Deodorant Detox

Ok friends, I’m writing a blog on Detoxing from commercial deodorants for a few reasons. First, because I have introduced 2 new Deodorant Products to my Bath and Body Line, but the MAIN reason is because most commercial deodorants are full of chemicals and toxins. Even worse, most commercial deodorants are also antiperspirants, which are even worse! I mean think about it… anything you can rub on your skin that is going to stop one of your body’s main functions, has got to have some seriously nasty ingredients in it, right?

Antiperspirants use Aluminum Compounds to literally plug up your sweat glands. I know what your thinking: Aluminum, that’s natural, it can’t be that bad. Your right, Aluminum is a naturally occurring substance. So is arsenic, and that shit will kill you lickity-split.

Natural does not always mean healthy. That’s why you don’t let your kids eat berries off of random bushes in the backyard. They might be mulberries, but they also might be nightlock (yes, that IS a Hunger Games Reference). The bottom line is, some things that seem harmless can be quite poisonous to us.

The facts:

There have been studies linking Aluminum and it’s compounds, specifically aluminum in antiperspirants, to Breast Cancer. The idea is that the antiperspirant is applied to the under arm, the aluminum is absorbed by the skin, penetrating not only into the bloodstream, as all things that you apply to your skin will, but also into the sweat glands. We KNOW that it does this, because it works. It stops or at least slows our sweat production. Once it’s in those glands, the aluminum can alter your DNA, and interfere with estrogen production, which is the main hormone associated with breast cancer. This idea is supported by the fact a majority of breast cancers develop in the upper outer part of the breast, closest to those aluminum filled sweat glands. There is not enough research out there to prove whether or not this theory is absolutely true, but it makes sense to me. I’m no doctor, but I do have a bit of anatomy knowledge, from both my education and personal research, and it’s not a risk I’m willing to take.

In addition to it’s link to Breast Cancer. Aluminum and it’s compounds are also linked to Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Studies show that Alzheimer’s patients have a higher concentration of aluminum in their brain than those without the disease. Did that aluminum come from their Deodorant? Maybe… I have no way of knowing for sure. What I do know, is that the human body does not produce Aluminum, so if it’s in there, it had to have come from somewhere. It has also been found, by renal specialists, that dialysis patients with high levels of aluminum in the bloodstream were more likely to develop dementia. Since those suffering from Kidney failure are not able to remove the aluminum from their bloodstream fast enough, they are prescribed a medication to help control these levels. Antiperspirant labels are required by the FDA to have a warning for Patients with Kidney Disease because of this. Just as with the breast cancer evidence, there is not enough research or evidence to say that Aluminum causes or even contributes to these diseases, but there is enough evidence supporting the possibility, that I’m not willing to take a chance. Especially, when there are perfectly good alternatives readily available.

So, you might be saying OK, I shouldn’t use antiperspirants, but what’s wrong with just a regular deodorant? I challenge you to find a deodorant on the shelf of your local Wal-mart that is not also an antiperspirant. It’s not an easy task. Even if you DO manage to find one, there are likely some problematic ingredients in those as well. Most are just possible skin irritants, but a few can be pretty nasty. For example several carcinogens are popular deodorant ingredients. As a matter of fact, I’m going to list the ingredients you should stay away from below, just so you know what you’re dealing with:

Known carcinogens in your deodorant:

Talc

Propylene Glycol

Parabens

Steareth


Suspected Carcinogens in your deodorant:

Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex

Aluminum Chlorohydrate

Skin Irritants in your Deodorant:

Silica

Triclosan

Talc

Propylene Glycol

Fragrance/perfume

Sodium Bicarbonate

So, now that I’ve convinced you that you have Alzheimers and Breast Cancer, because you’ve been using deodorant since you were 9, I’m going to talk to you a little bit about natural deodorants. There are 2 basic types of natural deodorants.

Probiotic Deodorants, which use “good” bacteria to neutralize the “bad” odor causing bacteria on your skin, much like they do in your digestive system. These are usually longer lasting products, and cause little to no skin irritation. Some are boosted with essential oils for scent. While, Probiotic deodorants work perfectly well, and are honestly the best option IMHO, I understand that this may be a little to “crunchy” for some people. Have no fear, there is another option!

Anti-Bacterial Deodorants. These use mostly essential oils to kill bacteria on the skin. These work by creating an environment in which bacteria cannot survive. They will kill the good and bad bacteria on your skin. These also tend to be difficult for people with sensitive skin, as the essential oils can be irritating, but if you do not have a problem with EO’s this will be a perfectly good option for you.

