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If you are a mom who is conscious of what you are putting in and on your body to limit your toxin exposure this guide is for you.
This list of the 5 best deodorant while pregnant will help you make the switch to a safe non toxic product that you can feel good about using during your pregnancy and beyond.
You have enough on your mind already preparing for the many doctor appointments, understanding your changing body, and preparing for caring for your newborn. Let’s make your life just a little bit easier. In this guide you will learn:
- Is Deodorant Safe During Pregnancy?
- Which Ingredients are good vs bad?
- Top 5 Best Pregnancy Safe Deodorants list with links
Table of Contents
5 Best Deodorants For Pregnancy
Just like most things in life deodorant is not one size fits all. So I’ve provided you with a few different great options to meet your particular needs. Whether you are budget conscious, have sensitive skin, or desire organic ingredients this list will help you find the best pregnancy safe deodorant.
Our Top Pick
Primally Pure is an all natural deodorant brand made with clean simple ingredients. Made with coconut oil and shea butter to soothe the most sensitive skin, and baking soda and kaolin clay to keep you clean and dry even for the busiest moms!
Pros:
- Free of aluminum, parabens, fragrance, triclosan, talc, propylene glycol, or anything artificial
- Effective and nourishing
Cons:
- Higher price point
- Baking soda can be irritating to some skin types
| Image | Product | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Price  | Best Price | Think
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| View on Amazon |
 | Humble
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| View on Amazon | |
 | Beauty by Earth
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| View on Amazon | |
Zero Waste  | Zero Waste | Peach
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| View on Amazon |
- Primally Pure Unscented Deodorant
- Think Natural Deodorant
- Humble All Natural Deodorant
- Beauty by Earth
- Peach Not Plastic Deodorant
Best Deodorant While Pregnant Reviews
What mom has time to think about researching the best products during pregnancy. Let’s be honest you have enough to worry about and you really just need someone to give you some guidance that you can trust.
As a nurse and very health conscious mom I am very careful of the products that I recommend and choose for my own family. As a healthcare provider I have always tried to care for my patients like they are my sister, mother, grandmother, or family member. I hope you can see I do the same with you, and would not recommend something that I couldn’t recommend to my own family.
Think
Think is EWG verified and meets the Enviornmental Working Groups strict health and safety standards, because it avoids ingredients on the EWG’s “unacceptable list” and provides full transparency of ingredients, including fragrance. If you would like to understand the EWG verification standard you can read more about their criteria for verified products here.
This one is just truly a no brainer roll on deodorant. Not only is it easy on the budget, but lives up to strong health and safety guidelines. Think is made with magnesium which is a safer alternative to aluminum, which is used in most other deodorants to neutralize odors and prevent excessive sweating.
Magnesium balances pH while fighting odor causing bacteria, keeping you fresher for longer. It is also an alternative to baking soda, which is found in many natural deodorants. Some skin types find baking soda to be abrasive.
Pros:
- EWG verified
- Baking soda free for sensitive skin
- Applies and absorbs quickly so nothing lingering on your clothes.
- Cruelty-free (no animal testing)
- Found at most major convenient stores
Cons:
- earthy strong scent
- No “fragrance free” option
Primally Pure
This is a deodorant I was introduced to several years ago. I can say after using this deodorant for over 2 years that it really works to keep you dry and smelling good. I have never had any problems with irritation over that course of time. However, it does contain baking soda which can cause problems for those with sensitive skin. Knowing that it is full of safe ingredients makes it seem like an easy choice in my mind.
My favorite is the Charcoal deodorant, but there are so many scents you are sure to find a new favorite. Primally pure only uses essential oils to provide the fragrance in their products so you don’t have to worry about hidden ingredients.
Pros:
- Safe ingredients that are free of toxins
- Baking soda to combat odor, kaolin clay to detoxify, and Nano zinc oxide to soothe your skin
- A variety of scents from essential oils
Cons:
- Baking Soda can be irritating to some skin types
- Higher price point
Humble
This is another really great affordable option that also considers the environment as well. Not only are they free of aluminum, alcohol, parabens, synthetic fragrance, or talc, but they also have plastic free products you can choose from on their site.
