Is Aluminum in Deodorant Bad? You NEED to Hear this
Is aluminum in deodorant bad? Most of us use deodorant or antiperspirant every day. These two products are both effective for managing body odor and sweat. However, it’s important to pay attention to what’s inside your deodorant to avoid putting your health at risk. Is aluminum in deodorant harmful? And what are the effects of aluminum on the human body?
Ahead, we explore the effects of aluminum in deodorant and its links to certain health conditions. Plus, we’ve included our top pick for the best aluminum free deodorant that goes beyond its typical duties of freshening up your pits.
What is Aluminum?
Aluminum is a metal that’s commonly used in antiperspirants for the purpose of blocking sweat—and ultimately, preventing odors. Antiperspirants are designed to reduce moisture on the skin while deodorants neutralize body odor.
The aluminum in antiperspirants functions by temporarily blocking sweat ducts, thereby reducing the amount of sweat to the skin’s surface. By impeding the release of sweat, aluminum not only helps keep the underarm skin dry but also creates an environment less conducive to the growth of odor-causing bacteria. This dual action addresses both wetness and body odor, making aluminum a key ingredient in antiperspirant formulations.
However, ongoing debates and studies explore potential health concerns associated with aluminum, including increased risk of breast cancer and Alzheimer's disease. Is aluminum in deodorant bad for you? We’ll explore that in just a few moments.
Is Aluminum in Deodorant or Antiperspirant?
Aluminum isn’t typically found in deodorants. It’s usually found in antiperspirants. Products that are both a deodorant and an antiperspirant also often contain aluminum.
Antiperspirants help you sweat less by blocking your sweat glands. Most of them contain aluminum salts that dissolve on your skin and plug up your pores, preventing sweating. Deodorants, on the other hand, are designed to mask body odor. They usually don’t do more than that.
Dermatologists sometimes prescribe antiperspirants that contain aluminum chlorohydrate, which is a common form of aluminum salt, to help treat health conditions like hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). These are much stronger than over-the-counter (OTC) antiperspirants.
Is Aluminum in Deodorant Bad?
With regards to the safety of aluminum in deodorant, there are two main concerns: breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.
Breast Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, there’s no scientific evidence that aluminum-based deodorants cause or worsen breast cancer. However, some studies have found that many breast cancers develop in the area of the breast closest to the underarms, where deodorants are applied. Essentially, aluminum enters the lymph nodes and then travels to the breasts. What’s more, there are fears that the sweat-duct-blocking action of aluminum leaves the body unable to get rid of potentially cancerous substances in the sweat.
In a 2017 study, hundreds of women were surveyed about their antiperspirant usage patterns. Those with breast cancer reported using antiperspirants several times daily, starting before the age of 30. In contrast, women without breast cancer reported less frequent antiperspirant use. Although both groups exhibited the presence of aluminum salts in their breast tissue, individuals with breast cancer in the upper outer quadrant, who used aluminum products more regularly, displayed elevated levels of aluminum compared to their cancer-free counterparts.
This association suggests that increased aluminum exposure, particularly through frequent antiperspirant use, may be linked to higher aluminum concentrations in specific cases of breast cancer.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Studies have shown increased aluminum deposits in the brain of Alzheimer’s patients. That doesn’t, however, mean that the source of the alumimum came from deodorant or antiperspirant use. That said, exposure to the aluminum in antiperspirants may increase your risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
While there’s no confirmed link between aluminum and Alzheimer's disease, it’s still a cause for concern. For that reason, the experts recommend limiting or avoiding exposure to everyday sources of aluminum, such as beverage cans, antacids, and antiperspirants.
Studies have also linked aluminum usage to other health concerns, including kidney disease and bone disease. Is aluminum in deodorant bad? For the sake of your overall wellbeing, it’s best to reduce your exposure to aluminum and aluminum-based products.
Does Aluminum Affect Hormones?
The presence of aluminum in deodorants has prompted concerns about its potential impact on hormones, particularly due to its theoretical estrogen-mimicking properties. Estrogen plays a vital role in various physiological processes, including the regulation of the menstrual cycle, bone health, and reproductive functions.
The worry is that exposure to substances with estrogenic activity, like aluminum, could potentially disrupt the endocrine system. The endocrine system is a network of glands that produce and release hormones, which regulate many bodily functions. Disruption of hormonal balance can have wide-ranging effects on health.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers aluminum-containing antiperspirants safe based on current evidence. However, ongoing research is necessary to fully understand any potential hormonal effects.
What are the Side Effects of Aluminum in Deodorant?
In addition to potentially increasing your risk of breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, aluminum in deodorant comes with a variety of side effects such as allergic reactions and skin irritation. The aluminum compounds may irritate the skin on your armpits, causing redness and rashes. If you have sensitive skin, it’s best to opt for natural deodorants or at least, aluminum-free deodorants.
Always read the labels on your cosmetic products to ensure it doesn’t contain this active ingredient and also watch out for fragrances and parabens which may also irritate your skin.
Shop Aluminum Free Deodorant
Now you know the potentially negative health effects of aluminum in deodorant we recommend choosing an aluminum-free deodorant instead. While aluminum antiperspirants can be effective for curbing sweat and body odor, you may be jeoporadizing your health by using these in your daily routine. Lucky for you, we’ve found an excellent aluminum-free deodorant that does more than its typical deodorant duties.
Truly’s Unicorn Fruit Skin Brightening and Smoothing Deodorant
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Meet the do-it-all deodorant! Unicorn Fruit Deodorant is an aluminum-free formula that combats odors, smooths skin, and brightens your underarms all at once.
Papaya enzymes buff away odors, bacteria, and dead skin cells to leave you fresh for hours. Bacuri butter and mango butter intensely hydrate, soothe, and soften your underarm skin. Symwhite 377 is a powerful antioxidant that helps alleviate skin discoloration and dullness for glowing underarms. With a delicious cotton candy scent that lasts all day!
What’s to LOVE:
✓ Vegan, Clean, Aluminum-free
✓ Combats odors, discoloration, and dark underarms
✓ Smells deliciously sweet and sugary with a hint of fruitiness
✓ Long-lasting freshness
✓ Leaves your underarms silky smooth and glowing
Truly’s Pit Perfecting Set
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A 5-step underarm brightening routine that combat odors, fades discoloration, and leave your pitties silky smooth. You get: the iconic aluminum-free deodorant + a whipped body scrub, shave butter, pigmentation treatment, razor, and vegan fur bag.
What’s to LOVE:
✓ Vegan, Clean, Aluminum-free
✓ Combats body odor and discoloration
✓ Prevents ingrown hairs and razor burn
✓ Every products smell like heaven—with notes of coconut, warm vanilla, and cotton candy
✓ Leaves your underarms bright, smooth, and FRESH
Is Aluminum in Deodorant Bad?
More research is required to determine the safety of aluminum in deodorant. However, with studies showing links to breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, most dermatologists advise opting for aluminum-free products to prevent health risks.
If you have a condition such as excessive sweating, you should be able to continue finding relief in aluminum antiperspirant as long as you don’t use it excessively. Too much aluminum in the body can cause a wide range of health concerns so it’s best to limit use as much as possible.
Watch our underarm care tutorial to get your pitties bright and fresh:
