Store deodorant is loaded with chemicals and toxins that easily penetrate the skin, getting into the blood supply.
It’s even worse if these products are applied soon after shaving. Tiny nicks in the skin provide an even easier route for chemicals to penetrate the skin barrier directly into the bloodstream.
Drug companies are taking advantage of the ability of skin to absorb chemicals of all kinds with the smokers’ patch being one of the most well known. There are now skin patches for birth control and a patch for motion sickness when you take a cruise or fly in a plane.
Slathering on the chemicals and heavy metals contained in underarm products day in and day out is a dangerous practice and one that no doubt can contribute to a host of health woes in the long run.
Need some concrete reasons to ditch the store deodorant? Here is the top ten list to consider before your next shower and where to find nontoxic brands that actually work.
#1: Parabens
Most deodorants, even those labeled as “natural,” still contain harmful ingredients like parabens affixed to one of the following common prefixes: methyl, ethyl, propyl, benzyl and butyl.
Parabens are dangerous substances, particularly when put on the delicate underarm skin which is so near the breasts.
The Breast Cancer Fund reports that measurable concentrations of six different types of parabens have been identified in breast cancer tumor biopsies. What’s even more telling is that the concentration of the parabens in the biopsies were in the same approximate concentration that would be found in paraben containing cosmetics like underarm deodorant.
Parabens are not just a risk for the breasts. Samples of a diverse sample of US adults found parabens in nearly all urine samples as well indicating that these chemicals get into the blood and move around the body before being excreted.
#2: Aluminum
The heavy metal aluminum is contained in most deodorants and is even disguised in some natural deodorants under the word “alum”. Any compound containing the word “aluminum” would be a problem such as aluminum chlorohydrate or aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly.
Scientific evidence has has demonstrated that aluminum exposure is associated with the development of Alzheimer’s Disease.
#3: Triclosan
Triclosan is an antibacterial and antifungal agent. Preliminary analysis indicates it may be carcinogenic due to potential contamination with dioxin. Triclosan easily crosses cell membranes and is stored in body fat.
A 2006 study has shown that low doses of triclosan act as an endocrine disruptor in the North American bullfrog. In 2008, a study of juvenile male rats showed that triclosan exposure significantly impacts thyroid hormone concentrations.
Triclosan is in many deodorants labeled as natural so buying at the healthfood store is no protection from this chemical.
#4: Fragrances
Love the smell of your deodorant? According to Environmental Working Group (EWG), even natural smelling fragrances like rose may be something else entirely. The fragrance industry takes great care to hide from the consumer exactly how chemical fragrances are concocted using any blend of the 3,100 stock chemical ingredients that are available. EWG also reports that:
“The average fragrance product tested contained 14 secret chemicals not listed on the label. Among them are chemicals associated with hormone disruption and allergic reactions, and many substances that have not been assessed for safety in personal care products.”
Bottom line? If your deodorant has “fragrance” listed in the ingredients, you really don’t know what’s in it!
#5: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Yet another chemical popular in deodorant, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) has been banned in Europe. A well known skin irritant, SLS is also a suspected carcinogen and has been linked to kidney and liver damage; nervous system disruption; damage to eyes leading to cataracts; eczema and dermatitis.
#6: Sweat Blockage
Sweating is good! You want to sweat to release toxins and it is a normal cooling response the body needs. Blocking sweat with anti-perspirant ingredients is an unhealthy practice and can cause blockage of toxins.
#7: Deceptive Marketing
Some deodorants, even natural and organic ones like crystals and salt sprays, state that they have no aluminum chloride. However, if you examine the label in detail you notice that they contain potassium alum. The full chemical name of potassium alum is potassium aluminum sulfate, which is still aluminum.
#8: Staining and Clumping
What in the world are those clumps left on your skin by conventional deodorants? This stuff doesn’t completely lather off in the shower either and eventually ruins your shirts by leaving yellow stains that don’t wash out (that’s from the aluminum).
#9: Ineffectiveness
Many people report that natural versions of conventional deodorants found at the healthfood store are ineffective or only work for a short period of time.
#10: Store Deodorant is So Uncool!
Let’s face it. Everything about store deodorant is uncool from the chemicals in the supermarket versions to the hidden baddies and ineffectiveness of the so called “natural” brands at the healthfood store.
What Deodorant is Nontoxic AND Actually Works?
We consumers deserve a deodorant that is safe AND effective, don’t we? Is that really so much to ask?
Fortunately, there are nontoxic deodorants out there that actually work and claim to be what they say they are. I am pleased to say that my family and I use such quality products. These products work even for friends of mine who are extreme athletes working out in extreme heat and humidity. If made properly, natural products really can withstand all sports, endurance races, mud events, WOD (CrossFit for “work out of the day”) and athletic competitions.
