Conventional antiperspirants and deodorants contain potentially harmful ingredients
istock/zoranm According alc
o Sophia Gushee, a non-toxic living expert and author of The A to Z of D-Toxing, there are a number of harmful ingredients found in conventional formulas. Aluminum—the active ingredient in antiperspirants that keeps you dry—has raised the most concerns for its potential link to everything from breast cancer to Alzheimer’s. Other questions ingredients include: parabens, propylene glycol, phthalates, and triclosan. (It’s worth noting that both the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration say traditional deodorants are safe.)
Natural deodorants are aluminum-free
istock/svehlik As mentioned, aluminum keeps you dry, but let’s get scientific for a minute; it actually causing ducts to swell so the sweat can’t get out—effectively trapping it inside. There are some very real concerns surrounding exposure to aluminum. While studies around the long-term health risks are not yet conclusive, there is research to suggest that aluminum may have genotoxic and estrogenic effects and may contribute to breast cancer. Instead of aluminum, all natural deodorants rely on plant-based powders and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) to help absorb wetness without any of the controversial chemicals, explains Jaime Schmidt, founder and CEO of Schmidt’s Naturals. (This is why you shouldn’t use deodorant before a mammogram).