Both types of deodorants will likely also include some kind of wax (helps to make the bar more solid), a butter and/or hard oil (as the creamy base for the bar), and some moisture absorbing ingredients like Arrowroot powder, Baking soda (can irritate skin), clays, and/or zinc oxide. Additional ingredients may include colorants, essential oils or scented oils for fragrance, vitamin E oil or other natural boosters. (If your deodorant is a lotion instead of a solid bar, there is likely no wax and additional softer oils may be listed.)

There are also some natural deodorant powders available, which are basically just any combination of the dry ingredients listed above tossed with essential oils. These are applied by rubbing the powder into your skin. I haven't had much experience with these, but I imagine they would be good for very heavy sweaters, as the powders haven't absorbed any oils in the production, and therefore can hold more moisture from sweat. 

Both of the Indulgence Deodorant Products start with the same creamy skin friendly base:

Coconut Oil - Moisturizing, soothing, and fast absorbing. Melts at 76 degrees, so application is smooth.

Beeswax - To keep the bars solid. Also helps to keep your product from coming off throughout the day, as it is moisture resistant.

Arrowroot Powder - Absorbs moisture.

Zinc Oxide: Soothing to skin, helps prevent odor, absorbs moisture

Bentonite Clay - Helps to draw toxins out and is extremely moisture absorbent. Also gives the product a creamier texture.

Vitamin E oil - helps to keep product fresh, and adds and extra skin nourishing boost.

For the Probiotic formula, the only other ingredient the shelf stable Probiotic Powder, and scented oil for fragrance.

For the Anti-Bacterial Formula, I add Tea Tree essential oil, and some also include lavender essential oil.

When you make the switch to a natural deodorant, your body will have to detox from all the chemicals and toxins in your previous product. Some people notice no symptoms during this period, others get them all. It will depend on your system. The detox period could last anywhere from 5 -30 days.

Here are some things you may notice:

1. You may smell a little funky for a while. You won’t smell like BO, per se, as the natural deodorant will be preventing odor causing bacteria, but while your body is expelling the aluminum and toxins, you may notice that you have an unusual odor.

2. You may sweat more. First of all, if you're no longer using an antiperspirant, you may notice that you’re sweating more because of that, but you shouldn’t stink, and your natural deodorant does contain ingredients to help absorb some of this moisture. If you’re a heavy sweater, look for a product that contains clay. For some people, your sweat glands will go into overdrive, trying to flush out all of the aluminum. If you’re sweating WAY more than normal, just give your body some time to adjust. It will regulate itself soon.

3. You may have some tenderness in the glands under your arms. The glands could become inflamed while working to expel the toxins in your system. This should only last a short time.

4. You may notice some bumps on the skin under your arms. This is actually a good thing, it means the natural deodorant is doing it’s job to draw the toxins out. Your body is pushing them out through your pores. Again, this should only last a short time.

5. You may notice some redness or irritation under your arms. This could be a sensitivity to the product your using. Baking Soda or Sodium Bicarbonate, is a very common irritant. If you’re using a product that contains this ingredient, you may need to switch. Also, essential oils such as tea tree, peppermint, cinnamon, pine, various citrus oils, and clove are highly anti-bacterial, but can also cause skin irritation. Especially when used in high concentrations. If your product contains essential oils, and you get a rash, try a probiotic formula instead. 

If you go more than 30 days with any of the above symptoms, you may want to consider switching products, or consulting a physician, as you may be having a reaction, or the formula may just not be working for you.

Of course, being stinky, sweaty, rashy, and having sore armpits doesn't sound like much fun, so I do have a couple suggestions to help expidite the process, if you do decide to start detoxing. 

1. Drink Plenty of Water. Flushing your system will speed up the detox process

2. Break a sweat! Getting those sweat glands pumping with exercise will help to push everything out more quickly.

3. A Clean Diet. The fewer toxins you put into your body, the fewer it will have to expel. Opting for a clean diet will help you detox quickly and safely.  

As I stated above, I am not a doctor. The information in this blog is based on my person research and opinion. Please, feel free to do your own research on the subject, or consult your doctor, if you want more information. Not everyone’s opinions will line up with mine. Some people may look at the exact same evidence and say “There’s no proof, I think it’s all a bunch of BS”, and that’s OK. To each their own. My main objective is to open your eyes and let you know that this concern is out there AND that you do have natural alternatives.

Thanks for Reading!

-Beth