The best deodorants for men who care about their testosterone levels aren’t your run-of-the-mill deodorants i.e. your Speed Stick’s, your Right Guard’s etc. because these brands typically contain harmful parabens, phthalates and aluminum that are proven to disrupt your hormones.
Hear my words. Most deodorant companies have no qualms whatsoever selling you toxic, chemical-laden, hormone-disrupting goo disguised as “long-lasting anti-perspirant deodorant” because they figure you’re an idiot anyway, so if someone’s going to take advantage of your blind trust and innocence, it might as well be them.
That’s literally what they think.
These companies are betting on people being either too trusting, too dumb, or too busy to actually look into any of the side-effects of the many harmful chemical ingredients that are in these types of products.
What do parabens, phthalates, and aluminum do to your T levels?
Let’s start with parabens. Parabens are chemical preservatives added to cosmetic and body care products to extend the product’s shelf life. Moisturizers, face and skin cleaners, sunscreens, deodorants, shaving gels, toothpastes, shampoos and other personal care products all usually contain parabens, unless you consciously seek out products that don’t contain them. Not all products do. The problem with parabens is that they increase estrogenic activity in the body, have been shown to disrupt hormones, harm fertility and reproductive organs, effect birth outcomes and lead to cancer.
Phthalates are arguably even worse. They don’t just increase estrogen in the body, like parabens do, but they effectively decrease your testosterone levels.
According to Frederick Lee Hisaw, Professor of Reproductive Physiology and Professor of environmental and occupational epidemiology, who recently co-authored a research study at Harvard University, phthalates “have been shown to be anti-androgenic—in other words, they decrease testosterone.“
Phthalates can also “impair child brain development and increase children’s risk for learning, attention, and behavioral disorders” when pregnant mothers are exposed to these chemical compounds.
Phthalates are found in shower curtains, boots, IV and vinyl tubing, colognes, perfumes, soaps, shampoos and enteric coated medications. These hormone-disrupting plastics have also been found in our food! They often leach into our food from vinyl plastic packaging materials, food preparation gloves, and other food processing equipment.
Professor Hisaw also says that if phthalates are part of the product’s scent formulation, “they don’t need to be listed on the product’s ingredient list because scents are considered proprietary.” This means that when you see ‘fragrance’ or ‘parfum’ listed on the ingredient list of a cologne, or deodorant, there are most likely phthalates in it.
As for aluminum chlorohydrate, an ingredient found in most if not all antiperspirant deodorants, whether it really does cause Alzheimer’s disease or breast cancer in women is up for debate, however, regardless of what “the science” says, my common sense tells me that putting a highly absorbable heavy metal directly on the skin in an area that produces a lot of heat is probably not a good idea and could negatively impact your T levels.
Heavy metals can indeed be absorbed by the skin. This is why shooting ranges advise you to wash your hands with cold water after handling, or shooting your gun in order to minimize lead exposure because warm water opens up the pores.
Clearly, the best deodorants for men aren’t these
If you currently use any of the following deodorants or antiperspirants, stop! You’re making it a lot harder for your balls to produce the life-giving T your body needs to build muscle and perform in all areas of life. I highly advise you to change brands to one of the deodorants I recommend further down this post.
- Right Guard XTREME Ultimate Clean Antiperspirant
According to the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Skin Deep Cosmetics Database, Right Guard XTREME Ultimate Clean Antiperspirant is rated as a ‘high hazard’ because it contains parfum.
When you see, ‘parfum’ or ‘fragrance’ on the ingredient list, this means the company has opted to use a proprietary blend of chemicals and possibly phthaltates it is legally not required to disclose to the consumer.
Do we know 100% that there are harmful phthalates in this blend? No, we don’t, but we also can’t be sure that they’re not in there. Usually, when a company chooses to make their product paraben and phthalate-free, it becomes a part of the product’s marketing and appears on the label somewhere.
2. Speed Stick Aqua Sport Antiperspirant & Deodorant Gel
This product here contains ‘fragrance’ which, again, is a proprietary blend, meaning the company legally does not have to disclose what chemicals are used to make this. Most of the time, phthalates make up a part of blends like this, just so you know.
