to combat body odor by interrupting this process. Antiperspirants help reduce or prevent sweating, while deodorants suppress the growth of odor-causing bacteria. Antiperspirants typically use aluminum salts, and deodorants contain antimicrobial agents. Many modern formulas combine both types for longer-lasting protection. [4]
While this may sound effective, there’s an important fact deodorant brands often omit: the chemicals in these products have been linked to harmful health effects. This claim is supported by numerous studies examining the ingredients in commercial deodorants and their potential impact on the body.
Harmful deodorant ingredients you need to watch out for
Personal care products – ironically – are fraught with harmful chemicals. This has been proven time and again by lab analyses of various products from commercial brands. For instance, a Danish study in 2023 found that 13 out of 57 store-bought deodorants contained potential endocrine disruptors that “can contribute to obesity, reduced sperm quality and certain hormone-sensitive forms of cancer.” Twenty deodorants were also found to contain fragrances that can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. [5]
The report specifically cautioned against using products that contain triclosan, an antimicrobial agent that has been linked to antibiotic resistance and various negative health effects. In 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned triclosan use in soap products, while the European Union (EU) formally banned triclosan from all hygiene products in 2017. [6] Unfortunately, triclosan is still allowed in toothpastes, hand sanitizers, mouthwashes and deodorants in the United States.
Aside from contributing to the rise of superbugs, triclosan is also a known endocrine disruptor that can negatively affect the functioning of your ovaries, testes and thyroid gland. Triclosan has been shown to increase estrogen and progesterone production to abnormal levels, which could raise women’s risk of ovarian and breast cancers. Meanwhile in men, triclosan has been found to promote the proliferation of prostate cancer cells. [7]
Triclosan is not the only chemical you need to be wary of in store-bought deodorants. Here are other harmful ingredients you may not know are lurking in the deodorant you’re using:
Aluminum
Antiperspirant deodorant formulations make use of aluminum to help control sweat. Aluminum salts work by melting into your pores and acting as plugs that stop sweat from escaping. While this sounds completely harmless, a 2017 study published in the journal eBioMedicine found that aluminum salts don’t just stay where you apply deodorant – they accumulate in breast tissue, and possibly elsewhere.
The research reported that women who used deodorants, especially those containing aluminum salts, more than once a day had a higher risk of developing breast cancer than those who didn’t. [8] The study also found that women with breast cancer who reported more frequent use of aluminum-containing products had higher aluminum concentrations in their breast tissue. These findings suggest the use of deodorants with aluminum may contribute to breast cancer development.
Aluminum is a naturally occurring heavy metal that is known for its neurotoxic effects. Aside from negatively impacting the nervous system and bones, studies have shown that it can also cause lung fibrosis, kidney damage, hormonal imbalances and cancers. [9] An article in Archives of Toxicology also noted that aluminum can accumulate in the brain and contribute to the development and progression of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's. [10]
Diethanolamine (DEA)
While not a common deodorant ingredient, some underarm products do contain this colorless chemical, which is often only listed as DEA. Many cosmetic formulations, like moisturizers and sunscreens, incorporate DEA to get that desirable creamy texture or to make them sudsy. DEA also helps balance the pH of these products by counteracting the acidity of other ingredients. [11] But DEA hides a terrible secret, one that warranted it being banned by the European Commission in cosmetics.
According to studies, DEA and similar chemicals like triethanolamine (TEA) become dangerous when they react with other ingredients in cosmetic products, particularly preservatives that break down into nitrogen. This reaction results in the formation of nitrosamines, which are classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a known carcinogen. Another known interaction of DEA with other cosmetic ingredients produces nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA), also a carcinogen that can be absorbed through the skin. [12]
In animal studies, DEA has been found to increase the risk of liver and kidney cancers by causing chronic choline deficiency. This leads to the disruption of cellular processes and changes in cell function that ultimately trigger tumor development. [13] Similarly, studies in rats and mice have found that exposure to DEA, including topical application, causes precancerous changes in the skin and thyroid glands. [14]
Parabens
Parabens are chemicals that can be found in many personal care products, especially those that contain high amounts of water in their formulations. Known for their antibacterial and antifungal properties, parabens work as preservatives that prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and mold. [15] Studies show that parabens in leave-on products such as deodorants are absorbed into the body through the skin, metabolized and eventually secreted in urine. [16] But not all the parabens that enter your body leave this way – some actually remain intact and accumulate in certain tissues.
A study published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology reported that parabens can be extracted from human breast tissue. In fact, analysis of 20 human breast tumor samples revealed that they contained parabens that remain completely unmetabolized. In-depth analysis identified methylparaben, a common deodorant ingredient, as the most common paraben that lingers in breast cancer tissue. [17]
If you’re wondering if there’s a link, numerous studies have shown that parabens’ ability to mimic the hormone estrogen allows them to interfere with the normal biological processes of breast cells. This interference is believed to trigger abnormal growth, which increases a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer. [18] A 2023 study also found that parabens tend to accumulate more in malignant breast tumors than benign tumors, suggesting that parabens may also act as activators of metastasis (spreading of cancer cells). [19]
Phthalates
Phthalates are notorious endocrine disruptors commonly found in PVC products, plastic toys and food packaging. But these well-known plasticizers are also used in personal care products as solvents and color and scent stabilizers. [20] According to studies, the human body rapidly metabolizes phthalates, with smaller molecules being excreted in urine and larger ones in feces. [21] But during their brief stay in your body, phthalates can cause significant harm to your health, especially if you’re constantly exposed to them.
