Deodorants without Aluminium & Alcohol for Women and Men

We’re used to reading ingredient lists on the food we buy, but how many of us think of checking what’s in the products we put on our skin? Take a look at products like deodorants, and you’ll often find some form of alcohol among the ingredients. It’s used as a preservative, especially in natural cosmetics, or to stabilise a formula, and in some forms is perfectly fine. However, ethanol (often found as SD alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, or alcohol denat.) isn’t good news for skin.

It can cause irritation and dryness, and when it’s among the first five ingredients on a list (the ingredients that are present in the greatest quantities), that product is best avoided. Other forms of alcohol, such as etyl, stearyl, and cetearyl alcohol, don’t cause the same reaction – but if you have sensitive skin, you may find that higher concentrations are a problem for you.

Why is alcohol in cosmetics problematic?

Alcohol acts as a fat solvent, and for dry, sensitive skin that means an already fragile barrier of sebum (the skin’s natural oils) gets washed away. This means that you apply creams to moisturise it (probably containing more alcohol) … thus setting up a cycle that’s hard to break. So with products that you apply once or more a day, like deodorant, you’re going to have a constant problem. The answer is to look for an alcohol-free deodorant that will be kind on your skin while still keeping you fresh.

Which brands do offer deodorants without alcohol?

Alkohol-free deodorants for men

Fortunately, both men and women have a good choice of alcohol-free deodorants. Guys looking for an unscented natural product can opt for Canadian brand Dr. Mist All Natural Organic Unscented Deodorant Spray, a simple combination of salt and minerals. It’s also free from aluminium and perfume, which can both be irritants for sensitive skin, as is American brand Tom’s of Maine Natural Care Deodorant Stick, made from vegetable oils and other plant sources. And if you want a deodorant that is close to the skin’s natural Ph balance, look out for Sebamed Balsam Sensitive Deodorant, another alcohol- and aluminium-free product.

Update: Another alcoholfree deodorant for men without aluminum compounds that we can add to that list is: Anthony Alcohol Free Deodorant.

Anthony from New York is a personal care system designed with natural ingredients utilizing the latest in technology.

Alkohol-free deodorants for women

Women often prefer a scented deodorant, so the wonderfully (and accurately named) Primal Pit Paste Natural Deodorant in Jacked-Up Jasmine could be just what they’re looking for. This product uses only natural and organic ingredients like shea butter and baking powder that will keep you fresh and moisturise your skin. And it’s certified cruelty-free! There are other scents such as Thyme and Lemongrass.

Another scented product is Good For You Girls All Natural Aluminium-Free Deodorant, which uses essential oils and is free from chemicals like parabens and mineral oils. It’s also gluten-free. If you have super-sensitive skin, opt for simple products with as few ingredients as possible. DeodoMom Roll-on fits the bill here, with just two ingredients – water and magnesium hydroxide. All three brands are from the US, so should be easy to find there.

List of alcoholfree Deodorants without aluminum:

Oars + Alps Natural Deodorant for Men & Women
Geir Ness Men’s Deodorant
Baxter of California Natural Deodorant
Each & Every Natural Deodorants
Brickells Men Products Natural Deodorant
Vuvuinc Stay Fresh & Cool
Level Up Boys Deodorant
L’eau d’Issey Pour Homme
Nasanta Magnesium Deodorant
Dr. Mist All Natural Organic Unscented Deodorant Spray
Tom’s of Maine Natural Care Deodorant Stick
Sebamed Balsam Sensitive Deodorant
Anthony Alcohol Free Deodorant
Primal Pit Paste Natural Deodorant in Jacked-Up Jasmine
Good For You Girls All Natural Aluminium-Free Deodorant
FoodGradeOrganic Natural Healing Roll-On Deodorant
DeodoMom Roll-on
Nikki Naturally Natural Long Lasting Clay Deodorant Stick
Laffré Botanically Infused Deodorant Stick
No Funk Pit Stick™
Greener Path: All Natural Deodorant for Women and Men
AC NATURE 100% Natural Lavender Deodorant Stick
Purax Deodorant Roll On
Skin2Spirt Sea Spray All Natural Deodorant – Witch Hazel

Make good choices

It may seem like a pain to scroll through ingredient lists on cosmetics, but given that our skin is the largest organ in our body, we ought to treat it right! Choose deodorants that are free from alcohol and you will stay fresh all day. Nobody wants sore armpits, so take the time to find a product that won’t irritate them. Your pits will thank you!

Photo by No Revisions on Unsplash