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Make the switch to a natural deodorant
Aluminum is found in most conventional deodorants and has been linked to breast cancer. If you want to eliminate it from your toiletries, try these options.
Tue, Apr 13 2010 at 2:36 PM
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Photo: iStockphoto
So let's talk armpits. Specifically, let's talk about something you probably put on your armpits every morning: deodorants and antiperspirants. These B.O. blasters come in almost every scent imaginable, in forms from roll-ons to clear gels. Your supermarket aisle probably stocks two dozen varieties.
Almost every one will have something in common: aluminum chlorohdrate or aluminum zirconium. And that could be a problem.
Concern about aluminum
Natural health groups have been pressing government and regulatory agencies for years to take a hard look at the long-term safety of aluminum in cosmetic products. Aluminum is what gives antiperspirants their wetness-fighting ability, and they're highly effective. Commercial deodorants can contain up to 25 percent aluminum salts by weight.
The problem is this: nobody really knows what aluminum does in the human body. In the case of deodorants, you’re applying aluminum directly to the skin and leaving it there. With women, in particular, that skin might be broken from shaving.
You'll notice most antiperspirants contain a warning to discontinue use if you experience irritation from its use, and quite a few people are sensitive to the aluminum salts, parabens and triclosan common in over-the-counter products. But what really worries some health experts is aluminum's possible connection to breast cancer.
The cancer question
Before we go any further, let's be clear: despite the flackery you'll find on the internet, there are no definitive studies which link the use of antiperspirants to an increased risk of cancer. These concerns have been floating around for at least a decade, and groups such as the American Cancer Society still consider commercial deodorants to be safe.
That hasn't stopped some researchers from fretting. Take Dr. Philippa Darby of the U.K.'s University of Reading. She's recently published a paper in the Journal of Applied Toxicology showing that aluminum salts increase estrogen-related gene expression in cultured human breast cancer cells. In other words, the aluminum appears to mimic estrogen under lab conditions. Elevated estrogen levels are tied to a higher risk of breast cancer.
More study is in order, but Darby's research raises new question for investigators.
Safer deodorants
Maybe you're concerned about the possible risk factors of commercial deodorants, or you're someone with skin sensitivities. Perhaps you're just looking to reduce the chemical exposure in your life. The good news is there are effective deodorants which don't use aluminum chlorohydrate or aluminium zirconium — and they're cheap!
We all want to smell good and feel clean. Those not-so-fresh moments are caused by bacteria which thrive in warm, moist places. Armpits are the Monte Carlo of the single-cell jet set. But you can deport them with an inexpensive deodorant stone.
These stones — sometimes called by one of their trade names, Thai Sticks — are large, smooth crystals of potassium alum (potassium aluminum sulfate). Potassium alum is a naturally occurring form of aluminum salt. The difference between potassium alum and aluminum chlorohydrate is that potassium alum is a much larger molecule, not thought to be absorbable through human skin. Wet the stone and apply it like a conventional roll on. Rinse and set it aside to dry. That's it.
There are no perfumes or additives, and you probably won't need any. A deodorant stone doesn't stain, and it works all day. If you want something fancier, there are spray and roll-on versions with additives such as aloe and essential oils. Jason, Alba, Thai Stick and Kiss My Face are among those you'll find online or at your local natural health store.
A plain stone will cost you $5 or $6, and could last up to a year.
If you're looking to completely eliminate aluminum from your deodorant and your medicine cabinet, there are other options. Tom's of Maine makes a well-regarded line of non-aluminum products featuring zinc ricinoleate and natural ingredients. Zinc ricinoleate is also the basis of Dr. Hauschka Deodorant Fresh in scented and floral formulas. Burt's Bees Herbal Deodorant uses oil of sage for its active ingredient, and Trader Joe's sells a natural deodorant which relies on a cotton product to approximate the antiperspirant action of aluminum zirconium. Surprisingly, mainline manufacturer Adidas also makes a non-aluminum deodorant: Adidas 24-Hr Control. It's not expensive, and the sort of thing you'd find in a conventional drugstore.
Copyright Lighter Footstep 2007
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I thought the point of avoiding the commercial stuff was to avoid aluminum - doesn't baking soda have aluminum?
Baking soda doesn't have Aluminum, some
baking powders (not all of them) do.
in sodium bicarbonate?? It's CHNaO3. Google it.
I am quite sure that it is the baking powder that contains aluminum. Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate.
Good old fashioned sour cream makes a great facial mask. Wash your face, apply a fairly thick layer of sour cream and let it dry (that can take a while) then wash it off with a slughtly rough washcloth. You'll be amazed at how great it works. Just don't use it if you are alergic to dairy products.
It's also called in Philippines .... Tawas this stone is good... since the old times it's already proven....deodorant.
Since I aquired a taste for curry and eat it daily I have found that I do not need to wear deodorant at all. I figure it is the antibacterial properties of the curry.
ASAP by American Biotech works somewhat. It kills the bacteria.
I had breast cancer two years ago and this if the first real help I have found about the aluminum in the deodorant, Even my doctor did not really know what I was talking about, I have used Tom's of Maine but it didn't stop the odor. I found Arm and Hammer Essentials, Natural deodorant. It is aluminum and paraben free. It is better stopping the odor than anyother I have tried.
really?
Isn't Thai Stick weed?
I found a good deoderant stone here. It has worked really well for me. They have some other cool stuff too.
http://stores.greenvirginproducts.com/-strse-Mineral-Salts-Deodorant-Sto...
I have used every kind of all natural deodorant and not too many of them work. Some of them make you smell worse. You also have to watch out for propylene glycol. It is a chemical found in every product from lotion to shampoo and a lot of "natural" deodorants have it as well.
A friend told me to get Tea tree oil and use it as deodorant. You put some on a cotton swab and rub it all over your armpit. It seriously works really good. I started using it and haven't stopped.
White vinegar in one of those little travel spray bottles is what I've used for years (since the crystals unexpectedly stopped working). The acid medium keeps bacteria from growing. Regular deodorants are alkaline. Never any odor; occasionally slight wetness if I'm working hard.
try dusting baking soda or corn starch when working hard, stops the wetness
Of course the american cancer society or whichever one it was doesn 't think aluminum is dangerous. People having cancer is their meal ticket. they're not gonna tell you if it was dangerous.
Strange no one here has mentioned Magnesium hydroxyde (milk of magnesia)..I have used it for at least 10 years and it works for me
"Thought to be safer"? That is reckless advice and pure b.s. Why would anyone concerned about breast cancer from aluminum believe that another source of aluminum is any better?
I's also been doing a combo. I've been using the crystal stone after showering (unless I shave, then it's not so pleasant ;-), and then following it by a natural deodorant. I am currently using Herbal Clear, but i switch every once in a while because I think my body adjusts or something - it just seems that they don't work as well after a while, so I try to switch it up
I have found the natural stones work fine in winter, but in summer not as long. I will use a natural stone then after it dries layer a natural deodorant like Toms of Maine over it and that works great for me!
Healthy, organic products beat up all records of safety and efficacy.
All natural deodorants finally put a big STOP sign not only for Aluminum Salt, but also Propylene Glycol and Paraben, Synthetic Dyes, Sulfates and Phthalates.
The aluminum in the deodorant is small, and can be absorbed into the body, the naturally occurring aluminum is too large to be absorbed through the skin.
The aluminum in the deodorant is small, and can be absorbed into the body, the naturally occurring aluminum is too large to be absorbed through the skin.
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