There’s nothing like pregnancy to spur tweaks to your personal-care routine, whether you sub in your go-to SPF for a pregnancy-safe sunscreen or stock up on skin care products for your growing bump. Your deodorant is no exception. Whether you have concerns about aluminum or are experiencing sensitive skin under the arms (which pregnancy can trigger), it may be worth substituting a pregnancy-safe option for your usual formula.
Keep in mind that there’s no single definition of pregnancy-safe deodorant, according to experts I spoke with. “Most industries do not do clinical trials or testing of their products and services on pregnant women, so there isn’t definitive data to support guidelines on this topic,” says Dr. Deanne Mraz, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Modern Dermatology in Westport, Connecticut. But, “during pregnancy the skin can be more reactive and sensitive to new triggers, so avoiding synthetic fragrances, parabens and phthalates might be something your skin will benefit from if you’re noticing new reactions,” she says.
If you’re concerned about aluminum, don’t worry: Deodorant, by definition, is aluminum-free. (Deodorants use ingredients to counter odor caused by sweat, whereas antiperspirants — which have aluminum — actually mitigate the sweat in the first place.) Plus, the concerns are largely unfounded. There’s no data at this time correlating harm to a fetus with the use of aluminum-based personal-care products, says Dr. Mona Sadeghpour, a board-certified dermatologist at Skin Med Institute in Lone Tree, Colorado. (Most studies have found no link between aluminum-based antiperspirants and breast cancer, either, according to the American Cancer Society.)
With this in mind, I rounded up the best pregnancy-safe deodorants to keep your underarms calm and body odor, virtually nonexistent.
SKIP AHEAD How we picked the best pregnancy-safe deodorant | The best pregnancy-safe deodorants in 2024 | How to shop for pregnancy-safe deodorants
How I picked the best pregnancy-safe deodorant
I spoke to board-certified dermatologists, moms and editors to pull together our list of the best pregnancy-safe deodorants, keeping in mind efficacy as well as certain attributes. I considered the following factors when choosing our picks:
- Odor control: Because deodorants don’t have aluminum, they use other ingredients, like baking soda and glycolic acid, to help manage sweat and control odor.
- Fragrances: Some deodorants use fragrance to mask the scent of body odor, while others rely on essential oils. Some pregnant people might be sensitive to scent, in which case unscented versions are preferable.
- Additional ingredients: Some people may want to steer clear of potentially harmful ingredients like parabens (a preservative) and phthalates (sometimes found in fragrance).
Related
The best products for pregnancy-safe deodorants in 2024
Secret Clinically Proven Aluminum Free Deodorant
- No baking soda
- Paraben-free
- No unscented option
I sweat even when I stroll at a leisurely pace, so I typically rely on Secret’s Clinical Strength antiperspirant. But when I was pregnant, I swapped it for this formula, which is free of parabens and talc; it kept my B.O. at bay during yoga and on light jogs, and the scent (mine was Powder & Cotton) was fresh and not overpowering. It uses magnesium hydroxide instead of baking soda and has oil to keep skin comfortable, according to the brand. It comes in three scents: Lavender Chamomile, Cherry and Powder & Cotton.
Vanicream Aluminum-Free Gel Deodorant
- Good for sensitive skin
- Fragrance-free
- Nothing at this time
Dermatologists love this brand for people with sensitive skin, and this deodorant is no exception: “If your skin is super-sensitive, then this one from Vanicream is a great choice,” says Mraz. “It is free of common chemical irritants — including dyes, fragrance, masking fragrance, lanolin, parabens and formaldehyde releasers.” It also has a gel formula that addresses odor before it forms, according to the brand.
Lume Whole Body Deodorant Invisible Cream Unscented
- Easy to use
- Comes in unscented
- Brightens skin
- Some may not like cream
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Carmen Castilla calls this an effective deodorizer, and likes that it’s “free from many of the ingredients that some mothers are trying to avoid,” she says. While a cream formula might take some getting used to, the texture makes it easy to apply anywhere on the body.
“Although I’ve never been pregnant, I definitely suffer from body odor and this keeps me smelling fresh throughout the entire day with zero need for reapplication or even touchups,,” says NBC Select associate SEO reporter Ashley Morris, who received a sample from the brand. (You can learn more about her experience testing the Lume Body deodorant in her review here.) “I love that it’s not a heavy, thick cream formula that pills up over time like other deodorants — the texture is really light, so it only takes seconds to dry and feels totally weightless.” Plus, the formula — which has aloe juice, cocoa seed butter and allantoin — can help brighten and even out skin tone, according to the brand, which is helpful as “some women can experience an increase in pigmentation as well,” says Castilla.
Raw Sugar Simply Deo
- Vegan
- No baking soda
- No unscented option
Castilla likes this option for its environmentally friendly, plastic-free packaging. Plus, it “works well and rubs on easily,” she says. Instead of baking soda, it uses arrowroot powder to absorb moisture, as well as zinc and magnesium to help minimize odor, according to the brand. It comes in four scents: Eucalyptus + Fresh Mint, Beach Rose + Aloe, Vanilla Bean + Charcoal and Santal + Verbena.