You also have the option to choose a different formulation if you have sensitive skin. Some products use baking soda, but if your skin reacts to baking soda they have a vegan & sensitive formulation that uses magnesium hydroxide to help reduce irritation in sensitive skin while remaining effective.
Pros:
- Simple safe ingredients
- Made here in the USA (Taos, New Mexico)
- Made from recycled materials or choose the plastic free option
- Naturally scented with essential oils & botanicals
Cons:
- Baking soda formulation can cause reaction in some skin types
- Some scents can be overpowering
Beauty By Earth
Beauty by Earth makes so many safe, natural products. I’ve tried many of them and been happy with the products I’ve used so far. They have two great scents summer citrus and wild mint. Both formulations are free of all the junk, vegan, and cruelty free.
Pros:
- Sensitive Skin loves it!
- Great smell
- Free of aluminum and baking soda
Cons:
- May have to reapply 1-2 times per day
- Higher price point
Peach
If you care about your environmental impact, want to limit your plastic use, and find a safe, natural aluminum free deodorant option while pregnant that is free from harsh chemicals, this one just might be the right choice for you.
Peach is a stainless steel refillable deodorant that is completely plastic free. It is free from harmful ingredients and verified by the EWG. It is also effective odor protection for up to 48 hours. Using great ingredients like magnesium and arrowroot powder to absorb unwanted sweat.
It is also infused with probiotics to help promote a healthy microbiome for your skin!
Pros:
- Probiotics to support your skin microbiome
- Safe for pregnancy and breastfeeding
- EWG verified and natural safe ingredients
- Plastic Free
Cons:
- $$ Expensive option
Is it Safe to Use Deodorant During Pregnancy?
During pregnancy you are likely to need deodorant at some point more than usual. All that extra blood flow and a growing body inside can raise your body temperature and increase the amount of sweat you produce. So finding a safe deodorant to use while pregnant is so important.
Yes, it is 100% safe to use deodorant while pregnant! You will need to look at the ingredient list on your deodorant to determine if it contains any potentially damaging ingredients in the formulation. Don’t worry we have got you covered and will guide you in making the right choice for you!
Other pregnancy or postpartum safe products:
7 Best toothpaste while pregnant
Non toxic nipple creams for breastfeeding
Non toxic personal care and home products
What to Look for in a Deodorant when Pregnant?
You may be thinking what should I be looking for? There are many great ingredients and I will discuss some of those great products later. So stay tuned, but one of the most important thing to look for in a deodorant stick is does it use artificial fragrances to scent the product.
If the product just says “fragrance” that’s usually a good sign to run! You want to look for products that are scented with essential oils, botanicals, or are fragrance free.
“Fragrance Free”
Many products use “fragrance” to give products a pleasant smell. One way that manufacturers are able to get in dangerous or toxic chemicals without the consumer knowing is by grouping it in with the “fragrance” of their product.
The FDA’s federal guidelines actually allow companies to include any ingredient under the name “fragrance” without disclosing the specific formulation. Fragrances are considered trade secret formulas and are thereby exempt, allowing them to slip in toxic ingredients without disclosure.
Avoid any products that are branded as “unscented”, because they may still have a “fragrance” formulation to cover up any underlying scent.
What Deodorant Ingredients Should You Avoid During Pregnancy?
When considering the ingredients that you feel comfortable with using during pregnancy it is good to think about how we apply deodorant and it’s purpose. Unlike shampoo, conditioner, body soap, or toothpaste we don’t wash off deodorant right away. It will stay on our skin until our next shower. It is a constant exposure to our skin throughout the day.
Our skin’s job is to be a barrier for all sorts of different things. However, what we put on our skin does have the potential to be absorbed and can pass to our growing babies.
Most individuals will shave prior to deodorant application. Shaving can sometimes cause nicks or cuts in the skin that can allow more of a product to get past the skin’s barrier into our body.
Aluminum
You will see more brands marketing their products as “aluminum free”. This is still a debated topic and not enough research has been done to support or refute use of aluminum free deodorants at this point in time during pregnancy.
You may hear one dermatologist tell you that you need an aluminum free deodorant while another may tell you aluminum is perfectly safe in deodorant. Again we still don’t have all the answers. Since it is a questionable ingredient at this time I have included it to give you the option to decide if it feels right to you.
