Walk down the deodorant aisle these days and you'll see a plethora of aluminum-free deodorant options shelved alongside conventional aluminum-containing antiperspirants. Maybe all of the aluminum-free marketing makes you a bit nervous — didn't you hear that it might cause cancer? Should you make the switch to natural deodorant with "clean" ingredients?
First, it's important to understand the difference between antiperspirants and deodorants. According to dermatologist Susan Massick, writing for the Ohio State University's Wexner Medical Center, antiperspirants (which all contain aluminum salts) block sweat ducts to keep users dry, while deodorants only mask smells and target odor-causing bacteria. Natural antiperspirants don't technically exist, according to The Strategist, though some natural deodorants have drying or absorbent ingredients.
Where did the cancer rumor begin? In the early 2000s, a very small number of studies with limited sample sizes suggested some link between antiperspirants and breast cancer, according to Penn Medicine. But those studies have since been disproved, and researchers have found no additional evidence to support a cancer link. Another theory, which holds that aluminum from antiperspirants can be absorbed into the skin and increase cancer risk, has been similarly debunked, according to the New York Times.
The only established medical risk associated with antiperspirant is among people with advanced kidney disease. However, as the National Kidney Foundation points out, it's impossible to absorb enough aluminum through the skin to hurt the kidneys — you would need to eat the stick to cause real damage.
The biggest risk associated with both antiperspirants and deodorants is skin irritation, according to the New York Times. Most skin irritation is related to fragrance, so consumers with sensitive skin are advised to choose fragrance-free options in either category.