According to a 2021 study published in the journal Healthcare, there is a significant association between phthalates exposure and adverse reproductive outcomes in both women and men. Numerous studies have also linked phthalates to insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes, obesity, allergies and asthma. In particular, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a phthalate found in food, household dust and personal care products like deodorants, has been found to increase systolic blood pressure and contribute to earlier menopause, pregnancy loss and premature birth. [22]
Phthalates’ endocrine-disrupting activities involve reducing testosterone and estrogen levels and blocking the normal functions of thyroid hormones. These actions not only lower fertility in both men and women but also affect mental development in babies that were exposed to phthalates while still in their mothers’ wombs. [23]
Steareths
Steareths are waxy compounds that are added to cosmetics and personal care products to hold ingredients together. They do so by reducing the interactive forces between molecules of different liquids so they can form an emulsion. [24] While steareths have exhibited low toxicity in multiple studies, their problem doesn’t lie with their chemical structures or activities – it’s in their conversion product.
Steareths are synthesized using polyethylene glycol (PEG), a surfactant that contains toxic manufacturing impurities like 1,4-dioxane. This byproduct is commonly found contaminating steareth-containing products, including deodorants. Research shows that exposure to high amounts of 1,4-dioxane can cause kidney and liver damage. [25] But even more alarming is the fact that 1,4-dioxane is considered a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). [26]
Another problematic ingredient used to make steareths is stearyl alcohol. A fatty alcohol often used as a thickening agent in many product formulations, stearyl alcohol has been reported to cause allergic contact dermatitis on several occasions. [27]
Synthetic fragrances
Fragrances are an integral component of personal care products such as deodorants and antiperspirants. After all, products that give off a pleasant smell are more appealing to consumers than unscented ones. Despite the availability of natural fragrances, such as essential oils, manufacturers prefer to use synthetic fragrances, which are often derived from petroleum, in their formulations because of their relatively low cost.
Unfortunately, synthetic fragrances do more than just make products smell good – they also cause significant harm. According to a 2023 report published in the Journal of Xenobiotics, many synthetic fragrances can interfere with the functions of your nervous system. Prolonged exposure to these neurotoxins has been linked to developmental delays, poor adaptive function (socialization, communication, motor skills), hyperactivity and impulsivity in children, aggression and depression, as well as an increased risk of Alzheimer’s Disease. [26]
Many synthetic fragrances are also endocrine disruptors that affect different hormone receptors, causing dysregulation of the endocrine system. Synthetic fragrances have also been reported to cause allergic reactions like contact dermatitis, especially in sensitive individuals.
Where to find clean, lab-verified Deodorants made only with natural ingredients
At the Health Ranger Store, we reject the use of synthetic chemicals in deodorants and personal hygiene products. Our certified organic, lab-verified deodorants offer reliable odor protection using only safe, natural ingredients.
Health Ranger Select Organic Spicewood Deodorant uses organic beeswax, coconut oil, rosemary extract, and essential oils for a refreshing scent and skin benefits.
Health Ranger Select Organic Lemongrass Deodorant features a citrusy, herbal scent with organic lemongrass, rosemary, thyme, and Lavandin Grosso essential oils.
Health Ranger Select Organic Sage Lime Deodorant offers a citrusy, earthy aroma from sage lime essential oil and rosemary extract.
Health Ranger Select Organic Unscented Deodorant contains no essential oils or fragrances—ideal for sensitive users.
All our deodorants are cruelty-free, non-GMO, and free from aluminum, parabens, phthalates, alcohol, triclosan, and synthetic additives. They are thoroughly lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals, and microbiology.
Prefer a liquid deodorant? Try Health Ranger Select Silver Fresh™ Liquid Deodorant with Magnesium and Baking Soda. It offers 48-hour protection while letting your skin breathe naturally, using magnesium hydroxide, colloidal silver, baking soda, and essential oils.
Made in the USA, Silver Fresh™ is plant-based, cruelty-free, aluminum-free, and contains a guaranteed minimum of 40 ppm silver. Like all our products, it is lab tested for purity.
Stay fresh this summer with natural deodorants that protect your health and the environment.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose any diseases.
References
[1] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com
[2] https://www.healthline.com
[3] https://www.healthline.com
[4] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com
[5] https://taenk.dk
[6] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[9] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[10] https://link.springer.com
[12] https://www.safecosmetics.org
[14] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[15] https://www.sciencedirect.com
[16] https://www.ewg.org
[17] https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
[18] https://www.bcpp.org
[19] https://www.sciencedirect.com
[20] https://www.sciencedirect.com
[21] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[22] https://www.mdpi.com
[23] https://www.endocrine.org
[24] https://www.cosmeticsinfo.org
[25] https://www.epa.gov
[26] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com
[27] https://www.mdpi.com
