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Quote of the day:

“The best way to predict your future is to create it.”

– Abraham Lincoln

Deodorant

What do we need to know?

We all know what deodorant is and why we use it. But do you know the difference between antiperspirant and deodorant, and the difference between chemical and natural deodorant?

• Antiperspirants are designed to reduce sweat by temporarily blocking sweat ducts with the use of aluminum compounds. This helps to reduce the amount of moisture that is released from the body and can be effective in reducing body odor.

• Deodorants are designed to mask or neutralize odor rather than reduce sweat. They typically contain antimicrobial agents to kill odor-causing bacteria and fragrances to mask any remaining odor. Some deodorants may also contain small amounts of aluminum compounds to help reduce sweat.

• Chemical deodorants are those that contain synthetic ingredients, such as parabens, phthalates, and triclosan. These chemicals may have potential health risks and may be irritating to some individuals.

• Natural deodorants are made with natural, plant-based ingredients instead of harsh chemicals or synthetic fragrances. They are made of natural ingredients such as coconut oil, shea butter, baking soda, arrowroot powder, and essential oils to mask body odor and absorb moisture.

The use of chemicals in deodorant are being rubbed directly on our lymph nodes and preventing sweating/releasing. This is a problem because it disrupts the natural processes of the lymphatic systems ability to remove toxins and harmful substances from the body. The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in the immune system and any disruption could potentially lead to health problems or weaken the body's ability to fight off infections or diseases.

Why does it matter?

Aluminum is one of the harmful ingredients in deodorant that people have become aware of due to some studies suggesting that it is connected to Breast Cancer, Kidney disease, and Alzheimer's disease. While it is great that brands have started offering “Aluminum-Free” options, they are now just using that term as a greenwashing technique.

Because of that you want to make sure you are aware of the other toxic ingredients, like:

1. Benzene is a known carcinogen (cancer-causing substance) and can also cause other health effects, such as anemia, immune system damage, and reproductive problems, even at low levels of exposure. A recent study that tested 108 deodorants found Benzene in 59 popular brands deodorant and antiperspirant sprays. Following this Proctor and Gamble recalled a bunch of their deodorants.

2. Parabens are a group of synthetic preservatives that have been linked to hormone disruption, reproductive problems, and breast cancer.

3. Phthalates are a group of chemicals that have been linked to hormone disruption, reproductive problems, and developmental issues in children.

4. Propylene glycol is a synthetic and petroleum based chemical that has been linked to skin irritation, allergic reactions, and other health issues.

5. Triclosan is an antimicrobial agent that has been linked to hormone disruption, bacterial resistance, and environmental harm.

6. Others include Fragrance, BHT, PEGs, and Phenoxyethanol

Natural deodorants are the better option to avoid all the chemicals. They work by neutralizing odor-causing bacteria and absorbing sweat, without blocking the sweat glands or disrupting the body's natural processes.

How to remove from your life?

A lot of the popular brands like Old Spice, Secret, Suave, Sure, Tag, Degree, Dove, Toms, Equate have one or more of the listed harmful ingredients above.

I would opt for a natural deodorant and try and avoid any that have baking soda (can be an irritant). My favorite is Magsol but here are a few other options. These do not leave a white cast like some of the other natural brands on the market.

• Magsol (can buy on Amazon)

• Primally Pure

• Ursa Major

• Kosas

• Salt & Stone

Now I do need to call out that there is a pit-fall to switching to natural deodorant, and that is the “detoxing” phase. From personal experience I can tell you it is smelly but totally worth it. After detoxing and switching to natural deodorant I no longer smell, even if I forget to put it on.

Why does this happen? The smell that occurs when detoxing from chemical deodorant is caused by the bacteria and toxins that are being eliminated from the body. The chemicals can accumulate on the skin, combining with sweat-causing bacteria and exacerbating odor. When transitioning to a natural deodorant, the accumulated bacteria and toxins are released resulting in an initial increase in odor as the body adjusts to the new product. This detox period can last for a few weeks, but the good news is you can say goodbye to the toxins, bad smells, and pit stains on your clothes.

During this detox period, it's important to stay hydrated, wear breathable clothing, and cleanse the armpit area thoroughly. You may also want to consider applying the natural deodorant more frequently, or even reapplying it throughout the day, to help control odor.

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