Frequently Asked Questions

Top Questions

Ingredients

Toothpaste

Deodorant

Top Questions

  • What’s the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant?

     

    The difference between deodorant vs. antiperspirant is how they are designed differently to protect against body odor. Antiperspirants contain an aluminum salt as an active ingredient, and are designed to reduce sweat. Deodorants may not contain an aluminum salt (although some do). Instead, they protect against body odor with ingredients that may reduce bacteria growth or provide fragrance to mask odor. Our Complete Protection deodorant is our first natural deodorant with wetness protection. All Tom’s of Maine Complete Protection deodorants are also aluminum free.

     

  • Is Tom’s of Maine tested on animals?

     

    No. Tom’s of Maine products, ingredients and formulas are not tested on animals.

     

  • Are Tom’s of Maine products gluten free?

     

    Yes! All Tom’s of Maine natural deodorant, natural toothpaste and other natural products are gluten free. We believe the ingredients we don’t use are as important as the ones we include. The Tom’s of Maine ingredient philosophy explains more about our choices and our commitment to customers.

     

  • Are Tom’s of Maine products vegan?

     

    A majority of Tom’s of Maine products are vegan. A few, including our Propolis and Myrrh Toothpastes, antiplaque floss, Peppermint Fluoride-Free Botanically Bright Toothpaste and natural-strength deodorants, contain beehive ingredients such as propolis and beeswax. If you want to avoid animal ingredients of any kind, check the ingredient listing on the package or our website.

     

  • Where can I buy Tom’s of Maine products?

     

    Tom’s of Maine products are sold online and in stores across the United States, including at Amazon, Costco, Target, Walmart, and Whole Foods. Use our product locator to find your favorite Tom’s of Maine product at a store near you, or shop directly on our website.

     

  • Why should I choose Tom’s of Maine?

     

    Tom’s of Maine began with two parents’ mission for their family to live a more natural lifestyle — a mission that still drives us today. We develop natural personal care products that meet your family’s needs and values, including natural toothpaste and natural mouthwash, natural deodorant , and natural soaps. All of these products are made with naturally-sourced and naturally-derived ingredients, and are free from artificial flavors, fragrances, dyes and preservatives. Tom’s of Maine products adhere to strict standards for product performance, safety, and ingredient transparency, and are backed by a satisfaction guarantee. We’re also a Certified B Corp and share our time and profits to serve our communities.

     

  • What is your donation policy?

     

    We believe our business should have a positive impact, and we’re committed to donating a portion of our time, money and products to support healthy communities. Learn more about our Giving for Goodness philosophy.

     

Ingredients

  • Are Tom’s of Maine ingredients organic?

     

    Like you, we make careful, intentional choices about ingredients. Tom’s of Maine products contain naturally-sourced and naturally-derived ingredients as outlined in our formula and packaging Stewardship Model. While we occasionally use organic ingredients, currently, we have no certified organic Tom’s of Maine products.

     

  • Are Tom’s of Maine fragrances natural?

     

    We believe in using safe, hardworking ingredients in Tom’s of Maine products. We formulate our fragrances with naturally-derived ingredients, including plant essential oils, essential oil blends, blends with naturally-derived plant isolates, and naturally-derived fragrance materials. We do not use synthetic aromatic compounds or artificial carrier ingredients.

     

  • How do you select the ingredients used in Tom’s of Maine products?

     

    We work diligently to find and combine the best naturally-sourced and naturally-derived ingredients, guided by a process we call our Stewardship Model. Each ingredient we use goes through a review process that aligns to our standards for creating natural, safe, and effective products.

     

  • What is sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and is it safe?

     

    Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is the sodium salt of lauryl sulfate. SLS is used as a surfactant, foaming agent or emulsifier, helping oil-based and water-based ingredients to stay mixed. In the Tom’s of Maine natural toothpaste that contains SLS, it is derived from vegetable sources and helps properly disperse ingredients during brushing and ensures easy rinsing and removal of debris (i.e., food particles).

    Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is frequently confused with sodium laureth sulfate (SLES). Despite common myths about SLS, it has a long history of safe and effective use. Tom’s of Maine offers both SLS and SLS-free toothpaste.

     

  • What is carrageenan and is it safe?

     

    Carrageenan is a soluble fiber derived from an edible species of red seaweed. We use carrageenan to thicken our natural toothpaste. Food-grade or undegraded carrageenan has no known carcinogenicity or toxicity and is deemed Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the US Food and Drug Administration as it is used in our products.

