Is Deodorant Bad For You? | Skincare Advice | NIVEA (2024)

Is Deodorant Bad For You? | Skincare Advice | NIVEA (1)

Read our guide on the ingredients often found in deodorant to understand whether their harmful reputations are fact or fiction.

Is deodorant bad for you?

Deodorants and antiperspirants help keep us smelling fresh and sweat free no matter what life throws at us. Whether you roll it, spray it or layer it, deodorants have been formulated to work with your body to help you smell good and stay dry.

In recent years, there has been a lot of misinformation about antiperspirants, including questions around whether there are harmful ingredients in deodorant or whether antiperspirant is bad. This has led some people to ask, ‘is deodorant bad for you’?

Some think deodorants stop us from eliminating toxins, while others worry about what they think are harmful ingredients in deodorants.

So, is deodorant bad for you? We myth-bust some of the common falsehoods about deodorants and antiperspirants.

Fact or Fiction: What ingredients in deodorant are harmful?

Some worry that because deodorant is applied directly to the skin, ingredients used in deodorants and antiperspirants can be potentially harmful. But ingredients used in deodorants and antiperspirants are well tested and repeated studies have proved them to be safe to use. Here is a breakdown of what ingredients you may find in a deodorant and antiperspirant, why they are used - and why they are safe.

Is Deodorant Bad For You? | Skincare Advice | NIVEA (3)

What ingredients in deodorant are harmful?

Aluminium

Aluminium compounds are one of the main active ingredients in antiperspirants that help to combat sweat, and these work by plugging pores in your underarms to prevent sweat from forming on the surface, helping you stay dry. The inclusion of aluminium compounds separates antiperspirants from deodorants. While antiperspirants provide sweat and odour protection, deodorants do not contain any aluminium salts and therefore only offer odour protection.

When people ask ‘is deodorant bad for me’, aluminium is often cited as the main offender. But aluminium does not enter the body in any significant quantity when using antiperspirant, and it will not lead to any potential health complications. Aluminium is also the third most common element in the Earth’s crust, which means that everyone is exposed to it in small quantities, not just when using an antiperspirant.

All major studies into aluminium antiperspirants since the early 2000s have suggested products containing aluminium are not a problem. But if you would rather avoid using products containing aluminium there are products available that do not contain it. The NIVEA Deodorant Aluminium-Free Spray Fresh Flower’s quick-drying formula is lightweight and offers up to 48Hrs of NIVEA deodorising protection.

What ingredients in deodorant are harmful?

Ethyl alcohol

Some deodorants and antiperspirants contain ethyl alcohol, the chemical name for alcohol, which is used to kill bacteria that feed off sweat and are responsible for causing the smell we know as body odour. It is also used to dissolve different ingredients and to help the product dry quickly when applied. It is safe to use topically, but some alcohols can dry out your skin and cause irritation especially to sensitive skin or when used post shaving.

Here at NIVEA, we have many alcohol-free deodorants and antiperspirants to choose from. For example, and both contain 0% ethyl alcohol but still provide long-lasting, comfortable dryness and all-day freshness.

What ingredients in deodorant are harmful?

Phthalates

These compounds help deodorant and other cosmetics—such as fragrance—stick to your skin. They are also used as fragrance ingredients as they can help extend the life of a fragrance. If your skin is sensitive, opt for a deodorant that is fragrance free, such as the .

Is Deodorant Bad For You? | Skincare Advice | NIVEA (4)
Is Deodorant Bad For You? | Skincare Advice | NIVEA (5)

Is deodorant bad for you: Toxins, deodorant and your body

  • Antiperspirants and deodorants don’t prevent the body from getting rid of toxins - sweating is your body’s way of keeping cool, not eliminating waste. The skin's purpose is to protect your internal organs and it does not dispel toxins through sweat - that’s the job of the liver and kidneys.
  • The skin is a brilliant defence against anything the body doesn’t need. Ingredients in deodorants will penetrate the skin only in the smallest quantities. And, any excess ingredient, for example, aluminium, is expelled from the body by the kidneys.
  • Deodorants and antiperspirants don’t stop us from sweating. We sweat to regulate our body temperature - and using antiperspirant or deodorant won’t prevent this process from happening. Antiperspirants contain aluminium salts that help plug your pores so you don’t sweat as much - but you will still sweat when your body needs you to.

How to use antiperspirants

To use antiperspirants safely, always follow the label instructions.

Use after a shower or bath in the morning, or, if you suffer from excessive sweating it can help to apply at night before bed to clean armpits, as this allows the aluminium salts to form plugs that block sweat gland openings.

Products without harmful ingredients

Is Deodorant Bad For You? | Skincare Advice | NIVEA (2024)

FAQs

Is Deodorant Bad For You? | Skincare Advice | NIVEA? ›

Antiperspirants and deodorants don't prevent the body from getting rid of toxins - sweating is your body's way of keeping cool, not eliminating waste. The skin's purpose is to protect your internal organs and it does not dispel toxins through sweat - that's the job of the liver and kidneys.

