Guide
Fragrance free deodorant
A fragrance free deodorant has no added scent. It suits people with sensitive skin, people who get headaches from strong smells, and anyone who’d rather wear their own perfume. And it still works, as long as it stops the bacteria that cause the smell. Then there’s nothing to cover up.
First, the basics
Fragrance free and unscented aren’t the same
They sound like the same thing, but neither has an official definition in the US.
The FDA points out that some products labeled “unscented” still contain fragrance. A maker can add just enough to cover the smell of other ingredients, so the product doesn’t smell of anything in particular.
It also says fragrance can be listed on a label as one word, “fragrance”, even when it’s a mix of many ingredients. So the front of the pack doesn’t tell you much. The ingredient list does.
Reading the label
What to look for on the ingredient list
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“Fragrance” or “parfum”
This one word can stand for a whole mix of scent ingredients.
How to tellYou see fragrance or parfum anywhere on the list.
What to doIf you want no added scent, skip it.
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Essential oils
Natural, but they’re still scent, and some skin reacts to them.
How to tellNames like lavender oil, tea tree oil or citrus peel oil.
What to doSkip these too if your skin is sensitive.
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Masking fragrance
Added only to hide the smell of other ingredients.
How to tellIt says “unscented” on the front and still lists fragrance.
What to doTrust the list, not the front of the pack.
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A long ingredient list
More ingredients means more chances for something to bother your skin.
How to tellTwenty or thirty names you don’t recognize.
What to doA short list is easier to check and easier on skin.
Who it’s for
Why people go fragrance free
Sensitive skin. The FDA notes that some fragrance ingredients can cause reactions for some people, and suggests fragrance free products if that worries you.
Smell sensitivity. Strong scents give some people headaches, and smells can bother you more than usual at times, for example during pregnancy.
Your own perfume. No clash between your deodorant and the perfume or cologne you actually chose.
Shared spaces. Offices, gyms and packed trains, where not everyone wants to smell your deodorant.
The worry
Will I smell without a scented deodorant?
Not if your deodorant stops the bacteria. Sweat barely smells on its own. Bacteria break it down and that’s where the smell comes from.
A scented deodorant often just puts perfume on top. When the perfume fades, the smell comes back. Stop the bacteria and there’s no smell to cover, so you don’t need the perfume. Fresh just means you don’t smell of anything.
How nuud works
No fragrance, nothing to cover
nuud has no fragrance and no essential oils. It stops the bacteria that make the smell, with tiny bits of silver, and zinc oxide works on the sweat so it doesn’t turn smelly. Nine ingredients in total, and no aluminum, baking soda or alcohol.
It was tested by Derma Consult, an independent German institute, on fifty people with sensitive skin. None of them had a reaction. One pea-size dab per armpit works for up to 72 hours.
Start clean and dry
Apply after a shower, on dry skin.
Take a pea-size dab
That’s enough for one armpit. More doesn’t work better.
Rub it in
Rub it in until you can’t see it.
Questions
Fragrance free questions
What’s the difference between fragrance free and unscented?
In the US neither term has an official definition. Some “unscented” products contain a little fragrance to hide the smell of other ingredients. Always check the ingredient list for “fragrance” or “parfum”.
Does fragrance free deodorant work?
Yes, if it stops the bacteria that cause the smell. The scent in a deodorant usually just covers the smell. It doesn’t stop it.
Is fragrance free deodorant better for sensitive skin?
It removes one of the common reasons skin reacts. The FDA suggests fragrance free products for people worried about sensitivities. Check for essential oils too.
Are essential oils fragrance?
They’re natural, but they’re scent. If you want no added scent, or your skin is sensitive, skip those as well.
Can I wear perfume with a fragrance free deodorant?
Yes, that’s one of the best reasons to use one. Your perfume smells like your perfume, with no clash.
Is fragrance free deodorant for men and women?
Yes. Without a scent there’s nothing that makes it “for men” or “for women”. It works the same for everyone.