Aluminium in Deodorants: Should You Avoid It?

Using a deodorant is part of daily life for many people. More and more of us want to avoid harmful additives in the products we put on our skin, such as parabens, sulphates and artificial fragrances and colourings. Everything applied to the skin is inevitably absorbed through it into our body and may therefore cause serious health problems.

While the main function of a deodorant is to “deodorise”, that is, to make unpleasant sweat odour less smelly, an antiperspirant makes you sweat less. That function is performed by aluminium salts, which melt on the skin, fill the pores and so stop sweat from coming out through the skin for a while.

Aluminium has received a lot of attention over time, so it is important that every consumer is aware of its properties and also of the options for products with a more natural composition.

The function of aluminium salts

Aluminium is not found in deodorants as such but in most antiperspirants and in two-in-one products, which combine the functions of a deodorant and an antiperspirant.

The aluminium salts in these products melt on the skin and are then absorbed into your pores, which stops sweat from coming out for a while. For conditions related to excessive sweating, doctors and dermatologists can prescribe an antiperspirant whose aluminium salt content is much higher than in those sold in shops.

The main concern people have about products containing aluminium salts is the potential development of breast cancer. However, studies have not shown sufficient evidence of such an effect when these products are used in small amounts. Even so, sweating is a natural process of the body, and many people think that holding sweat in is not healthy.

How do you find aluminium salts among the ingredients? They may be listed as aluminium salts, aluminium compounds, aluminium chlorohydrate or aluminium zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly.

How to choose a deodorant that is safer for your health?

Antiperspirants mostly contain aluminium salts. However, there are plenty of other products and solutions for keeping sweat under control and neutralising unpleasant odour. In a deodorant, too, you could avoid additives such as parabens, sulphates and artificial fragrances and colourings. A natural deodorant usually has an ingredient that absorbs sweat (baking soda, clay powder, arrowroot flour), a natural antimicrobial (coconut oil) and an essential oil to neutralise unpleasant aromas.

To keep sweat under control in a way that is safer for your health, you can try the following products and ingredients:

• Fragrance-free and colourant-free deodorant
• Hypoallergenic deodorant
• Low-concentration AHA acids
• Baking soda based deodorant

Thanks to baking soda and natural essential oils, the Nurme natural deodorant with mandarin and orange from a local Estonian producer effectively neutralises sweat odour and leaves the underarms neither greasy nor sticky.

• White kaolin clay powder
• Arrowroot flour
• Coconut oil
• Aloe
• Shea butter

When choosing a new deodorant, be sure to read the list of ingredients carefully and check that the product is natural, regardless of key words on the label such as “natural” or “pure”. Aluminium salts are considered a safe ingredient for health when used in small amounts, but they do suppress the body’s natural process of releasing toxins through sweating. In addition, deodorants with a natural composition can also irritate the skin, especially the delicate skin of the underarms. You will find the deodorant that suits you best by trying and experimenting!