This also contains cyclomethicone, which is a silicone-based cyclic compound classified as an endocrine disruptor, rated a 6 on EWG’s hazard scale.
It also contains aluminum and although EWG rates this ingredient as a 3 on the hazard scale, that’s still higher than, say, 1 or zero.
3. Axe Fresh 24H Deodorant Stick Excite
Axe Fresh 24H deodorant, Excite, is rated a 7 on EWG’s hazard scale because it contains ‘fragrance’ as well as something called, ‘FD&C Red No. 4 (CI 14700)’ and ‘FD&C Green No. 3 (CI 42053)’ along with some other chemical additives like ‘BHT’ which is listed as ‘moderate’ for potentially cancer-causing.
4. Old Spice Swagger Deodorant
The Old Spice Swagger deodorant isn’t quite so high on EWG’s hazard scale, but it’s still up there. This deodorant has fragrance listed first, like the others, as well as ‘CI 42090 (FD&C Blue No. 1 or D&C Blue No. 4’ which sounds as natural as a mountain spring, doesn’t it?
When I see an ingredient with a serial number in the name, like this one, for some reason, it makes me think of that scene from RoboCop where one of the bad guys crashes into a big vat of toxic waste and transforms into a mutant that kind of looks like The Toxic Avenger.
I grew up on 80’s movies, so I realize I’m dating myself here since a lot you reading this might be a lot younger than I am. In any case, here’s the clip if you wanted to see it. It’s still as disturbing as ever, at least for me.
5. Dove Men+Care Clean Comfort Antiperspirant Deodorant
This product also has ‘fragrance (parfum)’ listed first on its ingredient label, so same problem as above. I feel like I’m beating a dead horse here. It’s also got aluminum zirconium in it, which, as we said earlier, is probably not that great to have sitting on your skin in a sensitive area like your armpit.
It’s got some other not-so-great ingredients in it, but the ones I just mentioned are probably the worst.
Point is, you can do a lot better than a 5 on the EWG hazard scale. Why trust your wellbeing as a man to something considered to be a ‘moderate hazard’ to the human body?
6. Degree Men Extreme Extra Fresh Deodorant
O.K. now we’re getting to the 4’s on the hazard scale. This particular Degree deodorant is a 4, which is a ‘moderate hazard’, but it’s better than some of the others I listed. Still not that great, though.
Main reason it’s a 4 is because it still has ‘fragrance (parfum)’ listed first on the ingredient list. And, as we mentioned earlier, this ingredient more than likely contains phthalates, which are basically the number one enemy of your testicles and T production.
7. Gillette Clear Gel Ocean Blast Antiperspirant/Deodorant
Same as above, a 4 on the hazard scale, but contains ‘fragrance’ and thus likely to contain phthalates, which is the main concern here. It’s also listed as ‘high’ for ‘Allergies and Immunotoxicity.’
The other thing is that with the gel deodorants, you usually end up with messy underarms from the gel not really absorbing in, which ends up staining your undershirts over time.
Best deodorants for men who care about their T levels (contains some Amazon Affiliate links)
Alright, so now we move on to the deodorants that I would recommend, that are fairly low on EWG’s hazard scale, and that will most likely not cause your T levels to crash after using them.
I personally own and have used every single one of these, except for my first pick, which I want to pick up soon.
If you don’t mind smelling like a hippy, try Purelygreat Cream Deodorant, Patchouli. It’s the only one on my list that’s EWG verified, meaning the product provides full transparency as to what’s in it with regard to any ‘fragrance’ used and does not contain any ingredients on EWG’s “Unacceptable List.”
This is the only deodorant on this list that I haven’t personally tried, but want to.
Everything on the ingredient list is a naturally-occurring substance, like citrus sinensis oil, citrus paradisi oil, coriandrum sativa oil, cupressus sempervirens oil, pelargonium graveolens oil, and pogostemon cablin oil, along with sodium bicarbonate, which is baking soda, and lastly, corn starch.
