Secret Aluminum Free Deodorant Lavender
Summary
Secret Aluminum Free Lavender scores 38/100 -- the best of the Secret line and the best of the mainstream aluminum-free batch. Two genuine wins: aluminum-free + magnesium hydroxide as the odor neutralizer (the gold-standard, non-irritating alternative to baking soda) and real Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) essential oil providing natural antimicrobial action. But still loaded with the mainstream P&G base: cyclopentasiloxane (D5 silicone, EU-restricted vPvB), mineral oil, petrolatum, PPG-14 butyl ether, and a synthetic fragrance blend on top of the lavender oil. Piroctone Olamine adds antimicrobial action with a low irritation profile. Significantly better than the antiperspirant Secret but still not clean.
At a glance
Key ingredients 13
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 →Stearyl AlcoholNeutral
Fatty alcohol used as emollient/thickener. Considered safe.
See more about Stearyl Alcohol →Magnesium HydroxideVery Good
Mineral alkaline odor neutralizer that raises underarm pH to disrupt odor bacteria — gentler than baking soda. Considered safe and effective.
See more about Magnesium Hydroxide →Mineral OilBad
Petroleum distillate used as occlusive. Cosmetic-grade is refined but Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbon (MOAH) contamination remains an industry concern.
See more about Mineral Oil →PPG-14 Butyl EtherBad
Propylene glycol ether derived from petrochemical feedstocks. Skin penetration enhancer.
See more about PPG-14 Butyl Ether →Hydrogenated Castor OilNeutral
Hydrogenated castor oil — plant-derived wax. Generally well-tolerated.
See more about Hydrogenated Castor Oil →PetrolatumBad
Petroleum jelly used as occlusive. Cosmetic-grade is purified but lower grades can contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
See more about Petrolatum →FragranceVery Bad
Undisclosed proprietary blend that can legally contain 1000+ chemicals including phthalate carriers. Top trigger for cosmetic contact dermatitis.
See more about Fragrance →CyclodextrinNeutral
Cyclic sugar used as odor absorber. Considered safe and inert.
See more about Cyclodextrin →Magnesium CarbonateGood
Mineral alkaline odor neutralizer that raises underarm pH to disrupt odor bacteria — gentler than baking soda. Considered safe and effective.
See more about Magnesium Carbonate →Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) OilVery Good
Real lavender essential oil. Naturally antimicrobial and aromatic.
See more about Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil →Piroctone OlamineNeutral
Synthetic antimicrobial used to fight odor bacteria. EU-permitted up to 0.5%; low irritation profile.
See more about Piroctone Olamine →Behenyl AlcoholNeutral
Long-chain fatty alcohol. Considered safe.
See more about Behenyl Alcohol →Get the full breakdown in the Scout app
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