What’s so bad about deodorant?!

Why deodorant?! Why we need it, especially for our teens..

For my first blog in a series called ‘What’s so bad about…” I decided deodorant was the best personal care item to talk about, as it’s hopefully the least controversial. I mean everyone needs to use it right?! Well technically anyway. I have teenage daughters and son who when they don’t wear it, really need to (I’m being quite nice in the words I use!). Hormones, interesting choices of foods, all make for body odour that needs covering up. Most of us know that without deodorant we stink! We need to cover up those smells that aren’t so nice and make ourselves smell pretty!

One of my cutie teens….

What’s so important about the deodorant you choose?

Here’s a question for you. Did you know that body odour comes from what we eat and therefore sweat out from our pores?! So the smells that eminate from our body, are a by product of what we have been eating. This also means that what we wash our clothes with and the cleaning products that go into our wash are sweated out through our pores. It follows that we use cheap and nasty products we will sweat these out. Side note: Also, as our bodies absorb so much we want to be using washing products that will be ultimately be good for absorbing into our skin, and in turn into our blood system, casue that’s where it ends up.

Why your choice of deodorant matters…

Much to my teens annoyance I’m one of those people who likes to look through all the choices of products before I pick something I’m satisfied with. The same is true with deodorant. I read all the labels. I’m really picky. In this day and age we really need to be. Gone are the days when we could trust the companies selling to us what they are putting in the products they are marketing to us (I’m not sure if we ever could, but that’s a discussion for another day). We need to be mindful of what is in the deodrant we use, cause putting it onto our skin means we are absorbing it into our body and what goes in our body will come out in some way or another.

Chemical cocktail effect of everything we use

Most people are pretty okay about what they are use. They tell me, “Well I don’t use this and I don’t use that. I’m doing okay!” What they forget is that little amounts of lots of products that have ingredients in them all mount up to this cocktail effect – a combination of toxic products in small doses affect our body systems. When it comes to deodorant and perfumes, its the hormone/ endocrine system that takes the biggest hit.

What nasties to watch for in deodorant

While the majority of deodorants are okay and there are worse ones than others, remember the cocktail effect – better to not have these ingredients in your system at all, because not only do you use deodorant you will be getting these ingredients from other places as well – hair sprays, make up, perfume, washing products, washing liquid… Here’s the main ingredients to watch for in your deodorant. There are lots of others, I’ve just picked a few I think are worth mentioning.

Propylene Gylcol

This product is also know as:

Propylene glycol (PG) has other names, including:

• Trimethyl glycol
• Methyl ethyl glycol
• 1,2-dihydroxypropane
• 1,2-propanediol‌

The product enters your body both as you apply it to the skin, but also as you breath it in. So, basically double whammy. PG It may be linked to issue with your kidneys, skin allergies, including dermatitis, risk of heart attack and seizures. Again in small amounts its generally okay, but as a rule keep it out of your diet as acceptable amounts are hard to decifer, and the cocktail effect is at play.

Aluminium

On the whole this ingredient is used less and less in deodorants these days. It is however super harmful to the body and has links to altzeimers as well as breast cancer. Acceptable amounts again vary and are affected by that cocktail effect on the body which mounts up over time. See this article for further information on causes and potential effects

Synthetic Fragrances

The smell of the spray matters right?! The sweeter the better. The nicer we smell! Wrong!! Perfume is a combination of chemicals that all get swept into this label and therefore as a group of products are not regulated. Most fragrances are disruptive to your hormones, as well as your respiratory system, immunity and overall health. When you are picking a deodorant watch for the term FRAGRANCE, cause you really don’t know what you are getting. Essential oils provide a much cleaner, more natural alternative and they do amazing things for your body. If you aren’t sure which ones to chose, reach out, oils are my jam and I’m always happy to tell you about them.

Parabens

Parabens are in many items we may use on a daily basis and are used as a preservative. Parabens are linked to hormonal issues as well as can be disruptive to breathing, and cause skin complains as well as hit the immune system.

They also go by:

• Methylparaben
• -Propylparaben
• -Butylparaben
• -Ethylparaben

Why our kids don’t need deodorant..

Okay, so I lie with this, my kids definitely need to be wearing deodorant. However what they don’t need is any of the issues related to the hormone or endocrine system. And so a balance needs to be found. We need non stinky kids, but deodorant without the nasties.

#Reducethetox ideas for deodorant

In the past I have tried homemade deodorants and they are okay. My body is alright when I use them. Some people do react to the bicarbonate, but I’m okay with it, I just really can’t be bothered making it and don’t have the time. I am also good to use essential oils as deodorant, or as a top up. I’ve also used low tox toothpaste as an alternative (works a treat). However there there are 2 I suggest. When it comes to low tox, I love anything Young Living (I’m a fan), so their line of deodorants is fabulous, along with everything else they carry. I’m also a fan of Noosa Basics aend will be carrying this one in my online shop asap, so keep an eye out for that. Like I said gotta have non of the nasties and keep me and my teens smelling good!!

What deodorant will you choose?

Here’s my gentle nudge to you that if you haven’t yet kicked your supermarket bought deodorant. It’s one that you have been using for years and year, because you, well you like it. Let me tell you this is a really easy and simply product to start by swapping out. Deodorant is reasonably cheap and as it has such a big impact on your body, it’s best to kick out the crappy ones and get a decent one without the nasties. Think of it as an investment into your health. Personally I wouldn’t simply do away with it, as I think most of us stink when we don’t use it, but ditch and switch for a better brand.

Want to check out more low tox products?! You can check out Young Living here lots of ideas for a low tox start – message me if you want to try some out and I’ll send you my link (yes I have one of those :)). Alternatively feel free to message me to find out more about how to get started on this adventure. Blessings, Larissa