Mamavation | Healthy Living | Lifestyle | Detoxify Home | Product Recommendations
August 16, 2024 // by Leah Segedie stearamidopropyl dimethylamine lactate
Does your favorite deodorant contain indications of PFAS “forever chemicals?” PFAS “forever chemicals” are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances used as stain-resistant, water-resistant, & oil-resistant chemicals in commerce. These chemicals are very useful, but also incredibly persistent and toxic. Mamavation was asked if any deodorants contained indications of PFAS and we were not sure unless they were tested. So we sent several off to an EPA-certified laboratory to find out. You’ve trusted Mamavation to bring you topics like safest period underwear without PFAS “forever chemicals,” safest green beauty makeup sans PFAS, or safest laundry detergent sheets without PFAS “forever chemicals,” now join us for our latest consumer study on indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” in some popular deodorants.
Disclosure: This consumer study is released in partnership with Environmental Health News. Scientific reviews were performed by (1) Terrence Collins, Teresa Heinz Professor of Green Chemistry & Director of the Institute for Green Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University, (2) Linda S. Birnbaum, Scientist Emeritus and Former Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program & Scholar in Residence at Duke University, Adjunct Professor at the University of North Carolina, & Yale University, & (3) Scott Belcher, Associate Professor with the Center for Environmental & Health Effects of PFAS at North Carolina State University. This post was medically reviewed by Sondra Strand, RN, BSN, PHN. Donations were provided by Environmental Health News and Mamavation community members. Note that Mamavation has only “spot-checked” the industry and thus we cannot make predictions about brands and products that we have not tested. Products and manufacturing aides can change without notice so buyer beware. This post contains affiliate links, with some to Amazon, which means Mamavation will receive a portion of those sales and we will use that to pay ourselves back for the testing. You can also give a tax-deductible donation to our consumer studies here through Environmental Health Sciences. Thank you!
Mamavation’s EPA-certified laboratory found indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” after analyzing 15 popular deodorants. PFAS is found in many other areas of our homes with some examples being cookware, makeup, drinking water, contact lenses & dental floss. These chemicals are linked to serious health effects, which we will discuss later. Because PFAS are so toxic, Mamavation has commissioned our own scientific studies on indications of PFAS in products to make recommendations for deodorants using PFAS-free materials. Read Mamavation’s articles on these products to find which brands are organic-fluorine-free.
For this consumer study, Mamavation sent 15 deodorants from 14 brands to an EPA-certified laboratory looking for indications of toxic PFAS “forever chemicals.” Here’s what we found:
Linda Birnbaum, Scientist Emeritus and Former Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program & Scholar in Residence at Duke University, and Adjunct Professor at both University of North Carolina, & Yale University had this to say: “Because deodorants are applied every day to our bodies, it’s imperative the deodorant industry needs to find this contamination and address it immediately to ensure that women (& men) are no longer exposed when using their deodorants.”
PFAS “forever chemicals” are problematic for human health and the environment. They are considered ubiquitous, persistent, and toxic. In fact, many of these PFAS chemicals can last for years or decades in our bodies. The health effects from exposure to PFAS on the armpit areas right next to breast tissue are unknown. It’s also unknown what happens when it is absorbed into our tissues and travels around in our bodies. However, we do know that these areas can be vulnerable to toxic chemicals like PFAS “forever chemicals” because of the proximity to breast tissue and the lymphatic system. Therefore, it’s imperative to reduce the amount of PFAS you are exposed to from food, water, and consumer products like deodorant. Mamavation is dedicated to helping you do that when you are shopping for deodorant.
Here are some of the health effects of different PFAS “forever chemicals:”
It’s also very clear based on biomonitoring evidence from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) that PFAS are in all Americans. Therefore, these exposures can harm most Americans.
Terrence Collins, Teresa Heinz Professor of Green Chemistry & Director of the Institute for Green Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University said, “Can we learn to put the seductive technical and cost performances of PFAS compounds into a perspective that appropriately accounts for the horrible health, environmental and fairness performances? The answer, simply put, is “Yes!” In 2021, Maine became the first state to enact a PFAS ban in all products (by 2030), unless the use is deemed “currently unavoidable”. Hopefully more states and the entire Union will follow suit. In the meantime, each deodorant company could protect its customers by investing in finding out how much PFAS is in their products and disclosing this on their product labels. They should look well below the 10 parts per million limit that Mamavation can afford. Some PFAS compounds are endocrine disruptors. Wherever endocrine disruption operates, serious toxicity can be elicited at parts per trillion or at even lower doses.”
