Many of us have made healthy lifestyle changes over the years and are doing our best to stay on the green path. I imagine if you’re reading this blog you’ve also frequented your local farmer’s market and probably even have your own yoga mat. So, if you’re still buying drugstore deodorant you may want to reconsider.
Believe me, I get it. I made a complete lifestyle overhaul several years ago and my personal care products have been, by far, the most challenging area for me to transform. If I’m being honest, I still use my old chemical-laden mascara. I just can’t give it up!
We all want to be liked and admired and the fear of offending is great for each of us. But, what if our need to be liked is affecting our health?
I’m sure you’ve heard the buzz about drugstore deodorants being “bad for you”, but do you really know why they’re so dangerous? But first, let’s understand the benefits of a natural deodorant. Natural deodorants are fast turning out to be an alternative to the store-bought antiperspirants and deodorants as they not only provide a natural alternative but also tend to work on the root cause of the body odor. Natural moisturizers present in the natural deodorants bestow genuine goodness to our largest organ, skin, keeping it soft and supple. Natural replacements like Arluka’s Natural Deodorant Australia, and alike could be potential deodorants that you could look at, and choose in accordance with your needs.
Now, here are 5 reasons to ditch that drugstore deodorant…
1) Parabens
Parabens are often found in food and cosmetics and are used as antimicrobial preservatives in regular deodorants. They sound harmless enough, but they’re anything but. We now know that parabens are endocrine disruptors and are estrogenic in nature. This means that they have the potential to disrupt the natural balance of delicate hormones in our bodies and promote awful things like breast cancer and reproductive toxicity. You’ll spot them on your labels with words ending in paraben like propulparaben, methylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, and isobutylparaben.
2) Aluminum
Aluminum salts are used in antiperspirants to clog pores and block sweat. The problem is that it not only stops our body from ridding itself of toxicity, it also contributes to it by adding nasty heavy medals. Aluminum is known as a neurotoxin and has been linked to Alzheimers and even breast cancer.
3) Propylene Glycol
Propylene Glycol is petroleum based and is typically found in things like antifreeze. It’s used as a solvent in deodorants to help with the consistency and has been known to cause allergic reactions and even liver and kidney damage. Although, there has been much controversy on whether or not it is safe for us in small doses, I would air on the side of caution. Let’s be honest, most of us are using deodorant every day and that amounts to a lot of accumulation over a lifetime.
4) Fragrance
Perfumes and cosmetics once got their fragrance from flowers and herbs, but not anymore. Now what makes beauty care products and deodorants smell good are synthetic compounds that are labeled as “Fragrance”. The average fragrance listed on a label can literally contain 14-20 toxic chemicals. One of the big offenders are phthalates, which send signals to the body that could result in Autism, breast cancer and birth defects. Yikes!
5) Absorption
Everything that we put onto our skin has the potential to go directly into our bloodstream. What’s worse, what’s absorbed through the skin bypasses the metabolic process that happens in the gut and liver. This is why we have so many pharmaceutical patches available; they’re absorbed faster and with more potency through the skin.
Unfortunately, many “natural” deodorants contain many of these same toxins. So, be sure to read your labels carefully and, when in doubt, make it yourself! I have grown to love using essential oils on my pits. There are also many great recipes you can find online that combine things like baking soda and coconut oil.
Here are a few of our all-natural safe favorites;
Jessica Carter is the Owner & Founder of Zen Mama (a mobile massage spa that specializes in prenatal!) and a California State Certified Massage Therapist & Health Coach.