Can you buy a “probiotic deodorant”?
No. Why?
Probiotic implies that the product delivers “good” bacteria to dissuade other bacteria from multiplying.
The FDA does not allow the sale of topical products containing bacteria. When you see an advertisement about “probiotic products” for the skin, they lie to you. For example: when a company tells you that they are adding Bacillus coagulans to their deodorant, they are either lying or breaking the law. This bacteria is used in probiotics taken orally to help after taking antibiotics leads to diarrhea.
Let’s see some examples and how they actually work (when they work).
Product A
Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Corn Starch, Baking Soda, Candelilla Wax, Jojoba Oil, Shelf Stable Probiotics (you guess what on earth they are adding, this is not a valid INCI name).
How does it work? Elevating the skin’s pH, this product will discourage bacteria from growing. Unfortunately, it will promote the growth of fungi, and you may end up with a fungal infection. The alkalinization of the skin may also promote inflammation.
Product B
Water, Mandelic Acid, Maranta Arundinacea Root Powder, Tapioca Starch, Isoamyl Laurate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caffeine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Behenyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Naturally Derived Fragrance*, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Tocopherol, Allantoin, Panthenol, Stearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Glucoside, Pentylene Glycol, Phenylpropanol, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate.
How does it work? Elevating the skin’s pH, this product will discourage bacteria from growing. Unfortunately, it will also promote the growth of fungi, and you may end up with a fungal infection. The alkalinization of the skin may also promote inflammation.
Product C
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Ozokerite, Stearyl Alcohol, Isododecane, Isopentyldiol, Maranta Arundinacea Root Powder, Lauryl Laurate, Mandelic Acid, Sorbitan Oleate, Naturally Derived Fragrance*, Silica, Panthenol, Caffeine, Ethylhexylglycerin.
How does it work? If it does, it will be because all the starch absorbs humidity and slows down bacterial growth. You can try using baby powder.
In short: these companies are lying to you. There is nothing wrong with a standard antiperspirant that doesn’t irritate your skin. I wear one without fragrance