Essential Oil Deodorant vs. Fragrance Deodorant

Unless you’re one of the lucky few who don’t find most conventional deodorants irritating, then you may have noticed that a lot of OTC deodorants can cause bad skin reactions. This is all thanks to harsh ingredients like baking soda and fragrances, and one of the foremost reasons why you’ll find essential oils in all of EG’s home and body products. So why should you say no to fragranced deodorants and yes to essential oil deodorants? Here’s what our experts have to say.

Fragrance

Found in a multitude of products, from personal care items to home goods and more, fragrances plague consumers everyday. On an ingredient list, “fragrance” may look like just one ingredient itself, but oftentimes denotes a list of undisclosed, harmful ingredients. Under the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA), the ingredients in a fragrance need not be disclosed so that a company’s “trade secrets” won’t be exposed. This makes it extremely difficult for consumers to avoid ingredients they may be sensitive or allergic to, because the FDA does not require companies to disclose known allergens on cosmetics the same way they require food and beverage corporations to.

Unfortunately, there are a variety of concerns that haunt fragrances, beyond being potential allergens and sensitizers. Hormone disruptors and reproductive toxins are a few additional descriptions of some of the chemicals found in synthetic fragrances. In a study done by the Environmental Working Group, 17 name-brand perfumes were tested to find chemicals not listed on the labeling. On average, 14 undisclosed ingredients were discovered, including galaxolide, tonalide and diethyl phthalate.

In a separate study performed by EWG and Rachel’s Network, it was reported that galaxolide and tonalide, two synthetic musks, were found in the cord blood of 7 out of 10 newborn babies. At this time, galaxolide and tonalide are believed to cause hormonal disruption and weaken an organism’s defense against toxins. Until more studies are performed, there is no certainty as to how much of a health risk these fragrances pose.

Essential Oils

Needless to say, fragrances are a no-go for anyone wanting to avoid harmful chemicals, allergens and the unknown. It’s for these aforementioned reasons that we choose essential oils again and again when it comes to what we put on our bodies and in our homes.