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
Thanks for the reminder!
I would love to try Primal Pit Paste, it looks awesome! I already like your Facebook page and am signed up for your email updates.
So excited to try this! (I like you on facebook.)
I keep hoping to win one of these giveaways! I would love to try the Pit Paste! Great name!
My husband uses Mitchum and is very suspicious of the effectiveness of natural deodorants. I’d love to have him try Primal Pit Paste!
I’d love to enter the giveaway! Already get your email updates and liked your Facebook page!
I’ve been using a non aluminum deodorant for over a year now. I never smell…sweat, yes! But I’m not soaking through shirts, and when that happens its usually an indication of somwthing diet related. I use Adama brand (from whole foods), but excited to try this out! The ingredient list is edible!
I will definetly have to try this product. I will have to see if Trader Joe’s sells it. Thanks for the information!!
i have been looking for a natural deodorant that really works. the ones i’ve tried actually make my underarms smell worse than wearing nothing, which i mostly do except on very hot days (or when i plan on dancing… around other people). i don’t even wear it when i work out because, who cares what you smell like then anyway? it would be so nice to find one that is natural and actually does the job! thank you for posting about this product line. i can’t wait to try it!
p.s. i had a similar experience trying to find a natural mascara that does the job and stays put. i thank you silently everyday when i apply my tarte lights, camera, lashes 🙂
Vani – Thanks for the post! I switched to healthy organic foods last year and a few months ago I started thinking about making the switch on personal care products too. Sure enough, the deodorant was first on my list! I did some online research and ended up tossing my Dove deodorant for Burt’s Bees Herbal Deodorant (http://www.amazon.com/Burts-Bees-Herbal-Deodorant/dp/B000851NEE). I use some of their other products and love them. Unfortunately, after a couple of weeks of use, I disappointingly gave up on it as it didn’t work very well to mask my sweat odor, even though I don’t sweat very much anyway. I’ve been looking for an alternative option since then. Looking forward to trying the Primal Pit Paste and seeing how it works.
I cannot wait to try this! My Aunt and my mother in law are breast cancer survivors and I am always looking for a great anti-perspirant alternative. Thanks foodbabe!
I am so excited to learn about this new product! I can’t wait to try this out.
I’m signed up for your email updates and have liked you on facebook!
I hadn’t given a though to my deoderant. Glad you pointed this out!! Thanks for all you do 🙂
I get your email updates already
thanks for the info. I already get your email and I liked you too. would love to win!
Would like to try this.
Good to know and so often not even something I would think about! Thanks!
I would love to try this! I just can’t seem to find a natural deodorant that works for me. I get your email updates. I also like you on FB
I have been following for a while and have read your previous article about Primal Pit Paste. Would love to try!!!
I cant wait to try out this product! I “like” you on Facebook and I get FoodBabe updates 🙂
Keep up the amazing work!
I am definitely going to try this, even if I don’t win. I’ve already sent the info to my mom. I’ll try to get my husband to try it too, since he was resistant to the LaVanila organic deodorant that I currently use.
Already get updates and like your page. Would love to try this!
Subscribed, likes and ready to win some Primal Pit Paste. Thanks for doing so much of the legwork that i would never have time to do on my own!!
I would love to try this product! I receive your newsletter.
Keep the info coming Food Babe! It’s sooooo appreciated.
I would love to try this Primal Pit Paste!!! I already receive your updates via email and like you on Facebook. Thank you!
I just started making my own deodorant, but would love to find a brand I can buy that works well to save some time!
Signed up and liked 🙂
Glad to learn about new aluminum-free deodorant product. Would love to try it.
I would love to win this, I have been using the crystal for awhile, I don’t mind the sweating, but the smelling my husband minds.
I have tried so many different safer brands and cannot find one that works for me. I have ordered this one and hope it works!
I would love to try this out and find a brand that works well! I like you on Facebook & sign up for your email updates, Thanks!
I am always searching for natural toiletry items, so I’d love to enter the giveaway. Am wondering if you still have sweaty arm pits while using these products?
I like you on FB!
I wonder if I could make something like this myself?
But would be easier to just win some! Emailed and FB’d up.
I would love Primal Pit Paste!! I love the ingredients they contain as well! What an awesome product!
I cannot wait to try this product. My Aunt and my mother-in-law are bresst cancer survivors, so I am always looking for a great anti-perspirant alternative to try. Thanks foodbabe!
I tried to make the deoderant switch awhile ago, but the brand I tried did not work well. Maybe this brand will be better.
Would love to try!!
Would love to try an alternative deo!
I use a natural “pit putty” already…I wonder how this one measures up. I would love to try it. Thanks for all you do!
I’ve seen PPP advertised and would love to try some. Thanks!!
I have already stopped using deodorant and use coconut oil. I would love to try this product, I’ve heard great things about it!
Thanks for the reminder to throw out personal items. It’s easy to focus only on food.
Would love to try this. I use TOMs now and its not working very well for me!
Interested in trying this!!
I just started on the search for an aluminum free deodorant that also helps to reduce wetness (I know sweating is good for us but it’s hot where I live and having sweaty armpits is still uncomfortable for me). Would love to give the primal paste a try (just heard about it on another website too). Just subscribed for the e-mail updates and liked you on FB.
I’m always searching for natural hygiene products. I’ve signed up and Liked you on FB.
I have signed up for your newsletters, liked your page, and would love to win! 🙂
Best wishes!