Are You Buying a Safe Deodorant?

One of the biggest challenges in leading a natural lifestyle comes in finding personal care products that are non-toxic but that still work.Have you ever thought whether your deodorant is safe? Is it the best deodorant for you? 

If the answer to all these questions are no, then here are some deodorant ingredients which you didn't know to be harmful...

• Triclosan- is yet another deodorant ingredient which should not be present in your best deodorant. It is a skin irritant which kills bacteria and in the process also ends up killing good bacteria. This substance gets settled in body fat and has endocrine-disrupting properties too.

• Aluminium - 

• First of all you don't get afraid. Aluminium is the most abundant metal on the planet! It's actually unavoidable to be exposed to it. Though some deodorants and anti-perspirant have an elevated concentration of aluminium. Under normal circumstances the Aluminium can't get into the body through the skin.

• Critical point. But when we shave especially 'the underarms' we can introduce small cuts & nicks in the skin. This can most definitely allow for easier access of molecules into our bloodstream and with the regular and constant use of deodorants then causes the elevation of this aluminium in our body. Many deodorants contain a warning not to use on newly shaven, broken, or irritated skin. This is smart advice.

• Word of Caution. For years now there's been a debate on whether aluminium containing compounds (which comprise the active part of the vast majority of anti per spirant and deodorants) contribute to or may cause cancer or Alzheimer's disease.     At high doses, Researches have shown that , aluminium itself adversely affects the blood-brain barrier, is capable of causing DNA damage. Studies have linked that High doses of the aluminium salts used in antiperspirants have detrimental effects to a number of species such as non-human primates, mice, and dogs Contact dermatitis may occur in small percentage of people are allergic to aluminium and may experience when exposed to aluminium-containing deodorants.

• Sigh of relief. Investigators have found that the aluminium in antiperspirants can be absorbed through the skin, but concluded that that results in the study are provocative but inconclusive levels were too low to be dangerous.

• Propylene Glycol-  developed as an anti-freeze and for the deodorant to be effective it needs to penetrate into your skin and this is done by an agent called Propylene Glycol. Regular usage leads to allergic reactions, kidney and liver disorders. In the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for propylene glycol, the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety warns workers to avoid skin contact with the toxic chemical, and yet millions of people apply it under their arms everyday. Thus, this is the third constituent which your best deodorant should not have.

• Parabens- are preservatives which are present in all the cosmetics and research has proved that it leads to causing breast cancer. Other important harm of parabens is that it can affect the reproductive part of the body.

• Talc- is a regular substance included in every deodorant but your best deodorant should not contain it. Talc may have a substance called asbestiform fibers which are directly related to cancer. 

Carry Home Message

• The truth is that we probably don't have to worry about our deodorants too much.

• Don't use deodorants on broken or irritated skin mainly after freshly shaving (making it best to shave at night).

• If you'd like to avoid the accumulation of toxic chemicals in your body, or if you're allergic to conventional deodorant, try our chemical-free, non-staining  Deodorant Crystal or other natural products.

• Be sure to visit your Personal Care Products section frequently to check for new natural, safe products.

Stay fresh....