Degree · Deodorant
Degree Advanced Men Antiperspirant
Lower concern; standard antiperspirant without known PFAS vectors, but brand offers no transparency.
Degree Advanced is a conventional aluminum-based antiperspirant without nonstick coatings, water-resistant textiles, or grease-resistant packaging that typically trigger PFAS use. The brand does not disclose PFAS testing or make any related claims.
Shop Degree on Amazon →Material
aluminum/cyclodextrin complex antiperspirant, propylene glycol base
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
Degree Advanced uses an aluminum/cyclodextrin complex as its active antiperspirant ingredient, a common formulation designed to reduce sweat while minimizing skin irritation compared to older aluminum salts. The propylene glycol base is a standard humectant and solvent in stick deodorants that keeps the product stable and spreadable. Cyclodextrin is a cyclic sugar that encapsulates aluminum to reduce direct skin contact, which is why this formulation is marketed as "advanced." No unusual chemical hazards are inherent to this material combination at typical use rates.
The brand's record and disclosure
Unilever (Degree's parent company) does not publicly disclose ingredient-by-ingredient safety testing or third-party certifications for this product line. The brand has not faced significant product recalls or regulatory warnings specific to Degree deodorants in the US or EU. Degree does not advertise dermatologist testing or hypoallergenic claims, positioning itself as a mainstream performance product rather than a safety-focused alternative brand. No established pattern of non-disclosure violations applies specifically to this product.
How it compares in its category
Degree Advanced occupies the middle-to-upper mass-market segment; its aluminum/cyclodextrin formulation is chemically similar to competing brands (Secret, Old Spice) but positioned slightly above basic antiperspirants. Aluminum-free alternatives (baking soda, plant-based, mineral-only) exist but typically offer lower sweat control. Clinical-strength antiperspirants (like Certain Dri) use higher aluminum chlorohydrate concentrations, whereas Degree balances efficacy with everyday wearability, making it typical for its category.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place; heat exposure can soften or separate the stick formulation. Replace when used to the base or if the product develops separation or off-odors, typically every 2-3 months with daily use. Apply to clean, dry underarms once daily, usually at night, to maximize efficacy and reduce skin irritation. Discontinue use if rash, burning, or itching develops and consult a dermatologist, especially if you have sensitive skin or a history of contact dermatitis.
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.”
Aluminum absorption and systemic exposure
Antiperspirant aluminum compounds are absorbed in small amounts through intact skin; no causal link to Alzheimer's disease or other systemic harm has been established by major health authorities (FDA, WHO), but quantitative absorption rates for this specific cyclodextrin complex are not published for consumer products.
Skin irritation and contact dermatitis
Propylene glycol and aluminum salts can trigger irritation in individuals with sensitive underarm skin or existing dermatitis; cyclodextrin complexation may reduce but not eliminate this risk. Individual tolerance varies; no brand-specific irritation frequency data is published.
Fragrance allergens
Degree Advanced contains fragrance (ingredient listed generically on label); fragrance blends commonly include common contact allergens like limonene and linalool. No specific fragrance formulation details are disclosed, making assessment of allergen risk incomplete.
Talc contamination
Degree Advanced is a stick antiperspirant, not a powder; talc is not a standard ingredient in this formulation type. No recalls or reports of talc presence in this product exist.
1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde releasers
No established reports of 1,4-dioxane or formaldehyde-releasing preservatives in Degree antiperspirants. The cyclodextrin/propylene glycol base does not inherently generate these contaminants, though independent testing data for this specific product is not publicly available.
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.