The Great Deodorant Debate…..

If you read my post, Do You Really Need Purple Lotion, you are now aware that your regular over the counter deodorant may actually be toxic! Yikes! So now what?? Are you to go au naturale and have the bon a fide guarantee to never date again?? No fear, I’ve got all of your answers right here. 

To recap we now know drug store deodorants contain gross chemicals like isopropyl, ‘parfum’, and myristate, which may cause harmful side effects, such as  irritation of the skin, eyes, and lungs. It may also cause dizziness, headaches, and respiratory problems. Many contain Parabens  which can mimic the hormone estrogen,  and has been shown to play a role in breast cancer.

Aluminum contained in antiperspirants has also been linked with some health problems.  Researchers have found that some forms of aluminum found in the brain can cause neurological damage associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Aluminum is also linked to Anemia, Osteomalacia, glucose intolerance, memory deficits, and Alzheimer’s, Lou Gehrig’s (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), and Parkinson’s diseases. The direct association between aluminum absorbed via antiperspirants and these health conditions has not been confirmed, but a 2001 study showed that aluminum is absorbed after just one application of antiperspirant remained in blood system 15 days.

Propylene Glycol (sometimes referred to as Propanediol) is another commonly used ingredient in antiperspirants (and some natural deodorants, too!). Propylene Glycol is commonly used as an ingredient in antifreeze. Propylene Glycol enters the skin so quickly that the Environmental Protection Agency has warned factory workers to avoid skin contact in order to prevent brain, liver, and kidney abnormalities. Because of these warnings, some experts have raised additional concerns about antiperspirant use.

I don’t know about you, but this really pisses me off. I mean, how is this stuff even legal?? And what can we do about it? Well for starters, stop wearing regular deodorant, and share this information with everyone you know, or at least your inner circle. “Ok, RNL that’s great, but how am I going to smell??” As promised, I’ve got you covered!

We start with a hot summer day and I am freaked by my deodorant discovery. I am at Trader Joes grabbing some things to make for dinner and I grab the deodorant on a whim, not thinking much of it. Well, I try it out the very next day, and let’s just say I flat out had BO!! I know sweet dainty me. I was left scratching my head. So I did what any smart all natural girl would do. I made a B line straight for Whole Foods for more choices and their expertise. I left with this one…..

Now this one smelled really nice, and it worked much better….but I still found myself having to wash all my shirts every time I wore them. This could not be good for my sanity or the environment!! I begun to keep a stick in my purse, which is still there, and it did help a lot, but I was not completely satisfied. I was at about a 7. So….I bought this one….It smelled interesting. Not quite as fresh and flowery, like a typical deodorant, as the Toms did. But it still smelled good, just almost kind of unisex, if that makes sense. This one worked  A LOT better. I was at about an 8.5. I left the Toms in my purse, in the case I was out and about and felt I needed a quick swipe. You can only imagine the looks I got sitting at stop lights putting on deodorant!!! I kept this one for a bit and my laundry pile went down, but I was still not 100% satisfied with my au naturale deodorant situation. So, I did  a little research and ordered this one here.It came and it was like the movies. Ahhhhhh!!!!!! So here’s the deal. This one’s a bit different in that you slightly wet the stick and then apply it. I just left mine in the shower, lightly patted dry and then applied and it was perfect. And this stuff is like Fort Knox, I mean ain’t nothing getting through it. I’ve worked out, been out in the hot sun, had those cold winter sweats, and spent a day at the beach in this stuff and it really works. It’ s a 10. It is a little pricey, but you literally do not have to apply this stuff every day. I do, because I’m just like that, but you truly do not need to!! It doesn’t have a scent, so it could be unisex.

Check out this homemade deodorant recipe from our friends at Oh Lardy

Sources

1. Lipworth L. (1995) Epidermiology of breast cancer. European Journal of Cancer Prevention, 4: 7-30
2. Darbre. Concentrations of Parabens in Human Breast Tumors.http://www.maxgreenalchemy.com/images/ParabenReportDarbre.pdf Journal of Applied Toxicology
3. http://www.foodsafety.gov/~dms/cos-para.html
4. Flarend, R., Bin, T.,  Elmore, D., & Hemb, S.L. (2008) A Preliminary Study of the Dermal Absorption of Aluminium From Antiperspirants Using Aluminium-26.” Food and Chemical Toxicology 39, 163-168.
5.  Jansson, E.T. (2001). “Aluminum Exposure and Alzheimer’s Disease.” Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease 3, 541-549.http://iospress.metapress.com/link.asp?id=wb0qym7m9212er2t. Also available at:http://www.deptplanetearth.com/pub/jad3jansson.html

Melissa Schollaert is a Holistic Health & Nutrition Counselor and founder of Real Nutritious Living. Helping others achieve their health goals to attain their healthiest, happiest life is her greatest ambition.