Everything you wanted to know about switching to natural deodorants!
If you truly want to maximize your health, switching to cleaner beauty products is an essential move. Clean beauty is a big trend right now in the makeup industry, but it’s also important to remember the other products you put on your body throughout the day, like hand soap, shampoo, and deodorant.
Now I know what you’re thinking: I can’t switch to a natural deodorant, because then I’ll SMELL!
And sure, that could happen at first, but it’s not likely to happen forever. And since your typical deodorant or antiperspirant is probably one of the worst things you can put on your skin for your health, I highly recommend trying out a natural brand.
Why are traditional deodorants so bad? Here are a few reasons:
They contain aluminum: which blocks your pores and keeps you from sweating. If you’re using something that’s labeled as an antiperspirant, chances are it contains aluminum!
Too much metal can wreak havoc on your body. In fact, aluminum specifically has been linked to increased neurofibrillary tangles -- a common hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. Beyond that, too much aluminum can cause constipation, nausea & upset stomach, skin problems, and a lack of energy. If you knew you could solve these symptoms by switching deodorant, wouldn’t you?
They contain parabens: which are stabilizers or preservatives commonly found in deodorant. They also happen to be linked to endocrine (hormone) disruption because they mimic oestrogen, the hormone that’s responsible for building up breast tissue. And since too much oestrogen can force growth of cancerous tumors, they aren’t something that you want to be putting next to your boobs!
They contain phthalates: which help the fragrances stick to your skin and last longer, but also may be the cause of your health problems. Over the last few years, they’ve been linked to asthma, ADHD, obesity, type II diabetes, behavioral issues, and reproductive development and fertility issues. Choosing a deodorant without phthalates on the ingredient list is just as important as choosing one that doesn’t come in a plastic tube -- because that may contain them as well!
They contain “fragrances”: which on average are made up of 14 secret chemicals that companies don’t have to list on the label, according to the Environmental Working Group. That’s all due to a loophole in the FDA’s regulation of personal care products, which states that fragrance can be labelled as a trade secret. Unfortunately, this means that “fragrance” could be millions of different things, and you don’t necessarily want them in your body. The EWG found that about 75% of products containing fragrance also contained phthalates (which also happen to be banned in the EU, Japan, Canada, and even China).
The solution? Switching to natural deodorant!
Look for something free from all of the ingredients mentioned above. If they say that they don’t contain them, that’s a great first start. Bonus points if the deodorant comes in a recyclable or metal tube instead of a plastic one, like this one from Cleo + Coco!
Lastly, don’t give up at first if you feel a little more sweaty than usual. Just because you’re sweating doesn’t mean you’re going to smell. And your body will adjust to not having its pores clogged with aluminum after a few weeks, meaning that you’ll sweat a lot less. It’s worth pushing through.
Now’s the time to switch up your beauty routine to include a more natural deodorant. And what better time to make the switch than fall, when the weather is getting cooler anyway!
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Paige Knapp is a NASM certified personal trainer and health coach in Iowa City, IA. She empowers women to eat more delicious food and ditch chronic cardio to boost their metabolisms, lose fat, and get STRONG. She wants to help you sift through diet & fitness culture BS to take control of your health, and you can find more from her on her website: www.imperfectlypaigewellness.com
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