Deodorant.... Is It Slowly Killing ME?
- Dee Vaughn
- Apr 11, 2016
- 5 min read
Today I want to tackle the subject of body odor and deodorant! At some point in your life you have had to deal with body odor and the embarrassment it may cause. First let me tell you this. If you have been working out, pulling weeds in the yard or doing some form of physical exertion you are going to sweat and most likely not smell too good. To me that is not the problem we are talking about here. Everyone from time to time is going to smell bad... it is life! If people around you have a problem with your hard work and needing to run into the store for something...that is their issue not yours. Now, if you make this a habit and decide that your natural stink is fine and everyone else has to deal with it than OK but dude your rude and need to take a shower and clean up! Yes... I have come across those people who decide that NATURAL HYGIENE is the way to go! Not sure if they just don't want to spend the money or that the products out there are so toxic it is not worth it! I would have to agree with both but there are SOLUTIONS!
If you want to make your own deodorant than that is awesome. ME on the other hand do not! Nope , no thank you! I do make some things but I have tried making deodorant and was not successful! Some of you might be saying well wait a minute... go back! What is wrong with my favorite deodorant off the shelf? It works great all day long but is it slowly KILLING ME? GOOD question. Let's tackle it!
Most common ingredients in deodorant are listed here and the reason you don't want it in your deodorant.
Aluminum chlorohydrate:
works as an antiperspirant by seeping through the skin and clogging the sweat glands in your armpits at the subdermal level. This prevents any sweat from being released by your glands, which in turn backs up your lymph nodes and starves the odor, causing bacteria that reside in your underarms from breaking down the amino acids and lipids in your sweat that cause body odor. According to EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database, aluminum chlorohydrate is completely banned from cosmetics usage in Canada, and high exposure to the chemical has been associated with moderate non-reproductive organ system toxicity. In addition to this, a 2012 study published in the International Journal of Electrochemical Science linked heightened aluminum exposure to Alzheimer’s disease and osteoporosis, stating, “aluminum foil used in cooking provides an easy channel for the metal to enter the human body… It is also possible that excessive consumption of food baked with aluminum foil may carry a serious health risk.”
Parabens:
worst chemicals often found in deodorants because of the potential role they may play in the development of breast cancer. On the officialwebsite of the American Cancer Society, literature states that the “intake of parabens is a possible concern because studies have shown that parabens have weak estrogen-like properties. Estrogen is a female hormone known to cause breast cells (both normal and cancerous) to grow and divide. And some conditions that increase the body’s exposure to estrogen (like not having children, late menopause, obesity, etc.) have been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.” Though parabens only have weak estrogenic activity, their impact is still significant because practically every consumer product ranging from acne medications to deep hair conditioners contains these substances, meaning that we get exposed to a consistently low-level dosage of estrogen every day (which could be causing underlying health problems to fester under the radar). While parabens pose the most significant threat to women due to the elevated breast cancer risk, exposure is also not good for men as the estrogenic activity can contribute to lower testosterone levels over time.
Propylene glycol:
petroleum based thickeners & penetration enhancers to add creaminess. Hazards: carcinogen, systemic toxicity, linked to lymphatic, breast, brain cancers. Inside: shampoos, conditioners, lotions, deodorants, etc.
Ethanolamines (TEA, DEA, MEA):
Cancer: Nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA) is listed as a carcinogen in the National Toxicology Program’s Report on Carcinogens. Experimental studies show that NDEA causes liver cancer and kidney tumors in rats and cancer of nasal cavity in hamsters [7]. TEA and DEA have found to be hepatocarcinogenic (producing or tending to produce cancer in the liver) in female mice [4,8,9].
Bioaccumulation: Studies show that 52 to 68 percent of DEA in hair dyes, body lotions and shampoos remain on the upper layers of the skin after exposure [10].
Organ system toxicity: Studies have found that DEA affects human male reproductive health. DEA alters sperm structure, causing abnormalities that affect the sperm’s ability to swim and fertilize the egg [11]. DEA accumulates in the liver and kidney, causing organ toxicity and also possible neurotoxic effects such as tremors [12]. Another study suggests that memory function and brain development in offspring could be permanently affected by mothers’ exposure to DEA [13].
Triclosan:
FDA classified pesticide, antibacterial & anti-fungal preservative. Hazards: endocrine & thyroid disruptor in human breast milk, birth defects, uncontrolled cell growth. Inside: shaving creams, hair conditioners, deodorants, soap / cleansers, household cleaners, toothpastes.
“The American Medical Association recommends that triclosan and other “antibacterial” products not be used in the home, as they may encourage bacterial resistance to antibiotics that can allow resistant strains to flourish.”
MAN.... So what can you do? Like I said you can make your own deodorant or you can choose one that is Organic and ToxicFree®
So what the HECK is ToxicFree®?
Did you know that a company can call its finished product "organic" or "natural" if it contains just one ingredient that is in fact organic or natural? That's why the ToxicFree Foundation took the initiative to examine and certify products as 100% toxic free.
Why I made the switch to Organic & ToxicFree®. Because I was having health issues and I new going to a plant based diet would help me tremendously. IT DID! but then it lead me to choosing organic foods over toxic conventionally grown. Which then made me think about my supplements and my personal care products. Why do one and not the others... RIGHT?
Please don't take chances with your health. It may just be deodorant but think about how many other products you are using on a daily basis... IT ADDS UP! This is one reason why people get CANCER or have auto immune diseases. It is serious stuff! Thanks for listening! God bless you and your day! LIVE IT WELL!
Dee
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