Is Your Deodorant Messing With Your Hormones?

Rheece Hartte

Aug 12 (edited) • Give Advice

1. Regular (Conventional) Deodorants & Antiperspirants

Key Ingredients -

Aluminum chlorohydrate / aluminum zirconium - When applied to the skin, these aluminum compounds dissolve in the moisture present and form a gel-like plug that temporarily covers and blocks the sweat glands.
Fragrance: Often synthetic, may contain phthalates (hormone disruptors).
Triclosan (in some): Antibacterial, linked to thyroid disruption.
Propylene glycol, parabens, and PEGs: Can irritate skin and disrupt hormones.

Health Concerns -

Hormone disruption from phthalates, parabens.
Breast cancer link: Aluminum may accumulate in breast tissue, though direct causation isn't fully proven.
Skin absorption: Shaving + applying deodorant increases absorption through open pores.
Blocking sweat interferes with the body's natural detox process.

Solution -

Avoid traditional antiperspirants that use aluminum and synthetic fragrance, especially long-term.

2. Natural Deodorants

Pros -

Usually aluminum-free.
Use ingredients like baking soda, magnesium, arrowroot, coconut oil, essential oils.
Let your body sweat naturally, just reduce odor.

Potential Issues -

Some people react to baking soda with irritation or rashes.
Still may contain fragrance oils (watch for "fragrance" on label — even natural brands sometimes use this loophole).
May require a detox period when switching from antiperspirant.

Solution -

A good option for most people. Choose fragrance-free or essential-oil scented, and patch test for baking soda sensitivity.

3. Potassium Alum (Potassium Aluminum Sulfate) — “Crystal” Deodorants

What it is -

A naturally occurring mineral salt used in some "natural" deodorants.
Unlike antiperspirants, it forms a thin layer on the skin that inhibits bacterial growth (causing odor), not sweat glands.

Cons -

While it’s less absorbable than aluminum in antiperspirants, it still contains aluminum.
Industry claims the molecule is too large to penetrate the skin, but some scientists disagree, especially if the skin is broken or freshly shaved.
No long-term safety studies specifically on potassium alum and chronic exposure via underarm skin.

Solution -

Safer than conventional aluminum, but not truly aluminum-free. If you're going aluminum-free for health reasons (e.g. hormone disruption, cancer risk), it’s best to avoid even crystal deodorants.

Rule of Thumb -