Personal care products are a major area of toxic exposure. Products on the shelves are not regulated for human safety before they enter the marketplace. It’s up to the manufacturer if they wish to make sure their consumers are not being harmed by their products. The skin is the body’s largest organ. It is critical for detoxification of toxins, harmful substances, and waste from the body. The armpits in particular are such a sensitive spot for toxins due to the location of the axillary lymph nodes right beneath the pits. Additionally, sweat is responsible for moving toxins OUT of the body which is incredibly important for maintaining balanced hormones, a strong immune system, steady mental health, avoiding nutrient deficiencies, and so much more! 

Harmful Ingredients in Deodorants:

• Common deodorants contain aluminum, propylene glycol, triclosan, and fragrances. All things I avoid when possible. 

  • Aluminum is the ingredient used that makes an antiperspirant stop you from sweating. It blocks the sweat from exiting the skin. In addition to the problems recirculating toxins cause, aluminum can have estrogen-like effects on the body and may be linked to breast cancer simply due to the fact that too much estrogen in the body can promote breast cancer cells. More research is needed to confirm if deodorant does this.

  • Propylene Glycol is a petroleum based ingredient that gives deodorants their slick nature. Propylene glycol in large amounts can be linked to the central nervous system, cardiovascular issues, liver toxicity, and can also cause skin irritation. Pregnant women do not break this chemical down as easily as others do, posing a greater risk on the baby.

  • Triclosan was banned from antibacterial soaps by the FDA in 2016 because it is a synthetic pesticide that can cause hormone disruption, increased risk of breast cancer. However, it was not banned from other products and can be found in acne products, toothpastes, body washes and deodorants. Triclosan has also been found in the breastmilk of nursing women. 

  • Fragrances are what give deodorants and other personal care or home products their scent. However, the fragrance industry is self-regulated and the industry loop-hole allows manufacturers to use any ingredient undisclosed and any ingredient can appear under the label as “fragrance”, “parfum”, etc. Fragrances are linked to hormone dysfunction, have carcinogenic effects, are neurotoxic and can cause skin and lung irritation in sensitive individuals. It’s best to use products that are “fragrance free” or naturally scented because “unscented” products contain fragrances that erase scents- but the ingredient is still there. 

What are antiperspirants?

Antiperspirants are designed to block the body from sweating. A few things happen when we apply antiperspirant to our armpits daily:

• The sweat glands in the armpits are blocked from releasing sweat by the antiperspirant (and the toxic load that needs to be removed in that sweat). The body needs to remove the toxins and waste one way or another, so you will become disproportionately sweaty in other areas, or it will store extra/difficult to remove toxins as fat, as a protective mechanism to keep them from circulating the body. 

• Antiperspirant is made from aluminum, which is harmful to the body and puts further burden on the body's detoxification system, as noted above.

• Lymph nodes are filters for immune activity and detoxification and one of the most important lymph nodes is right in the armpit. We want to keep this area free of toxins and regularly flushing (sweating) as much as possible!

Let's talk about SWEAT! 

Many people are afraid of sweat. We’ve been taught to think its bad and therefore try to contain it. However, sweat is necessary and has many important roles in human health. Sweat isn’t naturally stinky either. Stinky sweat is a sign of gut dysfunction! Stinky sweat is caused by an overabundance of “bad” bacteria in the microbiome of the skin and/or gut. It’s a gut health problem, not a lack of antiperspirant problem. Excessive environmental toxins can actually perpetuate a gut health problem, making the stink even worse!

1. Sweat regulates body temperature

2. Sweat is a vehicle for excreting toxins and waste from the body

3. Sweat is a critical component of the body's natural detoxification and overall health. 

4. Sweat helps maintain balanced hormones as part of what we detox is used up hormones. If we are not able to sweat, used up hormones will get stuck in the body and contribute to imbalances in hormones.

