Arm Hammer Ultramax Active Sport Deodorant
Lower concern as deodorants rarely contain PFAS, but Arm & Hammer makes no public disclosure.
The aluminum stick combines baking soda, talc, and mineral powders without waterproofing treatments typical of high-risk products. The brand makes no PFAS-free claims or verification.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Aluminum compound (stick deodorant), baking soda, talc/mineral powders, waxes
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Arm Hammer Ultramax Active Sport Deodorant is made of, ingredients and materials
Arm & Hammer Ultramax Active Sport is an aluminum-based antiperspirant stick containing aluminum zirconium compounds (the active antiperspirant agent), baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), talc or mineral powders as absorbents, and waxes for texture and spreadability. The aluminum compound concentration in stick deodorants is typically 15-25% by weight, which is within standard consumer antiperspirant formulations. Talc and mineral powders serve as dry carriers; the formula is designed for moisture absorption during athletic activity. No formaldehyde releasers, fragrance allergen lists, or heavy metal contamination have been documented in public records for this product line.
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.
Aluminum absorption and systemic exposure
Topical aluminum in antiperspirants does not penetrate intact skin significantly, and serum aluminum levels in regular users remain within normal range in most population studies. However, theoretical dermal absorption may increase if applied to compromised skin, and individual sensitivity varies; no quantified risk for this specific product brand exists in published literature.
Heavy metals
Arm & Hammer does not publicly disclose talc sourcing, processing standards, or third-party heavy metal/asbestos screening for this deodorant. FDA does not mandate pre-market testing of talc in cosmetics; contamination risk depends on mining and refining practices. No recalls or documented contamination events are on record for this brand's deodorant talc.
Source, FDA ↗Fragrance sensitization and contact dermatitis
The 'Active Sport' variant contains fragrance compounds not itemized on the label; fragrance is a known contact allergen affecting 1-3% of users. This product does not declare specific fragrance constituents, making it unsuitable for fragrance-sensitive individuals; sensitivity risk is product-specific but not brand-specific.
Baking soda irritation in sensitive skin
Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) is a key ingredient marketed as 'natural,' but it is alkaline (pH 8.3) and can disrupt skin acid mantle, causing irritation or redness in sensitive or frequently shaved underarm areas. This is a formulation-level issue, not a contamination risk, and tolerance varies widely among users.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Underarm staining or skin discoloration over time
Aluminum antiperspirant sticks sometimes cause yellow or white fabric staining or temporary skin whitening; this is a cosmetic effect, not a systemic hazard. No permanent pigmentation or heavy metal staining has been reported for this product.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Arm & Hammer (Church & Dwight Co.) does not publish detailed ingredient safety data sheets or third-party certifications for this deodorant on their website. The brand has no documented safety recalls or regulatory enforcement actions specific to this product in FDA or consumer databases. Arm & Hammer markets baking soda as a natural ingredient across their product lines, but makes no public disclosure of aluminum sourcing, talc testing, or heavy metal screening. The brand does not claim hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested, or cruelty-free certifications for this particular formula.
How it compares in its category
Aluminum antiperspirant sticks are the most common deodorant format sold in North America; this product occupies the mainstream safety profile of that category. Compared to aluminum-free or mineral-only deodorants (which lack antiperspirant effect), Arm & Hammer includes active aluminum zirconium, placing it in the same risk class as Dove, Secret, and Gillette stick deodorants. Compared to spray or roll-on formats, stick deodorants carry lower inhalation risk and more stable active compound delivery. No peer-reviewed studies have established safety differences between this brand and equivalent mainstream stick antiperspirants.
If you buy it
Apply to clean, dry skin to maximize adherence and minimize irritation; avoid application immediately after shaving or to broken skin. Replace the stick every 3-6 months depending on frequency of use, or when the exposed product becomes uneven or crumbly. Discontinue use if rash, itching, or burning develops, particularly in skin fold areas; sensitivity is typically to fragrance, baking soda, or mineral talc rather than aluminum. Store in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight to prevent melting or separation of wax components.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% 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.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Arm Hammer Ultramax Active Sport Deodorant?
- mineral-based powder blend (arrowroot, magnesium hydroxide, mica)
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Skin irritation from magnesium hydroxide alkalinity
- 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, all on its full breakdown.
- 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, all on its full breakdown.
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.