Sourcing Quality Deodorant
If you find yourself throwing up your hands about the deodorants on the market that are either incredibly toxic or natural but completely ineffective as shown in this humorous video below, then click over to the Personal Care section of my Resources page to check out vendors that have products that actually work and won’t harm your health!
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
Sarah Pope has been a Health and Nutrition Educator since 2002. Her work is dedicated to helping families effectively incorporate the principles of ancestral diets within the modern household. She is a sought after lecturer around the world for conferences, summits, and podcasts.
Her work has been covered by major media including USA Today, ABC, NBC, and many others.
Using Fitness to Turn Back the Clock
I ran out of my Bob’s Red Mill “Aluminum Free” Baking Soda so I went to my local health food store to replace it because I use it in baking several times a week and was extremely excited to make my 1st batch of homemade deodorant. It turns out that Bob’s Red Mill changed their baking soda package and it no longer says “aluminum free.” I was told that Bob’s Red Mill baking soda is made from the deposits of mineralized sodium bicarbonate and therefore contains small traces of aluminum so they can no longer claim it is “aluminum free.” Is this small trace of “natural” aluminum safe or is this a different issue all together? I get so confused and hung up on these technicalities!
Anne Shantz, that may have been your body detoxing, or you may need to remove an essential oil (if you added one) or add some cornstarch to balance out the bicarb soda 🙂
I’ve been using Primal Pit Paste for a while now. It really works and I love the ingredients!
I use Bubble and Bee’s Pit Putty. They make a stick, but I find it a bit too crumbly. I have to keep it the refrigerator. For the past year or so I have been using their pit putty cream. Love it. Wonderful organic scents to choose from – geranium lime; jasmint; lemon and clove; orange vanilla; spearmint and tea tree; and patchouli.
I would love the recipe for the coconut oil, baking soda, and arrowroot deodorant!
I use approximately equal parts of each. I just remembered that I also add some beeswax, maybe a Tbsp (if you are doing about 1/4 cup of each of the other ingredients). The beeswax helps keep it from getting too runny when it’s warm out.
I use two fingers and rub a tiny smear of coconut oil and then dab with a cotton ball that I kept in a small jar of baking soda over my armpits. ( very small amounts of both) It has worked for months now and the b soda helps to kept the pits dry . When I was using just baking soda my armpits developed a sore rash. Very simple and really works!
I rarely wear deodorant, but when I do, I use the ones from Trader Joe’s. Probably not any better, guess I should check.
Just natural and avalon body washes and shamposs are awesome! They are topping the most natural and I love them! Then I use the conditioner all over as well and something about the natural oils! You are right about the Braggs Natural apple cider vinegar in the shower then use the natural products to follow… Arm&Hammer has an essential line that is natural oils too and it works pretty good…
Toothpaste natures gate toothpaste at health foods is best followed with organic coconut oil, peppermint oil and spearmint oils.. I have been told these oils can work as deodorants as well, they are safe and if they work so well to kill bacteria in your mouth then they will def work to kill bacteria under your arms naturally…
We use NOW Organic brand. It is the only natural one that works for us. I tried making my own with baking soda, coconut oil and arrowroot powder, but it broke my underarms out. It did work though and I did not smell. Sarah, do you know about the NOW brand. Is it ok?
Chlorella. It’s internal deodorant. It will detox you and rid you of body odor. I have not worn deodorant, store-bought or natural since last July. I keep taking any chlorella supplement daily because it keeps me clean.
I like the salt crystals and Tom’s of Maine.
Sarah- I went on Amazon’s website and read the reviews for Ancient Minerals Magnesium Oil. One person who seemed knowledgeable said that there are some unsafe ingredients in the oil. What do you think? Thanks
I have tried them all including Crystal and Tom’s and they just don’t work. The ONLY natural deodorant that I have found is Ava Anderson Non Toxic. http://www.avaandersononntoxic.com/kparrish or http://www.facebook.com/pathways2prevention
I have tried all of the non toxic deodorants including crystal and Toms and they didn’t work. Ava Anderson deodorant is the only natural deodorant that actually works! It is paraben, aluminum, and fragrance free!
I wondered about the oil stains thing myself with coconut oil and shea butter.
I have never really used deodorant. My mom was sensitive to it so she just taught me to wash instead. Neither of us ever had a problem.
Now I use oil cleansing for my face (if anything), baking soda with water and essential oils for my hair, and homemade magnesium lotion for skin. I don’t have a problem ever. I do not really buy personal care products at all except for the occasional bottle or bar of pure castile soap (made from just saponified plant oils) for hand washing or other random uses. We just don’t need it. It’s frugal too!
