Is Your Deodorant Safe For You?

Deodorant and antiperspirants are a staple in almost every household. Most people don’t enjoy sweating, and definitely don’t enjoy the foul smell associated with it. But there are some important things we need to know about these products.

First of all, let’s discuss the difference between deodorants and antiperspirants. Deodorants are supposed to protect against odor while antiperspirants are supposed to protect from odor and keep you from sweating all together. Our bodies are designed to sweat. It is a means of cooling down. So even though we may not enjoy it, it is necessary for a healthy body.

Another important thing to keep in mind is that a lot of these products contain harmful ingredients. This so important because our skin absorbs what we put on it. Skin is our bodies largest organ, so we need to be extra careful what we put on it.

In some cases, the things we put on our skin can enter your bloodstream without being metabolized. Blood tests show that many of the substances commonly included in deodorant products can sneak their way past the epidermis and into the body. Research also shows that some compounds used in deodorant are absorbed and stored in fat cells, which are prevalent in the underarm area. Some experts are worried certain compounds in antiperspirants and deodorants could cause or contribute to developmental or reproductive issues, as well as cancer.

This is very serious, but what can we do about it? To start with, familiarize yourself with the ingredients of the products you are buying. For your convenience we are going to list a few of the ingredients that are considered harmful:

Triclosan: Triclosan is an antibacterial chemical, used in deodorants to kill odor-causing germs on the skin. Triclosan is an endocrine disruptor, meaning it can mimic hormones or interfere with hormonal signaling. The chemical is also associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. The abundance of health concerns associated with triclosan, both to people and aquatic life, has led FDA to ban its use in hand soaps. However, the chemical is still permitted for use in other products, like deodorant.

Phthalates: Phthalates are common ingredients in all personal care products, including deodorant and antiperspirants. These chemicals are used to make other ingredients more flexible and are also used as fragrance ingredients as they can help extend the life of fragrance. The primary concern with phthalates is their ability to disrupt the endocrine system, especially in males. Phthalates also impact female health, as exposure can cause early onset puberty, which is associated with breast cancer later in life.

Parabens: Parabens are ingredients used primarily as preservatives and are often used in combination with one another in products. Paraben preservatives in personal care products have the capability to be absorbed through the skin. Parabens are hormone impersonators, mimicking estrogen in the body. Exposure to parabens has been linked to breast cancer.

Diethanolamine: Diethanolamine is an ingredient commonly used in deodorants, as well as other personal care products. Diethanolamine is linked to cancer. It can be spotted on labels with the term “diethanolamine” or as the abbreviation DEA. DEA can be part of complex ingredients like Cocamide-DEA and DEA-Cetyl Phosphate, although these complexes aren’t as common in deodorants.

Aluminum: Aluminum is a common ingredient in anti-perspirants. It works by plugging sweat ducts to stop sweating. Aluminum can cause genomic instability on the cell level, meaning it can increase our cells’ tendency to mutate; mutations can increase the chance of tumor growth. Aluminum chlorohydrate is one of the most common compounds used in antiperspirants.

Many wonder what they should do now that they know how harmful these products and ingredients can be. Well, once you have done your research you will know what ingredients to look for when buying certain products. You may come to the same conclusion as many others, that the best way to go is natural.

Safely refresh underarms and neutralize odor with our aluminum-free deodorant. We use minerals, activated charcoal and powerful essential oils to naturally inhibit underarm odor. It soothes and protects skin by using organic safflower oil, coconut oil and cocoa butter. All of these wonderful ingredients are held together by locally gathered beeswax.

How does this deodorant work? It comes down to two natural ingredients; activated charcoal and arrowroot. Activated charcoal can unclog pores and absorb 1,000 times its weight in moisture, which helps to absorb underarm wetness. Arrowroot can also keep you dry without clogging ducts or pores. Pretty neat right?!

Our natural deodorant comes in multiple scents, both for men and women. We also have an unscented option. It is important to us that our products are hypoallergenic and safe for sensitive skin. Why not try it out for yourself?!  

The more people spend their money on products that don’t contain chemicals, the more manufacturers will move away from using them. So skip the harmful ingredients and go natural, your body will thank you! Follow our social media platforms- Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest.