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
This is something I have been putting off for a while now. My husband is just as picky as yours. I would love to give it a try!
I would be very interested in trying this product.
I have tried pretty much every deodrant on the
Market and have yet to find one I like and works.
I’m in the process of learning more about eating and
Living more healthy and clean. Your blog is so informative, thank you!
We are in the process of cleaning out our bathroom with natural products now but it’s so expensive. Oh well, it’s worth it.
I would love to win! I have been using toms but it isn’t working too well for me. I need something stronger and am hoping to try this brand the cheaper way (by winning!)
Interesting article. Would like to try the product.
I would LOVE to try this! I have tried a few natural deodorants and have not found one that I like. They all seem so wet and sticky. Hoping to try it soon!!
Interesting to see if it works..
So glad I found your page! Love the simple ingredients in Primal. Thanks for all the info. 🙂
I’d love to try this.i switched my deodorant a few years ago because the aluminum made my arm pits sore! Been using Tom’s but don’t love it. Looking for a better alternative!!
I’m in my late 20s and have suffered from fibrocystic breasts and totally out of whack hormones for the past 3-4 years. My mother also has suffered from the same problems so I assumed it was genetic and I was destined to live the rest of my life with painful breasts and unbalanced hormones. I decided about 2 months ago to switch from my extra strength deodorant to an aluminum free one and for the first time in years I had absolutely no swelling or pain in my breasts, my hormones were not all over the place during that time of month and I knew it had to be the deodorant. I hadn’t changed anything else. I immediately told everyone I knew that their deodorant was most likely causing serious health problems and to switch immediately. I have noticed that aluminum free deodorants don’t work as well but Id rather find ways of staying dry and controlling odor than dealing with the dangers of aluminum deodorant.
If your husband will use it… I think mine would too! Pick me!!! 🙂 P.S. congrats on taking the world by storm these last few weeks!! <3
I would LOVE to win this. I am a cancer survivor and need to clean out all of my cabinets of these toxic things.
Thanks for this info & a chance to win Primal! This is a switch I had yet to make.
I’ve subscribed to your emails!
I’m currently replacing all of my beauty products with more natural ones and would love to win this!
Congratulations! You have been selected as one of the random winners for the Primal Pit Paste Giveaway. Please email [email protected] for further detail.
My mom is a recent breast cancer survivor ~ I’ll be sure to pass along your post! Keep up the great work. Love what you are doing!
I tried to switch to homemade but didn’t like it. I’d love to give this a try!
I am switching today! I would love to win and have a great product to try. I think I’ll look into making my own too!
Crazy stuff.
I am all over chemical free foods. It never occurred to me that I was putting such a dangerous chemical under my arm each day. Thanks for enlightening me.
I’ve heard this is the best! Would love to try it.
We use Tom’s, which I know is not totally natural, but at least is aluminum free. I’be been wanting to make my own, but have not gotten around to it yet. Would love to try this brand!
I’ve been thinking of making the switch to something else for awhile now. Thanks for you article and giving me the motivation to do it ASAP! Thank you!! Love your blog!
I SO want to try this!
I’m glad you posted this! I am starting to use all natural products. Would love to try this!
Love this! I tried toms and it irritated my skin BADLY. I’d love to try this! My husband would even more than me, I think. 🙂
Your website is amazing! Thanks for all of your research and hard work.
I would love to give this a try!
Would love to try
We just recently made the switch to natural deodorant – so glad we did, after reading your blog!
Sounds great! Would love to try it 🙂
I’m already signed up for your email updates AND have ‘liked’ you on Facebook. The switch to more wholistic products is one that I am slowly (very slowly) moving toward. This seems like it would be a great addition! I’d love to give it a try!
I’ve heard of this and would love to try it out!!
Liked Facebook
I used Tom’s for a few months and then switched back to Degree simply because I found some in the cupboard that I hadn’t used. I now HATE IT and need to go back to the natural stuff!
Would like to give this a try … I’ve been pretty unhappy with the poor quality of ‘natural’ deoderants. I have yet to find one that actually keeps me dry and helps with odor.
Thanks for the info… I appreciate how concise and research-based your information is. Now for some Pit Paste!
I would love to try these! signed up for newsletter….
I subscribe to your newsletter, and I like you on Facebook. Hope I win!
http://www.aubrey-organics.com/ProductInfo/408.aspx
Hi Food Babe!
I use this deodorant for men by Aubrey Organics. What do you think? Thanks.
this is so scary! i never knew!!
Interesting article. Would like to try.
I subscribe… This is awesome I’ve been wanting to find something different for a while now!
Does it keep you from having sweat marks on your shirts under your pits?
I have been wanting to find a new deodorant without aluminum. I tried Primal Pit Paste and liked it, but after a few weeks my armpits became red and irritated. I had to stop using it. 🙁 Do others have recommendations for other aluminum-free deodorants that work, yet maybe have less baking soda than PPP?
I’d LOVE to try this!!
I’d love to give this a try!
Would love to try this!
I’ve heard of this and would love to try it!
My mom recently sent me Crystal Body Deodorant, it has two ingredients Natural Mineral Salts, and Ammonium Alum. It just looks like a stick of salt. You put it on once your out of the shower while your armpits are wet (you can rub it on unless you or the stick is wet) and the salt is supposed to not even allow the bacteria to grow that cause a smell I am guessing?
It has been working great! I am a 180 pound athletic college student running around in professional attire which makes me sweat!! This stuff still allows me to still sweat, but I can seriously notice a difference of not smelling later on in the day.
What do you think Food Babe? Is this stuff okay? What is Ammonium Alum?