Deodorant Allergens Found in 94% of Popular Products

MOST popular over-the-counter deodorants contain contact allergens, with fragrance present in nine out of 10 products.

A review of commonly purchased deodorants found contact allergens in 94% of products, raising questions about relying on front-of-package marketing claims when advising patients with sensitive skin or skin barrier dysfunction.

Deodorant Allergens Common Across Popular Products

Researchers searched for deodorants across three major retailer websites and evaluated highly rated products for price, formulation, ingredient lists, and marketing claims. Ingredients were compared with the 2020 American Contact Dermatitis Society Core Allergen Series.

Overall, products contained an average of 2.3 allergens, with individual deodorants containing between zero and seven. Fragrance was by far the most prevalent, appearing in 90% of products. Butylated hydroxytoluene was the next most common allergen, identified in 46%.

The most frequently identified active ingredient was aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex, which appeared in 42% of the products analyzed. Prices also varied substantially, with a mean cost of $4.13 per ounce and a range from $1.51 to $18.82 per ounce.

Fragrance Free Labels May Help Guide Selection

Marketing language showed some association with allergen content. Products marketed as “unisex,” which represented 10% of those analyzed, contained significantly fewer allergens. Products labeled “fragrance free,” representing 6%, also contained significantly fewer allergens.

These findings may be particularly relevant when clinicians counsel patients prone to allergic contact dermatitis or those with impaired skin barrier function. Because deodorants are applied repeatedly to the axilla, exposure to allergenic ingredients may be especially important in susceptible patients.

The researchers suggested that fragrance free products may offer a lower likelihood of adverse reactions for patients with skin barrier dysfunction. However, they emphasized that clinicians and patients should examine complete ingredient lists rather than relying solely on marketing terminology.

The high prevalence of deodorant allergens in popular products reinforces the potential value of ingredient focused counseling when patients present with suspected reactions to personal care products. For those with known sensitivities or recurrent dermatitis, careful product selection may help reduce avoidable allergen exposure.

Reference
Joshi A et al. Allergens and Marketing Claims of Popular Over-the-Counter Deodorants. Dermatitis. 2026; doi:10.1177/17103568261492616.

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