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
OMG I use Secret-I need to find something without Aluminum-this may explain the breakouts on my face I am still getting at 45!! If I don’t win I am going to find me some Primal Pit Paste!
Would like to try this.
I’m a new follower of your blog, but I already love it. Thank you for empowering me to make smarter choices when it comes to my health and body. You rock, Food Babe!!
I use Secret-but am stopping right away! I am going to look for Primal Pit Paste and try it
I have tried two different deodorants and kinda like one of them, but I would love to try this one. Thanks for all your hard work. I’m already a subscriber and FB fan.
Love your site plus all the great information!!!!
Just joined your FB page and signed up for updates! Would love to try this!
I am a new follower of your blog, but I already love it. Thank you for empowering me to make smarter decisions for my health and body. You rock, Food Babe!!
Anything to help me rid my life of toxins!
I have been putting off upgrading my personal care products. Maybe this is the boost I needed.
Huge supporter of your knowledge and dedication to educate others. I love sharing what I learn through your site and fb with others. Thanks FoodBabe!
wow – so glad you posted this – I had heard this before too but had forgotten about it so thank you for reminding me – I just went and checked each one of our products and every one has that ingredient – in the trash they went
am going to see if anything else better locally tomorrow just to get us by for now
I would love to win this for my family as 3 out of the 4 of us use these right now (daughter hasn’t had any ‘sweaty’ or ‘smelly’ reason to use them yet 😉
thank you again for your posts – you are awesome!
oh and forgot to add – already a fan of yours on facebook and get your emails/updates
have made a lot of changes (for the better) due to them
thank you
Can’t wait to try Pit Paste!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for making it easier for the rest of us to live a healthy life!
I’m so happy to have found your blog! I am just beginning to replace all of my beauty products with all-natural ones that won’t deposit toxins into my body! So thank you for the information!
Already liked on FB and get your emails! Thanks! If i dont win :), which retail stores carry this?
I need to try this pit paste!!
Thanks for identifying a safe alternative to a chemical product that I will no longer use (Mitchum). I am going to try Primal Pits (and 3 cheers for safe, healthy ingredients).
Really want to try primal pit paste!! Thanks for having this giveaway!
I haven’t been able to find a natural deoderant that works 🙁 This one sounds better than what I have tried. Thanks for the great info!!
Just checked my deo and of course, aluminum is an active ingredient. Would love to try something natural.
I saw someone else posted about her skin breaking out at 45, and I am 47 and mine does as well. I also use Secret, did not realize this could casue breakouts?
I am excited to use this for me and my family!
Liked your facebook!:)
I never knew this! I have so much I still need to learn!
Liked your fb:)
Id love to try this product!:)
Love you Food Babe!!! Your blog has changed my life.
Even if I don’t win, I will be buying some for myself and my teenage daughter.
I’d try it.
just started following you on Facebook and Pinterest! I’ve already tried a few of you suggestions on beauty products and recipes.
What do you think of the brands Toms, Jason’s, or Kiss My Face for aluminum free deodorant?
Haven’t tried this brand yet.
Ive been becoming more and more worried about what I put on my body as well as what I put in. Would love to try this as I have seen great reviews about it.
Made the switch to organic, now working on my beauty and bath products. Failing miserably with deodorants that work for more than a few hours at a time. Help!
What do you think of the brands Tom’s, Jason’s, and Kiss My Face for aluminum free deodorant?
I have been slowly switching my stuff over.
Thanks for sharing- good to know what works!!!
I’ve been using homemade deodorant, just coconut oil, baking soda, and cornstarch but it’s very messy; i.e. leaves white on your shirt which is not great for summer. How about the Pit Paste? Is it also like that?
I am a 65 yo woman who is interested in this info and this product. Please help teach an old dog new tricks by allowing my trial of this product….
Thanks so much for all you do,
Diane Helfer
I would love a product that is safe AND effective! Love your blog Food Babe! Thank you 🙂
Would love to try this… I have to admit, after reading your post on this… I went to my bathroom and found my deodorant is one of the worst, “Secret”. I have tried natural ones in the past, but they don’t last long. Would LOVE to try this one!!! By the way, I am a subscriber to your Food Babe updates!!!
I learned about the aluminum issue years ago and since then I have used only deodorant, no antiperspirant. I’m glad to see this finally getting some attention. I plan to give Primal Paste a try soon.
P.S. And I’ve been a fan of your facebook page for a while now… thank you for all you do!!! 🙂
Already use deoderant only. Would like to try this one.
Thank you for the info.; so much to learn! =)
Would love to win to try it out. Thanks.
Would love to try it
This site is amazing! I would love to try this product as I need to switch out my beauty products!
Every time I buy deodorant I stress over these issues, and especially if it’s been tested on animals. Would love to try Primal Pit, if I don’t win will have to see if I can order some from Australia.