Most people wear deodorant every day without giving it much thought. Although they reduce body odor, deodorants have a few disadvantages, such as ineffectiveness, side effects and messiness. If you find any of these qualities discomforting, you can shop around to find a better brand, go au natural or consider using a natural deodorant, which generally won’t have the same problems.

A deodorant that is not also an antiperspirant will control body odor but do nothing for underarm wetness. To reduce perspiration, look for a product that advertises both qualities.

Anyone who has used a deodorant has experienced the tell-tale white marks left on their clothing. Using a clear gel or spray deodorant will eliminate this issue. Another problem with deodorants is the yellowish stain left in the armpit of the shirt. The chemicals in the product react with the salt in your body sweat to produce the stains. You can minimize these stains by waiting until the deodorant is completely dry on your skin before putting on your shirt. If that doesn’t work, switch to a natural deodorant.

Less popular than stick deodorants, aerosol deodorants have their own disadvantages. If you don’t aim accurately, the spray from the can may get on your clothes or in your mouth or eyes. Although aerosol sprays don’t contain ozone-depleting chlorofluoro carbons anymore, they still contain such irritating chemicals as butane and isobutene.

Certain ingredients in most deodorants, such as ethanol (an alcohol) may cause the skin to become dry, tight and itchy and to have reduced elasticity. Sometimes deodorants may cause the skin to sting, especially after shaving.

Most personal care products, including deodorant, contain potentially harmful compounds, such as aluminum, parabens and propelyn glycol. According to the National Cancer Institute, scientists believe that these chemicals can cause estrogen-like behavior in the body and that an excess of this hormone may encourage the development of breast cancer.