Axe deodorant ingredients, like many body care products, include both a number of synthetic ingredients, which are used to engineer the texture and antiperspirant qualities of stick deodorants, and some natural ingredients common in many bar soaps. In addition to the active ingredients of the Axe deodorant stick, you may see water on the ingredients list, which is often necessary in cosmetics manufacturing, and nontoxic color agents such as Green 5 or Yellow 5. If you have sensitive skin or are interested in natural deodorants, however, the ingredients in Axe products don't make the cut.
Dipropylene Glycol
Dipropylene glycol is used in Axe deodorant stick as a solvent for the deodorant fragrance. The standard grade of dipropylene glycol is used in the industrial manufacture of paints and synthetic products, but a weaker fragrance grade is available for use in cosmetics and body care products. The compound is nontoxic, highly solvent, viscous, and almost odorless by itself.
Propylene Glycol
Propylene glycol, another of the Axe deodorant ingredients, may be used as a solvent like dipropylene glycol in cosmetics, but its most common use is in manufacturing polyester fabric. Propylene glycol is a chemical generally recognized as safe that may be added to food products, medicine, and cosmetics, but is related to ethylene glycol, a compound found in antifreeze, which causes severe health risks in humans. Propylene glycol has also been known to cause some toxic effects in humans under rare and unusual circumstances. In addition to more serious possible health risks, propylene glycol may cause dermatitis in people with sensitive skin.
Sodium Stearate
Sodium stearate is present in Axe deodorant and many other deodorants and body soaps because it is the main ingredient in glycerin or lye soap. The chemical structure of sodium stearate helps to clean oils off the body because one end of sodium stearate's hydrocarbon chemical chain attracts oils and fats while the other attracts water.
Poloxamine 1307
Poloxamine 1307 is another solvent in the Axe deodorant stick. Like the other synthetic solvents, poloxamine 1307 may be used to carry the product's fragrance or to create the desired texture for the product. Poloxamine 1307 is not considered toxic or harmful to humans.
Fragrance
Fragrances, which are added to most Axe products and other brands of deodorant stick, are generally not harmful but cause topical allergic reactions among people who have sensitive skin. People with sensitive skin should look for unscented deodorant products to avoid allergic reactions.
Aminomethyl Propanol
Another one of the Axe deodorant ingredients, aminomethyl propanol, is present in Axe deodorant stick to control the pH level of the product. Although aminomethyl propanol is combustible, it is not otherwise known to be toxic or harmful to humans, and is commonly found in cosmetics and body care products.
Disodium EDTA
Disodium EDTA, another ingredient found in Axe products, is an FDA-approved product used in food preservation and cosmetics. Disodium EDTA helps the skin absorb the deodorant product, and thus could cause the body absorb harmful elements as well. Disodium EDTA is not considered harmful except in large doses, however, which were usually administered orally rather than topically.
Butylated Hydroxytoluene
Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) is also an FDA-approved preservative found in foods and cosmetics and is used for its antiviral and antioxidant properties. Although BHT has been found to cause liver and kidney damage in large doses, standard doses taken orally or topically are not considered harmful. Some people may experience hives or other allergic reactions to BHT.
Aluminum Compounds
Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex Glycene, or another aluminum compound, is present in any Axe deodorant stick that is also an antiperspirant. While deodorant neutralizes body odor, antiperspirants block the underarm pores to reduce sweat, and thus require additional active ingredients. Although little research has been done on aluminum compounds in cosmetics, these compounds are known to be neurotoxins that have serious potential side effects for humans.
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