5 Reasons to Ditch Conventional Deodorant

Heather Dessinger

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Have you ever needed to calculate the square root of 43 while checking out at the grocery store? Me neither. But you know what I have done in grocery stores? Googled mysterious ingredients on my phone.

I’ve already shared with you my man-stink killer deodorant recipe along with my sensitive skin formula and my fave pre-made option, but is conventional deodorant really all that bad?

There are literally thousands of synthetic chemicals on store shelves in our grocery stores. Despite the fact that they’re added to food, personal care products, and household cleaners, many of these chemicals have never been tested for safety. (1) (2) 

When I realized that, I began switching over to natural options, starting with the products I use most often.

Because it was so easy to replace and I had concerns about the ingredients, conventional deodorant was the first to go. Here’s why I ditched it, and why you might want to consider it, too.

ditch-your-deodorant

5 Reasons To Ditch Conventional Deodorant

“When you eat something, it’s broken down by your liver and digestive system. But when you put something on your skin, there are times when it can enter your bloodstream without being metabolized.” Heather Patisaul, Ph.D., an associate professor of biology at North Carolina State University (3)

Not all chemicals are well-absorbed through our skin, but “blood tests show that many of the substances commonly included in deodorant products can, in fact, worm their way past the epidermis and into the body.”

Research also shows that some compounds used in deodorant are absorbed and stored in fat cells, which are prevalent in the underarm area, says Philip Harvey, Ph.D., editor in chief of the Journal of Applied Toxicology. Your underarm tissue also contains hormone receptors, which could react to some of those same deodorant ingredients, Harvey says.” (3)

Here are five ingredients to be aware of:

1. Aluminum

Most antiperspirants and some deodorants – including some “natural crystal” deodorants – contain forms of aluminum, which clog sweat glands to stop perspiration. Research suggests that women who use antiperspirants have higher levels of aluminum than those that don’t, which is a problem because excess aluminum may change how the body makes and/or responds to the estrogen. (4)

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency lists aluminum as a potential endocrine disruptor, which is a chemical that produces “adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune effects in humans, abnormal growth patterns and neurodevelopmental delays in children.” (5)(6)

2. Triclosan

This chemical, which is used in everything from toys to toothpaste, may disrupt normal thyroid function, alter hormones, and increase the risk of breast cancer. (7)(8)(9)(10)

The FDA banned its use in hand soaps beginning in 2017 over concerns that it might contribute to the development of superbugs, but it’s still allowed in personal care products like toothpaste, body wash, hand sanitizer, and deodorant.

This is one chemical to keep a sharp eye out for, even in products that portray themselves as mostly “green” or natural.” Arm and Hammer®, for example, settled a class action lawsuit in 2015 because their Essentials “Natural” Deodorant actually contained Triclosan.

3. Phthalates

Phthalates help other chemicals stick to our skin and/or penetrate more deeply into the epidermis. They’re linked to: 

  • Weight gain (11)
  • Increased risk of diabetes (12)
  • Fertility problems (13)(14)
  • Developmental disorders in children (15)
  • Lower testosterone levels in men, women, and children. (16)(17)

Although testosterone is most often thought of as a “man’s hormone,” it’s actually vital for all of us. Symptoms of low testosterone in women can include:

  • sluggishness
  • muscle weakness
  • fatigue
  • sleep disturbances
  • reduced sex drive
  • decreased sexual satisfaction
  • weight gain
  • fertility issues
  • irregular menstrual cycles
  • vaginal dryness
  • loss of bone density (18)

Prenatal exposure is also linked to:

  • Lower IQs (19)
  • Behavior problems and attention disorders (20)
  • Higher rates of asthma (21)

4. Parabens

Used as preservatives in personal care products, parabens are endocrine disruptors that mimic estrogen. Although a causal connection has not been established, some researchers have hypothesized that the estrogenic properties of phthalates may play a role in breast cancer.

The National Institutes of Health says more studies need to be done due to conflicting results, but some researchers have expressed concern that breast cancer most often occurs in the upper outer quadrant – just under where women rub deodorant on. (22)

Heather Patisaul, Ph.D., an associate professor of biology at North Carolina State University, told TIME Magazine:

There’s estrogen-sensitive tissue in the breast, so the worry is that if you put parabens close to this tissue every day, they may promote the growth of cancer cells.” (3)

In a 2012 study, 99% of breast cancer samples that were analyzed contained parabens. Some say there is no link and that the increased rate of cancer in this quadrant is because it contains the most epithelial tissue.

