Choosing A Chemical Free Deodorant: The Top 5 Ingredients to Avoid
1. Triclosan – You might have heard that the FDA banned triclosan from antibacterial soaps in 2016, but its use is still permitted in loads of products like deodorants, acne products & toothpastes. It’s a synthetic pesticide linked with hormone disruption, increased risk of breast cancer, liver damage, cancer & the development of super-germs. To avoid it, skip any deodorant listing triclosan or triclocarban on the label. 2. Aluminum – Aluminum is used in antiperspirants to block the flow of sweat to the surface of the skin. The concern with aluminum is that it may be absorbed by the skin near the breast and cause estrogen-like effects. Because estrogen can promote the growth of breast cancer cells, some researchers are concerned that aluminum based antiperspirants may contribute to the development of breast cancer. While there have no studies definitely showing that aluminum based antiperspirants cause breast cancer, many researchers believe that the question is still open and that more research is needed. 3. Fragrances – We get it, fragranced deodorants can make you feel extra clean and protected from odor. But that comes at a high toxic cost. First some things you should know:- Fragrance chemicals can pass through the skin and enter the blood stream. They are classified as carcinogens, hormone disruptors, neurotoxins, skin and respiratory irritants.
- The fragrance industry is self-regulated. Safety testing does not have to precede product sales, and fragrance cocktails don’t require reviews by regulatory agencies.
- Fragrances are considered trade secrets, so that manufacturers aren’t required to disclose the potentially hundreds of toxic ingredients hiding behind the one word “fragrance”.