Ban Powder Fresh Clear Gel Antiperspirant Deodorant
Low-medium risk. Typical cosmetic gel without known PFAS triggers.
Ban's gel antiperspirant uses standard cosmetic thickeners with no waterproofing or nonstick ingredients typical of PFAS formulas. Brand discloses nothing about PFAS despite minimal product risk.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
gel, starch/polymer thickener base, fragrance
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Ban Powder Fresh Clear Gel Deodorant is made of, ingredients and materials
Ban Powder Fresh Clear Gel is a gel-based antiperspirant deodorant, typically formulated with aluminum compounds (active antiperspirant), starch or polymer thickeners for texture, and fragrance blends. Clear gel formulations avoid talc and colored pigments, which reduces certain contamination risks. The starch or cellulose-derived thickener base is inert and not a known leaching or off-gassing hazard in leave-on cosmetics applied to skin.
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.
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Gel formula includes fragrance blend ('Powder Fresh' scent); specific allergens not disclosed. Contact dermatitis risk is low-to-moderate for sensitive skin users, typical of scented deodorants.
1,4-dioxane (cosmetic contaminant)
If surfactants or emulsifiers are ethoxylated (e.g., sodium lauryl sulfate ethoxylate), trace 1,4-dioxane may be present as a manufacturing byproduct. Ban does not publish contaminant testing; risk is typical for mid-market cosmetics, not product-specific.
Skin irritation from aluminum antiperspirant
Aluminum compounds are the active antiperspirant agent and can cause irritation, rash, or hypersensitivity in a subset of users. This is inherent to the product class, not a manufacturing defect, and reversible upon discontinuation.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No public record of DMDM hydantoin or other formaldehyde-releasing preservatives in Ban Powder Fresh Clear Gel. Standard cosmetic preservatives are likely (methylisothiazolinone, sodium benzoate), which do not generate formaldehyde.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
Clear gel format avoids talc and colored pigments, eliminating two common routes for lead or cadmium ingress. No recalls or test reports document metal contamination in this product.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Ban (Henkel subsidiary) does not prominently disclose detailed ingredient sourcing or independent safety certifications on their website. The brand has not faced major recalls or public safety controversies related to this product line. No formal PFAS statement exists from Ban, though their silence on the issue is typical for mid-market deodorant brands; absence of transparency does not indicate presence of PFAS.
How it compares in its category
Ban Powder Fresh Clear Gel sits in the mid-market antiperspirant category. Compared to roll-on or spray formats, gel reduces inhalation risk (no aerosol propellant) and avoids talc concerns. It is less premium than brands with published safety certifications but more transparent than store-brand alternatives in many retailers. Functionally typical for antiperspirant performance without unusual additive flags.
If you buy it
Apply as directed to clean, dry underarm skin; avoid application to broken or irritated skin. Replace if separated, discolored, or after 3 years of storage, as polymer thickeners can degrade. Do not ingest; keep away from eyes and children. If skin irritation or rash develops, discontinue and rinse thoroughly with water.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Ban has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Ban Powder Fresh Clear Gel Antiperspirant 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.