Kosas · Deodorant
Kose - Desodorante Stick Deo Carat
Lower concern for a stick deodorant, but no public PFAS disclosure from Kose/Kosas.
Kose's stick deodorant uses conventional cosmetic base materials (waxes, oils, starches) with no known need for PFAS. No waterproofing, grease resistance, or nonstick coating functions typical of PFAS-prone products are evident. The brand makes no public PFAS claim, and no independent lab data is publicly available to confirm absence.
Shop Kosas on Amazon →Material
Stick deodorant base (typically waxes, oils, starch)
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
Kose Desodorante Stick Deo Carat is a traditional solid stick deodorant, typically formulated from waxes (paraffin or plant-based), oils, starch, and odor-controlling actives such as aluminum compounds or zinc ricinoleate. The stick format avoids aerosolization hazards and limits volatile organic compound (VOC) exposure compared to spray deodorants. Starch and wax bases are inherently low-migration materials, meaning leaching of harmful compounds into skin or moisture is minimal under normal use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Kose (Japanese cosmetics conglomerate; Kosas appears to be a regional brand variant) does not publicly disclose fragrance allergen lists, preservative systems, or PFAS use statements in widely available English-language materials. No major recalls, banned-substance violations, or third-party certifications (e.g., COSMOS, Ecocert) for this specific product are on public record. The brand maintains general compliance with cosmetic regulations in target markets but does not volunteer ingredient transparency beyond required labeling.
How it compares in its category
Stick deodorants as a category carry lower chemical-leaching risk than antiperspirant aerosols or roll-on liquids, because the solid matrix prevents easy dissolution of actives. Kose's stick format is standard and typical for this price and market segment; it does not differentiate in safety profile from mainstream competitors like Dove or Secret stick formulas. Natural or aluminum-free alternatives (e.g., Schmidt's, Bali Secrets) offer lower heavy-metal risk for sensitive users, but Kose's conventional formula poses no documented hazard for general use.
If you buy it
Apply sparingly to dry underarm skin to minimize any irritation from actives or fragrances; patch-test first if you have sensitive skin or fragrance allergies. Do not expose the stick to prolonged heat (e.g., hot car) as wax softening may affect consistency and ease of application, though no safety hazard results. Replace when fully used or if you notice discoloration or odor changes suggesting microbial growth. Store in a cool, dry place to maintain formula integrity.
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 (undisclosed components)
Product does not list specific fragrance ingredients; synthetic fragrance blends in deodorants commonly include eugenol, limonene, or other contact sensitizers. Prevalence in mass-market sticks makes allergic reaction possible for sensitive individuals, though incidence is low.
Aluminum salts in antiperspirant active (if present)
If this product contains antiperspirant-grade aluminum compounds (e.g., aluminum chlorohydrate), chronic underarm contact may result in skin irritation or absorption of trace aluminum. No causal link to systemic harm at cosmetic-use levels is established, but sensitive users may prefer aluminum-free alternatives.
Formaldehyde releasers or preservatives
No public disclosure of preservative system; conventional stick deodorants typically use parabens or phenoxyethanol rather than formaldehyde releasers, but this product's full ingredient list is not available in English sources. Risk is low for this product class.
Talc contamination (if talc-based starch)
Stick deodorants increasingly use cornstarch, rice starch, or other mineral starches; talc is less common in modern formulations due to contamination concerns. No evidence Kose uses talc, but product labeling is not transparent enough to confirm absence.
Skin irritation from wax or oil oxidation over storage
Over time, unsaturated oils in the base may oxidize if exposed to air or UV light, producing minor skin irritants. Proper storage in a cool, opaque container minimizes this risk; opened sticks should be used within 12 months.
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.