Mitchum recalls 100ml roll-on deodorants after reports of burning, weeping armpits

Mitchum has apologised and recalled a small number of its 100ml roll-on anti-perspirant and deodorant products after customers in the UK, Ireland and South Africa reported skin irritation, including burning sensations and weeping spots.

Hundreds of consumers posted videos and accounts on social media platforms such as TikTok describing red, painful underarm skin after using the affected roll-ons. Some users described the discomfort as agonising; one posted that she wanted to "rip my armpits out" and another said her underarms felt like they were "on fire." One woman reported what she called "second degree chemical burns," and others said their skin developed a pink rash that scabbed over.

In a statement, Mitchum said it was "truly sorry some of our customers have experienced temporary irritation" and that it had identified a change in the manufacturing process affecting one of its raw materials. The company said there had been no change to the product formula itself, but the alteration in production affected how the roll-on interacted with the skin of some users.

Mitchum said the issue had been resolved, that it had reverted to the original manufacturing process, and that it was working to remove the remaining small amount of affected product from shops. The company urged anyone who experienced a reaction to contact its customer services so it could "make this right." The brand provided a list of the affected 100ml roll-on variants, naming Powder Fresh, Shower Fresh, Unscented, Pure Fresh, Flower Fresh, Ice Fresh, Clean Control and Sport.

The recall and apology follow an influx of user-generated reports; the company said it had traced the source to a specific change in how a raw material behaved during manufacture rather than to the recipe for the deodorant. Mitchum did not give details about which raw material was involved or how long the change had been in place prior to detection.

Retailers are expected to remove the identified batches from sale while Mitchum oversees the recall of remaining stock. The company did not specify whether it was offering refunds or exchanges beyond advising customers to contact its support team.

Health professionals typically advise that anyone experiencing severe skin reactions, such as extensive blistering or symptoms suggesting chemical burns, seek prompt medical attention. Consumer safety regulators monitor product recalls and complaints and may investigate further if a pattern of injury is identified.

Mitchum's roll-on products are well known in multiple markets; the company said the affected items were limited to the listed 100ml roll-ons sold in the UK, Ireland and South Africa and that no other products or sizes were believed to be implicated. The firm said it had already reverted to previous production methods to prevent further incidents.

The recall comes amid heightened scrutiny of consumer product safety on social media, where rapid sharing of experiences has in recent years prompted faster corporate responses to quality and safety concerns. Mitchum's announcement and the social media reports were first detailed in a BBC News article reporting consumer complaints and the company's response.