Many deodorants claim to be formulated by board-certified dermatologists or other types of doctors for the best odor protection, but how can ingredients that interact with hormones be recommended? Should you trade body odor for endocrine disruption, especially around tissue that is very close to your breasts? Many conventional deodorants or roll-on deodorants, contain a formula with ingredients that can be problematic to human health. So what types of chemicals should you avoid in deodorants? Here are some of the most problematic.
When you pick a more “natural” deodorant without petroleum-based ingredients and find that it doesn’t work on you, don’t fret! There are things you can do to train your underarms to respond better to natural deodorant. You may not be able to control how much you sweat or moisture that comes from your sweat glands, but you can cut down on the bacteria and unpleasant smell that comes from your armpits with natural deodorants by doing an armpit cleanse.
There are a few simple steps you need to take to detox and safely switch to a natural deodorant. The following four steps make up Leah Segedie’s recommended cleanse:
Note that the first day you start this armpit cleanse, you may be repeating these steps 5 to 10 times in the first day, but with each application you should be able to go longer and longer. You may want to start this cleanse when you have time to spend indoors at home, like on the weekends. My own cleanse ended after the 4th day, and the average person takes 4-7 days to complete this cleanse. After this cleanse, your natural deodorant should work better and last longer.
If you find that you are sensitive to baking soda, red spots or irritation may develop on your armpits. Don’t worry, just pick up another type of deodorant that doesn’t have baking soda. Once you stop using it, those spots should go away.
Before we launch into the raw data from our lab, we wanted to remind you about all the other studies we have done on indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” inside the food and consumer products you may bring inside your home. Each one of these studies were done in a similar fashion as this study with brands sent independently to the lab and raw data of those labs at the bottom of the post.
Deodorants were purchased between February 2023 and February 2024. For this consumer study, all products were purchased by Mamavation either at Walmart or from Amazon. Each product was recorded in our database and then sent directly to the lab within its original packaging.
Scott Belcher, Ph.D. & Associate Professor with the Center for Environmental & Health Effects of PFAS at North Carolina State University says “fluoropolymers, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), are extremely common forms of PFAS that could be contributing to the organic fluorine found in deodorants. Methods used for detecting individual PFAS, such as PFOA or GenX, cannot directly identify PTFE. However, the analysis of total organic fluorine (TOF) does account for all PFAS contaminants in deodorants, including PTFE. Therefore, this method of testing serves as a good ‘spot-check’ of consumer products.”
These products were sent to an EPA-certified laboratory and found to have detectable organic fluorine, which is indicative of PFAS “forever chemicals” inside.
This group of products were sent to an EPA-certified lab and were found NOT to have any detectable organic fluorine. However, there are other ingredients inside these product, like “fragrance” that we are concerned with and have put them in the better realm instead.
This group of deodorants were sent to an EPA-certified lab and were found to NOT have any detectable organic fluorine. They also had ingredients that were not expected to disrupt hormones, so we added them to the “best” category. (Unfortunately, the safest deodorants we found all use baking soda in their formulations, so we will have to continue testing more brands to find alternatives that do not for you at a later date. This may be a problem for people with sensitive skin who get contact dermatitis or skin irritation from baking soda exposure.)
As someone who has used Tom’s Unscented Stick deodorant since the 1970s, I would really appreciate it if you could include Tom’s of Maine deodorants in your testing.
Kudos to the team for pushing this important conversation forward—let’s hope it sparks meaningful change in product safety standards planet clicker
I found interesting things from your content, Basketball stars 3 thank you!
Thanks! Little Seed Farm Charcoal would be great to test in the future.
It’s scary I didn’t think these dangerous chemicals would be in something I use every day. I’m playing 2 player games if anyone is interested you can join.
