Degree · Deodorant
Degree Women's Sexy Intrigue Antiperspirant Deodorant
Lower concern; no PFAS-risk triggers, but Unilever makes no public PFAS commitment.
Standard antiperspirant stick with typical cosmetic base, no water-resistant coating, non-stick surface, or stain-resist treatment that would normally warrant PFAS use. Unilever has not publicly disclosed PFAS presence or absence in this product. No third-party testing data available to confirm.
Shop Degree on Amazon →Material
Aluminum stick/emulsion base; talc, starch, wax
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 Women's Sexy Intrigue is a stick antiperspirant based on aluminum compounds (likely aluminum zirconium chlorohydrate or similar), mixed into an emulsion with talc, starch, and wax binders. Aluminum salts are the active ingredient blocking sweat ducts; talc is a mineral filler for texture and slip. The 'emulsion' base means water, oils, and thickeners are blended to create the spreadable formula. This is chemically typical for mass-market antiperspirants and carries the standard material profile of the category.
The brand's record and disclosure
Unilever (Degree's parent) does not publish detailed ingredient sourcing or third-party safety certifications for this line. No major recalls or regulatory actions specific to Degree antiperspirants are on record. The brand does not make public commitments on PFAS avoidance or talc sourcing verification, which leaves uncertainty about supply-chain screening but is not unusual for mainstream deodorant makers. Industry-wide, antiperspirant safety is relatively settled; Unilever products meet FDA labeling requirements.
How it compares in its category
Degree occupies the mid-market antiperspirant space alongside Dove, Secret, and Mitchum. All use similar aluminum salt + talc + wax formulas. Products marketed as talc-free (e.g., some natural brands) substitute with arrowroot or cornstarch; products claiming aluminum-free use zinc ricinoleate (less effective) or rely on botanical extracts (minimal efficacy data). Degree's formula is neither premium nor budget-conscious, and its safety profile is consistent with competitors at the same price point.
If you buy it
Apply to clean, dry skin; avoid broken skin or immediately post-shaving to minimize irritation. Do not expose the stick to heat above 40°C (104°F) as the emulsion may separate or degrade. Replace when the stick becomes noticeably crumbly or depleted; there is no specific expiry, but antiperspirant potency can drift after 2-3 years of storage. If you develop persistent rash or itching, discontinue and patch-test alternatives; some users react to fragrance or aluminum, though this is not specific to this product.
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 exposure (systemic absorption)
Aluminum chlorohydrate penetrates skin in small amounts; long-term systemic accumulation is studied but not conclusively linked to health harm in antiperspirant use. Risk is not elevated relative to other stick antiperspirants.
Talc contamination (asbestos risk)
No recalls or contamination reports on Degree antiperspirants. Talc mining can historically include asbestos trace; however, cosmetic-grade talc used in deodorants is routinely tested and regulated by FDA. Degree does not disclose talc source verification.
Fragrance allergens
The 'Sexy Intrigue' scent is a proprietary blend; full fragrance ingredient disclosure is not required by law on labels. Synthetic musks and essential oils in deodorant fragrances can trigger contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals, though incidence is low at typical use rates.
Skin irritation from alcohol or acid neutralizers
Antiperspirant emulsions often contain weak acids or alcohol to stabilize aluminum salts and control odor bacteria. Direct skin sensitivity is uncommon but more likely in persons with eczema or damaged skin barrier.
Microplastic shedding from stick matrix
Wax and starch binders in stick antiperspirants do not break into microplastics under normal use; the stick is not plastic-based and washes away with water. No evidence of microplastic risk from this product type.
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.