Antiperspirant swap to Fragrance-free, aluminum-free deodorant

Why make the swap

• Why switch to fragrance-free, aluminum-free deodorant

  Aluminum-free deodorants target odor instead of plugging sweat ducts. This stick has no fragrance in its ingredient list and no baking soda, and it comes in a cardboard tube instead of a plastic one.

• What's the concern with antiperspirant

  Antiperspirants plug sweat ducts with aluminum compounds, and FDA requires their labels to say to ask a doctor before use if you have kidney disease. Many sticks also list ‘fragrance’, which FDA says can cause allergic reactions in some people. The National Cancer Institute says no scientific evidence links these products to breast cancer.

• General information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor, especially if you’re pregnant, nursing or have a health condition.

• Good to know before you buy

  It controls odor, not wetness. Look for ‘fragrance-free’, not just ‘unscented’: FDA says unscented products can still contain a masking fragrance. Baking-soda-free formulas suit skin that stings with other natural deodorants.

• Sources (4)

  1. NCI: antiperspirants' aluminum compounds plug sweat ducts; no scientific evidence links them to breast cancer (opens in a new tab)
  2. FDA: fragrance can be listed as one word; 'unscented' may still contain masking fragrance (opens in a new tab)
  3. Maker: HiBAR Fragrance-Free Sensitive deodorant, no aluminum, baking-soda-free, cardboard tube (opens in a new tab)
  4. 21 CFR 350.50: antiperspirant labels must say 'Ask a doctor before use if you have kidney disease' (opens in a new tab)

  Health and safety facts on this page come from these sources. What a pick is made of comes from its maker's listing or website, as stated on the date we checked.