One of the most toxic products in your bathroom is your deodorant. Non-toxic deodorant is one of the more difficult products to find non-toxic alternatives for. That’s because the vast majority of deodorants & antiperspirants have at least some of the ingredients listed below:
- Aluminum is the most abundant metal in the earth’s crust and it occurs naturally in soil, water and air. Aluminum occurs naturally in many foods in low concentrations and is also present in many pharmaceuticals, cosmetic products and drinking water. An average adult eats about 7–9 mg of aluminum per day in their food. Aluminum is used in antiperspirants to block the flow of sweat to the surface of the skin. 9 out of 10 deodorants contain aluminium salts. The problem is that aluminum is a widely recognized and known neurotoxin that inhibits more than 200 biologically important functions and causes various adverse effects in plants, animals, and humans. It is a poison that acts on the nervous system and has been linked to several serious health problems. It is also considered carcinogenic. It accumulates in the kidneys, brain, lungs, liver and thyroid where it competes with calcium for absorption and can affect skeletal mineralization. It attacks your central nervous system. Studies show that toxic metals contribute to brain diseases by producing oxidative stress, and aluminum is one of the worst offenders. Aluminum is linked to degenerative brain diseases and is known to cause Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Breast Cancer, Bone Disorders, and Autism. So, in a few words, you want to avoid aluminum as as you possibly can, and most definitely in your deodorant!
- Triclosan is a synthetic pesticide linked with hormone disruption, increased risk of breast cancer, liver damage, cancer & the development of super-germs. To avoid it, skip any deodorant listing triclosan or triclocarban on the label.
- Fragrances fragranced deodorants can make you feel extra clean and protected from odor, but at a high toxic cost. Fragrance chemicals can pass through the skin and enter the bloodstream and are classified as carcinogens, hormone disruptors, neurotoxins, skin and respiratory irritants. The fragrance industry is self-regulated and their formulas are considered trade secrets, so that manufacturers aren’t required to disclose the potentially hundreds of toxic ingredients hiding behind the one word “fragrance.”
Point is always check the ingredients before you purchase a deodorant and avoid all chemicals mentioned in this list: chemicals to avoid in cosmetic products.
So what safe alternatives are there?
- The natural alum stone is a great alternative but make sure you are purchasing its natural form and not its synthetic form which includes aluminium hydroxide and is therefore toxic.
- Another option is an aluminium free deodorant, and ideally a all-chemical-free one. They do exist, and as long as you keep your list of dangerous chemicals to avoid handy, I trust you will find one.
- There are also many DIY recipes out there. As I have not tried one myself, I will not make any recommendations. But I would love to hear your input if you try one!
- Last but not least, you could simply use baking soda. Try mixing 1/8 of a teaspoon of baking soda with a little bit of water, don’t dissolve it, and rub it under your arms.