Fragrance-Free Deodorants: Underarm Odor's End?

Fragrance-free underarm deodorants do exist, and they are often sought after by people with sensitive skin. Some popular fragrance-free deodorants include the Clinique Antiperspirant Deodorant Roll-On, Dove's Beauty Refillable Deodorant Stick, and Ursa Major's Hoppin' Fresh Deodorant. While these products may not contain added fragrances, they can still include ingredients that help to neutralize body odour, such as zinc oxide, arrowroot powder, and coconut oil.

Natural fragrance-free deodorants

Some popular options include:

Native Deodorant Unscented

Native's unscented deodorant is a popular choice, with reviews highlighting its effectiveness in odour protection for up to 72 hours. It is free of aluminium salts, parabens, and phthalates, and contains ingredients such as baking soda, coconut oil, shea butter, and probiotics.

Humble Brands Simply Unscented Deodorant

Humble Brands offers an aluminium-free deodorant with only four simple and effective ingredients: caprylic/capric triglyceride (MCT), zea mays (corn) starch, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), and cera alba (beeswax). This deodorant is also free of alcohol, parabens, dyes, and artificial fragrance.

Stinkbug Naturals Unscented Organic Deodorant

Stinkbug Naturals' unscented deodorant is aluminium-free and contains coconut oil, organic beeswax, sodium bicarbonate, and organic cornstarch. Coconut oil helps to moisturise and fight odour, while beeswax solidifies the consistency, and cornstarch absorbs perspiration and odour-causing bacteria.

Lavilin 72-Hour Deodorant

Lavilin's deodorant is an aluminium-free option that eliminates odour-causing bacteria and provides multi-day odour protection. Its formula includes zinc oxide, which neutralises bacteria and prevents body odour. While it initially has a faint, floral scent, this fades soon after application, leaving no fragrance behind.

Clinique Antiperspirant Deodorant Roll-On

This roll-on deodorant from Clinique is fragrance-free and designed for people with sensitive skin. It dries quickly, goes on clear, and leaves no residue, making it a good option for those concerned about deodorant stains on their clothing.

When choosing a fragrance-free deodorant, it is important to consider your specific needs, such as sensitivity to certain ingredients, effectiveness in odour protection, and ease of application.

Aluminium-free deodorants

One popular aluminium-free deodorant is Lavilin, which offers 72-hour odour protection by eliminating odour-causing bacteria. The active ingredient in Lavilin is zinc oxide, which creates an environment that is hostile to bacteria, thereby preventing body odour. Other aluminium-free deodorants include Secret Aluminium Free Deodorant, which provides 48-hour odour protection and is also free of aluminium salts, parabens, dyes, and talc. Dove also offers an aluminium-free deodorant that delivers 48-hour odour protection and is enriched with moisturizers to nourish the delicate skin of the underarms.

In addition to these commercial options, some people opt for natural deodorants that do not contain aluminium. These may include ingredients such as arrowroot, coconut oil, shea butter, baking soda, and essential oils. However, it is important to note that natural deodorants may not be as effective as conventional deodorants and often rely heavily on fragrance to mask body odour.

When choosing an aluminium-free deodorant, it is essential to consider the level of odour protection, the presence of moisturizers or other skin-nourishing ingredients, and the inclusion of natural or organic ingredients. It is also worth noting that some people may have sensitivities to certain fragrances or other ingredients, so it is always a good idea to patch test new products before committing to regular use.

Antiperspirants vs deodorants

Antiperspirants and deodorants are two widely used cosmetic products that reduce body odour in different ways. While antiperspirants prevent sweating, deodorants only prevent odour. Many products combine both antiperspirant and deodorant ingredients.

Antiperspirants block the body's eccrine glands, which produce sweat, usually with an aluminium-based ingredient. Deodorants, on the other hand, have antimicrobial properties that reduce the number of bacteria producing odour, and they also contain fragrance to mask any remaining odour.

Both products are approved as safe for everyday use without posing the risk of harmful side effects. However, ingredients like aluminium, parabens, triclosan, phthalates, and diethanolamine have been linked to various health risks, including endocrine disruption, increased risk of breast cancer, and reproductive toxicity.

If you don't like the feeling of underarm wetness or tend to sweat through your clothes, an antiperspirant may be the best option. If sweating doesn't bother you as much but body odour is a concern, try a deodorant without aluminium. You can also mix and match – use antiperspirant on more active days, and deodorant when you're taking it slow.

Ingredients to look for

Yes, fragrance-free underarm deodorants do exist.

• Aluminum – According to board-certified dermatologist Claire Wolinsky, MD, aluminum is an effective ingredient in deodorants. It helps to block sweat and reduce odor.
• Silver or Magnesium – These minerals help combat odor-causing bacteria.
• Acids – Certain acids, such as glycolic acid, create an environment that is inhospitable for bacteria to thrive, thus reducing odor.
• Moisturizing Ingredients – Ingredients like aloe vera, glycerin, and vitamin E help to soothe and hydrate the skin, reducing the risk of irritation. This is especially important for individuals with sensitive skin or those who remove underarm hair.
• Prebiotics – Prebiotics help maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in the skin's microbiome, preventing odor-causing bacteria from taking over.
• Natural Ingredients – Opt for natural ingredients such as cornstarch, aloe, and arrowroot powder, which can effectively absorb sweat without clogging pores.
• Antibacterial Ingredients – Look for ingredients with antibacterial properties, such as witch hazel and lemon fruit extract, to help combat odor-causing bacteria.
• Absorbent Powders – Some fragrance-free deodorants use absorbent powders like diatomaceous earth and arrowroot powder to help absorb moisture and reduce friction.

Ingredients to avoid

Yes, fragrance-free underarm deodorants do exist.

• Exfoliating ingredients like alpha-hydroxy acids – these can irritate sensitive skin.
• Drying agents like alcohol – these can dry out and irritate the skin.
• Baking soda – also known as sodium bicarbonate, this is a common ingredient in natural deodorants, but it can cause skin irritation.
• Natural deodorants – these often contain a lot of sugar, which can cause yeast infections. They can also contain fragrance, which is a common trigger for skin irritation.
• Unscented deodorants – these may still contain masking agents and natural scents that can irritate sensitive skin.
• Aluminum – this is a widely used ingredient in deodorants and antiperspirants, but it can cause skin irritation and itchy armpits.

Frequently asked questions