The only certainties in life are death, taxes, and … wellness trends are gonna wellness trend.
One of the trends that has picked up steam over the last few years has been the pits. Well, more like conscientious armpit care that has people swapping traditional deodorant in favor of clean deodorant. No one wants to be the girl with bad BO, so being aware of which ingredients to stay away from and the effective, cleaner alternatives is a must.
Dr. Hadley King, FAAD, first wants to clarify the difference between antiperspirant and deodorant. “Antiperspirants contain aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum zirconium, or aluminum chloride, which blocks the eccrine (sweat) glands and prevents wetness,” she says. Because of this, there are aluminum-free deodorants, but aluminum-free antiperspirants don’t exist. Deodorants on the other hand, “don’t prevent wetness, but they limit odor,” she explains. So, if you’re looking for a clean pit product, you’ll want deodorant.
Below, Dr. King shares her list of ingredients to avoid in a deodorant and why they might be harmful.
Triclosan: An antimicrobial that kills bacteria, fungi, and other microbes. Some studies have linked it to a number of different problems, including disruption of the endocrine system and possible increased risk of cancer.
Propylene glycol: Used to keep substances from drying out. It may be harmful to those with liver and kidney problems.
Parabens: Preservatives used in many skincare products. Because they can mimic the effects of estrogen in our bodies, concerns have been raised about their possible hormonal effects.
Aluminum: Thought to be connected to Alzheimer’s disease and breast cancer. However, no scientific evidence has proven that the aluminum in antiperspirants contributes to these conditions.
So what clean deodorant ingredients get the thumbs-up from Dr. King?
Below, she shares five that “absorb moisture and/or slow down bacterial growth. Moisture-absorbing properties help absorb underarm wetness. Antimicrobial properties slow down bacterial growth, which is responsible for odor.” Although they are clean, some may irritate the skin, and “the efficacy will vary from person to person,” she cautions.
1. Charcoal
“Charcoal absorbs moisture, so it’ll absorb underarm wetness. It also has antibacterial properties, which can help prevent odor.”
2. Baking Soda
“Many natural deodorants rely on baking soda to absorb moisture and neutralize odor, but too much baking soda can cause skin irritation in some people.”
3. Arrowroot Powder
“This is another moisture-absorbing ingredient found in some natural deodorants.”
4. AHAs
“AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) can help get rid of odor-causing bacteria, and they can lower the armpits’ pH levels, making the environment less hospitable to bacteria responsible for odor. It may cause skin irritation and dryness, particularly in areas with delicate skin, like the armpit.
If this happens, I recommend stopping the product and applying moisturizers until the skin has healed.” If you want to try it again, decrease the amount you are applying and the frequency of application. Look for a product with a low percentage of hydroxy acids to decrease the risk of irritation, and look for a formulation that also contains soothing, moisturizing ingredients to counteract the potential for irritation (like aloe vera and rose water).
5. Alcohol
“It has antibacterial properties, but it can also dry and irritate the skin.”
We’ve rounded up some of our fave clean deodorants that are kinder to our bodies while keeping us worry-free, no matter how much we sweat!