7 Toxins Lurking in Your Deodorant

Did you know there are at least 7 toxins lurking in your favorite deodorant? Find out what it is and why you need to avoid it. Plus, tips on what to use instead.

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Did you know that every day you’re exposed to thousands of toxins and chemicals? There are over 10,000 chemical ingredients, some of them known or suspected carcinogens, in soaps, shampoos, lotions, make-up and beauty products, and other personal care products.

One of the most harmful chemicals that both men and women put on their bodies is deodorant. When you think about it, it makes sense. Deodorant is a product that inhibits your body’s natural secretion of toxins. An antiperspirant and deodorant will clog your skin follicles so that you’re not able to sweat as much as your body requires.

On top of inhibiting your body’s natural cleansing and detoxifying process, deodorants and antiperspirants also release tons of harmful chemicals into our bodies.

How Does Deodorant Work?

Deodorant works by killing the bacteria on your skin. This way when you sweat, there isn’t enough bacteria sitting on your skin to create an odor. Your armpits and pubic area have thousands of hairs. These hairs hold on to bacteria and sweat, which is why, when it comes to body odor, these are the most problematic areas of your body.

What’s The Difference Between Deodorant and Antiperspirant?

Deodorant reduces odor by eliminating the bacteria in sweat, while antiperspirant reduce sweat by stopping up sweat glands and keeping it from reaching your skin. Deodorant controls odor – not sweat.  Antiperspirant blocks sweat – but isn’t designed to stop odor.

Using deodorant and antiperspirant together is the best way to beat sweaty armpits and foul body odor. Both Antiperspirant and deodorant can lead to “sweat stains”.

7 Toxins Lurking in Your Deodorant

Just look at the list of chemical ingredients in an average deodorant…

1. Aluminum Compounds

Aluminum is the ingredient in antiperspirants that actually clogs your pores and prevents sweating. Aluminum exposure has been linked with the development of Alzheimer’s disease and interferes with your estrogen levels. When your body can’t process estrogen properly, there’s a higher risk for breast and prostrate cancer.¹

2. Parabens

This chemical is used in a lot of products these days as a preservative, but it is possibly one of the most harmful additives of all. Sometimes parabens act as estrogen in your body, which disrupts hormonal balances and has been linked to breast cancer and prostate cancer.¹

3. Steareths

These additives are the product of ethoxylation (weakening of harsh chemical in the manufacturing process), which simultaneously produces carcinogens and dioxanes.¹

4. Triclosan

The FDA has classified triclosan as a pesticide, yet it is in the majority of brand name deodorants. It’s used to kill bacteria in the manufacturing process, as well as when it comes in contact with your skin. When triclosan is combined with water it can also create a carcinogenic gas called chloroform.¹

5. Propylene Glycol

If used everyday, this chemical can cause damage to your central nervous system, heart and liver. It is also shown to irritate skin, especially if you have sensitive skin. Propylene glycol can be harmful at as small a percentage as 2%, yet deodorants generally have a high dose of 50% propylene glycol.²

6. TEA and DEA

Triethanolamine (TEA) and diethanolamine (DEA) are chemicals can seep into your skin and affect your liver and kidneys. In fact, they’re so harmful that these two chemicals have already been banned from products in Europe because they are known carcinogens.²

7. Artificial Colors

Some artificial colors and bleaches in deodorants can cause serious allergic reactions and are also known carcinogens.²

What You Can Use Instead

Read the labels of deodorants and antiperspirants before buying. You can also check out the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Skin Deep Database to look up these ingredients and other chemicals to check for safety and health precautions. I love the Young Living natural deodorant (ask me how to get it for 24% off) and Native natural deodorant (coconut and vanilla smells amazing). Both are aluminum, paraben, and sulfate free and very effective on odors.

You can also make your own non-toxic deodorant using ingredients you already have in your kitchen. Check out this easy DIY Natural Deodorant tutorial.

How To Reduce Sweat Naturally

Sweating is good for your body. It helps to keep your body cool, and naturally helps to eliminate toxins out of the body. Be sure you’re doing something every day to work up a sweat. Now if you fee like you’re sweating excessively when you shouldn’t be, try these natural solutions to help reduce it naturally.

Wait between showering and dressing

After you shower, wait a few minutes before you get dressed for the day. This is especially important if you take hot showers or live in a hot, humid climate. Allowing your body to become cool and dry before you put on clothes could help prevent your underarms from sweating right after you bathe.

Shave your armpits

Shaving your underarms could reduce excessive sweating. Hair holds moisture, and underarm hair is no exception.

Avoid sweat-inducing foods

Did you know that your diet can impact how much you sweat? And some foods can cause your body to produce more sweat than others. If you feel like you’re sweating too much, reducing or eliminating sweat-inducing foods in your diet could help.

Eat more foods that reduce sweat

Some foods can actually reduce the amount of sweat your body produces and calm overactive sweat glands in the process. When looking to reduce sweat through your diet, it’s important to focus on foods that won’t tax your digestive system.

Stay hydrated

Drinking plenty of water and eating foods with a high water content can keep your body cool and prevent excessive underarm sweating.

Wear breathable, loose-fitting clothing

Wearing tight clothes — especially clothes that are snug beneath your arms — can cause underarm stains on your shirt. They can also make you sweat more. Instead, try wearing fabrics that are breathable and clothes that fit more loosely

Skip the caffeine

Caffeine stimulates the nervous system and increases sweating. It also causes your blood pressure to rise, raises your heart rate, and kicks your sweat glands into high gear.

More Posts You Might Like

• 10 Homemade Natural Skin Care Recipes
• How to Make DIY Lotion Bars
• 10 Foods NOT to Buy at the Grocery Store
• DIY Foot Deodorant with Essential Oils by Country Hill Cottage
• 10 Foods That Reduce Excessive Sweating by Thompson Tee

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Sources

1. Ready Nutrition, 5 Toxic Chemicals Hiding in Your Deodorant.
2. Natural News, Dangerous Chemicals in Deodorant & Antiperspirant.

Photo credit: Bigstockphoto.com / New Africa