DEODORANTS - A DANGER TO YOUR HEALTH?

Most people are totally unaware of the dangers lurking in their bathroom cupboards. Though people recognize the necessity to not offend their co-workers, friends and family with the odor which a hot sweaty body can produce, few give much thought about how to deal with it other than showering with soap and applying body lotion, and the classic antiperspirant/deodorant they pick up in a department store, supermarket or elsewhere.

Sweat is a natural function of your body. It's not until the air hits that sweat and bacteria start to breed and multiply that the odors become apparent... with mostly unpleasant results... social avoidance...  a bit like a really bad breath or smelly feet... something most people will not tell you about. There is even a website that you can go to and anonymously pay to have a smelly feet remedy, a deodorant and soap or toothpaste and mouth rinse delivered anonymously to the recipient of your choice... 

It seems to me that it's best not to wait until you get a parcel delivered to you containing any of the above items - prevention is, after all, like a fence at the  top of the cliff, rather than the ambulance at the bottom.

So - soap, showering and putting on deodorant.... but are we doing the right thing for our health. There is much evidence on the internet these days to inform us about the dangers of some of the chemicals lurking behind a number or latin or chemical name, to make us be wary about deodorants. 

Let's have a brief look at some of the components of your standard deodorant.

Firstly there is aluminum:

In the form in which it is used (aluminum chloride) is an extremely irritating chemical which has been linked to breast cancer, alzheimers disease, kidney disease and of causing damage to the environment when it leaches into waterways.

Secondly there is parabens:

Parabens have been found in high concentrations in breast tissue and there are studies being done about their being causal in breast cancer. Parabens also cause problems with the human endocrine system and can disrupt hormone production.  

Thirdly there is formaldehyde:

This is the chemical which is used to preserve specimens in jars and in mortuaries to preserve bodies. It is quite nasty and was never intended to applied to living human tissue. It is a known and acknowledged carcinogen (causes cancer) and is known to cause severe internal bleeding leading to coma and possible death.

Fourthly there is DEA (diethanolamine):

We are told that DEA by itself is not harmful but that DEA can react with other ingredients in the cosmetic formula to form an extremely potent carcinogen called nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA). NDEA is readily absorbed through the skin and has been linked with stomach, esophagus, liver and bladder cancers.

Fifthly there is Triclosan:

This chemical has been slowly building up in our environment and in our bodies. It's known to help the formation of dioxin and chloroform which are known carcinogens and can only bring harm to our health.

HAVE I SCARED YOU BY NOW?

All is not lost - you do not need to go around smelly nor play russian roulette with your health by using chemical laden personal care products when there are wonderfully safe and effective natural products available and I am going to put a couple I found available on here.

Personally, I use a natural mineral crystal deodorant. The brand isn't important, what is important is that it uses a natural mineral salt to stop bacteria breeding in your sweat and turning it smelly. It also doesn't leave unsightly yellow marks on white clothes nor white stains on dark clothes. Nor does it leave horrible waxy deposits in your clothes as do conventional deodorants.

Crystal Stick Deodorant For Women

Crystal Stick Deodorant For Men

The Particular Man The Rock Natural Mineral Rock Deodorant (Unscented), 4.25-Ounce

These are just a small selection of what is available and the great news I have found is that one deodorant stick lasts for over a year. Try getting THAT sort of value out of the chemical deodorants you buy at the mall.


Hope this small review has been helpful.


Cyndee