Sweating is a natural element of being alive. The problem is when sweat turns into body odor. That smell, as normal as it might be to produce, is something we want to cover up. And if you worry about putting chemicals on your skin and around pores you sweat a lot from, choosing the right kind of eco-friendly deodorant becomes a more important choice.
Before getting too far ahead of ourselves, let’s begin by covering the basics on how and why we use deodorant.
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How do deodorants work?
Deodorants prevent body odor by stopping the breakdown of bacteria in the armpits. (Bacterial breakdown is what causes the unpleasant odor associated with sweat.)
Why do we sweat?
Sweat has three purposes – to help cool the body, expel waste and some believe that in males, components of sweat (pheremones) can act as an attractant to females.
There are two types of glands involved with perspiration. Eccrine glands excrete only water and salt – nothing too offensive there. But the apocrine glands carry the sweat along with other secretions to the surface of your skin. Diet can affect what types of secretions are generated (think garlic) and whether the smell is offensive. Additionally, bacteria can react with sweat and create an even more noxious odor.
What’s the difference between deodorants and antiperspirants?
There is a difference between the two, although many products combine the features, which just means additional ingredients. Antiperspirants reduce or eliminate sweating while deodorants mask or mitigate odors generated when we sweat.
What are antiperspirants?
antiperspirants mask the smell of sweat. But antiperspirants also contain the active ingredient aluminum, which plugs your sweat ducts and stops sweat. To be considered antiperspirant, the solution must contain aluminum. Because there is no aluminum in deodorant, natural deodorants are not considered antiperspirants.
If you are looking for a ecofriendly deodorant then these are the Ingredients that you want to avoid:
- Aluminum compounds
- Bronopol
- Diazolidinyl urea
- Diethanolamine (DEA)
- DMDM hydantoin
- Formaldehyde (found in many preservatives listed here)
- Imidazolidinyl urea
- Mineral oil
- Parabens
- Propylene glycol
- Quaternium-15
- Steareths (steareth-15 for instance)
- Triclosan
- Talcum powder
- Fragrances
Are there ingredients to avoid at all costs?
Many deodorants on the shelf contain unhealthy synthetic ingredients – many of which are proven toxins. These toxins can interfere with hormones like estrogen and testosterone, promote the growth of cancer cells in women and men, and may impair fertility or affect fetal development.
What’s the problem with aluminum in deodorants?
Common antiperspirant ingredients (like aluminum chlorohydrate and aluminum zirconium) literally block your sweat glands from producing sweat. Some studies have found a link between aluminum and certain diseases like gene instability, Alzheimer’s disease, and even breast cancer cell growth (1), the connection is still considered controversial. Still, some people prefer to avoid potentially harmful ingredients and go the natural route..
Why should I avoid triclosan in deodorant?
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.
Should I avoid fragrances in deodorants?
Fragranced deodorants can make you feel extra clean and protected from odor, but at a high toxic cost. Fragrance chemicals can pass through the skin and enter the bloodstream and are classified as carcinogens, hormone disruptors, neurotoxins, skin and respiratory irritants. The fragrance industry is self-regulated and their formulas are considered trade secrets, so that manufacturers aren’t required to disclose the potentially hundreds of toxic ingredients hiding behind the one word “fragrance.”
What’s the problem with Talcum powder in deodorants?
Talcum powder is made from the mineral talc, talcum powder absorbs moisture and reduces friction to help deodorant glide on easily. You’ll find talcum powder in a variety of consumer products, including deodorant. In its natural form, talc contains the cancer-causing agent asbestos, according to Cancer.org. However, the talc used in consumer products today is asbestos-free.
Talcum powder has come under scrutiny for its link to ovarian and lung cancers. Studies on both humans and animals have produced mixed results
Is propylene glycol natural?
Propylene glycol is used in antifreeze and other consumer products like deodorant. The FDA and World Health Organization recognize propylene glycol as generally safe for use in foods, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. And companies like Tom’s of Maine use vegetable-based propylene glycol — an environmentally safer alternative.Still, the Environmental Protection Agency requires the use of gloves when handling the substance and disposal by burying, signaling its potential harm.
Fine ecofriendly ingredients
- Astringents (sage, witch hazel)
- Clay minerals (kaolin, bentonite)
- Mineral salts (ammonium, potassium alum)
- Natural powders (cornstarch, arrowroot)
How do natural deodorants work?
Instead of blocking sweat, natural deodorants work by killing bacteria and neutralizing odor so that your sweat doesn’t smell bad. Additionally, natural powders (such as arrowroot, baking soda, kaolin clay, and corn starch) help to absorb excess wetness from sweating.
Click the images below for our top picks.
What are common ingredients in natural deodorants?
- Natural oil to form the base: Many organic deodorant brands use coconut oil or other natural oils to form the solid base of the deodorant stick.
- Powder or starch for absorption and odor control: Powders like baking soda and arrowroot not only absorb wetness, but they also kill bacteria that causes odor. Some type of powder is essential for an effective natural deodorant.
- Essential oils for antiseptic effects and scent: Essential oils also have antibacterial properties that fight odor before it starts. These include rosemary, sage, lemon grass and tea tree oil. These oils also add a natural scent to deodorants.
- Wax for texture: Don’t be alarmed to find ingredients like beeswax or candelilla wax in your natural deodorant. These natural ingredients add the waxy, glossy consistency you’re used to in regular deodorants.
Can baking soda be used as a deodorant?
Yes! Baking soda is an amazing deodorizer. However, some people with sensitive skin find it a bit too harsh for their delicate underarm skin and may want a baking-soda free variety. Those who sweat heavily may prefer an organic deodorant that contains more heavy duty sweat-absorbing powders like kaolin clay and/or cornstarch. The bottom line is this: there is a natural deodorant product that will work for you! You may just need to try different formula’s until you find the right blend for your skin.
What about the environment?
The chemicals in industry produced deodorants aren’t great for the environment, but what concerns more people is what could be the harmful effects to our bodies.
Some studies have suggested that aluminum-based chemicals in antiperspirants can be absorbed into the body through our pore ducts, or open cuts.
For women the health concerns can be even worse. The proximity of a woman’s armpit to her breasts, and the possible absorption of aluminum-based chemicals into her breast tissue, elevate the risk of developing breast cancers.
There may also be a connection between Alzheimer’s Disease and using aluminum-based deodorant. Some studies have found higher concentrations of aluminum in Alzheimer’s patients’ brains.
What’s an easy way to make a natural deodorant at home?
Simply mix plain baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) with a few
drops of tea tree oil. Note though that the trouble is that plain baking soda
doesn’t work for everyone. There are reports of red rashes, burning itchy pits,
and even pits turning brown
Other tips
- Stay away from aerosol spray deodorants as they contain substances like butane and propane (in themselves not so healthy for you) that are non-renewable fossil fuels. These containers are also not always accepted when recycling.
- Avoid antiperspirants since these actually work to stop your body from perspiring, which can be unhealthy. Your skin is your largest detox organ and should be allowed to eliminate toxins naturally (one way of doing this is through sweating).
- Choose organic certified deodorants as they are regulated so you can ensure they do not contain harmful chemicals.
Best eco-friendly deodorant products
