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 get your email and on fb! I love your blog, thank you or all you do!
Entered! Always looking for healthy alternatives.
I’ve been using Thai Crystal for several years. It’s just natural mineral salts.
I am a subscriber & have already liked you on FB. I actually LOVE what you are doing; mahalo nui loa!
I am fortunate in that I don’t need deodorant/antiperspirant, however, my husband does and he says the crystal doesn’t work for him so I would love for him to try this! We only use paraben free, petroleum free, etc beauty products and organic whenever we can. We live in a LEED home and his deodorant is the only contaminant in our home (I think!) and I would love for him to try something ‘clean’.
I subscribed to emails, and I follow all of your posts on Facebook. You have so much amazing information! Thank you!
I am already subscribed to your email updates and a Facebook fan. I am really excited to try this new Pit Paste!
I would love to win this. My 7 yr old daughter has needed deodorant for over a year now (never knew body odor could start so young) and I would love to find something that works well for her and is healthy. Thank you!
I would love to try their products!
Entering! Always looking for healthy alternatives!
Thanks for the information! I always “sensed” the deodorant I was using wasn’t good for me, this is just confirmation! Thanks!
Love your blog! You’ve helped me make many changes in my life, all good!
Already belong to your mailings and fb page. Learning so much from you! Been cleaning up the food and now want to clean up the personal products. I need that deodorant. I tried toms and I didn’t like it.
I have been wanting to try this! Im a little worried about the baking soda because I have sensitive skin but I’m ready to try!
I am currently in the process of trying to find a natural deodorant that works! I have tried 3 so far that didn’t really work – I was stinky halfway through the day. Would love to give this a try and get my hubby to try it also. I already subscribe and “like” you on FB too. So glad I found you!
I never knew that the products I used were that harmful! I would love to try this stuff!
I am actually in the process of finding a new deoderant after a dateline story on this kind of stuff. I found one without aluminum, but by the end of the day my pits smell (not horrible, but not pleasant). I would love to try this out to see if it worked for me. Would love to get my Hubby using something different too. I subscribe to your newsletters and am a HUGE fan on facebook as well. Your making it much easier to try and eliminate the “crap” out of our food/personal care items. Thank you so much.
I am super excited to try this pit paste. I have a few health problems that have caused me to eliminate many things, one being deodorant. I have found so many deodorants that are close but contain stuff I need to avoid. I would love it free but if not i will definitely give this one a try!!
Looks like a wonderful product
I subscribed. Thanks!
I’m a liker on facebook!
I subscribe to your updates via rss and am a fan on Facebook! Thanks for all you do to get the word out on whole body healthy living!!
I subscribe!
A friend shared your link on facebook… I had no idea Aluminum could be connected to, those things, nor that it was in deodorant. I would be interested to know, how well did it work for your husband and for you? Did it just mask odor or help reduce sweating as well?
Just what I’ve been searching for! Thank you!
I just switched to an aluminum free( Trader Joes brand ) a week ago. It is going to take some getting used to and probably a few brands so I would love to try this ” pit paste” . Thank you for all your helpful information.
I like you FB page
Pick me:)
Just ordered some, my Toms ain’t working !
Just this week I’ve been looking for a replacement deoderant! It’s surprisingly difficult to find one without something or other in it that I don’t want on my body. I’d love to try this one though!
I would like to try this product…
Thanks for this much needed info!
I’m just wondering if you have any suggestions for hyperhidrosis…I have to use Certain Dri just to wear normal clothes…do you know of any natural substitutes to actually help with excessive sweat?? would love to know. Thanks!!
Already subscribe and follow on Facebook. Love to try this product!
I have started eating more healthy and would love to carry over into more natural health and beauty products…great post!
Subscribed! Thank you for sharing all of the hard work you do – so glad you share with the rest of us! Hope I win!
I’m a subscriber!
Excited to try! Thanks for the coupon code. The stick is actually less expensive than the Secret deodorant I currently buy. It’s healthier AND I save money.
1,2,3! Done! I just made my own deoderant yesterday but would still like to win this!
I receive your e mails and I am a fan of your Facebook!
I am a subscriber and FB fan and love the information you share!!
subcriber and FB follower! LOVE PRIMAL PASTE!!! Thanks for the great giveaway!
Already a fan on FB and a subscriber! Would love to try this!
I already liked you on FB.
Your timing is PERFECT! I was just researching deodorants for my husband and 11 year old son! Would love to win the give-away! I subscribe, “like” your FB page and am an avid fan…
I subscribe and I would love this! I am in the market!
I would love to try Primal Pit Paste! I’ve learned so much from you by following you on facebook. I thought I was smarter than I was when it comes to health.
Really interested in trying!! 6 year BC survivor and afraid of harming my health any further!!
love all your posts! subscribed and liked your page!!!
I went natural in February! No more chemicals!
I’d love a chance to win this and try it out!