Schmidt Old Tyme Natural Deodorant Cedarwood + Juniper
Lower concern; natural deodorant with no water-repellency or stain-resistance triggers.
This solid stick combines mineral and plant waxes with no disclosed waterproofing, stain resistance, or nonstick coatings requiring PFAS. The brand doesn't claim PFAS-free status but the material composition presents lower PFAS risk than water-resistant cosmetics.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
mineral, plant-based wax, essential oils (no reported waterproof/grease-resistant coating)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Schmidt Old Tyme Natural Deodorant Juniper is made of, ingredients and materials
Schmidt's Old Tyme uses mineral salts (likely potassium alum or similar), plant-derived waxes, and essential oils (cedarwood, juniper) as the active and binding matrix. This formulation avoids synthetic polymers, silicones, and talc that carry contamination or inhalation risks. The mineral-salt base is non-toxic and has been used in deodorants for decades; essential oils provide fragrance without synthetic fragrance chemicals that may contain undisclosed allergens or 1,4-dioxane precursors. No waterproofing coatings or grease-resistant additives are present, eliminating the primary PFAS triggers in personal care.
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 (cedarwood and juniper essential oils)
Essential oils are natural but can trigger contact dermatitis or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Cedarwood and juniper are common allergens; patch testing is recommended for those with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivities.
Mineral salt (alum) skin irritation
Potassium alum is generally recognized as safe but can cause mild irritation, stinging, or dryness in some users, especially if applied to freshly shaved or broken skin. Not a systemic toxin, but localized irritation is the main reported complaint in user reviews.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Talc contamination
This product does not list talc in its formulation and uses wax and minerals instead. No talc-related risks are identified for this specific product.
Heavy metals
Mineral salts and plant waxes do not typically carry heavy-metal contaminants at levels of concern in topical deodorants. No testing failures or recalls related to lead, cadmium, or arsenic are on record for Schmidt's products.
Source, FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
The simple mineral and essential-oil base does not require aggressive synthetic preservatives like imidazolidinyl urea or DMDM hydantoin. Natural products may use plant extracts or minimal synthetic preservatives, but no formaldehyde-releasing agents are listed or suspected in this formulation.
Source, ATSDR ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Schmidt's markets itself as a clean, natural brand and holds Natural Products Association and Leaping Bunny certifications, indicating third-party review for ingredient safety and cruelty-free standards. The company publishes ingredient lists transparently on packaging and website. No recalls, formal safety complaints, or third-party testing failures are on public record for this product line. Brand does not volunteer PFAS testing data, which is typical for natural deodorants without water-repellent claims, but absence of such claims makes accidental PFAS contamination unlikely.
How it compares in its category
Natural mineral and plant-wax deodorants like Schmidt's carry lower chemical risk profiles than antiperspirants (which contain aluminum chlorohydrate) or spray/aerosol formulas (inhalation hazard). Compared to conventional stick deodorants with synthetic fragrances, dimethicone, or talc, this product avoids those additives. The trade-off is effectiveness in humid climates or high-sweat activity; consumers seeking clinical-strength function should expect limitations inherent to the category, not a safety issue.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat to prevent wax separation or mineral salt clumping. The product should not be applied to broken or irritated skin; if redness or itching occurs after a few days, rinse off and discontinue (possible sensitivity to cedarwood or juniper oil in some individuals). Replace when product visibly degrades, crumbles, or stops adhering to the stick (typically 6-12 months depending on frequency). No special maintenance required; this is a low-maintenance category with straightforward use.
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
- Schmidt's has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Schmidt Old Tyme Natural Deodorant Cedarwood + Juniper?
- 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.