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 just found your site by recommendation from a friend. I am a 4 year breast cancer survivor. I am trying to change the way I cook and what I put on my skin. I am trying to do this gradually, It’s hard to change the way you shop over night, I have tried and I default back to old and bad habits. After putting my body through chemo I am more tired now and the chemo has triggered other auto immune diseases. After a long day at work I am too tired to do research on products and meal planning. I am hoping by finding your site/facebook that it will make it easier for me to make the changes I need because you have already done the research. Thank you for the information on the anti-perspirant even if I don’t win I still plan on trying this product.
I just found your site by recommendation from a friend. I am a 4 year breast cancer survivor. I am trying to change the way I cook and what I put on my skin. I am trying to do this gradually, It’s hard to change the way you shop over night, I have tried and I default back to old and bad habits. After putting my body through chemo I am more tired now and the chemo has triggered other auto immune diseases. After a long day at work I am too tired to do research on products and meal planning. I am hoping by finding your site/facebook that it will make it easier for me to make the changes I need because you have already done the research. Thank you for the information on the anti-perspirant even if I don’t win I still plan on trying this product. Thank you
Having read about your situation, I would highly recommend that you check out Johanna Budwig , a bio chemist from Germany who has been nominated for 6 Pullitzer prizes for her work and saved a number of cancer patients by creating a special combination of organic flax seed oil, organic cottage cheese ( or organic unflavoured yogurt) and honey to rebuild their immune systems.
You make a good point about how people transition to living a pure organic life. I am moving into the phase now of focusing on beauty products so I’ll have to check this out. I already get your e-mails and follow you on FB!
You make a good point about how people transition into living fully organic lives. Beauty routines do seem to come last in the chain and it is where I have just started to focus in on. I will have to check this product out. I already get your e-mails and like your FB page!
Thank you for posting this! Every time I go buy deodorant from a non-Health food store (not often, but it happens), it AMAZES me that so many people buy these toxic products – and most of them smell horrible anyway! I was lucky enough to be informed at a young age about the dangers of aluminum (an advantage of my BFF’s super hippie parents). You also have to be careful of this ingredients in some other products, like sunscreens (not sure which ones – read your labels!). I’m totally giving Primal Paste to my hubs. He uses Old Spice, which I am guessing is NOT aluminum-free. I am a subscriber, I like you on Facebook, so I should be qualified now. 🙂 Thanks for all you do, Food Babe!
I’m interested in giving his a try. I’m brand new to the concept of detoxing my family of 5 (3 kids ages 7, 3, 1)
I am now at the point of my clean-living transition where I’m switching out beauty products. I would love to try this!!
Food Babe, I thank you for sharing all of this wonderful knowledge with us. I feel more empowered to voice my concerns and share my own knowledge knowing that more and more people are out there endorsing a truly healthy lifestyle.
I already subscribe to your letters and Like you on FB! I admire your work tremendously, especially related to Kraft lately.
I’m so excited to try primal pit paste! Thank you sooo much for this information:)
Hey lady Thank You for your information I would like to add that I have been using lemon juice as my deodorant for over ten years and now Ii only need to use it about a week once a month.
I never moved without anti-perspirant. Afterall, I live in Singapore (tripocal, along the equator, summer year round!)
A few years ago I had a cyst develop on my underarm due to clogged pores and actually had to get it surgically removed. The wound took about 6 months to heal and even though it’s been 2 yrs now, the scar does tend to get itchy and hurt. Had I known about products like this earlier it would’ve saved me a lot of pain! Primal isn’t available here, but there is one called Crystal Essence (http://www.thecrystal.com/essence/) really nice and gentle!
Love this stuff and I love your website!
I’ll give it a try!
I’ve tried them all at the health food store and unfortunately I’m still looking for something that works for me. Would love to try this stuff. Thanks for the tip!
I would love to try this! Absolutely horrified by the negative side effects of conventional antiperspirants
Liked your facebook page!
I’ve been searching for an alternative that works good…can’t wait to give it a try.
Can’t wait to try!