5. Sweat helps maintain healthy, glowing skin! (Problems with detoxification often show up in the skin as rashes, eczema, rosacea, acne, etc.)

6. Traditional deodorants that contain antiperspirant block sweat glands. Toxins still need to be removed! This can lead to excessive sweating in other areas or toxins stored as fat in the body. 

7. Traditional deos contain harmful ingredients like aluminum, propylene glycol, and fragrances, and are applied at least once each day! This puts an even heavier burden on the body to remove these toxins, through the sweat, which is being blocked. 

FIVE steps to switching to a natural deo:

• Change your mindset- sweat is GOOD!

• Find a natural product that works well for you. 

  • I’ve tried a LOT of different brands before I landed on what really works for me! It took me a few years so I’m hoping to help make this process easier for you!Look for ingredients that you can pronounce and quality sourcing!

• Give yourself an adjustment period (2-4 weeks roughly!) 

  • You might feel sweatier and stinkier for a little bit as your body works hard to rid itself of all those extra toxins through those newly opened sweat glands and takes some time to recalibrate!  

• Do a pit detox to speed up the process with bentonite clay and ACV or a Beautycounter Charcoal mask! 

• Allow your sweat to indicate other areas of health! 

  • If you find that you are still stinky after that adjustment period, it might be more of an internal situation. Where might you be able to take small steps to improve your health overall? Focus on eating whole foods, reducing sugar, getting exercise, and drinking plenty of water! 

My Experience Switching to Safer Deodorant and My Top favorites:

I started to use deodorant in place of antiperspirant probably around 6 years ago! It was before there were more than one option available…I found out a few years in the one I was using was TERRIBLE and made me feel gross, and I didn’t even know I didn’t have to be using that one anymore. 

Since that time, I’ve tried dozens of different brands and I am finally so happy with these two options I never have to worry about switching around ever again. It’s such a weight off! 

I’m also happy that I can share this info with you so you don’t have to go through what I went through! 

My favorite two deodorants are made by Beautycounter and Primally Pure. 

First I used Primally Pure and was immediately so impressed with how well it worked compared to any of the others I had ever tried. I used the Charcoal one, and aside from the color of it, it worked like a normal, not “clean” product, but is incredibly natural! It did not go on dark, did not stain clothes, smells amazing, and I always felt fresh and clean when using it. This is the one my husband still uses which is a huge testament to how well it works!! 

Since Beautycounter released their Clean Deo, I have been using that one. It keeps me dry and fresh ALL day. No staining on clothes while wearing or after washing, and all three scents smell amazing. Beautycounter tests every batch of product multiple times to ensure safety and quality so I love being certain there are no heavy metals in this product that I’m swiping on my axillary lymph node daily. One swipe is all I need for an entire day so it lasts quite some time. The containers are lovely and refillable, which is a win for your health and for Mama Earth. 

I’m telling you - a move toward safer deodorant is a big win for your health over all. Though it's a small step, it CAN feel intimidating at first and I totally understand that! I’m on your team and once you get over the hump you’ll be so glad you did. Take the plunge NOW- better Spring than mid-summer, ya feel me?!?

You can learn more about the Clean Deo by Beautycounter here and new customers to Beautycounter can get 30% off with code CLEANFORALL30 (limited time only)!

You can learn more about the Primally Pure deo here and get $10 off your purchase (send me a DM).

Get your new non-toxic deo for FREE! 

I am GIVING AWAY full sized Beautycounter and Primally Pure Charcoal deos! All you have to do is head over to my instagram @wellandwildnutrition. Like the post about deo from 4/28/2022, follow my account (@wellandwildnutrition), and leave your favorite Spring emoji in the comments! Share the post in your stories (must tag me or I won’t know & it won’t be counted) and/or join my email list (link in bio) for TWO extra entries per activity! 

Winners will be notified in the comments on this post on 5/5/2022. All winners must be 18+.

This giveaway is all on my own and in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered with Primally Pure, Beautycounter, or Instagram.