Antiperspirant Ingredients to Avoid

Are antiperspirants hazardous to your health? The answer isn't black and white. There are, however, common antiperspirant ingredients that raise concerns for some people and in certain circumstances.

Here, we'll talk about what antiperspirant is (and how it relates to deodorant), what ingredients to look out for and why, and how much you really need to worry.

Note: Be sure to follow your doctor's advice regarding any personal care products.

Differences Between Deodorant and Antiperspirant

Antiperspirant and deodorant both prevent underarm odor. However, antiperspirants also prevent sweat, while deodorants do not. You can often find the two mixed together, though you can purchase and use them separately.

Deodorant doesn't contain aluminum, while antiperspirant does, as that's the anti-sweat ingredient. The aluminum particles are dissolved by sweat and plug the pores for 24 or more hours.

You can find deodorant and antiperspirant that also works on other parts of the body. These products are likely in the same aisle as the underarm versions. Read the instructions carefully to ensure you only use deodorant or antiperspirant on approved body parts.

Potentially Harmful Antiperspirant Ingredients

Like all cosmetics and personal care products, antiperspirants contain possibly risky ingredients. However, you don't necessarily have to throw away all of your antiperspirants and run around drenched in sweat all the time! The key is to be aware of these ingredients, their risks, and what your body tells you.

There are two challenges to listing potentially hazardous antiperspirant ingredients, though: They're often mixed with deodorant, which has its own set of ingredients, and it comes in a variety of forms. Let's look at Certain Dri, an OTC prescription-grade antiperspirant deemed safe for typical users by SkinSAFE:

• Certain Dri Roll-On Antiperspirants: Aluminum Chloride, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sodium Hydroxide, Water
• Certain Dri Antiperspirant Deodorant Dry Spray: Aloe Barbadenis Leaf Extract, Aluminum Chlorohydrate, Bisabolol, Butane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Safflower Seed Oil, Citronellol, Coumarin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Fragrance, Geraniol, Hydrofluorocarbon 152a, Isopropyl Myristate, Limonene, Linalool, Propylene Carbonate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Ginger Root Extract
• Certain Dri Extra Strength Clinical Antiperspirant Deodorant, Powder Fresh Solid: Aluminum Sesquichlorohydrate, Cetyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Fragrance, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Mineral Oil, Peg-100 Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Talc

Most of those ingredients are unnecessarily hard to read and aren't as scary as they may look. But as you can see, at least with this brand, the roll-on (clear) antiperspirant only has four primary ingredients, and one of them is water. The spray and stick deodorant/antiperspirant combinations have many more ingredients, including fragrance – a common irritant.

Now that that's out of the way, let's look at just a few common ingredients in antiperspirants and antiperspirant/deodorant combos.

Aluminum Compounds

Aluminum is what makes an antiperspirant an antiperspirant. It essentially clogs sweat pores, which sends messages to the brain saying no sweat is necessary. Common risks associated with aluminum in antiperspirants are allergic reactions, clogged pores, and other rashes.

Parabens (methyl, ethyl, propyl, benzyl, butyl)

Parabens are preservatives that can mimic estrogen. Though there is evidence that high levels of estrogen can cause health problems like cancer, those studies have not always involved parabens, and the amount of estrogen used was generally unrealistic to everyday life.

BHTs

BHTs are often found in lipsticks and moisturizers – meaning deodorants are more likely to have them than antiperspirants alone. This preservative could be a carcinogen, but that hasn't been 100% determined. Risks are still being studied, but it is believed that pregnant people and infants may be at the highest risk of complications from BHTs.

Talc

Talc is present in most powders – including deodorants, as even the stick variety includes powder. The risk doesn't come from the talc but from its risk of containing asbestos. Asbestos may cause lung cancer.

Fragrance

Fragrance isn't one specific ingredient. Depending on what it's made of, there is a risk of endocrine disruption, poisoning (if ingested), or reproductive issues. Allergic reactions are the most common risk, though.

It's worth mentioning that these ingredients are found in many types of cosmetics and personal care products. If you're worried about toxic cosmetics, risky ingredients, or contaminants, read labels closely and talk to your doctor.

Antiperspirants and Breast Cancer Risk

There isn't any evidence tying antiperspirant use to breast cancer. According to Breastcancer.org, "the small amount of these chemicals you can absorb from antiperspirants hasn't been shown to increase breast cancer risk."

This is backed up by an extensive study published by Critical Reviews in Toxicology, which found that there was no connection between the aluminum in antiperspirants and any kind of cancer, not just breast cancer.

Known breast cancer risk factors include family history of the disease, dense breast tissue, inherited DNA changes, radiation exposure, and menopausal hormone therapy, among others.

You should always talk to your doctor about any concerns.

Antiperspirants and Kidney Disease

As with breast cancer, there is no evidence linking antiperspirants to kidney disease in people with healthy kidneys. National Kidney Foundation spokesperson Leslie Spry, MD, FACP, says, "Unless you eat your [antiperspirant] stick or spray it into your mouth, your body can't absorb that much aluminum."

However, those with Stage 4 or 5 kidney disease should speak to a doctor before using antiperspirants.

So, What Health Issues Can Antiperspirants Cause?

Antiperspirants can cause a few health issues, though they don't tend to be causes of significant alarm for most people. Some of the health challenges linked to antiperspirants are:

• Allergic Reactions: Potential skin allergens lurk in most cosmetics, so you should be careful in general if you're prone to allergic reactions.
• Clogged Sweat Glands: These tender, possibly itchy lumps under the skin can become infected. Gentle exfoliation and getting hydrated may help eliminate the issue, though you should see a doctor if you are concerned.
• Rash: Antiperspirants can cause rashes in some people, including dermatitis. Ironically, sweat can also cause atopic dermatitis!

Every body reacts differently, of course, so this isn't an all-inclusive list. And new research is being completed all the time, so we learn more about how our health is affected by topical treatments and, indeed, the wider world every day.

It's worth noting that antiperspirants are the preferred treatment for a condition called "hyperhidrosis," which causes people to sweat excessively – even when the temperature is perfect and they're not exerting themselves. Other treatments may be riskier or more invasive. If you suspect you have hyperhidrosis, reach out to a dermatologist.

When to Avoid Antiperspirant

This is not medical advice! However, people are generally advised to avoid antiperspirants if they're allergic to any of the ingredients, have a history of reactions, or have Stage 4 or 5 kidney disease. However, your doctor is the person to ask about your specific situation.

People who avoid antiperspirants are at higher risk of becoming sweaty and, maybe, a little stinky. However, neither of those things is universal! At the end of the day, all decisions should be made based on your comfort and actual medical advice.