Is Axe Deodorant Safe? Or Should You Get Alternatives?
The Axe Brand, owned by Unilever, caters to the personal care needs of men worldwide. This brand has been around for quite a while.
And just like with all deodorant brands, you want to know what’s inside the product before spraying it on your skin.
Doesn’t matter how popular the brand is. If you’re still unsure whether you want to buy an Axe deodorant or not, then you’re in good hands.
You’ll now know if Axe deodorant is safe to use and a brief explanation of ingredients mostly found in them.
After reading this article, you should be able to decide if you should stick with the brand or look for another brand.
But…
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Is Axe Deodorant Safe?
We have always assumed that these skincare products were safe.
The reality is that the FDA has shown little concern for the pre-market approval of most of these cosmetic products and their ingredients.
The FDA has also stated that they do not authorize the outright recalling of cosmetic products from the market and insist that manufacturers of these products do not need to register their cosmetics with them.
Certain body sprays and deodorants contain hormone-disrupting agents that can cause allergic reactions, especially in men.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has even rated Axe Deodorant as having moderate to high health hazards.
Their rating is mainly due to its Parfum content (Which appears as Fragrance).
In essence, if you have sensitive skin or your skin can react quickly with certain ingredients like parfum, then Axe deodorants may not be for you. Fortunately, there are plenty of options you can choose from. You just have to look for it.
Why this Question?
In 2013, The Morning Call, a newspaper in Bethlehem, reported a case of allergy in a 15-year-old boy as a result of using Axe spray.
However, it wasn’t a serious case, otherwise, federal agencies would have asked the brand to recall such products.
There has recently been some controversy regarding the constituents of most self-care products.
Users of the Axe deodorant have reported some incidences such as growing allergic reactions caused by the chemicals that it contains.
Also Read:
Is Axe Deodorant Good For Your Skin?
In the world of deodorants and men’s skin care products, Axe has become a household name.
The company is well known for its body wash products.
But now, Axe has branched out into deodorants, as well as a number of other specific skin care offerings.
Let’s focus on deodorants.
Axe has taken some heat for the company’s use of chemicals in these products.
So, let’s sort out which ones are safe and which ones are more problematic.
And then, we’ll also answer another important question—is Axe deodorant good for your skin?
Toxic vs Safe Ingredients
The good news about Axe deodorants is that the company features many offerings that are free of aluminum, paraben and dyes.
Aluminum especially has been flagged in the deodorant world as being unsafe. So, it’s reassuring that Axe has chosen to eliminate it from its product roster.
But what about the rest of that roster?
Before we get into the specifics, let’s talk about which ingredients we’re going to discuss and evaluate.
In addition to aluminum Zirconium Tetracholorohydrex Gly, the candidates include Cyclopentasiloxane, Stearyl Alcohol, PEG-8 Distearate, Talc, PPG-14 Butyl Ether, hydrogenated castor oil and butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT).
Some of those ingredients are quite a mouthful. And while they may not be dangerous, they’re definitely not natural.
PPG-14 Butyl Ether is a petroleum-based product that’s designed to make the deodorant easier to apply.
And several other ingredients in the above list are included to help stabilize the chemical mix in Axe products.
There is an exception, however.
To Axe’s credit, the company also makes a product called Axe Black that’s aluminum-free, although it does contain some of the same chemical stabilizers that were listed earlier.
The other major concern with Axe products is the use of benzene, which is a known carcinogen.
Axe’s aerosol products were part of a recall that included the likes of Dove, Old Spice and Secret, with the recall based on benzene contamination.
In addition, while Axe is generally free of parabens, these are present in other Axe products.
These are included to limit bacteria growth over the shelf life of the products.
And while they’ve been around since the 1950s, it is slightly concerning that Axe’s philosophy about their inclusion isn’t exactly consistent.
Not to mention the fact that the company’s spray deodorants have been rated as being moderate to high health hazards.
Ingredients In Axe Deodorants
Parfum
The Fragrance conceals body odor. It is immunologic and may cause allergic reactions. The main health risks associated with it include allergies, skin irritation, etc.
The chemicals in Parfum don’t degrade in the environment. These chemicals are also not part of the label of some Axe deodorants. This is because some manufacturers tag them as “trade secrets”.
Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex Gly
Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex is the active ingredient in most Axe deodorants. It is an antiperspirant, deodorant and astringent.
It works by occlusion of skin pores to prevent the escape of sweat and prevent the growth of bacteria.
Some evidence has proved that Aluminium is highly toxic but the FDA has rubbed off these concerns and authorized its use in these cosmetic products.
PPG-14 Butyl Ether
This synthetic product acts as a solvent and preservative. It is toxic to the kidneys and liver, and it is useful as an ingredient in pesticides in the US.
BHT – Butylated Hydroxytoluene
BHT is an Antioxidant useful in preventing rancidity common with some cosmetics. There are reports of BHT causing allergies in people.
PEG-8 Distearate
PEG-8 Distearate is useful as a moisturizer, an emollient, an antioxidant and also an emulsifying agent. In cases when several liquids which cannot be mixed are to be used together, emulsifying agents help to make them miscible.
The major health risk with PEG-8 Distearate is that it is carcinogenic. It can trigger breast cancer in people and also cause problems with the central nervous system.
Some other ingredients in Axe Deodorant include Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Talc, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butane, Isobutane and Propane.
Top 5 Axe Deodorants
The Axe brand has been in existence since 1946, although in 2015, newer products were brought into the market.
The Best Axe Deodorants are:
Axe Essence Deodorant Body Spray with a mix of spicy black pepper and warm cedarwood
Pros
- Can be easily applied
- Has amazing scent
- Super effective
- Long-lasting
Cons
- There’s a need for reapplication
- A burning sensation is felt sometimes
Axe Ice Chill Frozen Lemon & Eucalyptus 48-Hour Dry Antiperspirant with the scent of Frozen Mint & Lemon
Pros
- It has no aluminum
- Can be applied easily
- Gives a fresh feeling all-day
Cons
- None
Axe Fresh Deodorant Stick, Anarchy, Blueberry and Lavender mix with sweet sandalwood and white amber
Pros
- It has a great fragrance
- Free of aluminum
- Great for sensitive skin
Cons
- When applied in excess may cause skin irritation
Axe Ice Chill Deodorant Body Spray with a mix of frozen lemon & eucalyptus
Pros
- It lasts long
- Can be used easily
Cons
- May just require reapplication
Axe Apollo Deodorant Body Spray for Long Lasting Odour Protection with a mixture of cedarwood & fresh sage scented
Pros
- Leaves a feeling of freshness all day long
- Provides all-day protection
Cons
- None
In my opinion, the best Axe deodorant is the Axe Essence Deodorant with a scent that steals the show and never stains your clothing.
The Verdict: Safe or Toxic?
So is Axe safe? Given the presence of several potentially toxic ingredients, it’s hard to answer that question with a definitive “yes.”
Axe is skirting a fine line when it comes to the ingredients in its deodorants.
And there are definitely better options if you’re willing to go with a product that relies on natural ingredients.