Why You Should Be Using a Natural Deodorant
Being a mother of three little girls has led me to make a much more conscious effort to use natural products in our everyday life. I’ve switched over to natural laundry detergent, natural body wash, natural dish soap, natural shampoo, and so on. If I am being honest I can say I’ve never given too much thought to my deodorant. I know there are scents I prefer and that there are different brands, but I never really thought about what was in my deodorant, how it works, and why I’d need to use a natural deodorant.
Buying natural products isn’t always easy either. There are fewer options to come by at your typical shops, they can be more expensive, and honestly, they can also be misleading and confusing. But if you always read the labels and take the time to do some research, your body will thank you.
(Just a little encouragement, this didn't happen overnight, it's not easy, but as you make these little changes it’ll become a lot easier.)
What's the Difference Between Deodorants and Antiperspirants?
First, let’s break down the difference between the two. Antiperspirants stop your armpits from sweating excessively and deodorants keep your body odor in check. Deodorants will keep you smelling fresh, antiperspirants help to reduce underarm wetness. Do you need to use both? No. Pros and cons to either? Yes. Antiperspirants can cause harm to us because our bodies were meant to sweat, it's a natural way for our bodies to detox. As for deodorants, most contain fragrances and other harmful chemicals that are not good for us to be exposed to daily. Both antiperspirants and deodorants can have some form of aluminum in them which can be linked to many diseases, including breast cancer.
Does this mean I can’t use either?!
No. But it does mean you should be more cautious when choosing a deodorant or antiperspirant. Since these are products we use every day, it is so important to keep your body safe from potential harm.
How do I know if it’s natural?
Here is where reading your labels is crucial! At a basic level, natural ingredients are words like— coconut oil, essential oils, charcoal, baking soda, etc. For example, a natural deodorant would be labeled aluminum-free, or without parabens.
I’ve tried a few brands and came to love North Coast Organics. North Coast Organics uses five simple ingredients, (organic coconut oil, organic carnauba wax, Organic Arrowroot Powder, Organic Shea Butter, and Aluminum-free Baking Soda) The deodorant is even edible, not that I’ve eaten it, but that's how natural it is!
4 Toxins Found in Deodorants & Antiperspirants
Triclosan: Classified as a pesticide by the FDA
Aluminum Compounds: Clog your pores
Parabens: Probably the most harmful additive, used as a preservative
Propylene glycol: A common ingredient that has high health hazards including allergic reactions and skin irritation.
Why does this matter?
Deodorants contain ingredients that have been linked to many health issues. In the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, they found that the use of aluminum in antiperspirants increased the risk of developing Alzheimer's by 60%. Another source that's currently being studied is the link between infertility causing toxic chemicals found in deodorants. Because these products are used near the breast and contain harmful ingredients, many believe there is a connection between the use and breast cancer.
Three reasons to encourage you to switch over to a natural deodorant:
Detox: Instead of using conventional deodorants and clogging your pores, natural deodorants allow some perspiration to occur so that your body can get rid of toxins.
Less Underarm Irritation: Natural deodorants can make your skin softer and reduce skin sensitivities.
Your Overall Health: Because you’d be using clean and natural products, you don’t have to worry about using harmful chemicals on your body.
With these toxic ingredients in our deodorants and antiperspirants, it may feel overwhelming to know where to go from here. Take a deep breath, you’ve got this. It is worth making the switch to a natural deodorant and trying a few brands until you find the one that works with your body.