Aluminum compounds and salts

Aluminum compounds are the active ingredients in antiperspirants. They form a temporary plug in the sweat duct, which stops sweat from reaching the surface of the skin.¹ An aluminum-free deodorant, on the other hand, doesn’t block perspiration: it absorbs moisture and neutralizes odours.

Is aluminum in deodorant bad for you?

Let’s be straightforward: to date, there is no evidence that the aluminum in antiperspirants causes breast cancer. The Canadian Cancer Society is clear on this, as is the U.S. National Cancer Institute.^1,2

On the regulatory side, the European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety considers aluminum compounds safe in cosmetics at the established maximum concentrations. It does note, however, that total aluminum exposure, from cosmetics and food combined, could exceed safe limits for the most highly exposed people.³ That’s why some people choose to go without it, out of preference or as a precaution.

While we’re at it, one persistent myth deserves a correction: sweating isn’t how the body gets rid of toxins. Its main role is to cool the body, while the liver and kidneys do the bulk of the elimination work.²

Ready to make the switch? Check out our blog tips to switch to an aluminum-free deodorant.

Talc

This natural mineral is prized for its ability to absorb moisture and give some deodorants a silky texture. It’s also the star ingredient in baby powder.

So why is it in the spotlight? Because talc and asbestos are two minerals that can be found close together in the ground. Mined talc can therefore be contaminated with asbestos, a recognized carcinogen when inhaled. Talc doesn’t “contain” asbestos by nature, but the risk of contamination exists, which is why it’s important to choose mining sites carefully and test the raw material.⁴

Health Canada has also assessed talc itself. In 2021, the Government of Canada concluded that inhaling certain loose talc powders (baby powder, body powder, loose face powder) may harm the lungs, and that using certain products in the female genital area may cause ovarian cancer. The assessment did not, however, identify any risk to human health for many other cosmetics.⁵ It focused on cosmetic- and pharmaceutical-grade talc, not on potential impurities such as asbestos.⁶

In a deodorant, talc isn’t a loose powder you’d inhale. But if you’d rather not take any chances, it’s easy: in Canada, the ingredients in cosmetics must be listed on the label,⁵ so look for “talc” in the list.

Parabens

The words “paraben-free” are so common on body care labels that parabens are fairly easy to avoid. But where does the mistrust come from?

Parabens are preservatives: they prevent mould, bacteria and yeast from forming in products. A noble cause, at first glance. The catch is that laboratory studies show some parabens can mimic the activity of estrogen in cells. They have also been detected in breast tumours, but there is no evidence that they cause cancer.¹

On the regulatory side, the European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety judged methylparaben and ethylparaben safe at the maximum authorized concentrations. The European Union limits propylparaben and butylparaben to a maximum combined concentration, and five other parabens are banned there from cosmetics.⁷

So parabens are not “carcinogenic,” as you may sometimes read. But since their hormonal activity is still being studied, many people prefer to avoid them as a precaution.

Propylene glycol in deodorant

Propylene glycol is an organic compound found in a wide range of cosmetics, medications and even foods.⁸ In a deodorant, it mainly serves as a solvent and a “vehicle” for the other ingredients.⁹

Considered an irritant and a weak sensitizer, it can cause skin irritation or, more rarely, an allergic reaction in some people.⁸ The American Contact Dermatitis Society even named it “Allergen of the Year” in 2018.⁸

If you have sensitive skin and your underarms get red or itchy with a deodorant, checking the ingredient list, propylene glycol included, can help you track down the culprit. And if symptoms persist, talk to a health care professional.

Triclosan

This antibacterial agent has been added to cosmetics, drugs, natural health products and cleaning products.¹⁰

Here’s where things stand. In Canada, the government’s assessment concludes that triclosan is not harmful to human health at the exposure levels considered, but that it is harmful to the environment. Its use in cosmetics is limited to 0.3%.¹⁰ In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ruled in 2016 that triclosan and 18 other ingredients could no longer be sold in antibacterial soaps and washes for consumers (the rule took effect in September 2017), due to a lack of data demonstrating their long-term safety, amid concerns about hormonal effects and bacterial resistance.¹¹ That rule did not apply to deodorants.

A deodorant is applied every day, and triclosan’s environmental impact is recognized: many people therefore prefer to avoid it.

Phthalates

Repeat after us: phthalates, phthalates, phthalates… Not the easiest word to say, is it? Luckily, you shouldn’t have to say it too often.

Phthalates are a whole family of chemical compounds used in a wide range of products, including cosmetics. According to Health Canada, some may have effects on development and reproduction, as well as on the liver and kidneys. Its assessment concludes that the risk to human health is low, at current exposure levels, for 14 phthalates assessed. DEHP is the exception: an earlier assessment found it potentially harmful to human health, and that conclusion still stands. It is also on Health Canada’s Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist, which is meant to prevent the sale of cosmetics containing substances that are harmful to users.¹²

Health Canada also notes that 20 of the 28 phthalates examined have effects of concern for health or the environment, and that a risk could emerge if exposure were to increase.¹²