2. Thai Crystal Deodorant—World’s Best 100% Natural Deodorant
This one right here is my go-to deodorant for every day use. What I normally do is put on a layer of this stuff first, then add a second deodorant layer that has more of a fresh, natural scent to it.
Thai Crystal Deodorant markets itself as being the best; it says it right on the label. They’re the only company on this list that proudly asserts itself as the “World’s Best 100% Natural Deodorant,” that’s also “Aluminum Chlorohydrate free, Perfectly Hypoallergenic, Paraben and Propyl Free, Chemical and Oil Free, Unscented and Non-staining, Safe For All Genders And Ages, and Safe for All Body Regions.”
On the label, it explains why it works: “Potassium alum salt minerals remain on the surface of your skin to naturally prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria.” In fact, mineral salt (potassium alum) is the ONLY INGREDIENT!
I’ve been using this deodorant for a while and I can attest to the fact that it works like a charm. Somehow my underarms are not stinky at all, even after sweating up a storm. It’s amazing and it lasts forever. You have to try it.
3. Tom’s Long-Lasting Unscented Deodorant
Not all Tom’s deodorants are low hazard, believe it or not, but this one is. Because it’s ‘unscented’ it’s probably less toxic than some of the others. That’s my thinking.
The only “bad” things in it are propylene glycol and glyceryl laurate, but all things considered, it’s not that bad. Even these two ingredient are naturally derived.
I like this deodorant because it has a citrus-scent to it that smells clean and pleasing to the nose. Not too strong.
The only thing I would caution you on is using it on its own. It doesn’t stay on that well if it’s really hot out and you’re sweating a lot. It has the tendency to slide off onto your shirt and after that, all bets are off. That’s why I put this one on after I dab a layer of Thai Crystal Deodorant first.
4. Bulldog Cedarwood & Patchouli Deodorant
Bulldog Deodorant for men, Cedarwood & Patchouli is probably my favorite scent. It has a really clean, pleasing scent to it with some other notes in there because of the cedarwood and the patchouli (maybe it’s me who likes smelling like a hippy).
Same problem as above, though. If you use it by itself, it doesn’t necessarily have the staying power you want and could wear off toward the end of the day when you likely need it most.
But, if you put this one on after a layer of Thai Crystal Deodorant, you’ll be set for the whole day.
The only thing in it that’s not a 1 or 2 is grapefruit seed extract, but wouldn’t you rather you have something natural on your skin, like grapefruit seed extract, than some questionable chemical concoction? Yeah, me too.
5. Method Men Juniper + Sage Deodorant
Method Men Juniper + Sage deodorant is one of my favorites because it’s such a light, not so in-your-face scent. It’s a softer scent, but still masculine, if that makes sense.
It is listed as a 2 on the EWG hazard scale, but that’s because some of its ingredients are rated as ‘high’ as far as it containing allergens and things that can cause skin irritation. Things like ‘alpha-isomethyl ionone’ which is used for fragrance.
The European Union listed alpha-isomethyl ionone as a skin sensitizer that has the potential to cause a skin reaction, but it’s made from a naturally occurring organic compound found in Brewer’s yeast. Although it’s synthetic, there are much worse things you can put on your skin, depending on how allergic you are.
It’s also got limonene and other synthetic fragrance agents in it, but all of these are naturally derived as well. If the fact that it contains man-made fragrance agents doesn’t bother you, I’d say it’d be worth checking out some of the other Method Men deodorants too because many of them smell good and are also listed as low hazard.
6. Duke Cannon Natural Charcoal Deodorant, Bergamot & Black Pepper
I only use Duke Cannon Natural Charcoal Deodorant, Bergamot and Black Pepper, for special occasions when I want others to notice the fact that I’m wearing a formidable scent.
Normally, I go for a more subtle, low-key deodorant that mixes well with my own natural pheromones, but sometimes, I want to smell more fragrant than usual and that’s when I grab my Duke Cannon. This particular deodorant really is much stronger than the other deodorants on this list. As Ron Burgundy would say, “It stings that nostrils, in a good way.”
