Ban · Deodorant
Ban Powder Fresh Clear Gel Antiperspirant Deodorant
Lower PFAS concern; typical cosmetic formulation without known triggers.
Ban antiperspirant gel uses standard cosmetic thickeners; no PFAS-typical ingredients (waterproofing, nonstick coating) present. Brand discloses nothing about PFAS, but product category poses minimal risk.
Shop Ban on Amazon →Material
gel, starch/polymer thickener base, fragrance
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Ban Powder Fresh Clear Gel is a gel-based antiperspirant deodorant, typically formulated with aluminum compounds (active antiperspirant), starch or polymer thickeners for texture, and fragrance blends. Clear gel formulations avoid talc and colored pigments, which reduces certain contamination risks. The starch or cellulose-derived thickener base is inert and not a known leaching or off-gassing hazard in leave-on cosmetics applied to skin.
The brand's record and disclosure
Ban (Henkel subsidiary) does not prominently disclose detailed ingredient sourcing or independent safety certifications on their website. The brand has not faced major recalls or public safety controversies related to this product line. No formal PFAS statement exists from Ban, though their silence on the issue is typical for mid-market deodorant brands; absence of transparency does not indicate presence of PFAS.
How it compares in its category
Ban Powder Fresh Clear Gel sits in the mid-market antiperspirant category. Compared to roll-on or spray formats, gel reduces inhalation risk (no aerosol propellant) and avoids talc concerns. It is less premium than brands with published safety certifications but more transparent than store-brand alternatives in many retailers. Functionally typical for antiperspirant performance without unusual additive flags.
If you buy it
Apply as directed to clean, dry underarm skin; avoid application to broken or irritated skin. Replace if separated, discolored, or after 3 years of storage, as polymer thickeners can degrade. Do not ingest; keep away from eyes and children. If skin irritation or rash develops, discontinue and rinse thoroughly with water.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Gel formula includes fragrance blend ('Powder Fresh' scent); specific allergens not disclosed. Contact dermatitis risk is low-to-moderate for sensitive skin users, typical of scented deodorants.
Formaldehyde releasers (preservatives)
No public record of DMDM hydantoin or other formaldehyde-releasing preservatives in Ban Powder Fresh Clear Gel. Standard cosmetic preservatives are likely (methylisothiazolinone, sodium benzoate), which do not generate formaldehyde.
Heavy metals in pigments or talc contamination
Clear gel format avoids talc and colored pigments, eliminating two common routes for lead or cadmium ingress. No recalls or test reports document metal contamination in this product.
1,4-dioxane (cosmetic contaminant)
If surfactants or emulsifiers are ethoxylated (e.g., sodium lauryl sulfate ethoxylate), trace 1,4-dioxane may be present as a manufacturing byproduct. Ban does not publish contaminant testing; risk is typical for mid-market cosmetics, not product-specific.
Skin irritation from aluminum antiperspirant
Aluminum compounds are the active antiperspirant agent and can cause irritation, rash, or hypersensitivity in a subset of users. This is inherent to the product class, not a manufacturing defect, and reversible upon discontinuation.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Deodorant
Tom's of Maine
Deodorant
mineral-based, baking soda formulation
Lower concern, mineral-based formula with public PFAS-free positioning, though no independent third-party verification.
⚠Risky category by default
Tom's of Maine
Most-Loved Deodorant Bundle
mineral-based and plant-derived actives; stick formulation
Lower-concern deodorant; mineral-based formula with PFAS-free claim aligns with brand ethos, but no third-party verification found.
⚠Risky category by default
Tom's of Maine
Antiperspirant Deodorant
mineral-based active ingredients, plant-derived botanicals, no synthetic water-repellent coatings
Lower PFAS concern, mineral-based formula with MADE SAFE cert; antiperspirant category has minimal waterproof-coating risk.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
More deodorant grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.