What To Look For
Aluminum comes in many forms in deodorants. While links to disease such as breast cancer have not been completely investigated, you still might feel the need to avoid this ingredient. Many people find it healthier and more comfortable just to sweat freely and use a natural deodorant that does not prevent perspiration, but instead prevents the bacterial growth that gives off body odor. Tom's of Maine, Jason Natural and Desert Essence all make aluminum-free deodorants that use botanicals to fight bacteria, available in scented and unscented varieties.
Common Pitfalls
A good aluminum-free deodorant has to accomplish two tasks to take effect. It must address the bacteria that live on the skin and the odor itself. Dr. Michael Spigarelli at the University of Cincinnati states that underarm odor results from an interaction between skin secretions and bacteria that consume them. A few aluminum-free deodorants manage to have antiperspirant effects from natural clays, but in general, antiperspirant action involves aluminum. Even "natural crystal deodorant," the kind that looks like a white stone, has aluminum in it, although this consists of natural alum and not aluminum chlorhydrate.
Where To Buy
Natural foods stores carry many brands of aluminum-free deodorant, such as Tom's of Maine and Desert Essence, that use botanicals to fight bacteria rather than chemicals to mask body odor. You can find some Tom's of Maine products at low prices at Trader Joe's, and a wider variety at Whole Foods, which will sometimes also carry Desert Essence and Jason Naturals deodorants. Local natural foods stores frequently carry a wider selection of products, including smaller local brands that may have similar characteristics to national brands.
Cost
Natural deodorants cost a little more than chemical preparations from the drugstore, but you can generally find them at prices ranging from $4 to $8. Tom's of Maine and Desert Essence offer some of the less expensive natural deodorants on the market. Drugstores sometimes sell extremely cheap aluminum-free, non-antiperspirant stick deodorants in which the active ingredients consist of cheap fragrance and chalky fillers: You should avoid these, as they tend to work poorly and may stain your clothes.
Comparison Shopping
Tom's of Maine makes several natural deodorants, including one containing alum and many aluminum-free varieties. Its Natural Original Care and Sensitive Care lines have mostly botanical ingredients; the Long-Lasting product lines add a zinc ingredient and sometimes hectorite clay for staying power. Desert Essence deodorants also use botanicals such as tea tree oil, witch hazel, aloe vera, lavender and chamomile, which benefit the skin by preventing bacterial growth. Jason Natural makes an aluminum-free deodorant, available in roll-on as well as stick form, that uses tea tree oil and clay to exert some antiperspirant effect.
Accessories
Use the right soap to clear the way for your deodorant. Natural soaps and boutique soaps, and anything labeled "moisturizing," usually have overfatted ingredients. This works well for the face and other body areas, but not for underarms, which require a more thorough scrubbing. Use a body soap, not a facial soap. Either a cheap drugstore bar soap or a natural, all-purpose liquid preparation like Dr. Bronner's will remove the secretions bacteria can feed on to create body odor, leaving a clean slate for deodorant application.
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