However, in this study, researchers found that breast cancer rates (specifically in the upper outer quadrant) are rising alongside an increased use of underarm products.

Any increase in the disproportionality of breast cancer in the upper outer quadrant would be inconsistent with an explanation relating to the greater amount of target epithelial tissue in that region but does parallel the increasing use of cosmetics in the underarm area,” write the authors.

5. Fragrances

Thanks to a loophole, companies can hide all sorts of chemicals under the label “fragrance” without disclosing them. In one study conducted by the Environmental Working Group, nearly half of the ingredients in the fragrance products they tested were not listed on the label.

Many of these ingredients are phthalates, but others are chemicals that can cause allergic responses or irritation. Ironically, even “unscented” products may contain masking fragrances, which are chemicals used to cover up the odor of other chemicals. (23)

Products labeled “fragrance free” do not contain masking chemicals according to the Environmental Protection Agency. (23)

Ready to switch to natural deodorant?

I promise, it’s easier than you probably think:

Once you’re ready to tackle the next thing, here are a few other products you might want to replace: shampoo, lotion, soap, makeup remover, hair gel, body butter and hair detangler.

Do you have any tips for making the switch to non-toxic personal care? Please share in the comments below!

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Sources

  1. Sarantis, Heather et. al. (2010) Not So Sexy: The Health Risks of Secret Chemicals in Fragrance
  2. Live Science (2013) Why Are Industrial Chemicals in Food Not Safety Tested?
  3. TIME Magazine (2016) 5 Things Wrong With Your Deodorant
  4. Mannello, Ferdinando et. al. (2011) Analysis of aluminium content and iron homeostasis in nipple aspirate fluids from healthy women and breast cancer-affected patients
  5. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (2008) Endocrine Disrupting Compounds
  6. Monneret, Claude (2017) What is an endocrine disruptor?
  7. Veldhoen, Nik et. al. (2006) The bactericidal agent triclosan modulates thyroid hormone-associated gene expression and disrupts postembryonic anuran development
  8. Stoker, Tammy E. et. al. (2010) Triclosan exposure modulates estrogen-dependent responses in the female wistar rat
  9. Lee, Hye-Rim et. al. (2014) Progression of breast cancer cells was enhanced by endocrine-disrupting chemicals, triclosan and octylphenol, via an estrogen receptor-dependent signaling pathway in cellular and mouse xenograft models
  10. Gee, R H et. al (2008) Oestrogenic and androgenic activity of triclosan in breast cancer cells
  11. Helmholtz Centre For Environmental Research (2016) Weight gain through plasticisers
  12. WebMD (2012) Phthalates May Double Diabetes Risk
  13. Harvard School of Public Health (2016) Exposure to phthalates may raise risk of pregnancy loss, gestational diabetes
  14. Louis, Germaine M Buck et. al. (2014) Urinary bisphenol A, phthalates, and couple fecundity: the Longitudinal Investigation of Fertility and the Environment (LIFE) Study
  15. Braun, Joseph M. et. al. (2013) Phthalate Exposure and Children’s Health
  16. Sexual Medicine Society of North America. Exposure to Phthalates Might Lower Testosterone Levels
  17. Endocrine Society (2014) Reduced Testosterone Tied to Endocrine-disrupting Chemical Exposure
  18. Medical News Today. What happens when a woman has low testosterone?
  19. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Phthalate Exposure Linked to Lower IQ
  20. Columbia University (2021) Phthalates Impair Children’s Brain Development, Scientists Call for Immediate Action
  21. Columbia University (2014) Phthalates Heighten Risk for Childhood Asthma
  22. National Institutes of Health Cancer Institute. Antiperspirants/Deodorants and Breast Cancer
  23. Environmental Protection Agency. Safer Choice: Fragrance Free

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About HEATHER

Heather is a holistic health educator, herbalist, DIYer, Lyme and mold warrior. Since founding Mommypotamus.com in 2009, Heather has been taking complicated health research and making it easy to understand. She shares tested natural recipes and herbal remedies with millions of naturally minded mamas around the world.