When I made the switch to organic living years ago, my (mostly toxic) personal care products were the last thing to go. Once I figured out what toxic industrial chemicals in food were doing to my body – I knew I had to get rid of them from every part of my life. I think this progression is how most people figure out how to detox their life too. First I cleaned out my fridge and pantry, then it was figuring out a natural way to clean my house, and then I went on to look at what I was putting on my body. The very first personal care product I switched out was what I rubbed under my underarms every day – right where some of my lymph nodes are, glands that plays a huge roll in the immune system.
The reason I started there was because as soon as I flipped my “Secret” anti-perspirant over to read the ingredients I noticed it had contained “Aluminum zirconium.” Right then, a memory I had when I was a child smacked me in the face. There was this neighbor of mine growing up who always had sweaty armpits. I mean her pits were so wet, that you could see it through her clothes ALL THE TIME. I didn’t quite understand why she had such sweaty armpits and others I knew did not. Because I was young and crazy inquisitive, while playing in the yard one day, I just straight up asked her- why do you sweat so much? She told me that she didn’t like using aluminum under her armpits. This information at the time totally didn’t make sense to me. I didn’t know what aluminum was or why I should care but I realized right then, she wasn’t wearing the anti-perspirants my brother or my parents were wearing for an obviously good reason. A good enough reason that she wasn’t concerned about the public embarrassment of sweaty pits.
Well, after my memory flashback, I researched the ingredient Aluminum, and found out it is linked to all sorts of diseases, including 2 that I sadly personally have witnessed in close friends and family members – Breast Cancer and Alzheimer’s Disease. The link of aluminum to these diseases is hotly debated, some studies find a low risk factor (probably those funded by the chemical companies) and some find horrible results, like those studies that find aluminum accumulating in breast tissue or breaking the blood brain barrier leading to Alzheimer’s.
The reason chemical companies put aluminum in anti-perspirants is to “dry out sweat by injecting aluminum ions in the cells that line the sweat ducts. When the aluminum ions are drawn into the cells, water flows in; the cells begin to swell, squeezing the ducts closed so sweat cannot get out,” according to the Julie Gabriel, The Green Beauty Guide. I don’t know about you but this reaction is really unnatural. Preventing sweat from exiting my body doesn’t seem like a good idea, considering humans sweat for a reason. Sweating actually has a lot of benefits – clearer skin, lowers body temperature and fights off sickness – so why would I want to prevent my body doing what it needs to do to stay healthy?
Just to give you a sense of how much aluminum is used in typical products – the FDA requires that all anti-perspirants decrease the average person’s sweat by 20 percent – so manufacturers usually use anywhere between a 10-25 percent concentration of aluminum in products. That is just crazy, isn’t it? Especially for an ingredient that is a potent neurotoxin.
So this is the ingredient that caused me to make the switch and should hopefully get you too (if you already haven’t) to run out and buy deodorant without Aluminum. (FYI – Some of the most toxic brands according to the Environmental Working Group include English Leather, Mitchum, Suave, Secret, Gillette, Right Guard, Soft & Dry, Tussy)
Let’s be honest though, knowing which personal care products to choose without toxins is tough and getting access can be even tougher. You can’t exactly just pop into an everyday drug store and always find a safe brand without aluminum and other harmful chemicals.
When you look at some of the most popular deodorants, you’ll notice they rarely have the USDA Organic Seal. This makes zero sense.
Think about it. If you’re going to make a deodorant with great ingredients like arrowroot powder (which can help keep you dry) and coconut oil and shea butter and MCT oil… the ingredients should be USDA certified organic. Plus, the skin under your arms is sensitive and can be vulnerable to irritation.
But I struggled to find deodorants that had this seal of approval. So, I created one myself.
The best part? It actually works.
Truvani Organic Deodorant: No aluminum. No other weird ingredients. Just deodorant that works. And it’s USDA certified.
Hope this post was help for you – please share with your friends and family, so they can know the truth!
Xo,
Vani
P.S. Here are some posts for more information about which chemicals to avoid in beauty products, how to find safe ones and some swap out products that I use…
- How to Avoid Chemicals in your Beauty Products
- Skin Care Tips and My Daily Skin Routine
- Holistic Hair Care Part 1
- Holistic Hair Care Part 2
- My Five Favorite Beauty Obsessions
- My Top Picks for Mascara
- The Ingredients In Sunscreen Destroying Your Health
I’ve been meaning to switch to homemade deodorant, but I’d love to give this a try too.
Be PRIMAL! Say no to aluminum:)
I love how simple the ingredients are, and glad to hear your dh thinks it works!
I have had such a hard time finding a good non-aluminum deodorant, this looks great!
Is this a sponsored post? Just curious as to how much is marketing and how much is authentic. Giveaway. Discount code. Etc. How do you choose your editorial in cases like this?
Nope this is a giveaway they offered to do! I tried to be as up front as possible – they sent me some product, we tried it, and they offered to do the giveaway. The story at the beginning is completely mine and true – actually my neighbor still lives next door to my parents and I’m wondering if my Mom will figure out who I am talking about 🙂
I signed up so I can enter to win a sample of Primal. Once I switched to natural toothpaste, I can’t go back! I was out and had to buy regular and I hate the taste of chemicals. I’d be happy to switch deodorant, too.
