Natural Deodorants vs. Antiperspirants: What’s Better for You? (2025)

Summer is here, and choosing the right deodorant during sweat-inducing temperatures is of the utmost importance. Most products on the market break down into two categories—natural deodorants and clinical antiperspirants. There’s perennial debate and many strong feelings about which is better, for the user and for the people in their vicinity. Here’s what you need to know.

All about aluminum

Antiperspirants, traditionally, include aluminum, which has two primary functions: to mask odors and stop perspiration. The predominant concern with the use of aluminum, however—which is often cited among users of ‘natural’ products—is its potential connection to an increased risk of breast cancer. The underarm (or axilla in medical terms) is an absorbent area of the body, and some experts have raised concerns that absorbing aluminum in that area presents more danger.

Tissue analysis is often a key part of cancer diagnoses. “Sometimes if you biopsy that area (where cancer is found), you can see aluminum in the tissue,” noted Dr. Michelle Henry, a board-certified dermatologist, founder and CEO of Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan, and instructor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College. However, the presence of aluminum alone does not necessarily equate to it being causative.

“Because underarm antiperspirants or deodorants are applied near the breast and contain potentially harmful ingredients, several scientists and others have suggested a possible connection between their use and breast cancer,” the National Cancer Institute explains. However, the institute’s report clarifies that “no scientific evidence links the use of these products to the development of breast cancer.”

Dr. Debra Wattenberg, M.D., a New York City dermatologist, founder of NY Skin RX and associate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, highlighted these conclusions in an interview with The Daily Beast. “All of the studies, all of the evidence, all of the regulatory agencies approve aluminum as a product to be used in antiperspirants,” Wattenberg said. And aluminum in antiperspirants is more closely regulated when compared to some ingredients in natural deodorants, she added. In some cases, these ingredients are not regulated at all.

Antiperspirants are labeled as OTCs—or over-the-counter drugs—because they have been studied by the FDA. As a result of this label, you can be assured that “they’re telling you the quantity and the amount of aluminum that can go into the product,” Wattenberg explained.

The run-down on natural deodorants

Natural deodorants, on the other hand, leave aluminum at the door, working only to neutralize odor—though not everyone’s nose is convinced. But that doesn’t mean they’re free of all ‘bad’ stuff.

Natural deodorants are “not really regulated by the FDA,” Henry told The Daily Beast, “so anyone can slap the label ‘natural’ (on).”

There are ingredients common in natural deodorants that are also worthy of your concern: Baking soda, coconut oil and other essential oils all have the potential to impact your skin and its health. Dr. Wattenberg says these ingredients are in fact “more highly allergenic,” and can cause contact dermatitis or other irritation in comparison to traditional antiperspirants. Especially depending on when you apply it.

“The skin is usually around 5.5—tilting slightly acidic,” Dr. Henry explained. So when deodorant ingredients throw off that pH balance, it may lead to redness, bumps, or rashes, especially for those with sensitive skin.

“I personally see more rashes on the skin from natural deodorants than I do from antiperspirants,” Henry added.

Passing the smell test

All the experts who spoke with The Daily Beast warned consumers to beware of any fragrance in deodorants. These are usually petroleum based, Dr. Stacie explained, and will irritate the skin.

And Dr. Stacie Stephenson, a leader in functional medicine, board member at The American Nutrition Association and bestselling author, offered a different take on body odor.

She cautioned consumers to re-think the need for aggressive antiperspirants altogether. The skin, she said, functions as an “elimination organ,” adding that sweating is a part of your body’s “normal detoxification process”. To make it simple: to sweat is to take the garbage out of your body.

But the more you sweat, the more odor emanating from your underarms (and beyond), right? Not necessarily—per Dr. Stacie, the solution is to “work on your gut microbiome.” You know what that means: Eating right. Getting those fruits, lean meats, veggies, and fibers into your daily diet. Improve what’s going into your body and what comes out of it will be better too. If there is any odor—or scent, say—with clean eating habits, it should be mild.

Anything else?

Always check to see if talc or talcum powder is an active ingredient. Talc is utilized in deodorants due to its ability to absorb moisture, which helps prevent sweat and odor, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies talc containing asbestos as “carcinogenic to humans” and talc without asbestos has “probably carcinogenic to humans.”

The final verdict

The answer is a dreaded one—it’s all about personal preference. For daily use, a natural deodorant might be enough to simply mask odor. But if you’re heading to the gym or on a hot (and not just meaning temperature) date on a sunny day in the park, an antiperspirant might be your best bet.

The key? Always read a product’s ingredient labels. And if you want to level up your natural scent? Start with your plate—what goes into your body shows up in more ways than one.