There’s a debate on whether or not it’s safe to use aluminum free deodorant or aluminum deodorant.

According to Healthline “The American cancer society notes that there’s no scientific evidence that using antiperspirants causes or worsens breast cancer. But some research has suggested that aluminum, at least in large amount, may be harmful.”

What is aluminum

Aluminum in deodorant is a helpful way for some to cover and minimize body odor and sweat. But did you know you’re clogging your pores with various types of aluminum?

The three main types of aluminum found in most deodorant are aluminum chloride, aluminum zirconium, and aluminum chloro-hydrate. Sweathelp explains there’s all different types of percentages used between 10%-15% is in mostly deodorant for excessive amount of sweating. To manage sweat for the body, hands and feet it’s recommenced to use 30%.  Although it sounds great, when you sweat the pores in your armpit opens up and absorbs the aluminum.

Danielle Allen, English teacher at Colonia High School, switched to aluminum free deodorant because her doctor informed her that her aluminum was too high. Allen explained, ” I didn’t know why my levels were so high. It’s not like I eat aluminum cans or aluminum foil. But, the doctor explained that it was from my deodorant.” Allen believes changing to aluminum free deodorant helped improve her reproductive health. She highly recommends aluminum free deodorant over aluminum deodorant. But she advises you to reapply it at least one more time a day.

How aluminum enters the pores

Antiperspirants are applied to the skin, mixing with perspiration in sweat ducts. Chemical reactions form precipitation salt, creating a plug that reduces precipitation. When the antiperspirants particles start to dissolve by perspiration it is pulled into the pores. Once the body senses the sweat ducts are plugged it signals a feedback mechanism to stop the flow of sweat. These plugs typically last about 24 hours and are generally washed away over time.

Aluminum risks

Using aluminum can possibly cause breast cancer, kidney diseases, bone diseases, and memory disorders.

Faith Ruth, junior at Colonia High School, switched to aluminum free deodorant after her mom informed that it could possibility cause cancer due to the fact that aluminum is a type of metal. She’s been using aluminum free for 2 years now. Ruth is glad with the results because aluminum caused her to have irritation due to her having sensitive skin.

In 2018 there was a study that stated using too much aluminum can possibility change how the body makes or responses to the female hormone estrogen. On the directions of most of the deodorants it notes that you should  “Ask  a doctor before use if you have kidney disease.” The reason it states this is because there’s reason to be that aluminum can increases the risk of people with kidney diseases due to the fact that kidney’s is known to filter out excess aluminum. People with kidney disease wouldn’t be able to filter out the aluminum.

Izzy Gidado, junior at Colonia High School, started using aluminum free deodorant because her mom stated it was better for her health. Gidado uses two separated deodorant, secret dry spray aluminum free deodorant cherry blossom daily and secret roll on aluminum free coconut deodorant for sports. Gidado feels like this combo works really well for her so she doesn’t plan on switching anytime soon until problems are given.