7 Toxic Ingredients You Need To Avoid In Deodorant

What we put on our skin matters. When we apply deodorant every morning, right below the skin, are lymph nodes which absorb and distribute any chemicals and toxins present all around our body via our lymphatic system.

And that's concerning, because many mainstream deodorants and anti-perspirants contain a cocktail of toxic chemicals which have been linked many chronic diseases. Unfortunately, many studies only look at the effects of short-term use, but when you consider most of us are using deodorant every day, the cumulative effect of these toxins over a lifetime is worrying.

If you haven't already made the switch to all natural deodorant, grab the deodorant you currently use and check the ingredient list for these 7 most concerning ingredients. And if it contains any, this is your sign to ditch those toxins and make the simple switch to effective natural deodorant today!

Toxic ingredients found in deodorant

  1. Aluminium – The active ingredient in most commercial deodorants and antiperspirants, this metal acts a plug, blocking sweat from leaving the skin. Aluminium has been linked to both  DNA alterations and Alzheimer’s.
  2. Phthalates – Common in the cosmetics industry, this known endocrine disruptor can cause hormonal imbalance issues.
  3. Triclosan – Classified as a pesticide, this ingredient can also cause rashes and is a suspected carcinogen.
  4. Propylene Glycol – Considered a neurotoxin, with daily use this chemical may cause kidney and liver damage.
  5. Formaldehyde – While this known carcinogen kills bacteria, it is also linked to the development of cancer.
  6. Parabens – This common cosmetic ingredient mimics oestrogen in the body, and has been known to contribute to hormone imbalances and may increase the risk of breast cancer.
  7. Fragrance (Parfum) - This is a catch-all term to cover for literally thousands of different chemicals, many toxic which do not need to be disclosed.

So what did you find? When you start looking at the ingredient lists on you deodorant and bodycare products, it can be quite shocking. Fortunately there are super effective natural alternatives now that are good for you, and the planet.

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Why sweat is a good thing

Deodorants using toxic ingredients such as aluminium, are designed to block your sweat pores and actually prevent your body from doing it's job. Sweat actually has really positive benefits for us as one of the key ways our body detoxifies, and also contains antibiotic-rich serum which is a highly effective mechanism for killing off pathogens which might otherwise cause internal infection.

The benefit of natural deodorants

They actually work - Gone are the days of ineffective natural alternatives, that only really masked odour and required constant re-applying through-out the day. Our natural deodorant formulas have been developed to really do the job and only need one application to keep you smelling fresh all day long.

Good for you - switching to natural deodorant will immediately decrease your toxic load. Using a deodorant with 100% natural ingredients will mean you can give your armpits and lymph nodes a break from absorbing all those toxic ingredients.

Good for your clothes - the number one cause for armpit stains on you clothing? Aluminium. By switching to natural deodorant, you will reduce the amount of clothes ruined by yellow stains.

Good for the planet - one of the other problems with synthetic chemicals is that many of them do not break-down once they are washed off your skin, and end up as environmental pollutants in our waterways. Whereas natural ingredients will typically break-down more quickly.

Also our natural deodorant comes in plastic-free packaging which is recyclable and/or biodegradable to help reduce landfill.

Good for animals - By choosing a natural deodorant which has not been tested on animals, you can help stop cruel testing on innocent animals.

Making the transition to natural deodorants

While some people find the transition to natural deodorant easy, others find that after years of using toxic deodorant products, they can develop a rash or bad odour after switching to natural deodorant. This is because the chemicals used to prevent sweating and odour in mainstream deodorant will alter the bacterial balance of your armpit and actually make you smell worse. Rashes can occur as your lymph nodes and sweat glands are no longer blocked, they are actually able to release toxins, causing skin irritation. So once you switch to natural deodorants, it may take a little time to detox and for your skin to regain it's balance.

To help with the transition, we recommend keeping hydrated and shaving at night to avoid applying deodorant to irritated skin. Skin Rescue balm is really helpful if you are experiencing detox discomfort, to help soothe skin and support the process.

I hope this helps you make better choices on your journey towards a healthier body & plant!