Is it okay not to use deodorant everyday? ›

If you stop wearing deodorant or antiperspirant, you can develop a stronger odor over time,” Doyle said. “When you stop using (such products) and sweat more, this creates a breeding ground for bacterial and fungal overgrowth, which can cause odor to become stronger.”

Is deodorant spray bad for you? ›

But beware, aerosol products can be very harmful to your health. Let's talk about benzene, what it is, how it got into aerosol deodorants and why we should discontinue the use of any product containing it immediately. According to the U.S. Food And Administration (FDA), benzene has "unacceptable toxicity."

Is deodorant bad for the environment? ›

Deodorants contribute the same amount of air pollution as motor vehicles. Deodorants emit volatile organic compounds that can lead to fog. Fortunately, many deodorant manufacturers are aware of this issue and are working to address it.

Why is it important to wear deodorant? ›

By reducing body odour and sweat, using a deodorant can help boost your confidence and make you feel more comfortable in social situations. Regular use of deodorant can help maintain good hygiene, which is important for overall health and well-being.

What is unhealthy about deodorant? ›

Toxins in Antiperspirants. The most common chemical ingredients found in deodorant and antiperspirants are parabens, triclosan, phthalates, propylene glycol and aluminum. Research has linked these ingredients to several medical conditions including types of cancer and reproductive development issues.

Is deodorant bad for you long term? ›

Recent research published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information suggests that frequent use of antiperspirants can cause aluminum to accumulate in breast tissue, but this doesn't prove that aluminum salts can cause breast cancer.

What is the safest deodorant to use? ›

Safe for Sensitive Skin:

Primally Pure's deodorants are known for being gentle on sensitive skin, making them a go-to choice for those with skin sensitivities. Its soothing ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil provide relief to sensitive underarms, reducing the risk of skin irritation and rashes.

Are Dove deodorants safe? ›

We've always used types of parabens that have been proven safe — Dove products take care of your skin and don't use harmful skincare ingredients.

Should I sleep with deodorant on? ›

Lipner say there's no need to wear deodorant unless you're sweating and the odor is bothering you or your partner. Really, it's a personal choice. If you do wear deodorant or antiperspirant at night, that's okay too. Both dermatologists say that doing so will not negatively impact your health in any way.

Is doing deodorant bad for you? ›

Some worry that because deodorant is applied directly to the skin, ingredients used in deodorants and antiperspirants can be potentially harmful. But ingredients used in deodorants and antiperspirants are well tested and repeated studies have proved them to be safe to use.

What are the cons of deodorant? ›

Are There Harmful Effects of Using Deodorant?
  • Breast Cancer. A few studies from the early 2000s conclude that aluminum in antiperspirant might increase the risk of breast cancer. ...
  • Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia. ...
  • Prevents Carcinogens From Exiting The Body. ...
  • Hormone Disruption. ...
  • Allergic Reactions. ...
  • Changes The Armpit Microbiome.

Is it healthy not to wear deodorant? ›

While deodorant can help you smell great, Dr. Zeichner says taking a break can be especially beneficial if you have sensitive skin. “Deodorants may contain fragrances or acids that help fight odor but can be irritating to the skin,” he says.

Is it OK to put deodorant everyday? ›

There is no need to take a break from deodorant, but if you are sweating so much that you need to use it multiple times a day, you should see a board-certified dermatologist who can recommend other options,” Lipner advises.

What does deodorant do to your body? ›

Deodorant is a skincare product that helps to keep your underarms smelling fresh. Rather than stopping sweat like antiperspirant, deodorant works on the bacteria on the skin to stop the odour escaping from your pits. When we perspire, these bacteria digest the fats and proteins in our sweat.

How often should you use deodorant? ›

Since deodorant doesn't absorb into your body, there is no limit to how often you can use it to mask odor or to provide a pleasant scent.

Will I smell if I stop using deodorant? ›

You should expect your armpits to smell a little pungent for the first couple of weeks. This is because your sweat glands are purging and getting rid of all of the built-up bacteria and chemicals that have been trapped whilst you've been using antiperspirants.

Why do some people not need deodorant? ›

But if you're one of the lucky few who possess a gene called ABCC11, you don't even have to worry about deodorant. According to the website LiveScience, the presence of the gene means that your armpits lack a chemical that, when combined with sweat, bacteria feeds on to produce smelly body odor.

Do you need to wear deodorant everyday if you shower? ›

Deodorant and antiperspirant commercials may try to convince you that you'll have no friends or dates if you don't use their product, but if you don't think you smell and you take daily baths or showers and wear clean clothes, you may be fine without them.

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