Are Deodorants With Aluminum Bad for You, and Should You Switch to Natural?

Deodorants and antiperspirants are a part of most people’s daily routine. Some common ingredients in them, including aluminum and parabens, have been linked with different health conditions, like breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. So far, most studies haven’t proven these associations, but many people are switching to more natural products. 

Here, we’ll review the differences between deodorants and antiperspirants, the ingredients that have been linked to health problems, and how to switch to a more natural product. 

Are popular antiperspirants and deodorants safe?

Yes. In general, deodorants and antiperspirants are safe when used as directed. But there have been concerns about certain ingredients being linked to some health problems, causing people to switch to more natural products. 

Before reviewing some of these concerns, it’s helpful to understand what causes body odor (BO), and how deodorants and antiperspirants work to reduce and prevent BO. 

What causes body odor?

First, let’s talk about sweating. We may not always love it, but sweating is a normal and healthy part of life. Sweating helps your body cool off and also helps keep your skin healthy. While we have sweat glands all over our body, it’s the sweat glands in our armpits and genitals that usually create the most odor. These sweat glands are called apocrine glands. 

Technically, the sweat produced by these glands doesn’t have a smell. But apocrine glands release a type of sweat that’s thicker than the sweat on the rest of your body. When it comes into contact with the bacteria that naturally live on your skin, it creates a body odor that most people find unpleasant.  

Difference between antiperspirants and deodorants

Deodorants and antiperspirants do different things. Deodorants reduce smell, while antiperspirants reduce sweat. Here’s how they work:

• Deodorants eliminate or reduce bacteria with alcohol or other chemicals that kill bacteria (called antimicrobial). They can also have fragrances or other compounds to mask odors.

• Antiperspirants use compounds like aluminum to block sweat. The aluminum reacts with sweat and forms a plug inside the sweat duct, keeping sweat from coming out. Antiperspirants also treat excessive sweating (called hyperhidrosis). They’re available over the counter and in prescription strengths.

Are deodorants and antiperspirants regulated? 

Yes. The FDA regulates deodorants as cosmetic products and antiperspirants as over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. This means they have the same FDA rules as other OTC medications.

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Why is there aluminum in antiperspirants?

Aluminum is the main active ingredient in antiperspirants because it works well to prevent sweating. Aluminum is added to antiperspirants as a compound with other ingredients, such as: 

• Aluminum with chloride

• Aluminum with zirconium

• Aluminum with zirconium and chloride

Keep in mind that you’re exposed to aluminum in many ways other than just antiperspirants. Aluminum is present naturally in certain foods and water, and it’s also used in:

• Food additives

• Household items (like aluminum foil and cooking utensils)

• Cosmetic products (like antiperspirants and toothpaste)

• Medications (like antacids)

Studies have shown that very little aluminum (0.012%) is actually absorbed through the skin from antiperspirants, but this may vary from person to person. 

Is aluminum in deodorant bad? What does science say?

There have been various health concerns associated with antiperspirants and deodorants. Most of them have to do with aluminum exposure, but some are about other potentially harmful ingredients. We’ll review some of the main health concerns here. 

1. Breast cancer risk 

The link between aluminum in antiperspirants and breast cancer has been questioned for many years. There has been concern that the aluminum accumulates in breast tissue, where it can act like estrogen, a hormone linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. 

Several studies have looked at this question. Most have shown that there’s no increased risk of cancer from using deodorants or antiperspirants. Some studies, including a more recent one, have pointed to a possible increased risk of breast cancer when underarm products are started at a younger age. But that might simply be because starting puberty at a younger age can increase the risk of breast cancer. At this point, no definitive link has been established that these products can cause cancer, but more research is needed.

2. Alzheimer’s disease

The research on aluminum and Alzheimer's disease is mixed. Some animal studies show that aluminum exposure can cause brain lesions that lead to Alzheimer’s. In humans, it’s less clear. Studies looking for a link between aluminum in drinking water and Alzheimer’s disease have been conflicting — some have found a link while others found no association. 

One large meta-analysis (a formal review of many studies) found some evidence that chronic aluminum exposure might increase your risk for Alzheimer’s disease. But some of those studies were looking at people who worked with metals and had high levels of exposure. When it comes to aluminum-containing deodorant, there are no studies looking directly at the link between antiperspirant and Alzheimer’s risk. As noted above, only a small amount of aluminum is absorbed through the skin from deodorant. 

