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
Sounds great! I use all natural deodorant now, but don’t always feel fresh.
I’m really excited to try this!
I would love to try this product!
I liked your Facebook page!
We are a very active family and need a deodorant that works! Would love to try something new that’s also SAFE! Thanks for the giveaway!
I would love to try this! Thanks for the giveaway!
I would LOVE to try this product out! The more natural the better!!!
You have my attention! I am starting to rid my house of all harmful foods and products. Glad you have made this your lifes work.
I am a subscriber and follow you on facebook
Please Please Please Please Please Please.. I want to get this for my husband who is trying to figure out which natural brand will work for him. Thank you for offering these giveaways!! They’re awesome and much appreciated 🙂
Would love to give the pit paste a try! I use aluminum… and would love to find something natural that works for me!
Excited to try this! Happy about the discount as well!
I would love to try this.
Vaccines are also loaded with aluminum and other toxins which is contributing towards many neurological disorders like autism and ADHD. Please read the list of ingredients on the FDA.gov or CDC.gov website. It’s not a mystery that the autism rate is 1 in 50.
Very interested to try the pit paste!
I’d love some for my daughter. I hate her wearing normal deoderant.
I’m excited to try this!
Facebook!
I’ve been using natural mineral Secret but looked at label and has aluminum in it.
I can’t wait to try this product!
I find it horrifying that toxic products can be so mainstream with no oversight (or a blind eye) by any governing body. I am not a conspiracy theorist, but it sure seems like a sneaky way to get people sick and keep them sick.
I sound like your friend.. I have to use deodorant multiple times a day!!! This stuff sounds like a great safe alternative to my aluminum deoderant!!
this sounds amazing! I signed up and liked your page a while ago
I wonder if I can convince my husband to try…
Also a FB fan
Keep up the good work! I joined a few weeks ago and love it so far.
Thanks Vani! Totally agree! Our skin must be protected to protect or insides!
I’m already a fan on facebook and already subscribed to your emails. I would love to try this because natural is all I use but I tried baking soda plain and it really worked. I think this would be much nicer to use–the Primal Pit Paste.
I think my family could use this! I know I could, I’m just about to run out of secret, not going to buy any more. Thanks for the post!
This is the one item I have yet to switch to organic. I would love to win this and be able to use it and have my teen daughter use it as well. She sweats a lot when playing basketball so she has a hard time wanting to wear anything other than Degree as it works (but has aluminum). Thank you for this post and information!
I already belong to your email list and Like you on FB too. 🙂
This is so great!!! I’ve been on the lookout for a natural deodorant forever. My husband slathers on his Gillette like there’s no tomorrow – it would give me peace of mind to have him switch to this.
Ok, personal care products are the final frontier for me. I would REALY like to win this giveaway to help prod me into making the change over.
The info on anti-perspirant is truly scary. Would like to try this product!
Awesome. I had a breast cancer scare in December 2012. Love you website & all the info!! Will share with my Zumba students. : )
Hello,
I just purchased two products that are certified organic from a company that I can not disclose. However, It comes originally from http://www.MorroccoMethod.com~One is a shampoo that is super concentrated and the other is a creme rinse. Both say created 100% naturally 4 all hair types. Says Simply Pure Raw, Vegan Holistic & Organic. Any thoughts?
I am a subscriber and will be ordering some Pit Paste to try out.
I am hoping this will convince my husband to make the switch! He is pretty picky about his personal care products too.
I have to say give yourself about a month of using the natural stuff and no cheating with the old stuff…it took a good month to get it all out of my system, it can make you smell weird too. Once I started using the natural without cheating I noticed I sweat LESS.
I’ve been meaning to switch for awhile now and this helps! Thank you!
I follow on Facebook
My daughter and I have gone organic due to food allergy and sensitivities.
Now we’re working on the make up, beauty and other personal care products we use.
Thanks for the info about the deodorant. Primal Pit Paste sounds just what we want.
And I shall tell our local organic grocer, and a relative who owns a spa and sells organic products about this product.
I already am already getting your email updates and FB
I, too would like to enter the give away.
I’m excited to try this product!!
Love your site!
I would love to try this! Thanks 🙂
Thanks for the drawing. Like my current deodorant but does not work as far as moisture goes. Love to try!
I have been using HOMEMADE DEODORANT made out of coconut oil, arrowroot powder and baking soda for at least on month now. It works!!! Even today in our 84F Florida weather. Amazing!
That’s amazing. Would love to try this product.
Hello,
Have 2 products that I recently purchased from a place that I can not disclose. Was wondering if you have heard of http://www.MorroccoMethod.com? I purchased their shampoo and creme rinse and both say Simply Pure Raw~Vegan Holistic & Organic. Shampoo is super concentrated and both are for all hair types. What are your thoughts, Foodbabe?
Would love to try this
I already subscribe to your stuff – thanks for all of the great information!
I am in the beginning stages of clearing out our house of harmful products-we are a family of 6, so there is a lot of stuff. Your passion is contagious, and I am glad that I stumbled across your pages. I can’t thank you enough for doing what you are doing and educating the public.