Why we don't use synthetic fragrance in our deodorant

Short answer: we leave synthetic fragrance out because our deodorant is designed to reduce odor rather than cover it, and because "fragrance" is a single label word that can stand for a long list of undisclosed components. Four ingredients, none of them a perfume.

How the word "fragrance" works

On a U.S. cosmetic label, a fragrance blend can be declared as one term. That's legal and normal — it protects formulation recipes. It also means a shopper who reacts to something in that blend has no way to identify what. For a product going on thin, shaved skin every morning, we'd rather remove the variable.

Masking vs. neutralizing

Conventional products often use fragrance to cover odor. Our approach is the other end: magnesium hydroxide addresses odor at the skin surface, and organic arrowroot absorbs the surface moisture bacteria feed on. When that's working, there's nothing to mask.

So what does it smell like?

Almost nothing. Properly rendered grass-fed tallow has a very faint, clean scent that fades within a minute of application, and the coconut oil adds a whisper that most people don't notice. If you've been using a heavily scented stick, the absence is the first thing you'll notice — and for people who've had enough of walking around inside a cloud of "Sport Fresh," that's the selling point.

What about essential oils?

They're a natural alternative, and plenty of good brands use them. We don't. Essential oils are among the more common sources of contact irritation in natural deodorant, and a fragrance-free formula is simply usable by more people. That's a formulation preference, not a claim about safety.

Keep reading

For irritation triggers generally, see why some natural deodorants irritate skin. For the whole formula, visit our ingredients page or the tallow deodorant page.