Ian Bronson
That quick spray or roll-on is so routine that it rarely gets questioned. Plus, brands aren’t required to disclose everything, and that opens the door to some concerning ingredients. If health is a priority, it helps to know what to avoid. This roundup highlights 20 deodorants that might not belong in your routine.
Axe Apollo
The scent hits fast and almost too boldly. That’s why some schools banned it outright. Look past the branding, and you’ll find propylene glycol and BHT linked to skin irritation and hormonal disruption. For those with sensitive skin and health concerns, this one might be more trouble than it’s worth.
Secret Powder Fresh
The deodorant got that nostalgic powdery scent many associate with “clean.” Still, behind that fresh aroma hides a cocktail of synthetic chemicals. Secret Powder Fresh includes fragrance compounds tied to hormone disruption, especially when used daily.
Old Spice Pure Sport High Endurance
Complaints of rashes and skin burns have increased in recent years, and it’s not hard to see why. This version uses aluminum zirconium along with artificial fragrances, both common irritants. It’s meant to project toughness, but for some, it’s their skin that ends up in a battle.
Suave 24-Hour Protection Powder
Budget-friendly and widely available, Suave has long positioned itself as dependable. Yet inside the formula are aluminum compounds and added fragrance, which can irritate the skin over time. Owned by Unilever and found on dollar store shelves, it might come at a hidden cost.
Right Guard Sport Fresh
Take a walk through any gym locker room, and this scent is in the air. Right Guard Sport Fresh has been around since 1960, originally launched by Gillette. The presence of isobutane and propane in the aerosol form raises concerns as they are respiratory irritants that may not play well in enclosed spaces.
Arm & Hammer Essentials Natural Deodorant
“Natural” is a strong word, and it’s used often here. Despite the branding, it contains synthetic fragrances and stabilizers, which can irritate sensitive skin. Many assume baking soda-based products are clean, yet allergic reactions and redness have prompted some users to question what “natural” really means.
Ban Regular Roll-On
Before sprays and solids dominated, Ban was already in bathrooms across America. However, users have reported irritation after using it, and critics have raised concerns over ingredient transparency. Still widely sold, it’s a case of classic appeal conflicting with modern scrutiny.
Mitchum Advanced Control
It’s known for serious sweat protection; some even call it industrial strength. But that power comes with a formula that includes aluminum sesquichlorohydrate and PEGs. While it helps keep sweat at bay, it’s also been known to stain clothes and cause sensitivity in certain users.
Degree Ultraclear Black+White
This one promises to spare your clothes from yellow stains. Ironically, many users complain about white residue instead. The formula relies on parfum, a common term for a blend of undisclosed fragrance chemicals linked to skin dryness and dermatitis.
Lady Speed Stick
Pushed toward women since the 1980s, this stick is no stranger to the store aisle. The sweet scent and smooth glide come with aluminum zirconium, a compound known to irritate sensitive users. For many, the scent is just too overpowering. For others, the discomfort lingers long after application.
Arrid Extra Dry Regular Aerosol
In the 1970s, this was the deodorant of choice for athletes: fast-drying and bold. But times have changed. It contains aluminum chlorohydrate, now scrutinized for potential health risks. Once a locker room staple, it now faces questions about its aluminum load and skin impact.
Gillette Cool Wave Clear Gel
The scent is clean and sharp, yet not everyone walks away irritation-free. That gel formula includes fragrance compounds that may trigger allergic reactions in some users. Interestingly, it shares a chemical profile with Old Spice, raising similar concerns about sensitivity.
Equate Spring Fresh Antiperspirant
It’s cheap, and that’s the hook. This Walmart label includes steareth-2 and propylene glycol, chemical enhancers that can increase skin absorption of other ingredients. Despite being widely available and easy on the wallet, it’s often skipped by those scanning labels for safer, gentler formulations.
Sure Original Solid Unscented
Here’s the twist: it says “unscented,” yet still includes masking fragrance chemicals. The formula also contains tetrasodium EDTA, which has been flagged for potential cancer risk when inhaled. This contradiction has kept it under scrutiny, especially by those seeking truly fragrance-free products for sensitive skin.
Right Guard Xtreme Defense 5 Power
Labeled as “Xtreme” and built for long-lasting protection, this stick is packed with synthetic waxes and chemical propellants. These have been linked to mild skin irritation, especially among allergy-prone users. Allergen watchdogs continue to flag it, even as it maintains loyal followings in gyms and sports circles.
Teen Spirit Pink Crush
Celebrity endorsements once gave it the spotlight with bright colors and a youthful vibe. Though it’s paraben-free, the aluminum content and fragrance formula have drawn criticism for being irritating. It may look like fun on the shelf, but sensitive users often feel the aftereffects.
Brut Classic Deodorant Spray
It’s been around for generations and hasn’t changed much. That familiar green can contain butane and artificial fragrance compounds, which are linked to respiratory irritation and allergic responses. Some users love the strong scent, while others report occasional skin sensitivity or discomfort.
Speed Stick Ocean Surf
There’s no mistaking the bold scent as it practically announces itself. Beneath the masculine branding lies propylene glycol, a chemical the EWG flags for moderate allergy risk. Common in high school locker rooms, this stick often sparks debates between lasting freshness and potential skin reactivity.
Soft & Dri Aerosol Baby Powder Scent
Originally pitched as a gentler option, this aerosol is now being reassessed. Butane and aluminum chlorohydrate in the formula pose respiratory concerns, especially in enclosed spaces. Asthma-sensitive individuals have flagged this one as problematic despite its light fragrance and nostalgic baby powder branding.
Tom’s Of Maine Natural Deodorant (Apricot)
Sold as “natural,” but the ingredient list raises eyebrows. It includes propylene glycol, sodium stearate, and zinc ricinoleate—all known to irritate sensitive skin. Though owned by Colgate-Palmolive since 2006, many still assume it’s independently produced, adding to the confusion over what’s truly clean.
