Are natural deodorants safe?

2023-09-08 11:19:51

Without aluminum salts, totally natural, vegan, marketed in a biodegradable tube… On paper, this deodorant ticked all the boxes. And yet.

Natural deodorant and health risk

Until then, the deodorant Nuud was rather unanimous. On the one hand, a transparent and apparently “clean” : without aluminum, without perfume, without chemicals, without alcohol, without microplastics, without nanoparticles, vegan… and would promise formidable effectiveness capable of preventing “odors by neutralizing bacteria using silver microparticles” et “effective for 3 to 7 days, with a single application”. On the other side: the deodorant was recommended by dozens of influencers convinced by its effectiveness, code promo in support… However, the product has just been withdrawn from the market, on advice from theNational Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM).

Natural deodorant: what are the health risks?

What’s wrong with this deodorant? The fact that several users have reportedside effects such as painful cysts in the armpits, sometimes accompanied by an infection treated with antibiotics. In most cases, the cysts would disappear following stopping the use of the product or taking the prescribed treatments.

If from 2022, the first voices were raised to express their questions, a few days ago, the combination of these 2 elements allowed theNational Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) to suggest that “the galenic form of this deodorant, mainly oily, might be responsible for this undesirable effect”1.

However, the exact causes of the appearance of these cysts in some users are unclear : the ingredients, taken separately, are difficult to incriminate. According to ANSM experts, it is rather the dosage form of the cosmetic that might be to blame. According to them, the ointment, which is mainly fatty, promotes the obstruction of the pores of the armpits and the development of a microbial infection. And although the causes still remain uncertain “to protect the consumer, the manufacturer, in conjunction with the ANSM, has decided to withdraw from the market all available batches of the product at the various points of sale and from the distributor(s)“. On its site, the Nuud brand explains flooring from now on “on a new, less oily formula, to reduce extremely rare cases of pore blockage and skin irritation, especially following shaving and excessive use of the product”.

I used this deodorant, is my health in danger?

No need to panic: according to the brand, the risk of inflammation or cyst is extremely rare (less than 0.05%) and more than 99.9% of nuud users report no adverse effects. As suggested by the ANSM, the cysts would have disappeared following stopping use of the product; If no adverse effects have been observed so far, our health is probably not in danger. If in doubt, consult a doctor without delay… if only to reassure yourself!

Finally, don’t hesitate to go to the brand’s website under the ‘returns’ tab. It was indicated “If nuud really doesn’t satisfy you, you’ll get your money back”so we don’t hesitate to ask refund !

What should I do if I bought this deodorant?

On its website, the ANSM is categorical and recommends “stop using this product“. On its site, the Nuud brand is less clear-cut but recommends sticking to specific conditions of use:

  • apply the deodorant once every 2 days maximum to avoid clogged pores,
  • do not use immediately following shaving or hair removal,
  • do not apply to damaged skin or wounds,
  • stop using the product ifundesirable effectsign of inflammation or cyst,
  • avoid applying this deodorant if the situation favors maceration

1. “Nud deodorant: withdrawal from the market by the manufacturer of all batches of this deodorant”, ANSM.

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