And it does contain ‘fragrance’ in the ingredient list, however, it’s the fourth ingredient from the top, which means their formulation is most likely less potent, and by the little asterisk next to the word ‘fragrance,’ it says, “blend of natural and synthetic oils.” It also says, ‘Naturally derived’ on the label, so there’s that.
It also says, “A portion of proceeds benefits U.S. veterans,” on the label as well, so if you want to support the troops, then go get some.
7. Every Man Jack Deodorant, Sandalwood
This deodorant smells good. Sandalwood is a nice, very natural scent, which is what I typically go for, but what I didn’t realize is that it’s rated a 4 on EWG’s hazard scale. This is despite the fact that the company’s mission statement, which appears on the label, specifically says, “We strive to use as many naturally derived and plant based ingredients as possible, while still delivering exceptional performance. No parabens. No phthalates. No dyes. No aluminum. And never tested on animals. For more information, visit everymanyjack.com“
Fragrance is listed on the ingredient list, but it’s the 6th ingredient down the list, and the label assures us that there are no phthalates in the formulation. There’s also grapeseed extract in it, which I guess can cause skin irritation, but I haven’t experienced it.
So, despite the rating of 4 on the hazard scale for this one, I still think this is a quality deodorant that both smells good, of course, not too powerful, and will not negatively impact your T levels.
Pro Tip: Instead of wearing cologne, do this . . .
Back in my day, we called it the Puerto Rican shower. Guys dousing themselves with overpowering, headache-inducing cologne before they go out to the club, or out on a date. Why? It’s the epitome of stupid and extremely counterproductive.
Colognes basically all contain parabens, phthalates, and other endocrine disruptors that are lowering your T, thus sapping you off your man powers.
Colognes and strong scents also make it harder for females to smell your natural-occurring pheromones. These are important chemical messengers that signify whether a particular female’s genes are compatible with your genes. How’s she gonna’ know if you smell like an attractive guy to her if you’re not giving her a chance to get a good whiff of you?
That’s why I never to this day wear cologne and have only ever worn light, subtle scents, like those contained in natural deodorants because they don’t overpower my natural pheromones. I made sure that these light scents have always worked with my natural pheromone scent, not against.
You’ll be amazed at how good you can smell when you’re on a solid weight lifting regimen, which naturally optimizes your T levels and gets you producing more pheromone, combined with taking a shower so that your’e clean and wearing a subtle deodorant that works well with your God-given natural pheromone scent.
You’ll smell more authentic and manly and I promise you that the woman in your life will appreciate it 😉
Recap: 7 deodorants you can trust won’t mess up your T levels (contains Amazon affiliate links)
Purely Great Cream Deodorant For Men, Patchouli
Thai Crystal Deodorant Stone, World’s Best 100% Natural Deodorant
Tom’s Unscented Long-Lasting Deodorant
Bulldog Deodorant For Men, Cedarwood And Patchouli
Method Men, Juniper and Sage Deodorant
Duke Cannon Natural Charcoal Deodorant, Bergamot and Black Pepper
Every Man Jack Deodorant, Sandalwood
The best deodorants for men aren’t the ones you see promoted in the media because, conversely, they actually want you to be a castrated pussy! It means less competition for them, you see. But, forget about those insufferable losers.
Treat yourself to some quality, testosterone-friendly deodorant that really works and then call in and leave a voicemail letting us know what your experience is. Call 917-267-8590.
Your training partner,
Read next: Best Underwear For Bodybuilders
Sources:
- Stoiber, Tasha. “What Are Parabens And Why Don’t They Belong In Cosmetics?” 4/9/2019. Environmental Working Group’s EWG.Org
- “Is Deodorant Harmful For Your Health?” 6/6/2019. PennMedicine.Org
- Feldscher, Karen. “Why Phthalates Should Be Restricted Or Banned From Consumer Products.” 3/10/2021. Harvard T.H. Chan School Of Public Health.
- Deering, Jo. “7 Ways To Mitigate Lead Exposure On The Range.” 4/27/2021. NRAWomen.com