5 Toxic Ingredients in your Deodorant

Health & Wellness, Personal Care Products | 0 comments

Do you use antiperspirant/deodorant on daily basis? Most people would say “yes”. Of course, you don’t want to smell like onions, and garlic – which is pretty understandable! What most people don’t realize that in an attempt to smell fresh and adhere to social norms, they are subjecting themselves to unwanted harm! This seemingly safe daily routine can have serious health consequences.

Did you know that most underarm antiperspirants/deodorants contain harmful chemicals which are linked to wide range of health problems including, hormonal imbalance, breast cancer, and Alzheimer’s? What you apply on top of your skin makes its way into your body. Especially when you wax or shave underarms, applying a product containing these harmful chemicals to that broken skin could be a bad news!

Majority of deodorants found at your local pharmacy or health and beauty stores have harmful ingredients that we must avoid. Here are the 5 harmful ingredients in your deodorant that you should avoid.

Parabens
Parabens are commonly used as a preservative to prevent bacteria growth in cosmetic products. Parabens act as hormone disruptor in the body and have been linked to breast cancer and reproductive issues.

Aluminum compounds
Aluminum compounds are used in the antiperspirant to clog pores and prevent sweating. Some research has suggested that these aluminum compounds get absorbed through the skin and increase a risk of estrogen dependent cancers.

Triclosan
An antibacterial agent which kills bad as well as good bacteria. Triclosan is a pesticide and a potentially carcinogen and is linked with host of health problems including skin irritation, resistant infections, as well as cancer.

Propylene Glycol
With daily use, this neurotoxin can accumulate and potentially cause damage to liver, kidneys, and central nervous system.

TEA and DEA
Triethanolamine (TEA) and diethanolamine (DEA) are known toxins and carcinogen that are banned in other parts of the world. These chemicals can get absorbed into the body and adversely affect your liver and kidneys.

What are the other safe and effective options?

There are plenty of deodorants in the market that don’t contain harmful ingredients and get the job done naturally. Please ditch your chemical-laden sticks in favor of a more natural approach. My personal favorite is Thai Deodorant Stone Crystal
This deodorant is made from crystallized natural mineral salts which kill odor causing bacteria and contains no harmful chemicals, oils, perfumes, or emulsifiers. This product is unscented, hypoallergenic, and works for solid 8 hours!

Another great and simple DIY trick I have  found extremely effective is the mixture of apple cider vinegar (ACV) and water. Mix ACV with water in equal ratio in a spray bottle. Spray the solution on a cotton ball and wipe underarms. This solution completely eliminates body odor and keeps armpits odor free for 24 hours!

For those of you who sweat profusely and suffer with a strong body odor should try this mask once a week.

1 tbsp Bentonite clay or fuller’s earth, 1 tsp ACV,  2 drops of tea tree oil, and sufficient water to make a thick paste. Apply the paste underarms, let it dry for about 15-20 minutes, and wash off with water. This mask is extremely effective is controlling the excessive sweating and keeping the body odor at bay.

Your daily personal care and hygiene routine doesn’t have to take a toll on your health. And it certainly doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive, or difficult. There are plenty of  options available to make your life easier and your health better!