I knew antiperspirant was bad news for a long time and really hesitated to make the big switch from antiperspirant (classified as a drug & always contains an aluminium-based compound that clogs sweat glands) to a natural deodorant (classified as a cosmetic & affects body odour caused by the bacteria from the break-down of sweat).
I had heard about how it was linked to breast cancer and Alzheimer's disease, but told myself -if I just choose brands with a "low" aluminium content, I was doing the best I could.....because how could I not use an antiperspirant?!?! I would sweat again! How inconvenient and uncomfortable!
But after enough mocking from my husband who had already made the big switch years ago, (e.g. "Oooh, I can see Mrs.Healthy is still spreading cancer under her arms") and Kristin reassuring me that she had made the switch and lived through it, I thought I would give it a try!!
I thought to myself, if I end up with Alzheimer's disease, I probably wouldn't look back on my life and think, "wow, I am sure glad I didn't sweat, that was worth it!".
Kristin recommended: http://www.30someweeks.com/deodorant.html and Kara and I decided to order some.
My experience so far:
It has definitely been an adjustment period getting used to perspiring again, but not as bad as I thought! I don't sweat or smell nearly as much as I thought I would. I bought the "tottle" from "30 some weeks" which is a bottle that nicely dispenses the cream, then I apply it in the morning with my fingers, and let it dry for a minute before getting dressed. I feel wonderful knowing that I am making a healthy choice for my body since my antiperspirant was one of the last "dirty" products I was using.
Other harmful ingredients in my "ex-beloved" antiperspirant & their side effects
(as seen at EWG's Skin Deep database website):
CYCLOPENTASILOXANE-Organ system toxicity
ALUMINUM ZIRCONIUM TETRACHLOROHYDREX GLY-Strong evidence of human neurotoxicity
DIMETHICONE-Organ system toxicity
POLYTHYLENE-allergies/immunotoxicity, strong human irritant
STEARETH-100-Unsafe for use on damaged skin
BHT-Known human immune system toxicant, animal studies show tumor formation at high doses
I encourage you to look up Aluminium
neurotoxicity other adverse effects of the chemicals in your beloved antiperspirant too!! http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ is a helpful database to use.
Post by Dana
Use a natural deodorant you enjoy? Please Share! :)
Hey Dana,
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you are getting used to the deoderant. If you want a "special occasion" deoderant (that's what I call it), you should try la vanille deoderant. You can order it from Sephora online. It is about $23, so quite expensive but it has a really nice smell and works great, especially for days where you are maybe going somewhere special, or out dancing.
-Kristin