Abrahim Tassi
Deodorant: Friend or Foe to the Skin
Mother Teresa Catholic Secondary School
Deodorants are part of everyday hygiene, but few consider how their ingredients may affect skin health. Using various lab-based methods, this study tested seven deodorant types—spray, solid, roll-on, gel, cream, natural, and aluminum-free. The deodorant was applied to skin cells and bacteria and then analyzed using bacterial growth, wound healing, cell migration, DNA degradation, and cell death tests. These experiments helped show how each product influenced both odour-causing bacteria and the health of living skin cells. Aluminum-based deodorants were the most effective at reducing bacteria but caused the most damage to skin cells. Natural and aluminum-free products were the safest for cells but provided weaker odour control. Spray and roll-on deodorants offered the best balance between effectiveness and safety. These results highlight the need for safer, science-backed products that don’t sacrifice skin health, especially for people with sensitive skin or high sweat levels.