Aluminum is usually found in antiperspirants and not in deodorant. It acts by blocking your pores so you sweat less. During pregnancy we are often sweating more, so many women may choose to use an antiperspirants as a way to decrease the amount of sweat they produce.
Aluminum has been shown to be neurotoxic in high levels and can lead to breast cancer. The body is able to excrete it, but if the burden becomes too high it will start to deposit into several body tissues (bone, brain, liver, heart, spleen, and muscle). Research suggests that at chronic low levels of aluminum exposure can also have a negative impact on health.
Aluminum has been suggested to impact development in human reproduction. However, the placental tissue does seem to be a protective barrier to some degree. In this particular study, aluminum was present in 95% of placenta body samples and 81% of placenta membrane samples, but only in 46% of umbilical cord samples.
We are exposed to aluminum in different ways. Some exposure comes in the foods we eat, air we breathe, water we drink, and the products we use. It is widely dispersed in the world we live in. How much of that exposure is contributed by the use of personal care products?
In this 2012 study, it was concluded that minimal aluminum was absorbed with transdermal application. Higher contents were absorbed in the human gut with the foods we eat. Aerosol based formulations had the highest absorption level, so should be considered when you are purchasing a product. However, if you have a break in the top layer of the skin higher concentrations can be absorbed into the body.
Aluminum exposure from personal care products may be low. You can see why there are differing opinions. Care should be taken when making a choice to purchase personal care products with or without aluminum.
Phthalates
Phthalates can be found in many places. They are a common compound found in PVC plastics, solvents, and synthetic fragrances.
They act as endocrine disruptors and can cause a negative affect on the natural functioning of hormones, cause reproductive and genital defects, and other reproductive issues.
Women typically have higher levels of phthalates in their urine as women often use more lotions, body washes, shampoos, cosmetics, and personal care products.
Parabens
Parabens are often widely found in personal care products to act as an artificial preservative. They are linked to the disruption of hormones in the body, harm fertility and reproductive organs, affect birth outcomes, and increase the risk for cancer.
Research has shown that higher levels of parabens in the mother’s urine is associated with increased odds of preterm birth and decreased birth weight.
Parabens have been found in infants, children, adults, and pregnant women. They can bioaccumulate in the body over time and cause increasing negative affects on the body.
Triclosan
Is another sneaky chemical that many manufacturers will put into their products to act as an antibacterial. It is found in many personal care products including deodorant.
It is linked to liver toxicity. Even low levels of Triclosan in the body can lead to disruption of thyroid function. This can be dangerous during pregnancy leading to miscarriage, premature birth, low birthweight, preeclampsia, and still birth.
What are the Best Natural Ingredients in Deodorant for Pregnant Women?
As so much of our world is full of toxins and other harmful chemicals that damage our bodies I personally find it best to make better natural choices whenever possible. Especially in products that I use on a daily basis. It is best to look for natural products that not only tackle body odor but can help promote a healthy microbiome.
Zinc Oxide: This is a great ingredient for natural deodorants as it is effective at preventing body odor while also killing bacteria.
Clay: has soothing properties and absorption properties. This can be great for helping with the increased perspiration that often comes with pregnancy.
Charcoal: Like clay charcoal is great at absorbing excess moisture and dirt from your skin.
Essential Oils: If you are someone that does want some soft of scent when it comes to your deodorant a great option is using products that provide a fragrance from natural essential oils.
Baking Soda: This is an ingredient that really fights body odors, and is used to absorb sweat to keep you feeling dry. It can be irritating for those with sensitive skin so be aware of that when making your choice.
Apple Cider Vinegar: This has good antibacterial properties. It has an acidic pH that can help with the growth of good bacteria on your skin.
Coconut Oil: is soothing for your all skin types and also has antibacterial properties.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to pregnancy I feel it is best to ditch anything that could be harmful for you or your baby. Your body is doing an amazing work and using products that are full of potentially harmful chemicals will not only affect your growing baby, but also how you feel. This small simple change of switching to a pregnancy safe deodorant can have some lasting positive affects. It is one simple step you can take today to have a healthier future for you and your growing little one.
Jess is a registered nurse with over 6+ years of critical care experience for patients young and old and is the mother of two small children. After having her own children she felt inspired to provide mothers with real actionable guidance and education to make informed decisions throughout their pregnancy and postpartum experience.
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