3. Kidney disease

There have also been concerns about too much aluminum exposure in people with kidney disease. There are several reasons why someone with chronic kidney disease is more at risk for aluminum overload in general:

• The kidneys have a tougher time getting rid of aluminum in the blood. 

• Some medications used to treat complications of kidney disease are aluminum-based.

• Sometimes people with chronic kidney disease need dialysis, a process of filtering out extra blood and toxins. In the past, dialysis sometimes created high levels of aluminum from all the water used. This led to several health problems, including a type of dementia called “dialysis dementia”.  

Now that people use a different type of water for dialysis and monitor aluminum levels more closely, it’s much less likely to get aluminum overload from dialysis. 

Because of this, the FDA has a warning on deodorants to check with your healthcare professional if you have chronic kidney disease. However, no studies exist that link deodorant use with kidney disease or aluminum overload. The National Kidney Foundation reports that absorption of aluminum through the skin is very unlikely to harm the kidneys. 

Other chemicals of concern in deodorant

It’s not just aluminum that people are concerned about. Other chemicals in deodorants and antiperspirants have also been studied to see if they lead to different health problems.

Parabens

Parabens are artificial preservatives. The United Nations Environment Programme has identified parabens as a type of endocrine-disrupting chemical. This means that these chemicals may affect hormones in the body in different ways. There are concerns that they might lead to fertility problems, birth defects, and breast cancer. However, there are no studies that prove a link between parabens in deodorant and any of these concerns. Also, many common deodorant brands don’t contain paraben in the ingredients. 

Triclosan

Triclosan is a chemical used to kill bacteria. It may be linked to reproductive and thyroid problems as well as an increased risk of asthma. People are exposed to triclosan regularly. It’s added to many personal care products like toothpaste, hand sanitizers, soaps, and mouthwash. One study found that 75% of the population has triclosan in their urine. However, it’s not clear if these levels cause problems. Once again, more research is needed. 

Phthalates

Phthalates are compounds that help deodorant stick to the skin. They’re another type of endocrine-disrupting chemical. Phthalates have been linked to infertility, asthma and pregnancy complications. Studies have shown that using deodorant is associated with higher levels of phthalates in the urine of both men and women. While it’s not clear exactly what level is too high, you might want to choose an unscented deodorant or antiperspirant. This is because most fragrances contain phthalates, and they’re usually not listed separately.  

Fragrance chemicals

Fragrance is a common ingredient in scented products, but it doesn’t specifically mean one thing. Besides phthalates, it could refer to many different chemicals. It’s also a common cause of skin allergies. For those who prefer to avoid this, you can opt for fragrance-free deodorant or antiperspirant.

What are the benefits of natural deodorant?

So far, studies don’t prove that popular deodorants and antiperspirants are bad for our health. But people may still switch to natural deodorants for many different reasons: 

• To avoid a certain chemical ingredient

• To lower their exposure to different chemicals and potential toxins

• To avoid any skin irritation they may have with antiperspirants 

• For peace of mind

Keep in mind that the term “natural” on cosmetics is not defined or regulated by the FDA. This means that natural products could still have problematic ingredients in them or contain different chemicals. 

What are some common ingredients in natural deodorant and how do they work?

If you’re shopping for natural deodorants, knowing what’s in them can be helpful. The Environmental Working Group has a database where you can search for products and review their ingredients.

Here are some common ingredients in natural deodorants and how they work:

• Absorbent ingredients include different powders, like baking soda and arrowroot, to absorb wetness. 

• Essential oils, like rosemary, tea tree oil, and sage, provide fragrance and may also kill bacteria.

• Natural oils like coconut oil may form the base of the deodorant. 

As with traditional deodorants and antiperspirants, you may need to try different natural products before you find one that works for you.

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Written by:

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. An experienced and dedicated pulmonologist and hospitalist, she spent a decade practicing and teaching clinical medicine at academic hospitals throughout London before transitioning to a career in health education and health technology.

Reviewed by:

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP, has more than 15 years of experience as an attending pediatrician in a variety of clinical settings. She has worked in a large academic center in an urban city, a small community hospital, a private practice, and an urgent care clinic.

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