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 already like your fb page and subscribe 🙁 Only one entry for me
I subscribe to your emails.
I would love to win this for my hubby. I already use bubble and bee but I’d like something for him to try for free! I am also a subscriber and FB follower.
I would love to try this. I have been told many times about the aluminum and rarely wear any. When I do it’s the bad stuff. I would love to have a healthy deodorant. Thank you of sharing this information!
Never knew there was aluminum in deodorant! Scary
Was recently looking in to different deodorant alternatives, so this would be perfect! I already “like” you on FB 🙂
I like your facebook page
Need this! 🙂
I’m a facebook fan 😉
Wow thanks! I like and love and signed up for the email and I am now switching!!
Already subscribed, and like your FB! I hope I win so I can try it out! Thanks for the info. I’ve been concerned but had never found anything that actually worked!
Would love to win this! Haven’t worn deodorant since 1994 but sometimes I’m stinky because of that health related choice!
Thank you for all the great info! Definitely cleaning out my bathroom cabinet!
I would love to do this but every time I try the natural route my clothes get ruined. Anyone know how to stop that from happening without using aluminum?
I just made the switch to “Kiss My Face” deodorant that I found at Whole Foods. Would love to try Primal Pit Paste!
I love the great information that I read on your blog! I will be switching deodorant ASAP!
I really want to try this! Would LOVE to win. 🙂
I subscribe to your emails! Would love to try this
Just started trying to go natural with food and personal care products. I would love to try out this deodorant!
Been on your fb and newsletter for a while now. Pick me!
I already like your page and receive your email updates! Thanks for another great post!
I’ve been following your FB page for a while now. Looking forward to the newsletter!
Hey Vani! Thank you for doing this post! I am trying to clean out the bathroom cabinet, and just recently got some Tom’s deodorant. It’s been two days, and its working ok but its definitely not 100%. I would LOVE to try the primal pit paste. Thanks for doing the giveaway! Also, I already follow you on Facebook and subscribe to your page.
I’m so happy you posted info on personal care products. It’s so hard to decipher through all these toxic chemicals. Thanks for sharing which ones are safest!
Can’t wait to try it
I’m definitely switching deo. I hope to win primal pit paste!
I’d love to try it!
I’ve subscribed to email updates and your Facebook page. I would love the opportunity to try this product!
I’ve already signed up for your newsletter! Absolutely enjoyed this post!
I already subscribe and like your page. 🙂
Please answer this — after making the switch, how do you forgo the sweaty pits?
Would love to try this out!
Already follow the blog and FB! Have always searched for a healthy deodorant. And haven’t been successful. Thanks for recommending one! I hope I win!
I like your FB page, too!
I follow on Facebook too!
I’d love to try primal pit paste. Thanks for the work you do! Valuable information!
I would love to try Primal Pits! I have made my own deodorant, but would love to win!!
I have been looking for a replacement for my deodorant for a while but have not succeeded. I would be excited to try this one!
I have tried many of the natural deodorant products that do not contain aluminum and I have yet to find one that really works for me. I would love to try this!!
I signed up! And I already “liked” your facebook page
ohh,ohh I so need to clean out my beauty supply. I am just beginning on this wonderful journey! Pick me!!
I have a question: Is there anything you have found or could recommend for mild hyperhidrosis that doesn’t have aluminum? It sounds silly because that’s basically asking for an antiperspirant without aluminum, but do you happen to know if that exists? For me, it’s not about the smell but the actual sweat soaking through my shirt. I could never just let that happen and get used to it.
I’ve been wanting to try this product.
I have tried many natural deodorants and I have yet to find one I like…..I have not tried this brand and would love to!! Hopefully this will be the one!! Thanks!!
I love how easy you make all this! I have been thinking about ditching some of the personal products for better ones, but had no clue where to start.
Just ordered my primal pit paste sticks a few days ago and waiting eagerly for them to arrive 🙂
Great page! I will definitely be following you from now on! Thanks for all the great info 🙂
Pick me! Signed up for emails and liked your fb page. 🙂
I signed up for your newsletter and I liked you on Facebook.
I follow you on Facebook and get your emails! I enjoy reading all your helpful information! I am excited about this pit paste! All my family’s personal care products are all non-toxic, natural and organic. It was easier to switch than we thought and its been our way of life now for a few years! Deodorant was a tough one to replace and we are always looking for new ways to fight the stink! 😉
i already receive your emails and am a fan of your facebook page…i love what you do for us every day! thanks for the giveaway 🙂