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
Ive been meaning to try this … I saw a write up about it on 100days, too. Glad to know it works for so many! I really need to stop using my (aluminum containing) Toms of Maine … ugh!
Dying to try Primal pit paste! I get made fun of by my boyfriend for not wearing deodorant.
Omg I didn’t know Toms of Maine has aluminum! Thanks for sharing.
I’ve heard this is the best – would love to try it!
I have tried soapwalla and like there deodorant. I’m excited to try this one!
I’m so ready to try this!!
I’m signed up, I “like” the Facebook page, and I’d love to try the Pit Paste! I’m trying out Bubble and Bee’s version right now, but this formula sounds a little different. Sign me up! 🙂
I love all of your guidance! Thank you! It would have been awhile before I thought about switching deodorant. It looks like I am following the same pattern as you did. I am working on the kitchen and home products at the same time, but I didn’t even think about personal care just yet! I would love to try this!
I switched to natural deodorant about a year ago. I currently use one from LUSH beauty products but would be interested in trying something new 🙂
I would love to try!
Great info! I think your blog is awesome!
Like you, I started with food, then cleaning products and I just started tackling my toiletries. I’ve been looking for a non-toxic deodorant. Would love to win this 🙂
Have you used Toms and does this work better? I thought I’d give Toms a try and it was awful! I have forgot to wear deodorant on occasion, and I sweat more, but I never end up stinking if I’m not working out hardcore, even without deodorant (you can ask my husband). BUT, with Toms, it literally made me stink! Like I could smell myself stinking really bad, and I’ve never experienced this even without deodorant. I had to go to the bathroom several times and wash off my arm pits.
thanks for the chance to clean out some ickies in my medicine cabinet!
I make my own, it is way too easy. I use Organic Arrowroot powder, Aluminum free Baking Soda, Organic Raw Coconut Oil and a few drops of Tea Tree Oil. I push the slightly warmer than room temp paste into an empty underarm stick and let it cool and it works better than most sticks I have used.
I quit using nasty aluminum filled deodorant several years ago. I have found only one natural deodorant that really works and would like to try this Primal Pit Paste brand as well. Thank you!
I’m so ready to try this!! I’m already a subscriber and a fan
I really want to try this- I sweat like crazy and hate the thought of aluminum under my arms! Thank you! 🙂
You are helping change my life! Just started the journey to eating healthy and organic. Thanks or all your work. I already get the Emil’s and like ya on fb!
Thanks! Already like you FB page 🙂
I would love to try this out.
I’m wondering if this actually works. I would love to do natural but I also don’t want to have body odor.
My husband and I have been following you in Seneca SC
I love your blogs!!!
I tried to comment on my phone and I don’t see it…trying again! I’d love to try this brand…I tried toms but it irritated my skin really badly.
I have recently been doing some research on making the switch to natural deodorant. I’ve been looking at different homemade recipes and came across Pit Paste online. It seems like a great product and I’m very eager to try it!
I stopped using secrect this year and started with TOMs lemon grass or lavender. They do not have aluminum, but have proplyne gylocol…boo….so I have tried making my own. So far I have used a dry recipe that is arrowroot powder, baking soda and corn starch with some essential oils mixed in. and Other than the fact that it is messy a little ( i put it on with a make up brush) it works well scent and persperation wise, and my armpits do not burn when i shave. But I have been looking for somthing easier for the gym or little black dress night. I have considered empting out the container and making my own solid but the primal would elimiate some effort on my part!!
I actually started with my cosmetics, and beauty products and am moving onto foods. I cleanse my face and body with oils, I wash my hair with baking soda wash or coconut milk and castile soap and condition with Acv and honey 🙂 my curly hair has never NEVER looked this good. now I just need to find a great hair gel and make up 🙂 but so far a few bottles of oil take care of most of my body needs 🙂 and then enxt to go was toxic cleaning products. We have actually been healthier since we cut out all our cleaning products and swithced to tea tree oil spray instead of lysol 🙂 Now onto foods
Thank you for this article. I’m going to make the switch!
I would love to win this giveaway (I’m signed up for your emails and like your FB page]. I actually just bought this after reading Lisa’s review of it. I had been using Toms and it wasn’t really cutting it. I got PPP two days ago and so far so good!
Love your site! Thanks for the suggestions!
I would love to give this product a try. I have been looking for something natural for my son. He only needs it during baseball season when he gets in my car after practice smelling like a farm animal.
I’m a FB fan and I subscribe! This would be great, I’ve been cleaning out my beauty products here lately!
I make my own, my husband isn’t in board with that…this he would be willing to try.
Thank you for posting information on this! I’ve changed my eating habits, but just started researching ways to change my personal care products. I hope I win, but I’m still buying a jar of the Primal Pit Paste either way! 🙂 Thanks!
Primal was featured on our local news a few months back, because the mom who makes it is here in Tampa. Have you tried Tom’s deodorant?
Subscribed. Would love to try this product. Thanks!
I’d love to try this stuff!
Would love to try this. I get the newsletter.
I would love to try this!
Would love to give this a try. For myself and the whole family. With two teens in the house, this would be great to win! 🙂 I’ve followed you for quite a while now, and have been loving all the info. Thanks!
Would LOVE to try this brand. I’ve been thinking of switching to something healthier for awhile now, but haven’t found one that I have liked yet. Thanks for your article, it motivates me to prioritize putting my health first!
I would LOVE to try this! Thanks for the opportunity!
This stuff looks fabulous! And so natural! I already subscribe. 🙂
I’m a subscriber. This is awesome I’ve been looking around for something new to try or make!
I can’t wait to try Primal Pit Paste. I found out about it because I like you on FB. 🙂
I’m already a fan of your fb page and love your tips/info. I would love to try this product
Would love to try this product!
Thanks for the giveaway. We have always tried to avoid aluminum in our deodorants because of Alzheimer’s running in the family.
I’m also a facebook fan!
I just started reading your blog and I’m hooked! Thank you for all the research and work you are doing!
I’ve been wanting to try this! Hope I win! 😀
I would love to try this!