Tunisia: Ministry of Health advises against purchasing deodorants and antiperspirants on the black market

The Director General of the National Agency for Risk Assessment, Zahra Jamali, has cautioned against the use of personal care products containing dangerous chemicals, especially aluminium salts and parabens, especially with rising temperatures and the approach of summer. She called for a conscious and responsible use of these products.

She explained that antiperspirants prevent sweating by blocking sweat glands with aluminium salts, which impacts the function of the glands and causes hormonal imbalance, potentially leading to breast cancer.

She said that it is important to choose personal care products without alcohol, drink plenty of water, and avoid purchasing these products from black markets, as exposure to the sun can make their components toxic.

Jamali stressed that citizens can contact the Ministry of Health through the pharmacovigilance centers located in Tunis, Sousse, and Sfax to file a complaint if a product negatively impacts their skin or health, so that the ministry can take the necessary measures, including recalling the product.