What is Aluminum-Free Deodorant?

An aluminum-free deodorant is a deodorant that is made with ingredients other than aluminum. These deodorants exist as an alternative to potentially harmful products on the market. Aluminum-free deodorants come in a wide variety of scents and can be used by men or women.

Many consumers tend to think that antiperspirants and deodorants are the same, but they actually are different products. Antiperspirants guard the wearer from excessive sweating. Deodorants work to deter odors that result from perspiration by killing odor-inducing bacteria on the skin. Part of the confusion arising between antiperspirants and deodorants can be traced back to the fact that they often are packaged in the same product to protect their wearers from wetness and odor. Not all deodorants are antiperspirants, though, and not all antiperspirants are deodorants.

Aluminum is a typical ingredient in commercially available antiperspirant products. The effectiveness of any antiperspirant usually is correlated with the amount of aluminum in the product. Some studies, though, have made antiperspirants containing aluminum a cause for concern among consumers. Seizures, breast cancer, kidney problems, bone formation disorders and Alzheimer's disease are some of the health risks that have been linked to the use of antiperspirants with aluminum in them. As a result, a number of consumers actively seek alternatives to products containing aluminum to help protect their health.

Moreover, there are many consumers who prefer to forgo using antiperspirant products because doing so allows their bodies to function without impediment. Sweating is a natural process that helps the body regulate its temperature. Those who choose to only use deodorant usually want their bodies to perform their functions without introducing potentially damaging agents to it.

Deodorants, as a sole product, do not use aluminum in their formulations. Therefore, consumers can choose to use deodorants without having to worry about the toxic effect of aluminum in an antiperspirant. Those who are especially health-conscious can choose to use all-natural deodorants made of therapeutic-grade essential oils. These types of products can greatly reduce the appearance of allergies or adverse reactions that can occur from the use of deodorants made with synthetic ingredients, such as those used to give the product fragrance.

Finding an aluminum-free deodorant can be more difficult than it sounds. The majority of products that are available to consumers are a combination of antiperspirant and deodorant and, thus, contain aluminum. Those interested in obtaining an aluminum-free deodorant would do well to visit a health-food or green-living store that caters to people who have preferences for natural products. The Internet also can provide information on solutions that are available for those seeking an aluminum-free deodorant.