What Ingredients Should I Avoid In Deodorant — Especially With Sensitive Skin?

First published in 2019 and updated in 2025 to reflect new ingredient insights and product options for sensitive skin.

Your underarms are red, prickly, and maybe even burning. You’ve tried switching brands. You’ve tried “gentle” ones. But almost every deodorant ends the same way — a rash, sting, or uncomfortable irritation.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not imagining it. You’re one of many people dealing with sensitive underarm skin.

Whether it's a conventional anti-perspirant, or something more natural, you'll be surprised — or maybe not — that despite all the “Sensitive” and “Anti-Irritation” claims, many formulas still contain known triggers like parfum, aluminium, harsh preservatives, bicarb, and others.

This guide breaks down what “sensitive skin” actually means, what ingredients are most likely to cause you problems, and what to look for instead. 

What do people mean by "sensitive skin"?

1. Irritation

This is the most common complaint. It can show up as:

• Redness
• Stinging or burning after applying deodorant
• Raw or chafed skin
• A hot, prickly or itchy feeling, even if no rash is visible

Over-washing or shaving can worsen your situation by leaving your skin barrier compromised.  

Any of the irritants listed below under the Ingredients to avoid sections may be the cause — and, don't forget to check the soap that you use to wash under your arms for these trouble-makers also. 

2. Allergic reactions

A true allergic reaction involves the immune system and may look like:

• Raised red bumps or welts (hives)
• Swelling
• Itching that spreads beyond the underarm
• Flaky or scaly skin (especially with prolonged exposure)

This is different to irritation and often involves fragrances (synthetic or natural), preservatives like phenoxyethanol or parabens, or propolis and beeswax.

3. Contact dermatitis

This is a form of irritation or allergy, where skin reacts after repeated exposure. It often builds over time with:

• Dry, cracked skin
• Burning, especially when sweating
• A red rash that worsens with continued use

4. Eczema-prone or barrier-damaged skin

Some users have chronic skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis that can be triggered by heat, sweat, friction, or even “gentle” ingredients.

People who shave or wax regularly often have microtears or compromised barriers, which makes any product feel “stingy”.

Underarms are especially vulnerable because the skin is thin, often freshly shaved, and spends most of the day warm and covered — perfect conditions for irritation!

Ingredients to AVOID in conventional deodorants

Let’s start with mainstream antiperspirants and deodorants. These often contain chemicals designed for performance, not comfort. 

In fact, all of the products shown here that "care for skin" contain several irritants from the long list below.

• Fragrance / Parfum
  A major source of rashes and allergic reactions. Often a cocktail of dozens of undisclosed chemicals.  Even if it smells "mild", it can cause redness, itchiness, hives, ongoing sensitivity or dermatitis with repeated exposure.
• Aluminium Chlorohydrate or Sesquichlorohydrate
  This is the main ingredient used in anti-perspirants as it blocks sweat glands, and is a top trigger for armpit discomfort. Can cause stinging, rash or bumps (especially post-shaving) and increased sensitivity over time.
• Alcohol e.g. Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol
  Used for fast drying or as an antibacterial — but it’s extremely drying and stingy.
• Cyclopentasiloxane / Cyclemethicone
  A volatile synthetic polymer that gives a smooth glide but may be sensitising for some people with barrier-damaged skin. Traps heat, sweat and bacteria, leading to blocked pores or folliculitis.
• Dimethicone / Crosspolymer
  This film-forming microplastic can trap sweat and other irritants, preventing skin from "breathing", exacerbating irritation.
• Microcrystalline Wax & Paraffin
  These petroleum-derived waxes can clog pores and create an occlusive layer that worsens sweat rash.  In sensitive users, can lead to folliculitis or bumpy skin and increase discomfort in eczema-prone areas.
• BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
  Synthetic antioxidant that prevents product spoilage. Can be a mild irritant or allergen in some.
• Parabens & preservatives
  Common ones like DMDM hydantoin or quaternium-15 can cause contact dermatitis.
• Propylene glycol
  Used for texture, but often sensitising to skin — especially when the barrier is compromised.
• Trisodium EDTA & Steareth-2 / Steareth-20
  Can compromise the skin barrier and increase penetration of other ingredients, potentially worsening irritation from things like fragrance or aluminium.

