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 great information! I have been telling folks this for a long time and I get that crazy look from them! I did not know of Pit Paste so I am thrilled to finally have an option…thanks for all that you do! Kara Scott
I have liked your FB page and get your newsletter…keep it coming! Love the info !!!
I already subscribe to the newsletter and have you as a fb friend. I would love to try this product.
Already liked and follow 🙂
Just beginning to make the switch to all non toxic in my home. Primal Pit Paste would be welcome in my house, it’s me and 3 smelly boys! lol
I have gone through 6 different deoderants for my fiance and can’t find one that he likes!!! I would love to try this Primal Paste for both of us!
Would love to try this! Thanks!!
I was going to order until I realized it would cost me almost as much for shipping and handling as for the two items. I realize it’s a small company but get real. $9 for handling is ridiculous.
I’ll be following you for help in my journey to better health!
I would love to try this product!!! I have tried a couple different “natural” deodorants that didn’t work at all for me, and one still had Aluminum in it!
I like your page on facebook and subscribe! Would love to try this out!
Subscribe to your FB page! I am willing to try it out. The lack of anti-perspirant is unnerving though!
Email subscriber and liker on FB. I’ve been wanting to try this!
Like on FB subscribe. Interesting didn’t know how dangerous my reg deodorant is.
I need this product!
We would like to try this.
I signed up for your updates and I would love to win this! I avoid aluminium, as well, and I use a deoderant without it , but I would love to try this!!
I’ve been thinking about tossing my antiperspirant but haven’t decided what I should replace it with. I’d love to try this. And I already like your facebook page.
I signed up for your updates.
Will be trying this deodorant. Thank you for the introduction.
Subscribed to your newsletter and liked your fb page. Would love to try this paste
Love the info you share! Thanks for the research you do!
I like you on Facebook!
amy eidson clark
Thank you for the info! Switched to Toms during my pregnancy and would love to get my husband on board. Hopefully the “pit paste” can reel him in!!
Now I follow you on facebook also.
I like you on Facebook.
I’ve been dying to try something besides the nothing I currently use!
I like your facebook page and subscribe to the newsletter. 🙂 I already use all-natural deodorant but love trying new products!
Would like to try.
subscribed & liked! I really need to ditch the Dove…
Wow! I would so love it if this actually works for us! I have good intentions to make my own but getting around to it is another story! Thanks for the giveaway chance!!
i already subscribe, and follow you on FB!
I would love to try this product!
I’d love to try this product! Thanks!
I am already subscribed to your email updates and a Facebook fan. I am so excited to try this Pit Paste!
Already a subscriber and a fan on Facebook. Would love to try this!
Would love to start my 11 year old son out on this product rather than what his dad uses.
I LOVE your FB page and have “liked” it for a while now!
I already subscribe
I am subscribed and a facebook fan 🙂
I’m an FB follower & just subscribed! Love your blog! I’ve been wanting to try the pit paste!
I’ve tried countless deodorants to no avail but after this time detoxing from the regular stuff only took about 3 days! I need to try making my own but with an infant I’m short on time.. would LOVE to win this!
I would love to try this! Just recently signed up for your newsletter and liked your FB page…I am overwhelmed and mortified about all I am learning!
I would love to try this! I have been working hard on changing ALL bad aspects of my life. Food, cleaning supplies, (and now because of this informative article) my personal care products. Thank you for all your hard work on keeping us informed & fighting for a healthier America.
I recently stopped using Secret, and switched to Tom’s brand. I’m still not hooked on it, and was just on Primal’s website today!! I can’t wait to get some, winning would be awesome so that I could share with my husband. 🙂
I’m an e-mail subscriber.
I would love to try this!!! I liked and I subscribed!!
Love to try! I just subscribed and already like your facebook page.
Congratulations! You have been selected as one of the random winners for the Primal Pit Paste Giveaway. Please email [email protected] for further details.
This would be awesome for both my hubby and I!
I don’t “like” your the page… I LOVE it!
I woul love to try this brand! I’ve tried a few others that either don’t do anything or burn me. Thank you!
Thank you for doing such great, informative research! I want to make changes, but it is so overwhelming I don’t always know where to start. For instance, I KNEW aluminum is not good in my deo, but since I didn’t know another option I still use *gasp* Secret. But I’m ordering Primal paste tonight! Pick me to win! With a family of 7 our life is the pits with out Primal paste. It would really stink!!
I’ve shared your page with everyone I know! Excellent articles – I’ve learned so much. Thank you for your hard work – especially with Kraft!