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
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I could use a new deodorant that doesn’t harm my body. College life sure does make me sweat!
The author has offered no actual evidence that this particular aluminum compound causes any problems or has any toxicity. Saying that the element aluminum (with no further designation of what compound or formula is used) is ‘linked’ (not necessarily causes) to a health problem is insufficient. And so is saying that a childhood neighbor didn’t like anti-perspirant, so that proves it must be terrible. This kind of half-baked, science-free scare tactic does no one any favors.
i’ve been having some major health issues. my deodorant does indeed have aluminum zirconium. going to dump it and hope i can get something that isn’t toxic. thanks for the helpful information.
I follow you on fb!
Second comment! Facebook like for the win! 🙂
I actually just got this product and began using last week. So far so great. Would love more! We went with the thyme and lemongrass stick. It’s a nice scent for both men and women. Thanks for the info!
I signed up for your newsletter and liked your Facebook page. I am just beginning the cleaning out process and could use all the tips you have. Thanks
I get your emails, and like you on Facebook.
I’d love to try the primal pit paste (and so would my husband)!!
I have recently began the transition to clean and organic living and I am so thankful to have found your Facebook page/website!!!!! Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!
Aluminum-free sounds good to me! 🙂 Thanks!!!
Can’t wait to try this paste. Thanks for sharing!
I enjoy your emails and Facebook updates…would love to try this four pack–it would fit the bill for all the pits in my family: regular (me), strong (sweaty and athletic teenager), stick (hubby), and kids (preteen girl just getting started in the health and beauty world). Thanks for the opportunity!!
Would love this!
Good information.
Thank you for all of your great information! Love your website and facebook page!
I’d love to try this out! Your blog is so informative and it is helping me make small AND large changes in my life. Thank you! I get your newsletter and follow you on FB. =)
Thanks for your work on Kraft and for being food and anti-GMO activist!
I was actually getting boils under my arms & Im guessing it was from my deodorant,would love to try this
Thanks for all your great information; I really enjoy your website and facebook page!
I have tried Pit Putty and like it, looking forward to trying something new!
I subscribe and like you on FB
Thank you for all of the hard work! I read and saw what you did for Kraft and started following you right away! Keep up the great work and sending out informative blogs!
can’t wait to try this product . i have many health issues that need to be addressed and i am getting a late start.
Love your blog! Thanks for sharing what you find with us! I wish I had your willpower! I keep telling myself tomorrow I will eat better or make one of your juices, but I dont know what is stopping me!! You are very inspiring though! I just got my triangle mold and seaweed combo pack from amazon the other day! Cant wait to try it out!? Thanks again!
Would love to try! I’m new to organic, green living so this win would help me get started! I have liked your fb and get your newsletter. 🙂
I am subscribed!
Hoping to try out this great product
Enter me! Subscribed, commented, & liked on FB. But I’m already planning on making my own DIY primal pit paste, it is very simple.
I already “like” your facebook page! 🙂
I would love to switch deodorants!! I like you on FB and subscribed!!!
Would love to try!
Absolutely love all your updates. We have switched to organic and now our personal care products thanks to you! Thank you!
Oh this would be so awesome to win!
I have a family history of Alzheimer’s. I am trying to do all I can to reduce my exposure to foods and products that might exasperate my chances of getting this terrible disease…I had no idea on the deodorant. My hormones have changed after 3 kids, and I now have a terrible odor if I don’t use deodorant….I need something to help control the odor, and would love a chance to try this.
I’ve been using Real Purity’s deodorant for years, but I’d like to give Primal Pit Paste a try.
Dear Food Babe,
This is yet another example of how you are slowly changing my life. I first “liked” you after hearing about the Kraft petition, signing it and reading about your experience. Last night I read about gums and how dangerous and unhealthy they are and wow! I was shocked. I have been treating my ulcerative colitis naturally through diet, slowly eliminating dairy, gluten then fructose but I was still chewing gum (because I’m hungry a lot) and not giving it a second thought. WOW- I think this may be the missing link to my gastro healing. So my food movement is almost “whole foods based” but haven’t even started to touch the personal hygiene world (except for my baby- he gets the natural stuff). I am sickened by what I have read and am refusing to use my current Dove deodorant tomorrow, and I’m ordering a couple of Primal Pit Paste for my teenage daughter and myself. What a blessing you are to us through your articles and research. You are changing many people’s life for the better. Thank you so much! I look forward to reading more.
I am very interested in trying this and cleaning out my personal products and need help as to where to begin. Please Help!!
Just starting this healthy living journey. Would love to try this product!
I would love to try some Pit Paste! Thank you for all your hard work Foodbabe!!
Good read.
I definitely want to give this a try!
I had NOOOO clue about aluminum being in deodorant. SO glad I read this. I will be throwing mine away ASAP
I just signed up for your newsletter. Really curious to try this stuff. I want to ditch deodorant but scared of being smelly
Thanks for all your info.
Thank you for all your research. Would love to try Primal Pit Paste!
I’d love to try this! I’ve tried to make a natural switch & tom’s is terrible. Love to try something else!
Also, I like you on Facebook
Already liked, subscribed and loved!
Thanks for explaining WHY and HOW aluminum has been added to anti-perspirants. I haven’t used anti-perspirant deodorant since high school, but I would love to try the Primal Pit Paste–been hearing a lot about it!! Thanks!!