I’m alarmed to see Doterra on the not-favorite list. I do not use it but use some of their other products, including their sun Face + Body Mineral Sunscreen Stick and sun Face + Body Mineral Sunscreen Lotion because of their non-nano zinc. Should I now be concerned re: potential PFAS content? This whole process of finding good, clean products is becoming a minefield!
I use lavilin due to my sensitivity to most deodorants. It s amazing. a test on this would be great.
Just a note to say thank you for all the work you do to provide information to the general public on products of concern…toxins. I am confused on this report for deodorant as in the general information under Aluminum Salts you address the issue of it being linked to breast cancer and Alzheimer’s which is why I’ve been told to stay away from any deodorants containing “Aluminum.” But yet under the “Better” category of deodorants you’ve included three deodorants that contain Aluminum…Degree MotionSense, Degree Shower Clean and Dove. While it’s great that they are a better choice when considering PFAS’s, they still shouldn’t hit the “Better” category when they contain other ingredients of concern. Disappointed that Mamavation would lead consumers to choose an item that is not a good choice.
why recommend bentonite clay which is known to be high in lead?
I generally use PitPutty by Bubble and Bee. Please test that. I also have a few from PrimalPitPaste.
When I’m at home, a little coconut oil keeps me stink free for 2 to 3 days. When I go out I use a few different deodorants from Bubble & Bee Organic, no bad stuff! Keeps me stink free & dry!
Thank you for this! My husband uses Native but a different scent, so that is good to know.
I use Primal Pit Paste by Pretty Frank. It comes in a glass jar (what I get) or a normal stick. I use unscented baking soda free. I’d love to see this baking soda free clean brand on your next list!
All of the Better Deodorants contain Tallow in them. Tallow may clog your pores.
We certainly need more research into this unclear health effect.
I’m confused – you listed Each & Every Rose and Vanilla as Not Your Favorite because it has 12 ppm organic fluorine – what ingredient would that be on the list because I’m not seeing that and it has an EWG verified stamp on it. I’ve been scanning products on the EWG app and only buying verified products, so I’m a little concerned with what your report found. As a breast cancer survivor, I just want to make sure I have all the facts on products. Can you shed some light on this?
Hi, I use Humble simply unscented deodorant. Is it possible to test that one? Thank you so much for all that you do!
Try Little Seed brand deodorant, Bubble and Bee or Primally Pure brands All safe! EWG isn’t always the best source
In my understanding, (I look for EWG certified products as well as my gold standard) EWG looks for harmful ingredients but it doesn’t test products for PFAS. That’s why we need both EWG info AND Mamavation’s lab findings as Leah goes that one, needed step further. Often brands with fantastic, clean ingredients still have PFAS because of equipment used in processing the product, etc. so Leah focuses on testing for those toxins.
This men’s deodorant has cedar and native sea salt. Scent of Stone, Harry’s deodorant.
Can you tag me in the fb group after you add a baking soda free option to the best list please? Thank you!
Thanks for your work on this & everything else!
I’m wondering if you’d test Native products–their deodorants and everything else. They pitch themselves as very solid when it comes to toxic chemicals, but that could be marketing. I want to love them, just not sure if their pitch is their truth.
On deodorants, they do have a cardboard/paper alternative to plastic, which is nice, but I know PFAS has been found in toilet paper and paper towels, so paper isn’t the
One of the brands that was non-detect had a lot of trouble finding a cardboard applicator that was not full of PFAS and other mystery chemicals. So unfortunately, I don’t think that option is as “clean” as they sell it as in general.
We included that brand in the testing already.
Thank you so much for your work and for spreading the news. Have you researched Lavalin Deodorant? There are many formulas now, but I used to use the original cream in a small tub, and noticed they have just added fragrance. They have a different, unscented roll on, here are the ingredients: Deionized Water, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Starch, Zinc Oxide, Capryloyl Glycine, Ethylhexyl Glycerin, Maltodextrin, Hyssopus Officinalis Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Flower, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Allantoin
We haven’t tested this brand yet
What about “Thai Crystal Deodorant Mist”? PFA free? Suspect it is…but don’t know!
I couldn’t tell you. We’ve not tested that brand.
Thanks Leah. Please add Stinkbug Charcoal Vanilla Mint. The packaging has been changed from plastic to cardboard so I think the company is making an effort to make their deodorants safer. https://www.stinkbugorganics.com/products/vanilla-mint-charcoal-deodorant/
Generally, if one scent of a certain brands has SFAS, do all the other scents have it as well?
