Antiperspirants & Deodorant

Spray, stick or roll-on?  Aerosol sprays are dangerous so always avoid those.  As for stick or roll-on, it's a personal preference.  Safety, aside from avoiding aerosols, has more to do with ingredients. 

Antiperspirants,  even so-called "natural" ones contain aluminum that work to clog our pores and stop us from perspiring.  Aluminum is a poison.  It has been linked to Alzheimer's disease.  There is new research which indicates that there may be a link between breast cancer and antiperspirants.  In particular, studies are showing that it travels more freely into our lymphatic system when underarms are shaved.  Look on your antiperspirant label for aluminum as: 

• aluminum chlorohydrate
• ammonium aluminum sulfate
• potassium alum
• potassium aluminum sulfate
• mineral salts or crystal

Of less concern is aluminum chloride.

Aside from all the ill effects on our health, mining for aluminum is a destructive business that consumes electricity and destroys our environment.

Not only are we endangering our lives by using chemicals like aluminum, and supporting businesses that destroy our natural resources, but we are also polluting our environment every time we use them.  The poisons wash into our water system every time we wash.  This harms our future, our delicate ecosystems, and our drinking water.

Ammonium alum is different.  It is a prevalent natural compound.  It cannot be absorbed into the skin and does not clog pores the way aluminum chloride does.  It does not kill the bacteria and does not stop perspiration, however, ammonium alum works to inhibit the growth of bacteria and therefore those critters that cause bad odor.  This is the primary ingredient in deodorant crystals which are found to be safe and effective. 

Aside from aluminum, a potential allergen in most antiperspirants is Zinc or Zirconium.  Parabens (Proplyparaben, Methylparaben) are regularly used in personal care items including antiperspirants and deodorants as a preservative.  These are hormone disrupters that can be harmful in certain quantities, and many people have an allergic reaction to these.  APEs, Triclosans, Formaldehyde, Dioxane, Propylene Glycol, EDTA,  Bronopol, Phthalates, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Quaternium, Artificial Colors, PEG, DEA, TEA, MEA, Polysorbates, Talc, Silica, and other harmful chemicals are regularly used in personal care products including antiperspirants and deodorants.  Some are potential irritants and others are potential or known carcinogens.

Be wary of labels as they are not regulated strongly.  A product can be labeled "natural" and still have highly processed versions of the natural ingredient meaning that they are really poor imitations and potentially harmful chemicals.  Even the "organic" label can be abused since only one ingredient can qualify for the label!

Of course we should choose a product that has not been tested on animals.  It's a shame that cruelty to animals surrounds some needless testing of many personal care products.
 

A deodorant works to fight bad odor by stopping the bacteria that causes the odor.  Deodorants are generally a better option to antiperspirants.  They work to stop the stinking without clogging our pores to stop the sweat; but we still need to read labels and trust the company we choose.  We can take control.  Our choice in deodorant sends a message to the manufacturer about what we value most in our lives and our future.  Thankfully, there are good options available to us.

Our best bet:

• Shower regularly, of course, and be sure to wash underarms. 
• Try washing with baking soda under your arms when in the shower if you're really smelly.
• Try using lemon or lime juice under your arms, obviously not right after shaving.
• Wear fabrics that breathe.
• Caffeine helps produce B.O. so you may want to cut back on your intake if you're smelly.
• Use a mixture of equals parts baking soda and non-GMO cornstarch or just baking soda and dab under arms as a deodorant.  You can add a drop of your favorite essential oil to customize it.
• Use alcohol to clean the smelly bacteria from armpits (but be sure this isn't right after shaving!).
• Get a safe deodorant without harmful chemicals and find one that works well for you.

My husband and I tried many brands of natural deodorants before we chose ones that were safe and effective.  We enlisted the help of friends and welcome suggestions from you so let us know what you think too.  The safest based upon safest ingredients and those that are phthalate-free, and the deodorants that we suggest since they really do work, and therefore the only deodorants that we will carry are:

• Weleda (particularly for women!): Citrus, Sage, Wild Rose
• Tropical Traditions Deodorant (for men too!)
• Aubrey Organics: Calendula Blossom, E Plus High C
• Terressentials: Fragrance-Free, Zen Spice, Zesty Citrus
• Burt's Bees Herbal Deodorant
• Crystal Body Deodorant
• Active Enzyme Deodorant, Kiss My Face
• Alvera Aloe Roll On Deodorant
• Alba Aloe Vera Deodorant, Tea Tree Enzyme Stick
• Avalon Deodorants
• Home's Herbal Magic Deodorant
• Earth Science Deodorant
• Nature's Gate Tea Tree & Blue Cypress Deodorant

Always read ingredients of deodorants and other skin care products, as well as foods, as packaging facilities, allergy warnings, and ingredients may change without notice.  Overall one brand might be better than another brand but that does not necessarily mean that every product in that brand is considered safest.  Always read ingredients for each product using this guide of brands and products which were safest when this was written.

Test out your own brand, Environmental Working Group

Buy Deodorant

• Deodorants & Antiperspirants The Green Guide
• Deodorant Chart by The Green Guide, look toward the bottom of the page for the link
• Do You Still Use Antiperspirant?  Mercola
• All Antiperspirants to Carry FDA Warning, Yahoo
• Parabens in Deodorants and Antiperspirants linked to Breast Cancer, Australian Government Dept of Health
• Deodorant products that might contain impurities linked to breast cancer, Environmental Working Group
• Skin Deep, safest Deodorants, EWG
• Natural Deodorants, the f word