Deodorant Fights Stinky Odor, But It Could Actually Do You More Harm Than Good!

Plenty of speed sticks don’t stack up. Here’s what you need to know before you de-stink.

When you think about natural beauty products, what do you envision? Mineral-free makeup? Soaps and shampoos without sketchy ingredients? Maybe an organic moisturizer? While these items can definitely fall under the umbrella of natural living, there’s one go-to toiletry most of us don’t consider: deodorant.

Swiping on scented, odor-blocking sweat stoppers seems innocent enough, especially when it’s a saving grace after a particularly sweaty subway ride or workout. Unfortunately, years of research suggest the ingredients used in many deodorants can actually be harmful to our health.

Blacklist: The Dangerous Ingredients Lurking in Deodorant

Parabens
Parabens, preservative chemicals added to personal care products (as well as some processed foods), help prevent bacteria from growing. Parabens mimic estrogen, resulting in hormonal disruption previously inked to breast cancer and reproductive issues.

Triclosan
Triclosan is another hormonally disruptive chemical found in deodorants that also appears in dish detergents and toothpaste. Overexposure can increase a child’s risk for allergies. And to boot, the chemical can also impair muscle function. Following consumer protest, this toxin made headlines when the FDA announced plans to review the safety and efficacy of the ingredient in antibacterial soaps.

Phthalates
Trailing behind triclosan are phthalates. While these chemicals are mostly used as plasticizers, or to make plastic more flexible, they appear in personal care products too. Phthalates have been linked to learning disabilities, behavior problems and even pre-term birth.

Aluminum
Aluminum isn’t just used in foil to wrap leftovers—it’s also another scary deodorant ingredient to look out for. A study published compared the breast tissue of 19 breast cancer patients to that of healthy women. The researchers found the women with breast cancer had increased levels of aluminum, which is considered a toxic substance. Exposure to high levels of aluminum may result in respiratory and neurological problems.

Source: Healthy Holistic Living