What’s your daily morning ritual? If you’re like most working women, your routine would include brushing and flossing, taking a shower and you would probably not leave the house without deodorant, especially in this desert climate. But do you know that aluminum-based deodorants could be harmful to your health?
What are they and how to deal with it, let’s see in this post.
What’s the use of aluminum in deodorants
There’s a marked difference between deodorants and antiperspirants. Deodorants help to eliminate armpit odor but don’t stop sweat. They make your skin less attractive to bacteria by turning it acidic. Moreover, they contain perfume to reduce body odor.
Contrarily antiperspirants contain aluminum-based compounds. These compounds block sweat pores, reducing the amount of perspiration that reaches your skin.
Also, these aluminum compounds inhibit the growth of bacteria that feed on your sweat and cause odor.
Nowadays, to make matters more complex many products are combinations of antiperspirants and deodorants. So, if you want to be sure, check the ingredient list.
If you come across active ingredients like aluminum chloralhydrate or aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly. Then opt for aluminum-free versions.
Health concerns of aluminum in deodorants
The primary health issues linked with aluminum in deodorants are cancer risk and Alzheimer’s risk.
Aluminum in deodorants could cause cancer.
The National Center for Biotechnology Information published a research study that suggests frequent use of antiperspirants could cause aluminum to accumulate in breast tissue.
Estrogen promotes the growth of both cancer and non-cancer cells. Aluminum compounds mimic estrogen in your body and may increase the risk of breast cancer.
Also, the other questionable ingredients found in deodorants are phthalates. Used as preservatives, they fight the growth of odor-causing bacteria. Similar to aluminum compounds, they mimic estrogen in your body and increase the risk of breast cancer.
Aluminum in deodorants linked to Alzheimer’s
During the ’60s and ’70s, aluminum was discovered as the possible suspect in Alzheimer’s disease. This finding caused rampant fear surrounding the use of aluminum in anything from pots, pans, soda cans, antiperspirants, and antacids.
In 1985 another research study proved that Alzheimer’s patients had high levels of aluminum in their brains. But some experts suggest that there’s not enough evidence that aluminum caused Alzheimer’s.
Aluminum and kidney problems
Aluminum may be a significant concern if you have kidney problems, especially if your kidney function is 30 percent or less. High levels of aluminum in your body could cause bone disease or dementia.
Excess aluminum gets filtered through kidneys, but its excretion may be slow if you have impaired kidney function––causing severe health concerns.
A clean lifestyle may be the solution to bid goodbye to bad odor.
Rather than solely relying on deodorants and antiperspirants, you could follow a clean lifestyle to fight body odor.
What does that mean? It includes a lifestyle of healthy eating, regular exercise, and drinking plenty of water.
Other recommendations include having a daily shower, limiting caffeinated beverages, and trying relaxation techniques like biofeedback or yoga to reduce nervous sweating.
Natural deodorant options
If you’re not prepared to give up your deodorant just yet, then consider natural options instead.
Our deodorant cream will you similar benefits as any other deodorant in the market but it is 100% safe for you. We use 5 organic ingredients, each with purposeful benefits to give you long lasting freshness without running any risk to your skin or health.
Coconut oil, shea butter and arrow root powder, corn starch and sage essential oil together deliver anti- inflammatory and anti-bacterial benefits all day all to your delicate underarms.
