What’s In Conventional Deodorant?

Aluminum

Antiperspirant deodorants block your underarm sweat glands to prevent you from sweating, which is how the body remove toxins. The biggest concern regarding antiperspirant deodorants is that aluminum is the most widely used active ingredient. There is research that suggests that daily exposure to aluminum can eventually lead to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and breast cancer. According to researchers, a majority of breast cancers develop in the upper outer part of the breast, closest to where we apply antiperspirant deodorants. Aluminum can easily be absorbed by the skin, especially when the skin’s surface is exposed due to shaving, making women more susceptible than men.

Parabens

Parabens are chemicals that are used as preservatives to prevent bacteria from growing in many personal care products. Parabens are also easily absorbed by the skin, which is concerning because they are potential endocrine disruptors. Although some argue that they are weak mimics, they do have a very similar chemical structure to estrogen and can mimic the hormone’s activity in the body. 

Research suggests that exposure to parabens can have a role in the “development and progression” of breast cancer because these EDCs have been found in breast tissue samples of women with breast cancer. The most common parabens in personal care products are methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben, and butylparaben.

Triclosan

Triclosan was introduced in the ’70s as a surgical scrub in hospitals. While Triclosan has since been banned from use in antibacterial liquid soaps by the FDA since 2016, it’s still an ingredient found in deodorants and toothpaste. Classified by the EPA as a pesticide, Triclosan is an antibacterial and antifungal agent used to destroy or inhibit bacterial and fungal growth. The main concern regarding this chemical is that it can also impact estrogen, androgen, and thyroid function. Scientific American reported back in 2007 that Triclosan is detectable in human blood, urine, and mother’s breast milk.

5 Non-Toxic Deodorants That Actually Work

One of the best and relatively simple ways for you to reduce the exposure to endocrine disruptors and toxins in your life is to start with your personal care items. While these deodorants are pricier than your typical drugstore brands, they’re an investment in your long-term health.

Below are five non-toxic deodorants we are currently obsessing over. Not only are they elegantly packaged, they also smell great, they apply beautifully (no white streaks, no clumps, and no flaking), they are free of harmful ingredients and most importantly, they work!