No. I’m not a hippie or someone extremely earthy crunchy. While I do my part for the environment and am proud of my consciousness, this has nothing to do with a larger movement and everything to do with cancer prevention and the “little things” that can improve my overall health in the long-run. When I learned about the dangers of antiperspirants and deodorants, it was worth risking smelling a little funky.
First thing is: there is a difference between deodorants and antiperspirants. While deodorants neutralize the smell of sweat and combat bacteria; antiperspirants stop you from sweating, closing and blocking pores with powerful (and dangerous) ingredients, like aluminum salts, so they can’t release sweat. Our pores expel toxins for a reason, go with a deodorant for better health in the long run.
Our underarms are porous, have access to our lymph nodes, which fight bacteria and help control the immune response. Articles on the Internet have suggested that aluminum in antiperspirants can lead to breast cancer; however, the National Cancer Institute claim that there is not evidence linking aluminum in deodorant to breast cancer.
However, the NCI does agree that, “aluminum-based compounds, which are applied frequently and left on the skin near the breast, may be absorbed by the skin and cause estrogen-like (hormonal effects). Because estrogen has the ability to promote the growth of breast cancer cells, some scientists have suggested that the aluminum-based compounds in antiperspirants may contribute to the development of breast cancer.”
If you are one of those people that prefer preventative measures vs. treatment, you may want to get into natural deodorants that don’t have aluminum. Here are the two that I tried over the past three weeks. I tried each product for a week.
OYIN: FUNK BUTTER
Oyin Handmade is a Black owned, woman-owned company, so I was automatically here for it. Their handmade products were created by their CEO, Jamyla Bennu. The funk butter mixes odor-absorbing baking soda, Kaolin clay to absorb moisture…and get this: you can even use it between your toes! A little goes a long way.
(@shi_giggles) on You have to be careful with application. When you apply, smooth on vs rubbing in. If you rub in, the baking soda will irritate your skin, trust me. The product is cream to powder.
While I love the smell, application, and honestly, I did NOT smell with this product, I did have a bit of an adverse effect. The clay just didn’t respond well with my skin. I did give the remainder to an eco-friendly girlfriend, who LOVES it.
The funk butter comes in three different scents and at only $5.49, this stuff will last you months.
TOM’S OF MAINE NATURAL, ALUMINUM FREE DEODORANT
I found Tom’s Of Maine Deodorant in Trader Joe’s. At $4.99, it was affordable and aluminum free so I decided to try the product. It smells great; however, you gotta carry this around all day and do another application. I never smelled bad at the end of the day, but you know when you were a little kid and your mom tells you to get in the shower because you smell like, “outside?” Well, yeah, I’d smell like that and there is no way I could re-wear a shirt, etc. without washing it. As someone who doesn’t even sweat a lot, I was a bit disappointed.
LAVANILA
This deodorant comes in a vanilla lavender scent that is divine. Full disclosure, I have not used this one; however, my friend who has used natural deodorant for several years now swears by this. I’m hoping this is the go-to for me.
@lipsticknmacarons #Lavanila #naturalsupplyco #naturaldeodorant #switchtonatural #toxicfreeBeauties, Are you picky about aluminum in your deodorant?
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