Dove Advanced Care Antiperspirant Cool Essentials
At a glance
Summary
Dove Advanced Care Cool Essentials scores 12/100 -- a textbook mainstream antiperspirant cocktail from Unilever. The active is aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex GLY 15.2%, the most-debated ingredient in the category because aluminum salts plug sweat ducts and are systemically absorbed. Stacked on top: cyclopentasiloxane (D5 silicone, EU-restricted as very persistent/very bioaccumulative), PPG-14 butyl ether (petrochemical glycol ether), PEG-8 (1,4-dioxane contamination risk), BHT (endocrine-disruptor flag), polyethylene microplastic, mineral oil, and a synthetic fragrance blend with 10 disclosed allergens (Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Alcohol, Citral, Citronellol, Coumarin, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Linalool). Sunflower oil and glycerin are token additions. The Cool Essentials cucumber-and-green-tea scent comes entirely from synthetic fragrance, not real cucumber or tea extract.
Key ingredients 15
Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex GLYVery Bad
Aluminum-based antiperspirant active that temporarily plugs sweat ducts. Aluminum salts are absorbed systemically and accumulate — the most-debated ingredient in personal care.
See more about Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex GLY →CyclopentasiloxaneVery Bad
Cyclic silicone classified by the EU's ECHA as vPvB (very persistent, very bioaccumulative). REACH-restricted in wash-off cosmetics since 2020 and listed under Canada's CEPA toxic substances. Aquatic-toxic.
See more about Cyclopentasiloxane →Fragrance (Parfum)Very Bad
Undisclosed proprietary blend that can legally contain 1000+ chemicals including phthalate carriers. Top trigger for cosmetic contact dermatitis.
See more about Fragrance (Parfum) →PolyethyleneVery Bad
Plastic polymer. Microplastic concern when used as a film-former in leave-on products.
See more about Polyethylene →PPG-14 Butyl EtherBad
Propylene glycol ether derived from petrochemical feedstocks. Skin penetration enhancer.
See more about PPG-14 Butyl Ether →PEG-8Bad
Ethoxylated polymer carrying 1,4-dioxane contamination risk as a manufacturing byproduct.
See more about PEG-8 →DimethiconeBad
Silicone polymer. Less persistent than cyclic siloxanes (D4/D5/D6) but still environmentally non-biodegradable.
See more about Dimethicone →BHTBad
Synthetic phenolic antioxidant flagged as a potential endocrine disruptor and skin sensitizer. Restricted in toys/childcare in the EU.
See more about BHT →LimoneneBad
EU-required-to-list fragrance allergen. Top contact dermatitis trigger.
See more about Limonene →LinaloolBad
EU-required-to-list fragrance allergen. Top contact dermatitis trigger.
See more about Linalool →CitronellolBad
EU-required-to-list fragrance allergen. Top contact dermatitis trigger.
See more about Citronellol →Stearyl AlcoholNeutral
Fatty alcohol used as emollient/thickener. Considered safe.
See more about Stearyl Alcohol →C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateNeutral
Synthetic emollient ester. Considered safe; mild ethoxylation concern.
See more about C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate →Hydrogenated Castor OilNeutral
Hydrogenated castor oil — plant-derived wax. Generally well-tolerated.
See more about Hydrogenated Castor Oil →Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed OilGood
Hydrogenated plant fat used as wax. Inert topically; considered safe.
See more about Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil →Get the full breakdown in the Scout appTake Scout shopping
Scan any product to see lab results, healthy alternatives, and your personalized analysis.
Download on theApp Store GET IT ONGoogle PlayAmazon pricing & content
Amazon price as of . Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.