If you’ve been on a journey to using cleaner body products that are less toxic, you’re probably thinking about choosing a deodorant with fewer negative impacts on your health. Many people are hesitant because they’re worried these products don’t work as well as their traditional counterparts, but that certainly hasn’t been my experience. There are plenty of natural deodorants that get the job done. Let’s dive in.
Antiperspirant Vs. Deodorant
Antiperspirants try to stop the process of sweating to control odour, which is an issue on its own because sweating is a form of maintaining our body temperature; it evaporates from the skin and removes heat from the body. Sweating is a good thing!
Deodorants don’t stop you from sweating but rather focus on removing decaying bacteria within your sweat, which is the root cause of the odour. While some people may not require deodorant at all (how lucky for them), many of us require something to keep smelling fresh.
Does Deodorant Cause Cancer?
The medical community, including the Canadian Cancer Society, has stated that traditional antiperspirants and deodorants do not increase the risk of breast cancer, even though these products are typically high in parabens, triclosan, phthalates, propylene glycol, and aluminum. Some studies, however, have linked these ingredients to cancer; they show that parabens, specifically, end up in breast tissue and can influence abnormal cell growth, which may increase the risk of breast cancer. Overall, it’s still up for debate, and since studies on these products are lacking, more research needs to be done.
It’s important to note that antiperspirants don’t always work. Many of us used them because we were told that once we hit puberty, we would need them. But if antiperspirants don’t work very well for you and there’s a chance they may increase your risk of cancer, it might be best to switch up your routine and try a deodorant for a few days to see if you notice a difference.
Deodorant Without Parabens
Regardless of whether you use antiperspirant or deodorant, both contain many ingredients that have questionable safety data: hormone-disrupting capabilities that contribute to neurological or reproductive issues, allergies, atopic conditions like eczema, and potentially cancer. From “lavender breeze” to “fresh vanilla,” these scents sound like they’ll fix all your B.O. issues—they’ve been branded very well, even claiming 24-hour protection or more with no evidence to back it up. If you use these products occasionally, the amount of “toxic burden” they contribute is probably negligible; however, if these products are something you use more days than not—especially on broken skin—it’s probably worth making the switch to something more natural.
I’m not a fan of antiperspirants since they go against what your body is naturally trying to do. Many brands have a natural deodorant version, which is a better option and available in the health section of most grocery stores.
A good natural deodorant will use naturally occurring substances to combat bacteria, such as tea tree oil, baking soda, and coconut oil. Some may also contain moisture-wicking ingredients like cornstarch. Deodorants that contain the word “fragrance,” including “natural fragrance,” are code for “a bunch of chemicals we don’t have to name,” so these products are best avoided. It’s important to remember that each natural deodorant is composed differently; what works for your sister or friend may not work for you. You may have to go through trial and error with a few products to find the one that works for you.
You may not have heard of this one, but a salt block/stick is super cost-effective and great for sensitive skin. Before applying, run it under warm water for half a second. It’s not something I would bring camping or on vacation, as you do need to wet it, but at home, the salt block is my go-to.
Going “natural” doesn’t have to stop with the deodorant itself. Try going all the way and opt for ones with eco-packaging, too. Choosing cardboard or glass containers over plastic will put you firmly on the natural path.
