Deodorant. Let’s talk about it. Our society has normalized and promoted the use of deodorant and antiperspirant for decades. It has become part of our personal cleanliness and grooming routines and an expected norm. Don’t get me wrong, I am thankful for it, but we need to discuss the TYPE of deodorant or antiperspirants we may be exposing our body to, and whether or not we need to have reason for concern.
Most, if not all, conventional deodorants available contain an obnoxious amount of chemicals and toxins. We then proceed to coat our skin with these foreign substances, which is a sure way to contaminate our bodies. Parabens, triclosan, aluminum, benzene, and phthalates are just a few of the common contaminants found in conventional deodorant. Not to mention these chemicals clog our pores in order to prevent any sweating at all (which btw, is not good for us, sweating is one of the ways our bodies naturally detoxify!). Now if you are like me, you probably are not an expert on these toxins, so I am going to break it down for us.
- Paraben: A fancy word for a specific type of preservative. Okay so what’s the problem with a little preservative? Parabens have been proven to disrupt hormones in the body, and have a negative effect on fertility and reproductive organs. And to top it all off, parabens can increase the risk of several types of cancers, particularly hormone-related cancers.
- Triclosan: This is a common antibacterial agent used in conventional deodorants, antiperspirants, soaps, toothpaste, detergents, and even toys (yikes)! Triclosan has been linked to a multitude of health problems through skin and oral exposure. Allergic reaction, intense skin irritation, and dermatitis are some of the most common issues. So my question is… why are we using something like this on our skin!?
- Phthalates: This word covers a huge class of different chemicals. While many are still yet to be studied, many have been studied and proven to have severely negative impacts on our health. Some of these proven side effects are asthma, breast cancer, neurodevelopmental issues, behavioral issues, obesity, type II diabetes, reproductive developmental problems, and male fertility issues. Now if this laundry list of horrors isn't enough to make us think twice about what we’re putting on our skin, I don’t know what would.
- Aluminum: Possibly the most common and debated, aluminum in conventional deodorant and antiperspirants serves its main function as a sweat stopper. Aluminum is used to essentially plug pores, so the sweat cannot come out. Honestly, just that is enough for me to pass on it. However, aluminum is also a potential endocrine disruptor, meaning they have the potential to mess with hormones and negatively interfere with hormone levels in the body.
- Benzene: Benzene is never intentionally added to aerosol antiperspirants and deodorants, but it was recently found in several products from Procter & Gamble. This is a problem because benzene is a known carcinogen associated with leukemia. Benzene is formed both naturally in volcanoes and forest fires and through synthetic products such as the production of crude oil and gasoline. Procter & Gamble agreed to an $8 million dollar settlement due to the recall of these products found with benzene contamination. Scary, right?
After the research, I am kissing conventional deodorant goodbye forever and will be using my natural deodorant from here on out, now, with much more pride. So just HOW effective is natural deodorant, and what is it made up of?
Olivespa has thoughtfully crafted our own natural deodorant in order to provide our community with a product that is both effective and completely natural. How you might ask? Let’s explore.
We use organic arrowroot to promote natural absorption and to provide a lightly drying effect, leaving your skin feeling soft and silky. Shea butter and EVOO are used as the base to ensure ultimate skin-soothing and anti–inflammatory results. Aluminum-free baking soda is also a key player, as this is what neutralizes odor that may come from sweating. Pure essential oils are used not only for their skin-enhancing benefits, but also for their refreshing scents.
Let’s face it, no one wants to be stinky. I have always been and will always be a deodorant user. However, now that I know all of the deep, dark, secrets of conventional deodorant, I will always make sure to read the ingredients. Do your body a favor and make the switch to an all natural deodorant, free from all of the nasty chemicals. Your body will thank you in the long run.