Kosas Chemistry Deodorant
- Dries quickly
- Goes on clear
- Available unscented
- Nothing at this time
Instead of targeting sweat to stymie bacteria growth, this deodorant serum uses alpha hydroxy acids — among them mandelic acid lactic acids, which help even out tone — and shikimic acid, which has an antibacterial effect. I used this extensively when dabbling in natural deodorants, and loved that it dries quickly and never stains my clothes. (The rollerball applicator was also genius.) The formula also has aloe vera and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and soothe skin under the arms, according to the brand. In addition to a fragrance-free option, it comes in Serene Clean and Beachy Clean scents.
Dove 0% Aluminum Deodorant Stick
- Moisturizing
- No baking soda
- Suits sensitive skin
- No unscented option
We think this is one of the best deodorants out there; both a dermatologist and NBC Select associate updates editor Mili Godio are fans of the aluminum-free formula, which doesn’t have either ethanol alcohol or baking soda, making it good for sensitive skin. “I notice it leaves me smelling fresh throughout the entire day,” says Godio, who likes the cucumber and green tea scent. (It also comes in other scents including lavender and vanilla.)
Native Regular Deodorant
- Moisturizing
- Very effective
- Unscented option
- Has baking soda
This fragrance-free deodorant is NBC Select associate updates editor Zoe Malin’s favorite. “I don’t notice a difference between how this natural deodorant and other ‘non-natural’ options work — even when I wear it during the most sweat-heavy cardio workouts,” she says. It’s infused with nourishing ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil, and while it does have baking soda, Native makes a baking soda-free option for sensitive skin too.
Attitude Plastic-Free Super Leaves Deodorant
- Available unscented
- Plastic-free packaging
- No baking soda
- Nothing at this time
Dr. Apple Bodemer, a board-certified dermatologist and associate professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, told us that she’s a fan of this deodorant since it won’t cause irritation, as it’s free of baking soda. Instead, it uses arrowroot powder and cornstarch to help you stay dry. The creamy formula is also infused with nourishing ingredients like coconut oil, castor seed oil and blueberry leaf extract.
Athena Club All Day Deo
- Goes on clear
- No baking soda
- Moisturizing ingredients
- No unscented option
The Athena Club Deo skips the baking soda in favor of tapioca starch, and pairs it with ingredients like coconut oil, jojoba oil and green tea extract. “This one not only prevents irritation under my arms, but it also leaves the skin feeling smoother and hydrated,” says Godio, who has dry, sensitive underarms. It comes in three scents — Super Bloom, Grapefruit Spritz and Solar Disco — but there’s no fragrance-free option.
Related
How to shop for pregnancy-safe deodorant
First, figure out whether a deodorant or antiperspirant is right for you. “Deodorants protect against odor by absorbing wetness and oftentimes adding scent, while antiperspirants block sweat itself from being released — and will usually include fragrance as well to block any odor,” says Mraz. If you sweat a lot, then you might want to consider sticking with an antiperspirant for max efficacy. But if you’re concerned about aluminum or just want to err on the side of caution, then a deodorant is a good bet.
When you’re looking for a pregnancy-safe deodorant, it helps to consider two things: the ingredient that controls the sweat or odor (or both), and the fragrance.
Look for odor-fighting ingredients
“Body odor arises when skin bacteria interact with sweat,” says Castilla. “Altering the skin environment to be less conducive to bacterial growth can help improve odor.” She points to mandelic acid, a gentle acid that lowers the skin’s pH to deter odor-causing bacteria, as a good, pregnancy-safe option. Glycolic acid works similarly, although it can be a little more irritating.
Another popular option in deodorants is baking soda, which is great for neutralizing odors. However, it’s alkaline, or basic, “meaning that by acting as a basic substance, it can increase the natural acidic pH of the skin,” says Sadeghpour. Since skin is naturally acidic — which helps it maintain moisture and a healthy skin barrier — increasing its pH with baking soda can “be irritating to the skin, causing dryness, redness and itching,” she says, adding that this is especially relevant for people with sensitive skin. For that reason, proceed with caution.
Be mindful of fragrance
Deodorants often work by masking body odor with, well, other odors. And “women tend to become more sensitive to smells during pregnancy,” says Castilla. Plus, skin can be more reactive during pregnancy due to hormonal changes, so you might want to skip the fragrance if you find this is the case.
Know what to avoid
When shopping, you may also want to consider avoiding other potentially concerning ingredients like parabens and phthalates. “Although there is no definitive evidence that parabans lead to negative impacts on human health, there are many deodorant options free of parabens — as well as many of the ingredients expecting mothers would prefer to avoid,” says Castilla. That’s because these have been linked to changes in the endocrine system in animals, although human evidence is lacking.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Carmen Castilla is a board-certified dermatologist in New York, New York who specializes in both cosmetic and medical dermatology.
- Dr. Deanne Mraz, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist and president of Modern Dermatology in Westport, Connecticut as well as a clinical professor of dermatology at Yale New Haven Hospital.
- Dr. Mona Sadeghpour is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and a board-certified dermatologist in Pennsylvania.
- Dr. Camila Janniger is a board-certified dermatologist in Wallington, New Jersey and a clinical professor of dermatology at Rutgers Medical School.
Why trust NBC Select?
Deanna Pai is a freelance beauty writer and editor who has been covering beauty and health for more than a decade, including topics like pregnancy-safe sunscreen and pregnancy-safe shampoos. For this article, Pai spoke to four dermatologists to narrow down the best pregnancy-safe deodorants, and highlighted their recommendations about what to consider when shopping.
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