Deodorant

Deodorant. This product, used by most people today, deserves a post of its own.

In my last post on this blog about body care products, I mentioned the importance of using more natural, non toxic, body care products for better health. The products used on your skin are absorbed by your body, and thus, have an affect on your health. I didn’t realize this until a few years ago. 

Deodorant is an especially important one. You can usually purchase deodorant in different forms: stick, spray, or roll on. Based on what I see for sale on the shelves of most grocery stores, I'm going to guess that most people use the standard stick deodorant.  

There are so many different brands and types of deodorant for sale today. Many of them are advertised as being "anti-perspirant" which means they usually contain something called aluminum. Aluminum helps people not to sweat as much under the arms. When you do sweat, any fragrance usually helps to cover up any odors. 

Unfortunately, when using anti-perspirant deodorants containing aluminum, your body will absorb some of that. Aluminum, when used on a daily basis, is not so healthy for the body. Sad truth.

Underneath our arms is a large area where lymph nodes in our lymphatic system meet and circulate throughout the body. That is precisely where people apply deodorant. Applying something with aluminum there isn't such a great idea. 

For women, this also poses another possible problem. In the future, I plan to share a couple posts on this blog specifically for women. I will mark those future blog posts with the title as being specifically "FOR WOMEN". Men are welcome to read those posts, but they will be written with women in mind. In those posts, as well as in this one, I will get slightly explicit so as to make my point clear. I could have marked this post as being for women, but this post does apply to both men and women. Aluminum isn't the greatest thing to be using in deodorant.   

For women, using deodorant containing some type of aluminum, can cause two possible problems: 

One: After shaving under the arms and then applying deodorant with aluminum there, it can cause chronic red bumps to appear under your arms. That is your body saying that it doesn't like something. I used to have that all the time, especially after shaving, which is not uncommon. (shaving, in general, will cause that) However, using chemicals and/or toxins on your skin after shaving, will make it worse.     

Second: Using deodorant containing some type of aluminum can cause problems for women in regards to the lymphatic system and the breasts. Remember, we have a large area of lymph nodes near the breasts. Sadly, breast cancer is becoming more common in women these days.  

Am I saying that deodorant containing aluminum is the cause of breast cancer in women? No, not at all. However, it could be a contributing factor to it. If your pores are clogged by an anti-perspirant deodorant in a location where God designed us to sweat (to help get rid of toxins!), where might the body try to store those toxins instead? In the breasts. This is something to be aware of.      

Thankfully, not all deodorants contain aluminum.

I remember, even as a young teenage girl, hearing about aluminum deodorants not being so great. My mom gave me my first stick of deodorant when I was around age 10. She bought one for me that she used by the brand “Secret” in their “powder fresh” scent, an “anti-perspirant” deodorant. I liked it, and it worked well. (it's funny the things I remember from my childhood, even things like body care products) Besides shopping in regular grocery stores, I remember my mom shopping in health stores to get a few items. 

In my early teen years, I remember asking my mom if I could try a new kind of deodorant for fun, not for health reasons. My mom said I could. I still remember picking out a nice scent by the natural brand "Tom's of Maine" in their "honeysuckle rose" scent. It did not have any aluminum in it, and I loved the light, natural scent. I discovered, very quickly, while living in sunny California, that it did not work. I couldn't stand how I smelled, and I went back to using the deodorant my mom bought for me instead.

When I began working at the age of 20, I began using the common "Suave" brand and enjoyed trying their different scents - all of them being "anti-perspirant" deodorants containing aluminum. Even though I got some small red bumps under my arms, that didn't bother me too much. It was better than sweating or smelling. It was cheap, and it worked.  

I used that for years, until I was reminded again that aluminum deodorant isn't so great to be using. But what do I use instead, I wondered? I tried another deodorant without aluminum, and it didn't work so great either. What was the point in using deodorant if it didn't work?

I've known people who either use natural deodorant (that doesn't work) or simply don't use deodorant at all. I didn't want to fit those descriptions, nor did I want to leave a bad testimony to anyone. Showering is great, but sometimes (especially in the summer) you need something extra.

I decided to try many, different natural brands until I could find one that hopefully worked! After trying several, I finally found one that works very well. Sometimes, I'm amazed that what I use is a natural deodorant - it works that well for me. 

The brand is called "Humble", and the best part of all? No aluminum - and it works! Nothing bad is in it, and the one I use smells wonderful. I like their rose scent, but they offer different scents for both men and women.  

What's in it that works? Baking soda and cornstarch.  

Health stores sell this brand, however, it is usually very pricey in health stores, usually around $10 a stick. As a single woman, I pay for everything I use and own, and $10 is way out of my price range to spend on deodorant. Thankfully, I have been able to find it for half that price at discount stores and in stores like TJ Maxx and Marshalls. It's worth spending $5 on a natural deodorant instead of $2 at Walmart for the standard, aluminum deodorant - something that was, indeed, clogging my underarm pores. 

The best part of all? 

After switching to a deodorant with no aluminum, I no longer have those small red bumps under my arms! I can see the proof.        

Sometimes, switching to a new brand (especially if you've used something for years) can be difficult. I know because I used certain body care products for years. There is comfort in what is familiar to us. 

If you want to make a switch, but aren't exactly sure where to begin, the well known brand "Arm & Hammer" (which stores like Walmart sell) makes deodorants without any aluminum in them. Like the deodorant I use, they use baking soda which works very well. (they might have other ingredients in them that aren’t so great, but check them out) 

Clearly, some standard brands and companies are becoming more aware about things like aluminum in deodorant being not so good, otherwise they wouldn't be making deodorants like this.   

Winter is a great time to try out new deodorants if you live in a colder climate like I do.  

This has been the most odd and open post I've written on my health blog so far. The only reason I share about something like deodorant is simply to make more people aware. 

Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor, and I have no medical training. The things I share on this blog are simple, practical things that I've learned help with good health.