     

  • What is xylitol and is it safe?

     

    Xylitol is a naturally occurring substance that can be found in plants, fruits, and vegetables and is even produced in the human body by normal metabolism. Xylitol in Tom’s of Maine natural toothpaste and natural mouthwash adds a pleasing, slightly sweet flavor and a refreshing, cooling sensation. Because xylitol is unfermentable by oral plaque bacteria, it does not promote tooth decay. Xylitol has a long history of use in food and personal care. However, Xylitol is toxic to dogs, and pet owners should be careful to protect their pets from accidental ingestion of any products containing Xylitol.

     

  • What are your natural flavors made up of?

     

    You care about the ingredients in your products, and we want you to be able to make the best choices for yourself and your family. The Tom’s of Maine philosophy is to be transparent in the ingredients we use. Our natural flavors and fragrances are typically a combination of extracts, oils and other naturally sourced or derived materials. We now provide the ingredients of these flavors and fragrances to the 100 parts per million (ppm) level in our products.

     

Toothpaste

Deodorant / Antiperspirant

  • Are natural deodorants really better for you?

     

    Choosing natural deodorant vs. traditional deodorant is mostly a matter of preference. You may wonder if natural deodorant actually works as well as a conventional deodorant. Both varieties work to neutralize body odor and discourage bacteria from lingering on the body. Tom’s of Maine natural deodorants are made from naturally sourced and naturally derived ingredients and are free from artificial fragrances, preservatives, dyes, parabens and phthalates.

     

  • How do you transition to a natural deodorant?

     

    A “deodorant detox” isn’t necessary before starting a natural deodorant, but you may notice changes when switching from an antiperspirant to a deodorant. Because antiperspirants block the body from sweating, increased sweat and odor may occur at first. Patience and consistency are key during a natural deodorant transition! Bathe as often as needed, and check out our tips for switching to natural deodorant to make the transition as smooth as possible.

     

  • Will Tom’s of Maine deodorant keep me dry?

     

    Our aluminum-free deodorant is made to provide protection against body odor, but not provide wetness protection. We offer a range of products, including antiperspirant. Tom’s of Maine Complete Protection Deodorant is designed to deliver wetness and odor protection. It does not contain aluminum.

     

  • Does natural deodorant work?

     

    If you’re looking to smell fresh without using products that contain artificial fragrances and preservatives, Tom’s of Maine natural deodorants are a great choice. They work to control odor using safe and effective naturally-derived ingredients. For more information, check out these tips on how natural deodorant works.

     

  • Will natural deodorant give me a rash?

     

    As with any topical product, skin rashes may occur for various reasons when using natural deodorant, including excess moisture and friction in the underarm area. If you experience a reaction using a Tom’s of Maine product, discontinue use immediately and call 1-800-FOR-TOMS to allow us to discuss your experience and help find a solution.

     

  • Is Tom’s deodorant safe for children?

     

    Tom’s of Maine deodorants are safe when used as directed. For kids and pre-teens using deodorant for the first time, check out our fun, kid-friendly deodorant, Wicked Cool, designed to provide 24-hour odor protection.

     

  • At what age should a child start using deodorant?

     

    If you’re a parent, you know every child is different! That goes for knowing when kids should start wearing deodorant, too. Some kids may need odor protection sooner than others because of their lifestyle, diet, body chemistry and other factors. Tom’s of Maine makes safe deodorant for kids in various formulas and scents; best of all, they’re natural! Explore our range of products to find the best children’s deodorant for your child’s needs.

     

  • Does natural deodorant clog pores?

     

    Tom’s of Maine aluminum-free deodorant does not contain aluminum and does not clog pores. Check out this article if you’re interested in learning more about how our natural deodorant works.

     

  • How long does natural deodorant last?

     

    Tom’s of Maine natural deodorant formulas provide up to 24- to 48-hour odor protection. Check the label of your product for exact details. Individual results may vary depending on your unique body chemistry and other factors. If our products fail to meet your expectations for any reason, give us a call at 1-800-FOR-TOMS. We’d be glad to discuss your experience and help you find a better fit.

     

  • How do antiperspirants work?

     

    Antiperspirants contain an aluminum salt as an active ingredient, and are designed to reduce sweat by blocking pores. Those who do not wish to use an aluminum-containing underarm product can choose from our line of aluminum-free deodorant, which are designed to provide odor protection. Our Complete Protection deodorant is our first natural deodorant with wetness protection. All Tom’s of Maine Complete Protection deodorants are also aluminum free.

     

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