Arm & Hammer Essentials Natural Deodorant Unscented
Lower concern deodorant with mineral-based powder not linked to PFAS.
This deodorant is formulated with sodium bicarbonate and starch. The material as recorded is not linked to PFAS. Arm & Hammer has no PFAS statement on record for this product.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
mineral-based powder, sodium bicarbonate, starch
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What Arm & Hammer Essentials Natural Deodorant is made of, ingredients and materials
Arm & Hammer Essentials Unscented is built on sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) as its primary active ingredient, combined with plant-based starches for texture and moisture absorption. This mineral-powder approach avoids synthetic antimicrobials, aluminum compounds, and synthetic fragrance altogether, which reduces the chemical exposure profile compared to conventional antiperspirants. The unscented variant eliminates fragrance allergens and synthetic fragrance chemicals entirely, further simplifying the formula.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Skin irritation from high pH (sodium bicarbonate)
Baking soda has a pH around 8-8.5, significantly higher than skin pH (4.5-5.5). Some users, especially those with sensitive or damaged skin, report itching, redness, or mild burning during initial use; this is not a contamination hazard but a formulation-inherent risk.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Fragrance allergens
This unscented version contains no added fragrance, eliminating one of the most common allergen categories in deodorants. The base formula does not list essential oils or botanical extracts that would introduce fragrance chemicals.
Heavy metals
Sodium bicarbonate is refined from natural mineral sources; no recalls or regulatory findings have been issued for heavy metal contamination in Arm & Hammer deodorant products. Commercial baking soda undergoes purification that removes most mineral contaminants.
Source, FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
The ingredient list does not include common formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea) or aldehydes. Sodium bicarbonate itself acts as a mild antimicrobial, reducing the need for synthetic preservatives.
Source, ATSDR ↗Talc contamination
This formula uses plant-based starches (typically corn or arrowroot), not talc, so asbestos contamination risk is absent. The product packaging does not list talc as an ingredient.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Arm & Hammer has not sought third-party certifications (like EWG Verified or Natural Products Association) for this line, nor has the company made public PFAS-related commitments. However, the brand maintains a long history in sodium bicarbonate products and has no established recall history for this deodorant. Ingredient transparency is adequate; the company lists the formula plainly on packaging, though detailed safety documentation beyond ingredient lists is not routinely published.
How it compares in its category
This product sits in the 'natural mineral deodorant' subcategory, competing directly with brands like Primal Pit Paste and Schmidts, which use similar sodium bicarbonate bases. Unlike conventional brands, it avoids aluminum zirconium compounds and synthetic fragrance, reducing two major hazard categories. The trade-off is performance, sodium bicarbonate alone has lower odor-control duration than antiperspirants, so users seeking all-day coverage may need reapplication or a different product type.
If you buy it
Apply to clean, dry underarms; moisture can reduce deodorant efficacy and increase skin irritation risk in sensitive individuals. Check skin daily for irritation, especially during the first week; sodium bicarbonate has a higher pH than skin and can cause reactions in some users. Replace the stick every 2-3 months or when visibly depleted. Store in a cool, dry place to prevent moisture intrusion and microbial growth in the container.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 82% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Arm & Hammer has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Deodorant
Primally Pure
Baking Soda Free Deodorant
- mineral-based powder blend (arrowroot, magnesium hydroxide, mica)
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Skin irritation from magnesium hydroxide alkalinity
Each & Every
The Mini Edit
- cosmetic formulations, primary ingredients listed
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- Fragrance allergens (natural essential oils)
2 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Primally Pure
UNSCENTED SENSITIVE DEODORANT Primally Pure Skincare
- natural mineral powders, plant-based actives, beeswax
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Beeswax purity and contamination
2 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
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.