Degree · Deodorant
Degree Antiperspirant Deodorant
Lower PFAS concern for typical antiperspirant formulation, but verify ingredient label for any fluorinated cosmetic additives.
Degree Antiperspirant Deodorant uses conventional powder and aluminum-salt actives with no known PFAS-prone manufacturing steps. The brand makes no PFAS claims and no third-party PFAS data is publicly available.
Shop Degree on Amazon →Material
powder/cream base with starch, talc, or mineral pigments; aluminum salts (antiperspirant active)
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 antiperspirant typically contains aluminum salts (aluminum zirconium compounds or aluminum chlorohydrate) as the active sweat-blocking agent, mixed into a powder or cream base with starch, talc, or mineral pigments for texture and adherence. The aluminum salts themselves are well-established cosmetic ingredients with decades of safety history in antiperspirants, though the talc or starch carrier matters: talc has historical contamination concerns, while starch-based formulations avoid that risk. The powder or cream suspension also includes waxes, oils, and silicones to improve spreadability and skin feel.
The brand's record and disclosure
Degree (owned by Unilever) does not publish detailed safety certifications, PFAS-free claims, or third-party testing results on its website or packaging. The brand has faced no major recalls or established safety controversies in FDA or CPSC records for antiperspirant formulations. Unilever has made general commitments to reduce PFAS in personal care products but has not issued Degree-specific ingredient transparency or reformulation announcements.
How it compares in its category
Degree is a mainstream antiperspirant with formulations comparable to Dove, Secret, and Clinique; all use similar aluminum salt actives and carrier systems. Some competitors (e.g., Schmidt's, Primal Pit Paste) market aluminum-free or talc-free alternatives, but efficacy is lower. Degree's powder and cream lines are middle-of-the-road for ingredient transparency; premium or natural brands typically disclose talc status and fragrance allergen warnings more clearly.
If you buy it
Check the ingredient label to confirm whether the base is talc or starch-based; if talc is listed, assess your own talc sensitivity (especially relevant for genital or breast application). Apply to clean, dry skin to avoid skin irritation; reapply after heavy sweating or showering. Store in a cool, dry place to prevent clumping or oil separation. Replace every 6-12 months or when the product becomes hard, caked, or develops an off odor.
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.”
Talc contamination (if talc-based formula)
Degree's ingredient label does not always specify talc vs. starch; if talc is present, historical concerns include potential asbestos trace contamination, though modern cosmetic-grade talc is regulated. Talc use in body/underarm products carries lower inhalation risk than powder application to large body areas, but talc sensitivity varies by individual.
Aluminum salt systemic absorption
Aluminum compounds in antiperspirants are absorbed minimally through intact skin; no credible evidence links typical antiperspirant aluminum use to neurological or bone harm, despite historical concern. FDA maintains aluminum salts as safe for cosmetic antiperspirant use.
Fragrance allergens
Degree antiperspirants include fragrance blends (e.g., 'Sport,' 'Shower Clean') that may contain undisclosed allergens such as limonene, linalool, or other volatile compounds. Individuals with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity should patch test or choose unscented formulations.
Formaldehyde releasers in preservatives
No established reports of formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (e.g., DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea) in Degree formulations, though preservative systems are not always disclosed on packaging. Standard cosmetic regulation limits formaldehyde release to safe levels.
1,4-dioxane in fragrance or surfactants
1,4-dioxane is a trace contaminant that may form in products containing ethoxylated ingredients (common in cosmetic emulsifiers and foaming agents). Degree does not disclose testing or removal processes; this is an industry-wide potential, not a Degree-specific issue.
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.