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 use this one for men. What do you think about its ingredients? Thanks!
http://www.aubrey-organics.com/ProductInfo/408.aspx
Sorry for reposting. My page wouldn’t refresh.
I would love to try out Primal Pit Paste!
I have been looking for a “natural” deodorant and have tried 3 different ones without success to liking any of them. Would be interested in this one. I would like to thank you and I support you for all the hard work you do to inform us and the leg work to try and change corporate businesses.
I’ve been contemplating the switch from Secret antiperspirant to a safe deodorant product, but something has been stopping me from making the leap. I already sweat a lot and I wonder, will any of these organic, safe products work? So I agree that the ingredients on this Pit Paste sound very safe; but does it work for you? Thanks for all of your helpful information! I would love to try it if I win a free sample.
I would love to try this! I switched over a few years ago because the aluminum in regular deodorants made my arm pits sore. Mostly been using Toms but its no good! Primal Pit paste sounds much better.:)
Thank you so much for this article! I’d love to try the Primal Paste, but meanwhile I’m using Tom’s deodorant… Do you know much about its ‘naturalness’? There were some reviews online that Tom’s isn’t as safe as it claims to be, particularly the deodorants. Your input would be much appreciated. Thank you!
I sure would love to try this!
I already like you, literally and via Facebook , :). I also get your newsletter. So just so u know, you are doing great work.
I’m planning to follow your posts and hopefully make my life healthier!
I’d love to try Primal!
For some reason, I switched my deoderant before I started cleaning up my food. Don’t remember why.
I subscribe to your emails. I would love to win this because I totally need to switch my deo to an organic one! It’s been on my list to research.
Great reminder and giveaway. Thank you.
I really enjoy all of your posts on facebook. Thank you for all the info you share!
I have tried Toms of Maine but it didn’t really help me. I am going to give this a try. Hopefully it’s better.
This sounds great. I would love to try it, especially the Kids for my 10yr old. She already needs deodorant, but I am so afraid of the toxic junk that’s out there.
I just subscribed to your emails and am already a fan on FB. My husband just brought up this concern this afternoon before I saw your post. Thanks for all you do!
Already liked your FB about a month ago. Sent out a fb blast on the Kraft petition. Would love to try the pit paste. Do you know of some that doesn’t contain coconut oil? My son is allergic.
I get your updates and like you on Facebook.
Thank you so much for all your work to educate us about our food supply and personal care products. I appreciate your dedication and perseverance! Keep up the fight, your work is life-changing!
Once again- thank you! Appreciate all you do for all of us on this earth.
Have been looking for a good aluminum free deodorant. Hope I win! 🙂
Thank you for all of your wonderful posts!!! I have been so enlightened. I have struggled to find a natural deodorant that really works. Keep up your great work. You are appreciated by many 🙂
Would LOVE to try this stuff!
I am excited to try this out! Thanks for introducing it. ~PEACE~
I have signed up for your updates and I like your facebook page. Funny that you posted about Primal Pit Paste as I was just checking out their site last week. I went ahead and placed an order to take advantage of this discount but would love to win other products to share with other family members! Which scent did you like best?
I would love to try this stuff. And I get your updates and love your Facebook page!
I was just reading about Primal Pit Paste in Paleo Magazine! I would absolutely love to try it out! 🙂
I like your Facebook page and get your email updates already! Thankful for everything I’ve learned on your site. 🙂
Would love to try this. I was thinking of trying to make my own but if I can find one I like I won’t have to.
I would love to try this deodorant! Been following you on fb too 🙂
I subscribe to your newsletter and love getting all your information..you have inspired me to keep doing my own research.
I’ve liked you on FB!
Yes Please!!
If this is good enough for your husband to try…. I bet mine would too!!! It’s hard to get the husband on board when making these changes. I KNOW changing deodorant is going to be much harder than changing our eating was. I would love to win this! Pick me!! P.S. Congrats on taking the world by storm these last couple of weeks! <3 – Caryn
Neat.. That’s interesting stuff
I thought I posted but my iPad did something funky…so please excuse if repeat! Thanks for all you do!
I subscribe! I’ve tried several different kids before and never really had true success with any! It would be awesome to see how this works! I’m also a Facebook follower.
Great article! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Already get the newsletter and like your FBI page.
Pit paste sounds awesome!
Already signed up for your newsletter 🙂
Awesome post !
I like your page and get your updates! But seriously, I have been wanting to get the aluminum out and I just didn’t know where to start. This would be perfect!
I have thought of making my own but this would be so much better. I am a fan and a subscriber.
Would love to win this…but if not will be purchasing it soon!
I’d love to try this! I’m looking for a clean deodorant that works well without giving me a rash after a few days.
Id love to give it a try for myself and my family. 🙂
I was just taking to a friend about this earlier today! Thank you so much for the recommendation! Already subscribe and “like” on facebook.
I had no idea about this…looks like I need to make a change…Love the name!
I have spent so much money on “healthy” deodorants and none of which work. I can’t wait to try Pit Paste!