You don’t want your body odor to get out of control. Whether you’re working outdoors, getting sweaty at the gym, or otherwise working up a sweat, BO is a reality of life. That’s why you reach for your deodorant every morning before you leave the house. And reapply when things get stinky.
But many guys are - with reason - concerned about the ingredients in most deodorants and antiperspirants. Should you be worried? What are some of the harsh chemical ingredients you should avoid? And what are the benefits of switching to a natural deodorant?
Harsh Ingredients in Most Deodorants
Sadly, many manufacturers are more concerned with the bottom line than ensuring that their products are safe for customers. That’s why you’ll find these harsh ingredients in most of the deodorants and antiperspirants on store shelves.
Aluminum
Aluminum is used in antiperspirants to clog pores and prevent you from perspiring. Research shows that the regular application of antiperspirants that contain aluminum could be related to the development of breast cysts and breast cancer.
Studies show that one environmental factor that could contribute to Alzheimer’s disease “is human exposure to aluminum". Since aluminum is neurotoxic, its high concentrations in brain tissue is “unlikely to be benign and indeed are highly likely to have contributed to both the onset and the aggressive nature” of Alzheimer’s disease.
Alcohol
Many deodorants and antiperspirants are made with alcohol to dissolve the active ingredients, help the product dry quickly, and eliminate bacteria. The problem is that alcohol is also harsh and irritating to your skin. It tends to dry out your skin, which is especially bad for your sensitive underarms. There are gentler alternatives that fight bacteria without the potential for skin irritation.
Parabens
Parabens are preservatives found in deodorants and many other common skincare and grooming products. They can interfere with your body’s normal hormone production and function since these compounds mimic estrogen. A consistent low dose of a variety of parabens in multiple personal care products could contribute to the development and growth of cancer, according to some researchers.
While further research is needed into the long term effects of exposure to parabens, “studies demonstrate that parabens can be found intact in the human breast,” especially methylparaben. Additional research found a “high frequency of detection for methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, and butyl parabens” in human urine.
Triclosan
While triclosan is a pesticide, it’s also used in manufacturing to prevent bacterial growth in a wide variety of personal care products, including deodorant. Research shows that its use is so widespread that most Americans have detectable levels in their urine.
One of the major concerns around this ingredient is its potential to impair thyroid function. While the FDA acknowledges this preliminary research, it has yet to take further steps to protect consumers from the chemical.
Why Choose Natural Deodorant?
You can avoid all the worry surrounding these potentially harmful ingredients by choosing our Natural Deodorant for men instead. It contains zero alcohol, aluminium, triclosan, or parabens.
Instead, it’s available in 3 scents (produced with safe, non-irritating essential oils) and unscented and made with these key ingredients:
- Coconut Oil - Nourishes and calms the sensitive skin under your arms.
- Vitamin E - Soothes skin and removes toxins from pores.
- Arrowroot - Fights off odor-causing bacteria for a naturally clean scent.
- Shea Butter - Moisturizes skin to prevent irritation and dryness.