Ingredients to AVOID in natural deodorants

Just because something’s marketed as “natural” doesn’t mean it’s safe for sensitive skin. 

• Sodium Bicarbonate (baking soda)
  Commonly used as a odour-neutraliser, but also an irritant for some people.  Bi-carb is highly alkaline — unlike your skin, which is slightly acidic. When that pH gets thrown off, the result is stinging or a rash. It's not about being allergic to bi-carb — it’s a chemical mismatch with your skin’s natural barrier.
• Some essential oils
  Citrus, tea tree, peppermint, and lavender can all cause irritation in sensitive skin even though they’re natural.
• Gums and thickeners (xanthan, acacia)
  Can be sensitising for some, especially in high-friction areas like underarms.
• Botanical extracts
  Some “natural actives” like propolis or concentrated herbal extracts can trigger allergies.
• Preservatives & fragrances
  Of course, also be aware that even if a deodorant is marketed as "natural" it may still contain synthetic preservatives and synthetic fragrances.

Note: bicarb is very effective and some people have no issues with it, or alternate a bicarb-based deodorant with bicarb-free alternative every few weeks.

Ingredients that tend to be SAFER

Remember firstly, that if you are cutting out the irritating aluminium salts you will be looking for a deodorant rather than an anti-perspirant.  Aluminium salts are the only active ingredients currently approved to be labelled as antiperspirants by regulators.

Look for deodorants with:

• Magnesium hydroxide
  A gentler odour-neutraliser than bicarb soda.  
• Zinc oxide
  Antibacterial and soothing (also found in nappy creams)
• Low or fragrance-free
  Either no scent or subtle essential oils at very low levels.
• Cream or balm formats
  Less friction, and often more hydrating. Creams and balms are typically formulated with butters (like shea or cocoa), oils (like coconut or jojoba), and waxes. These ingredients are more likely to leave a soft, lubricating layer. 
• Barrier-repairing ingredients
  Coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter.
• Arrowroot, tapioca starch, kaolin clay
   Absorb moisture after it’s released.
• Witch hazel (alcohol free)
  Temporarily tightens skin, mild drying effect.

Want help choosing one that works?

Finding a natural deodorant that’s gentle on sensitive skin can be tricky. At Biome, we’ve curated a selection of effective options that are bicarb-free, magnesium-based, and unscented — all made without the usual irritation triggers. Many come with real customer reviews, so you can hear firsthand how they’ve worked for others.

Great options for sensitive skin stocked at Biome

• Black Chicken Barrier Booster for Sensitive Skin
  Magnesium-based, bicarb-free, with Diatomaceous Earth and barrier-supporting ingredients to help calm irritation.

• Good + Clean Deodorant Crème (Unscented)
  Vegan, bicarb-free cream-to-powder formula with moisturising plant butters and no essential oils.

• Biome Natural Deodorant Cream (Unscented)
  Made with magnesium, zinc oxide, calming aloe, and shea butter. Fragrance-free and bicarb-free.

• Noosa Basics Bi-carb Free Roll-On Deodorant
  A smooth liquid roll-on alternative for those who prefer not to use pastes; free from aluminium, bicarb, and alcohol.

• Raw Nature Deodorant Stick – Vanilla & Coconut (Sensitive)
  Gentle stick deodorant with magnesium and kaolin clay instead of bicarb.

• Biork Plastic Free Potassium Crystal Deodorant Stick
  Long-lasting, fragrance-free mineral salt deodorant in a zero-waste cork case.

• Earths Purities Bicarb Free Deodorant Paste – Coconut & Mango
  Clay-based, bicarb-free, lightly scented with natural fruit extracts for low-irritant freshness.