The Natural Deodorant Checklist
Like most women, my days are packed to the brim from the moment my eyes open to the moment I lay my head to sleep at night; from organising the kids in the morning, working out, drop-offs and pickups, housework, and “work” work (you know, the paying the bills kind…) I am physically on the move a lot which can lead to working up a bit of a sweat, particularly during our hotter seasons. I am not the kind of person that can get away with not wearing deodorant - blame my eastern European heritage but I need some sort of odour-preventing products in my daily routine or not only will I sweat through my beautifully ironed white linen top but I’ll emit a nice essence while I’m at it. In short, I need to wear deodorant and ideally antiperspirant which is a struggle when I want to avoid using products that impede on my body’s nervous system. To this day, I am still on the hunt for a more natural product that meets my needs - but I hold out hope!
Full disclaimer, there are some pretty shonky natural deodorants on the market. From product that simply does not work (I swear some even amplify body odour) to downright misleading marketing - you know the kind where not is all that it seems once you start checking out the ingredient list. This article is simply a guide to what kinds of ingredients you should look for and their associated benefits or precautions. Consider it a natural deodorant checklist.
WHY THE MOVE TO NATURAL DEODORANT?
Before we dive into what ingredients we do want in our deodorant products, let’s first take a look at what ingredient we really don’t want to be lathered on one of our body’s most sensitive areas. Aluminium in itself isn’t a bad guy. The kind we find in antiperspirant deodorants is aluminium chlorohydrate (this stops you from sweating), a common type of aluminium salt. When applied to the underarm, the aluminium salts plug the eccrine sweat pores and forms a sweat protein barrier that binds to the wall of the sweat duct, essentially blocking the pore from producing sweat.
So is this safe? Much like many things on the internet with opposing views, this topic can be contentious. There are many scientifically backed articles promoting the safety of using aluminium in deodorants, competing with a few op-ed pieces denouncing its safety. I believe there needs to be more research done on the opposing end to be able to formulate a well-informed opinion, but what I can say is that perspiration is a central process of the body and is one of four ways that the body eliminates toxins and that people should consider precautions when using aluminium-based deodorants and thus hindering this important bodily function.
ANTIPERSPIRANT DEODORANT ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
Aluminium chloride isn’t the only active ingredient in antiperspirant products. Other common ingredients include:
Aluminium zirconium tricholorohydrex glycine is an odour blocker that is used to mask the synthetic and often displeasing scents found in personal hygiene products (consider it your deodorant’s deodorant). In addition to Aluminium zirconium tricholorohydrex, other synthetic fragrances are also used that contain not-so-nice chemicals such as xylene and bronopol. I won’t get into these, but a quick Google search will paint the picture. Have you ever gotten a yellow stain on the underarm section of your clothing? That’s from the aluminium zirconium mixing with your body’s sweat.
Triclosan is an additive used for its antibacterial and preserving properties and is added to personal care products such as deodorant, toothpaste and body washes. Short-term studies found that triclosan can disrupt hormonal regulation (particularly Thyroid) in animals, along with ongoing studies being conducted on the link between long-term exposure to triclosan and skin cancer but the impact on human health has not been researched at this stage. For me, there are too many red flags to comfortably put the ingredient on my body.
Parabens are synthetic compounds used to prevent the growth of bacteria, fungi and other unwanted microbes on your deodorant as well as a range of other personal care products. In recent years there has been a shift in public perception towards parabens with many people choosing to go paraben-free with their products. Parabens when absorbed through the skin can function as oestrogen, a critical hormone for breast health, sexual development and other functions. There have been concerns about the safety of parabens in cosmetic and personal care products and the increased risk of breast cancer, but studies have found no “conclusive evidence” in this link.
Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to help dissolve other compounds in personal care products in addition to helping plastics be more durable. You can be exposed to phthalates through the eating and drinking of foods that have been in contact with phthalates products (during manufacturing or packaging) and in children’s toys. When it comes to deodorants, phthalates are used to help extend the life of the fragrance. The main concern with this ingredient is around the ability to disrupt the endocrine system, a complex network of glands and organs that coordinate and control your energy levels, metabolism, reproduction and growth through hormones. Studies in animals have found that phthalates have affected the reproductive system in animals, both in reproductive ability and fetus development, but findings are inconsistent.
Some of these ingredients aren’t “bad” per se, but we can run into trouble when applying them directly onto broken or irritated skin. I.e post-shower shaving (I know you do it - we all do) and can exacerbate eczema and contact dermatitis. In rare cases, antiperspirants can also cause the hair follicle to block from prolonged use, resulting in the development of a cyst. If this cyst is to become infected, you may develop hard and painful lumps that may need surgical intervention. Furthermore, a lot of these ingredients simply haven’t had enough scientific airtime when it comes to their effects on humans so as a consumer you should exercise caution.
WHAT INGREDIENTS DO WE WANT IN A NATURAL DEODORANT?
Deodorant should soothe, neutralise and absorb. With that in mind let’s take a look at what we do want to see on the ingredient list:
Essential oils are an incredible way to provide therapeutic benefits to the skin and are a great source of natural fragrance. For example, Peppermint Oil is a natural antiseptic that cleanses the skin and provides a fresh cooling sensation, plus it smells amazing! Lavender Oil can reduce irritation, unclog pores and kills bacteria.
Natural antibacterial properties such as beeswax and coconut oil help protect you from odour-causing bacteria.
Antioxidants can help relieve stress on the skin, heal skin and combat irritation. For example, Aloe Vera and White Tea Leaf extract.
Minerals such as magnesium and potassium aluminium can be found in natural crystal deodorants. Potassium aluminium is a different chemical compound from the aluminium compounds listed above in antiperspirant deodorants and has been shown to have antimicrobial properties. Magnesium, or Magnesium Hydroxide, creates a pH environment that hinders the ability of odour-causing bacteria to thrive.
As with most things, your deodorant choice will come down to personal preference and your natural body composition; some products simply do not agree with your skin. Do your research before trialling any new products.
DISCLAIMER
This content is not intended as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat or prevent any disease or health illness. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional before acting on any information presented here.
Further reading:
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/myths/antiperspirants-fact-sheet
https://dermnetnz.org/topics/antiperspirant
https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/5-things-know-about-triclosan
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8157593/
https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2019/june/deodorant
https://www.safecosmeticsaustralia.com.au/ingredients-first/aluminum-zirconium-tetrachlorohydrate
Latest articles