Love reading your posts on Facebook…just recommended my friend Like you too…I always share your info w/ her, and we just had a conversation about deodorant…both she and my mom have fibroids removed 🙁 Thank you. Would love to win the Pit Paste bc I’m using nothing these days!
I’ve been looking for a new antiperspirant! I would love to try this. Thanks for all your hard work!!
Great information! Would love to try out the Primal deodorant!
I’ve heard of using coconut oil with some baking soda as a deodorant. Does anyone have any experience with this? I work outside (and with the public) so some kind of deodorant is a must!
My husband uses this. I mix baking soda with non-toxic lotion. It takes a couple of days for your body to adjust to the no antiperspirant but after that you will never have trouble again.
I’ve been wanting to switch out my deodorant for awhile. Would love to try this one!
Would love to win and try.
I would love to try these!!
I am totally intrigued. I’ve been cleaning out the fridge and pantry but haven’t gotten to the medicine cabinet yet. Thanks for all the info. Maybe I’ll win and be a primal paste convert.
I would absolutely love to try this stuff. I’ve had a nightmare of a time trying to find a clean deodorant that actually WORKS.
PS, I subscribe to your email newsletter.
PS, I already “Like” your Facebook page.
would love to try the pit paste!
I would love to win this! I have just started not using deodorant as much and have been using coconut oil! Would love to try this though!
Thank you so much for this post
I am subscribed. Thanks!
Hi! I just subscribed to your newsletter, and I already like your fb page 🙂 I’ve been making my own deodorant for some time now, but people just rave about the Pit Paste, so I’d love a chance to try it!
Wow, never thought about deodorant being toxic! Eye-opening, as always. Thank you!
Sweating is a natural bodily function that serves many functions. i.e. cooling the body but more importantly it is one of the ways that lymph nodes are drained of toxins. Blocking this function seems a no brainer for disaster. I only use natural deodorant. No antiperspirant for me.
I’ve made some with the same ingredients, I’d love to compare!
After having more recently changed my diet to a mostly organic one, I have just now begun to wonder about the products I use for personal care and would love to try this product.
I am a subscriber. And I think pit paste sounds awesome!!!
I subscribe and would love to try Primal Pit Paste!!
I use coconut oil a lot of deodorant! Would love to try this!
I am so thankful you posted this! Fairly recently, I have been trying to figure out what toxic chemicals are in my daily “beauty” routine. I know my anti-antiperspirant is filled with them! After reading your post, I don’t want to drag my feet any longer to change this part of my routine! Thank you for opening my eyes even wider!
I would love to try this! I have tried other organic deodorants that were terrible!
Excited to try this! Thanks Food Babe!
Can’t wait to try this!
I just bought a new bottle of Mitchum yesterday. Now you have me thinking…. It makes sense that we wouldn’t want to block our body’s attempt to rid the body of toxins. I remember reading that I should buy deodorant and not an antiperspirant for my daughter when she began needing to use deodorant. I thought it had something to do with her age and didn’t give a second thought to what I was using, assuming it’s OK for me since I’m older.
Would love to try this, I have been wanting to make the switch!
I make my own deodorant with the same ingredients! It would be nice to have some on hand when I forget to make my own! Thanks for sharing!
Wow – very informative. Would love to have this to help our path to more natural living!
I would absolutely love to win this product and get to try it out. I am cautious to spend money on these products taht are so different without knowing the result. And my husband is very picky on his deodorant, so it is good to know your husband liked it!
I just found you & am so glad I did! I’m looking forward to reading all your insights on how to live a cleaner life. I’m trying to get my husband on board fully. He’s a sweater all right. Put me in the contest to win some primal pit paste! Thanks 🙂
Enter me please! 🙂
Would love to try the primal pit paste. I have tried a lot of other ‘natural ‘ deodorants and usually end up not using anything. I love coconut oil, so am intrigued with this one. Love your site! And just liked your FB page! Really hoping to win! 🙂
I’ve been wanting to try this! Glad to hear you recommend it!
Throwing it all out!
Entering to win!!
Would love to try this. Is it only available from their site?
I’m using a non-aluminum stick, but this really looks even better!
This has been a hot topic for me for a long time. I’ve been trying to find a good commercial product since most of the homemade versions melt (coconut oil rocks, but geez). Definitely going to check it out!
Thank you for the reminder to do pay more attention to products like these!
As always, thanks for the great information!! I’d love to try the pit paste 🙂
Been meaning to do this! Throwing out my deodorants!
I started living more healthily last year, and I started like you did—first cleaning out pantry and fridge and eating whole, unprocessed foods….then I thought, hmmmm–what about all of the chemicals in personal care products?
I am weeding things out as we speak, but I can’t make all of the changes I’d like as quickly as I’d like…that old devil money….paying the mortgage has to come first. The BEST part is, my 13 year old daughter thought I was NUTS when I started and an embarrassment (you know how 13 year olds can be, lol). Recently, we passed by McDonalds and she said, “I’m so glad we stopped eating that junk!” I was SO PROUD!!!
I want to win the primal pit paste!! I have been going stinky for a year+ now, so a truly natural deodorant would be GREAT!! –Cynthia