Dangers of Antiperspirant Deodorant

Why You Should Switch to a Natural Alternative 

I wore a LOT of black in high school. Not because I was “expressing” myself through fashion (between you and me, I had zero fashion in high school), but because I sweat a LOT. Even though my sisters and I knew that antiperspirant deodorant was/is terrible for us, we were convinced that we’d rather use it than face the embarrassment of pit sweat.  

Side Effects of Antiperspirant Deodorant 

Whether you believe that there is a link between antiperspirant deodorant and breast cancer or not, when the stakes are cancer or dry armpits, the decision to err on the side of caution is an easy one…and yet. 

Before you write this off as another “cancer scare” (because we all know that if everything causes cancer, then nothing causes cancer *playful jab*), take a closer look at a few of the common ingredients found in deodorant and other cosmetics. 

There are several different ingredients commonly found in antiperspirant deodorants that should have us thinking twice about using them, including:

>> Parabens   

Parabens are in many deodorants and other personal care products as a preservative. While there is no conclusive evidence that parabens cause cancer, there is research that indicates that parabens have an estrogenic effect. [1, 2]

>> Aluminum 

The National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society both state that there are no direct links between aluminum and cancer and that the connection requires further research. The concern, however, is that there is research that has indicated a link between aluminum and gene-instability, which may be a contributing factor in tumor growth and cancer cells. [3, 4]  

>> Triclosan

Triclosan is an antibacterial chemical that is in deodorants to kill odor-causing germs. It is also in body wash, toothpaste, and other cosmetics. 

Should you avoid triclosan? 

The answer is very clear, “Yes, you should try to avoid triclosan whenever possible.” In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wrote an entire article on why and how you should read the ingredients of your cosmetics to ensure they don’t contain this dangerous chemical. [5]  

The FDA explains that triclosan can cause: 

• A decrease in thyroid hormone levels [6]
• Making antibiotic-resistant bacteria (aka superbugs) 
• The development of skin cancer

If those warnings aren’t clear enough, consider what the FDA’s final rule has been regarding antiseptic products used with water (like hand soaps and body wash). 

“The Food and Drug Administration is issuing this final rule establishing that certain active ingredients used in over-the-counter consumer antiseptic products intended for use with water are not generally recognized as safe and effective and are misbranded.” 

Food and Drug Administration [7]

This final rule would not apply to deodorants because it only targets products used with water. So you can still find triclosan in products sold at your local grocery stores and pharmacies. 

>> Phthalates

Phthalates help the fragrance of deodorant stick to your skin and are in everything from body lotion to hairspray. Research shows that women have higher levels of phthalates, which might be due to their increased use of personal care items like soaps, body washes, and shampoos). [8] 

Determining the safety of phthalates is difficult because it doesn’t just require evaluating one chemical but a host of chemicals. Regardless, when you start breaking them down one-by-one, it becomes increasingly clear that if you can avoid phthalates, you most definitely should (aka don’t massage them into your scalp or swipe them onto your armpits). 

Why you should be concerned about phthalates: [9] 

• DBP/DEHP – research has shown that these two phthalates cause damage to the reproductive systems of lab rats. 
• DEHP – this phthalate causes cancer and developmental problems in laboratory animals.  
• BBP/DBP/DEHP – banned from products intended to help children under the age of three sleep, eat, teethe, or suck.
• DIBP/DINP/DPENP/DHEXP/DCHP – this list of phthalates is under an interim ban by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission for toys that can go into a child’s mouth. [10]  
• BBP/DBP/DEHP/DIBP – members of the European Union (EU) have agreed to restrict the use of these four phthalates. [11]  

In a study that set out to determine whether environmental levels of phthalates could alter the DNA integrity of human sperm, it was found that, 

“In conclusion, this study represents the first human data to demonstrate that urinary MEP, at environmental levels, is associated with increased DNA damage in sperm.” 

Harvard School of Public Health [12]

It seems pretty clear that choosing a shampoo or deodorant does require some time in the aisles reading labels. It’s also equally clear that choosing a product with the label “phthalate-free” is worth the time and effort.   

>> Fragrances

“Fragrances” are the mystery meat of cosmetics. You will find it among the ingredients on almost all scented products. Regardless, we’ll never know which chemicals create those seemingly benign smells because trade law protects the formulas that make-up “scents.”   

So there isn’t much that I can say, because it’s impossible to research a question mark. I will say that I’m not personally willing to trust companies to have my best interests in mind, especially after considering the list of chemicals that are on the ingredients label.  

If you are looking for a quick way to check if a cosmetic product is “clean,” then I would check out the Think Dirty phone app. Obviously, the adult version of me still doesn’t want to walk around drenched in sweat, smelling like a trash can. Thankfully, there are alternatives that don’t include dousing yourself in dangerous chemicals. Think Dirty allows you to identify those alternative options in an efficient and effective manner.  

Embrace the Sweat and Ditch the Chemicals  

Determining what causes cancer is incredibly difficult because it is a multistage process that takes place over years and years. Regardless, it is clear that the chemicals in most antiperspirant deodorants cause hormone disruption, which is troubling in and of itself. 

Additionally, when you consider that sweating has a natural detoxifying effect, it’s ironic that we insist on clogging our sweat glands with various chemicals and metals in order to prevent that detoxification.

Recommended Reading: The Health Benefits of Sweating!

Chris and I have recently started exploring natural alternatives for deodorant, but haven’t landed on a specific brand yet. (Chris has even implied that he wants to make our own because he wants to make everything.) We’ll see where we end up! Although, I can tell you that we won’t be making the same decision that I made as a vain high-schooler.