Thank you! I’ve had breast cancer at 37 and at 2019. This is great information.
Can you specify for the Lume deodorant which one you tested, specifically? Was it the solid formulation or the cream?
Thank you for all this work. Honestly. What a difference you all make.
We use Bulldog deodorant. If you can, please test this one too.
Thank you for all that you do. I’d love to see Beautycounter and Pure Haven deodorants tested, as well.
Please test Schmidt’s deodorant preferably the lavender scent
I second testing Schmidt deodorant. Thank you for all you do.
Please test Schmidt’s deodorant preferably the lavender scent. Thank you
I would also like to see Schmidt’s Deodorant tested! It has been my go-to for years!
Please include Tom’s of Maine deodorants in your testing. I’ve been using Tom’s Unscented Stick deodorant since the 70s.
Bubble and Bee makes several baking soda free formulas, and always uses clean, organic ingredients. Curious to see where they would land on this list. Also wondering about Schmidt’s.
Thanks so much for all your hard work keeping us safe out here!
Would you be open to testing Pit Liquor if I donate one? They are steeping their original recipe now, so it may not be quite available yet.
Would love to see Little Seed Farm (https://littleseedfarm.com/collections/products) added to your testing. Thank you for all you do.
I would love to know about little seed farm deodorant as well!
Please add Schmidt’s to the next round.
Can you please review Tom’s of Maine?
@LeahSegedie Yes, I also would love it if you would review Tom’s of Maine again. If you let me know, I will contribute them if you can test them.
Arm & Hammer Essentials natural aluminum Free deodorant? Thank you! Cheapest on the market $3 !
Thank you !!! For next time please add Weleda sage deodorant spray and Weleda citrus roll on – happy to send or send $ for them LMK
I would also love to hear about Weleda spray deodorants. I have been happily using them for about 25 years. I’d hate to switch but would if I had to . . .
Another great article, thank you for posting the detox steps. Throwing up PURE HAVEN (baking soda & peppermint) & (HUMBLE unscented) for future testing.
Please test: Agents Nateur Holi Stick https://www.agentnateur.com/collections/products/products/travel-sized-natural-deodorant
Please include Schmidt’s next time too!! 🙏
Would love to see acure deodorant and just ingredients deodorant tested as well. Appreciate all your hard work!
Great article and work, thank you. Can you test Crystal Essence: Crystal Mineral roll on lavender and white tea also?
Please include Honesty Phresh. Thank you
Can you try Crystal Mineral deodorant roll on with Lavender I your next round?
Thank you Leah! You are amazing!
Can you please test Schmidt’s and Humble Deodorant. Thank you
Thanks! Little Seed Farm Charcoal would be great to test in the future.
Some of the ones with detectible levels of fluorine 😳 I have been using Ethique floral scent deodorant for years and it’s the only “nontoxic” brand that works for my funk. Thanks so much Leah for keeping us informed
I’m so glad Lume is on the not our favorite list. I hate their commercials and we have to be subjected to them at least four or five times/hour.
That’s not nice to hate a brand because of how they promote their stuff.
Would love to know about Caudalie and Salt & Stone as theyre my fave “safe deodorants.
Would love to see Little Seed Farm! Happy to donate <3
Thank you always! Next round of testing please add Humble, Earthly, Beauty Counter, and Just Ingredients. Thank you!!
Native Sea Salt and Cedar mens deodorant. Harry’s deodorant Stone scent.
Thank you!! On the next round can you test little seed farm?
Brilliant! Thank you, Leah! The brand I use is made in the UK, but ships to the US. Carr Greens. https://www.carrgreens.com/collections/natural-deodorants/products/geranium-lemon-natural-deodorant
Thank you, Leah! Would be happy to donate Curie for testing! So grateful for all you do!
I like Primally Pure, but hate their packaging. So much is left in the container. I had to switch!
I’d love to see Rowe Casa Organic tested. Thanks for all that you do!
I would love to know if Humble deodorant would pass inspection. I think what you do is amazing and all the information you provide is appreciated. Thank you.
Please test Beautycounter next. Thank you.
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