I’ve had good results with Aubrey Organics “E Plus High C Natural Roll on Deodorant.” I’ve been using it for several years now.
I am a big supporter of natural deodorants. Thank you for the “recipes”. One note, however, about the article. “Alum” is a naturally occuring crystal compound and is completely different from the metal Aluminium. It has been used for centuries by indigenous peoples as a food additive with medicinal properties and yes, as a deodorant. It is very popular in Ayurvedic medicine and other Eastern traditional cultures. It does share some chemical compounds with metalic aluminium, but is not the same.
Question: Is Alum Safe?
Have you ever wondered if alum is safe to eat or safe to use as an underarm deodorant? Here’s a look at what alum is and whether it’s safe.
Answer: Any form of aluminum sulfate could be called “alum,” including toxic versions of the chemical. However, the type of alum you find used for pickling and in deodorant is potassium alum, KAl(SO4)2·12H2O. Sodium aluminum sulfate is a type of alum that is used in commercial baking powder.
Potassium alum has been used in maraschino cherries and pickles. The aluminum helps make the cell walls of fruits and vegetables sturdier, producing a crisp pickle or firm cherry. Although alum is approved as a food additive by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, it is toxic in large doses. The current trend is to reduce reliance on chemicals to improve food texture. Alum may be used to soak some pickles, but it is no longer used in the final pickling solution.
Alum in deodorant may be absorbed across the skin into the bloodstream. Although it is deemed safe enough for this purpose by the Food and Drug Administration, there may be negative health consequences from continued exposure to the aluminum ions in the alum. Because some of the product is absorbed into the skin, one way to cut your exposure to the product is to apply it every other day, rather than every day.
Alum Health Concerns
All forms of alum can cause irritation of the skin and mucous membranes. Breathing alum can cause lung damage. Aluminum also may attack lung tissue. Because it’s a salt, eating massive amounts of alum can make you sick. Usually ingesting alum will make you vomit, but if you could keep it down, the alum could upset the ionic equilibrium in your bloodstream, just like overdosing on any other electrolyte. However, the primary concern with alum is longterm exposure to low levels of the chemical. Aluminum, from your diet or healthcare product, can cause degeneration of nervous system tissue. It is possible exposure to aluminum could lead to an increased risk of certain cancers, brain plaques or Alzheimer’s Disease.
Alum Material Data Safety Sheets
If you are concerned about specific risks associated with alum, it’s best to consult a Material Data Safety Sheet. You can search for these online. Here are some relevant MSDSs:
Potassium Alum MSDS
Sodium Alum MSDS
Aluminum MSDS
References
Abreo, V.. “The Dangers of Aluminum Toxicity”. Archived from the original on 18 April 2009. Retrieved 2012-09-11.
Hawkes, Nigel (2006-04-20). “Alzheimers linked to aluminium pollution in tap water”. The Times (London). Retrieved 2012-09-12.
Aluminium and Alzheimer’s Disease, The Alzheimer’s Society. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
I wash my face and underarms with raw local honey, then use my homemade moisturizer on both and haven’t been stinky since I started doing this. I have tested this out by going 4 days without bathing or using anything extra and not been stinky. I don’t hardly even sweat much anymore even though we keep our thermostat at 77 to 78 degrees.
1/2 cup organic extra virgin coconut oil
1/2 cup organic extra virgin olive oil
1.1 oz beeswax
1 oz sweet almond oil
1 2/3 cups food grade aloe vera gel
10 drops tea tree essential oil
10 drops lavender essential oil
10 drops sweet orange oil
Melt beeswax and coconut oil in double boiler, add other oils, then start blending with a stick blender as you slowly add the aloe vera gel.
This is almost the only thing I use anymore for moisturizing everywhere and for deo.
I used to make my own coconut oil, arrowroot and baking soda deodorant, and I found it worked extremely well. I would still sweat, but I didn’t stink. Now, I just swab on some Bragg’s ACV with a cotton ball. It works just as well. I have a very physical job in extremes of temperature so I perspire a lot. When I used store bought deodorant, I often stunk by midway through the day. Now, I don’t. If I’m having a quiet day and wearing natural fibers, I can even skip the ACV for a day and I don’t smell. But if I’m working and wearing my polyester uniform, I need the ACV.
I have noticed if I’m eating more SAD food, I have more odor. If I’m eating a proper traditional diet, I don’t. Sugar seems to have a negative effect on the smell of my body.
I haven’t used deodorants for many years.
I use apple cider vinegar with aromatherapy oils and I put them into a roll on bottle. My favorite oil is Neroli. The deodorant is very gentle on the skin, the ACV is anti bacterial and gets rid of the smell. I still sweat on hot days, but that is good as the toxins are coming out.
I have tried baking soda, but I found that it irritates my skin.