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 am so glad I stumbled across your blog. Your posts are so eye-opening!
I would love to try this stuff!
Just subscribed to your emails, AND I’ve liked you on FB for a long time! Thanks for all of your info! Would LOVE to win this for my family!
Another win. I have often wondered if regular deodorant had any connection to cancer.
We’ve recently switched almost all of our personal care items to all natural products and the results have been great!! I love all your posts and even have my husband doing some of the things you suggest. Thanks for all the great information
I want to win this so my teenagers can try it. I don’t want their growing bodies exposed to chemicals but I also don’t want them embarrassed by not using anything. Love you food babe!!!
I would LOVE to try this! I subscribe to your emails!
Thanks for the information, it’s a shame what they sell us to put on our bodies.The deodorant sounds great, I hope I win!
Would love to win this to try for my 11 year old!
I use the salt stick, I got my husband using it to it he still likes to cheat to have no smell. I think he might like this!
The trick with the salt stick is, you have to apply it heavily. Wet it, and rub it about 30 seconds per pit. If you just swipe it on, it won’t work, but rub it on for 30 seconds and you will have no odor. It works for me, and I’m a sweathog.
So excited to try this and I’m already followong you on FB!
Thanks for the chance to try something new!
Already a subscriber…would love to try a natural deodorant that WORKS!
I would like to know if there are deli meats that are good for you?
Would love to try!
I am in desperate need of a good quality natural deodorant.
Love natural, clean living! Hoping to try this out.
I’m so glad I stumbled across your blog. Your posts are so eye-opening!
Thank you so much for this! I’ve been trying lots of different types of non aluminum deodorants over the years but I always go back to conventional anti-perspirants. I’m going to try the Primal for sure.
I like you on facebook
So glad I discovered this blog. Will be investigating the products I use very carefully in the upcoming weeks/months
I’ve been looking for a natural deodorant that comes with good recommendations! Would love to win this!
I love Tom’s of Maine but I would to get this for my hubby b/c it seems more manly, like something he would actually use. Thanks for the chance, already a follower and on your FB too!
Thanks for all the info!!!
I would love to try this out!
I love all of your posts. I am slowly trying to transition into a non chemical lifestyle and it is a lot to learn. Thank you for sharing.
I would love to try this! I’m a fan on Facebook!
So glad to have been introduced to your fb page, and now your blog and email updates. I have learned so much already and look forward to a healthier future. Thank you for all of your hard work and persistence to keep everyone informed. 🙂
I am ordering one, now! I have had a difficult time finding an effective, natural deoderant.
I have heard these things about deodorant before, but wasn’t as into how chemicals affect my body as I am now. I want to protect my family and am willing to try something new. Question – you live in the South, right? Does this product handle the heat & humidity?
I follow on face book too!
Thanks for the info. I’d love to try this. I’m already on the email list and like your Facebook page 🙂
Thank you for posting about clean beauty products. I’m very new to cleaning out my life…and the lives of my husband and 1 year old son. It’s hard! I’m very thankful for your suggestions (and the encouragement you give along the way). Your posts are a blessing to me and my family. 🙂
Have tried and love Primal Pit Paste! Getting the others in my family to switch is more difficult, though. :/
Would love to try these products!!
I’m a Facebook fan.
I would love to win and make another switch for my family. I already use an aluminum free deodorant, but I love that the other ingredients are so natural!
Switching deodorant has been in my to-do list for awhile. I’ve been putting it off because I am a little afraid the natural ones won’t work. I would love to try this out.
Thanks for posting this! I actually just switched my daughter’s deodorant to an aluminum-free kind today, and I know it’s time to do I the same for myself! I’d love to try this brand!
I have been working to all organic food and products and would love to have this item to start going green with personal products.
I’d love to try this! I’m afraid to see what’s in the stuff I use now!
I have tried a variety of natural deodorants for this very same reason you laid out in this post. However, my skin is so sensitive and I sweat so badly that all the “natural” options caused irritation or left me disgustingly wet. I exercise a lot, live in a hot climate and just am naturally hot natured. Will definitely try Primal Pit Paste. Thanks again for such great information!
I was sad to see my Mitchums on here since it works so well. I work with volunteer groups during the Texas summers. I’d love to see if this natural product holds up!
I’ve been looking into this recently and have had a hard time finding some good options, thank you so much for this! Keep doing what you do, it’s awesome good work!
I am still trying to convince my husband to make the switch but the 2 he hes tried gave him arash 🙁 I have heard great things about this brand and would love for him to try it.
I like your FB page. 🙂
I liked your FB page and signed up for emails! I’d love to get to try this without purchasing it first since I’ve tried so many other ones before!!
I already like your page on FB!
I hope I win I want to give this stuff a try…
I have heard so many good things about this stuff. I currently use Crystal