I’ve been using Degree Cool Rush for years without any issues, but this new formula is a complete disaster. (Old formula pictured left, new formula on the right.) First, the scent has drastically changed from a mild, pleasant smell to an overpowering, almost intoxicating odor that lasts for hours and makes me feel nauseated. It’s no longer subtle—now it's far too strong and unbearable.
But the problems don’t stop there! This new version is also causing intense irritation and burning under my arms, which has never happened before. After using it just once, my skin was red, inflamed, and sore. I showered and applied it before bed, only to wake up in the middle of the night with burning pits. I had to stop using it entirely to let my skin recover.
On top of that, it’s been staining my son's shirts—something that was never an issue with the old formula. His shirts are now ruined with pit stains that won’t wash out, no matter what I try. He started using the new formula two weeks ago, and now the stains are set in.
Here’s a breakdown of the changes that are causing all these problems:
New Fragrance Ingredients: They’ve added a long list of new chemicals:
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Benzyl Alcohol
Citral
Citronellol
Coumarin
Eugenol
Geraniol
Hexyl Cinnamal
Isoeugenol
Limonene
Linalool
These chemicals are not only overpowering in scent but seem to be causing skin irritation and making the deodorant less fabric-friendly.
Polyethylene: This new ingredient might be contributing to the buildup of residue that’s ruining clothing.
I’m extremely disappointed with this update. If you have sensitive skin or care about your clothes, steer clear of this new formula. I won’t be buying Degree again unless they go back to the old version. I understand inflation is an issue, and they likely want to keep the product affordable while also cutting production costs, but I’d rather pay a few extra dollars for the original product than deal with this mess. Now, I’m forced to research and find a new deodorant. As the saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don’t fix it!"
The new chemicals, like the added fragrance compounds (e.g., Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene, Linalool), are likely cheaper to source or easier to produce in large quantities. It seems Degree has reformulated the product to reduce production costs, especially with supply chain changes.
Additionally, polyethylene—a widely used and inexpensive synthetic polymer—may have been introduced as a cheaper alternative to other texture enhancers, but it's creating major issues with fabric staining and residue.