Body
For this, I would like for you to grab your deodorant and look at the ingredients of your deodorant.
Does your deodorant have any of these ingredients?
Triclosan
Phthalates
Parabens
Fragrance
Diethanolamine
Butane and Isobutane
Aluminum
If so, let’s chat about what each ingredient is and what problems could arise from the continuous use of these ingredients.
Triclosan
Triclosan an ingredient added to many consumer products intended to reduce or prevent bacterial contamination. It is added to some antibacterial soaps and body washes, toothpastes, and some cosmetics—products regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It also can be found in clothing, kitchenware, furniture, and toys—products not regulated by the FDA.
Phthalates
These compounds help deodorant and other cosmetics—such as fragrance—stick to your skin. They also appear to disrupt “androgen function,” or the way your body produces and uses the hormone testosterone, (for both men and women).
Parabens
Parabens are a group of chemicals widely used as artificial preservatives in cosmetic and body care products since the 1920s. Since cosmetics contain ingredients that can biodegrade, these chemicals are added to prevent and reduce the growth of harmful bacteria and mold, increasing the shelf life of the product. The concern with these chemicals is that scientific studies suggest that parabens can disrupt hormones in the body and harm fertility and reproductive organs, affect birth outcomes, and increase the risk of cancer.
https://www.ewg.org/what-are-parabens
Fragrance
Fragrances are what you smell in your soaps, laundry detergents, deodorants, shampoo, conditioners, body wash, lotions, perfumes, body spray, and even some makeup. They commonly contain phthalates, which are chemicals that help the scents last longer. Fragrance chemicals, like other toxic chemicals, can pass from the skin and into the blood. The sinister thing about Fragrances is that Manufacturers are not required to list their fragrance ingredients on product labels.
Triethanolamine and Diethanolamine
Triethanolamine (TEA) and diethanolamine (DEA) are chemicals can seep into your skin and affect your liver and kidneys. These two chemicals have already been banned from products in Europe.
Butane and Isobutane
These gasses are used as propellants in aerosol deodorants. Isobutane is an isomer of butane, meaning it’s a compound with a different molecular structure. The European Union and Canada have imposed restrictions on butane and isobutane due to concerns over contamination with 1,3-butadiene, a chemical linked to cancer and reproductive toxicity.
Aluminum
Aluminum compounds are used extensively in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. In antiperspirants, aluminum salts are the ingredients that prevent sweating. The salts need to dissolve to block sweat from forming on the surface of your pores. Sweating is the body's natural way of getting rid of toxins and when that process is interrupted by these chemicals, the toxins accumulate in the body.
I used to use Secret Deodorant religiously. It was one of the only deodorants that worked for me while not finding much luck with others. Going through this shift of finding cleaner, natural alternatives, I used one brand for a while but it just didn’t work well for me as it didn’t last very long. I found myself reapplying the deodorant twice a day and I could still get whiff that my deodorant wasn’t fully doing its job. After so much research and time looking for one that could work, I finally found a deodorant that was natural, clean AND worked incredibly well. I currently use a brand called Primally Pure.
Now before we order away, let me say that natural deodorants have something in common. More often than not, they usually contain a lot of Baking Soda. This isn't a bad thing, however, if you have sensitive skin, it can cause a slight rash due to the Baking soda causing a shift in PH balance in the armpit. I have very sensitive skin. I first purchased the Tea Tree Oil one which smells SO good and fresh. I applied three swipes per underarm (per instructions from Primally Pure) and it works for the entire day. The issue was my arm would break out in a rash but no sweat! :D Primally Pure offers a nonscented deodorant that has the least Baking Soda. Now here’s a trick that has worked for me. Since it’s 3 swipes per armpit that you swipe the deodorant on, what I do is I do 2 swipes of the unscented deodorant, and then 1 swipe of either the Tea Tree Oil or Blue Tansy (those two are my fav). This trick allows me to do the three swipes per armpit, however, 2 out of 3 swipes are of the deodorant with less baking soda, and then the final swipe is one of the scented ones. I do it every day and it works! :)
I would say the only con here would be the price however, I feel paying for cleaner products right now will be cheaper long term and it’s an investment for our health. :) Cheers!
Links to Primally Pure Deodorant.
https://primallypure.com/products/tea-tree-deodorant
https://primallypure.com/products/blue-tansy-deodorant
If you have sensitive skin;
https://primallypure.com/products/sensitive-unscented-deodorant