Interested in trying this in Phoenix’s 110 degree summer, deodorant’s toughest tests.
Interested in trying this in Phoenix’s 110 degree summer, deodorants’ toughest test.
I’m so excited to try primal pit paste! this was a wonderful article. Thank you so much
I’m so excited to try, Idk if my last comment went through… I don’t see it. Please disregard if it did:)
Thank you! I was diagnosed with breast cancer last fall and had the same journey, cleaning out the pantry, then realizing with dismay what I was putting on my body was toxic! I’ve just been dabbing corn starch under my arms because I haven’t found any non-toxic options that work. I would love to PPs products!
I ordered some today, can’t wait to try it!
So excited to have found an all natural deod that works, cant wait to try!!!!! YIPEE for healthy pits!!
What are your thoughts on potassium alum (natural mineral salts in a deodorant stick)?
I hope I win!!!
like your fb page too. hope I win.
I couldn’t wait, I just ordered a stick in spice! Excited to try it. Here’s hoping it works better than Tom’s, the crystal, etc. Thanks for the coupon code!
I just heard about Primal Pit Paste products. I’m very interested in trying them soon. Thanks for giving us the chance to win some of their products.
Liked and subscribed. I’m definitely into switching to healthier products!!
So happy i found your website. Cant wait to try out Primal Pit paste 🙂
Just browsing through yahoo health and clicking links, I am SO GLAD I found your sight! I suffer from autoimmune diseases/disorders and severe allergies to foods and chemicals. I cook mostly from scratch…I have a 5 Year old son who prefers baked wild salmon and veggies over McDonald’s ;). I have for years read labels, know a little about banned foods from other countries used in USA for “cost” sake $ wise, but at the cost of health. I can now keep up, learn more and forward your info to family and friends. I’ve said for years, “they may test X product and Y product and Z product, and deem them to be “safe” but no one tests how all three…plus many others…together. I don’t remember there being so much illness when I was younger (I’m 47) and firmly believe it has a LOT to do with science “advancement” away from pure ingredients and GMOs, artificial this and that. Can’t wait to read more!
Def going to try. I hope this is good with odor control. Lush cosmetics aromaco n coconut powder help with wetness/odor
During pregnancy, I developed sine enlarged breast tissue in my right armpit. I made the switch to all natural deodorant then, but could never find one that I frkt really “worked.”. I would love to try primal paste! Thanks for all you do!
Thank you so much for this information and having a give-a-way! I am actually in the process of changing deodorants. Your information has been very help for me. Thanks again!
Jessica Earl
I’d love to try this! Hoping to win 🙂
I’d love to try this!! Hoping to win one of these giveaways 🙂
I have been using Tom’s of Maine which is a natural ingredient company in business for 20 years. Their products, including several varieties of deodorant, are readily available in grocery and drug stores. Their toothpaste is all natural as well with no forms of sugar, animal or artificial ingredients. Check them out.
Can’t wait to start switching out my bathroom cabinet now! Thanks for the advice! 🙂
I would love to try this stuff!
Thank you for this post!! I am very interested in this product. I have been on the hunt for something better then what we use now.
Can’t wait to try this!! Organic all the way!!
Very interesting! Wow! I have a sister who is a breast cancer survivor and with 2 daughters of my own, this is such an important issue. Hope we win so we can all try it!
I already receive emails and like you on Facebook. I’m in the process of switching to all-natural deodorants and have yet to find a brand that works, so I’d LOVE to try Primal Paste! Plus, maybe I could convince my husband to try it too… 🙂
I’ve been looking for a natural deodorant that works! Maybe this is it…
Working on the switch to natural products. It’s hard with 3kids and a husband that’s not quite as excited about it. I prefer to buy natural products on a recommendation because most of these natural products are so expensive and I hate wasting money (which sometimes make me stick to what I know). Thanks for all you do.
Just discovered this blog through a friend’s FB post! Can’t wait to get updates from you! I would love to try this instead of my usual deodorant!
I’m a new subscriber! I would love to try this deodorant!