Baking soda

Carrageenan

Chamomile (German)

Fluoride

Ginger

Glycerin

Glycyrrhizin

Glyceryl laurate

Hectorite clay

Hops

Lemongrass

Lichen

Natural flavors

Poloxamer 335 and 407

Potassium nitrate

Propolis

Propylene glycol

Sage

Silica, hydrated

Silica shells

Sodium lauryl sulfate

Sorbitol

Sucrose cocoate 

Xanthan gum

Xylitol

Zinc citrate

Zinc ricinoleate

Further ingredient research:

Search the databases of the American Botanical Council for the latest research on herbal ingredients.

Ingredient Fact Sheet: Glyceryl Laurate

What is it?

Glyceryl laurate is a surfactant (a material which allows water to spread easily over a surface) derived from vegetable oils such as corn, canola, and soybean. These vegetable oils are triglycerides, which means that they are made up of glycerin and three fatty acids; during soap-making, you pull the three fatty acids off. If you don't pull them all the way, it is called incomplete saponification, the result of which is a monoglyceride or diglyceride. Purify that and you get glyceryl laurate, a nonionic (uncharged) and very gentle substance.

What does it do?

It inhibits the growth of skin bacteria responsible for odor production. The mechanism of how it works hasn't clearly been shown yet, but it is thought that the glyceryl laurate dissolves the outer membranes of the skin bacteria.

What are the alternatives?

Synthetic agents like triclosan are alternatives. Other natural materials also work as antimicrobial agents, such as sage, lemongrass, calendula, and coriander oil, and we already use those as part of an integrated strategy to fight odor. Employing multiple actives allows us to use lower doses of any given active, for the broadest level of efficacy.

What are the risks?

Because glyceryl laurate is a detergent, at very high doses it can cause skin irritation, but our deodorants don’t contain enough to cause such a reaction.

Tom's of Maine recognizes that no two people are alike, and even with pure and natural ingredients, some individuals may develop an allergic reaction that is unique to them. As with any product, be sure to discontinue use if you experience discomfort or other indications that the product may not be appropriate for your individual body chemistry.