In Part 1 we pulled apart the biggest offenders: aluminium, aerosol propellants, synthetic silicones and the fragrance blend hiding an unknown cocktail of chemicals.
But scroll a little further down and there's still more worth understanding. Here's what else is inside so many mainstream spray deodorant cans.
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) — the preservative
It's one of those ingredients that gets a pass because it's been around so long, not because it's been proven safe. This synthetic antioxidant has been flagged as a possible endocrine disruptor, meaning it may interfere with the body's hormone system in ways we're still working to understand. Some animal studies have linked prolonged exposure to liver and thyroid effects. It also doesn't stay in your bathroom, BHT bioaccumulates in the environment, building up in waterways and wildlife.
PPG-14 Butyl Ether — the carrier
PPG-14 Butyl Ether functions as a penetration enhancer — its job is to help other ingredients absorb more deeply into the skin, past the body's natural protective barrier. In isolation, it's considered low risk. But in a mainstream formula sitting alongside aluminium salts, an undisclosed fragrance blend and BHT, the question of what else it's helping through your skin barrier becomes a reasonable one to ask.
Sodium Benzoate — the preservative
Sodium Benzoate is widely used and, in isolation, considered safe. What's worth understanding is how it behaves in combination with other ingredients. Under certain conditions, in the presence of vitamin C, it can react to form benzene — a compound the World Health Organisation classifies as a known human carcinogen. It's not a reason to panic, but it is a reason to be informed about what you're applying to your skin every day.
Disteardimonium Hectorite — the stabiliser
Disteardimonium Hectorite is a quaternary ammonium compound used to keep the formula from separating. This class of chemicals has been associated with skin sensitisation and allergic reactions with repeated exposure — something worth considering given it's applied daily to one of the more sensitive areas of the body.
Gelatin Crosspolymer — worth noting
Derived from animal collagen, gelatin serves no meaningful skin benefit here — it's purely a texture agent. For anyone avoiding animal-derived ingredients, it's worth knowing it's in there. Most mainstream spray deodorants aren't vegan, and this is one of the reasons why.
Also commonly found across popular mainstream brands
While we've used one product as our reference point, these ingredients appear widely across the category — in products sold in every supermarket and pharmacy across Australia:
- Triclosan — an antimicrobial agent banned in the US and several other countries over concerns about antibiotic resistance and hormone disruption
- Propylene Glycol — a penetration enhancer that can irritate sensitive or broken skin
- Parabens (methylparaben, propylparaben) — preservatives with oestrogen-mimicking properties, still found in many formulas despite growing consumer pressure
- Talc — used as a dry-feel agent; associated with respiratory irritation in aerosol form and flagged over contamination concerns in some sources
Time to put SOMIC Shield under the same microscope — Part 2
We've worked through another layer of what's inside a mainstream spray deodorant. Where mainstream formulas lean on synthetic preservatives and stabilisers to hold things together, here's what SOMIC Shield uses instead — because if we're asking you to read the label, ours should be the first one held up to the light.
Organic Saccharomyces Ferment — working with your skin, not against it
Conventional antiperspirants take a fairly blunt approach to bacteria — block everything, stop everything. Saccharomyces ferment works differently. This probiotic-derived ingredient supports your skin's natural microbiome, selectively targeting the bacteria that produce odour without disrupting the broader ecosystem your skin depends on. It's a smarter approach to odour control, one that treats your skin as something to be supported rather than suppressed.
Cocoa Seed Butter (Theobroma Cacao) — the skin barrier protector
Rich in fatty acids and antioxidants, cocoa seed butter works to support the skin's natural barrier function. Where dimethiconol sits on the surface and traps bacteria against the skin, cocoa butter leaves it softer, healthier and better protected with every use.
Carnauba Wax (Copernicia Prunifera) & Synthetic Beeswax — structure without compromise
Every deodorant needs something to hold the formula together. Where mainstream products rely on silicones and synthetic stabilisers, SOMIC Shield uses carnauba wax — derived from the leaves of a Brazilian palm tree — alongside synthetic beeswax, which delivers the same structural function as traditional beeswax without any animal-derived ingredients. Effective, plant-based, and entirely vegan.
Glycerin & Tocopherol Acetate — the quiet supporters
Glycerin is a naturally derived humectant that draws moisture to the skin and helps keep it balanced throughout the day — quietly doing its job while mainstream deodorants are busy blocking sweat ducts. Tocopherol Acetate, a stable form of vitamin E, works alongside it as an antioxidant, protecting the skin from oxidative damage and supporting its natural ability to heal and reduce inflammation. Two straightforward ingredients with well-understood benefits and nothing to hide.
Cetearyl Alcohol & Stearyl Alcohol — not what you think
The word "alcohol" on a label tends to raise eyebrows — but these are fatty alcohols, derived from plant sources, and they behave nothing like the drying alcohols found in conventional products. They function as emollients and emulsifiers, giving the formula its smooth texture while conditioning and softening the skin in the process. A good reminder that reading the label is only half the picture, understanding what you're reading is the other half.
What's not in it — and why that matters just as much
A formula is defined as much by what it leaves out as what it puts in. No aluminium. No aerosol propellants. No synthetic silicones. No BHT. No hidden fragrance blend. No talc. No phthalates. No parabens. No sodium bicarbonate — making it gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin.
The bottom line
Every morning, without thinking, millions of people apply a product to some of their body's most sensitive and absorbent skin — and most never stop to look at what's in it. Now you have. Your deodorant is one of the most consistently applied products in your daily routine. It deserves the same scrutiny as anything else you put on your body. The label should have nothing to hide...and now you know exactly what that looks like.
