Thursday, January 8, 2009

Deodorants

Ok so I CANNOT for the life of me find a good eco-happy/aluminum free deodorant that works for me.

Oh sure I have the Rock deoderant and I've tried Tom's and a few others and I still smell like a person with some RIPE BO. We are talking don't come close to me type BO. I'm beginning to become a bit obsessed with how I smell. Yes, I do the whole "sneak a smell" pose here and there. I'm not ashamed to admit it.

But I really do want to stay away from Aluminum based deodorants due to the possible health risks they may carry.
Here is a quick rundown of what Suite101 says about Aluminum and how it works in deodorants,
"Aluminum is one of the most common elements in the environment and the world's most common metal. It is used in cans and aluminum foil, as lightweight sheet metal in airplanes and other machinery, in electrical wiring - and in personal care products such as underarm deodorant and antiperspirant. Aluminum oxide, also present in deodorants, is often used as a coating and is the major compound in rubies and sapphires.
The problem with deodorants and antiperspirants is not only the aluminum, but how it works to reduce sweat and smelly odors.
Aluminum compounds or aluminum salts, such as aluminum oxide (Al2O3), are key ingredients in almost every antiperspirant. They are powerful astringents that close pores, stopping sweat and odor from escaping the body.
Antiperspirants may leave the outside of the body smelling fresh and clean – but inside, the toxins that would have escaped the body in the sweat have nowhere to go. For this reason, antiperspirants have been linked to problems with the sweat glands and lymph glands in and around the underarms.
What's more, "antiperspirants are designed to be absorbed"; the aluminum and many other chemicals are taken into the body and may affect the endocrine and lymphatic systems, as well as being a potential risk factor in breast cancer."


Now I don't know about you, but I don't want to be rubbing something in my pits that is also used on jewels and let's face it ladies, our pits are a bit close to our breasts!
I'm convienced that using a more natural deodorant is a good thing, but Spring is fast approaching and I just fear smelling like that person you want to avoid due to my BO. I'm having a hard enough job making friends at work!! ;)

I will keep you abreast (no pun intended) about what I might find in my deodorant quest! In case you are wondering, Tom's did NOT work for me. I smelled like lavendar for a little bit, but by about 10 am I smelled very ripe. The Crystal Deodorant works mostly, but by the end of the day I still smell like BO. Sigh...

UPDATE:

So after further review about mens Deodorant vs. Women's it appears that both men's and women's deodorants carry many of the same ingredients. While women might need to worry more about Breast cancer, keep in mind that men can also get breast cancer.
Here is a list of ingredients to avoid in deodorants--men or women's. From this site here. Thank you Dr. Christine H. Farlow, D.C. for your top ingredients below!

Here are 7 ingredients to avoid when choosing your deodorant:

Aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly or any aluminum compounds. Aluminum is absorbed through the skin and accumulates in the body. It has been suggested that there is an association between aluminum and Alzheimer’s disease.

Parabens (methyl, ethyl, propyl, benzyl and butyl), are all derived from toluene, a toxic petrochemical derivative. Toluene is toxic if swallowed or inhaled. It is also harmful in contact with the skin. There is some evidence that repeated exposure to toluene may cause reproductive harm. Since 2000, 13 research studies have shown that various types of parabens act like estrogen in animals and in tissue culture. Estrogen is known to drive the growth of cancerous cells.

Triclosan is a skin irritant and may cause contact dermatitis. It may kill healthy bacteria as well as harmful bacteria. It may contain carcinogenic contaminants. It is stored in body fat and is classified as a pesticide by the FDA.

Talc is classified as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer if it contains asbestiform fibers. The quantity of asbestiform fibers in cosmetic grade talc is unregulated. If talc is listed on the label, there is no way of knowing whether or not it contains asbestiform fibers.

Propylene glycol absorbs quickly through the skin and is a penetration enhancer. It may cause delayed allergic reactions. NIOSH says propylene glycol is a neurotoxin and may cause kidney or liver damage. The EPA says it’s not fully investigated for carcinogenic potential.

Silica is a skin irritant. It may be contaminated with crystalline quartz, which is a carcinogen.

Steareth-n (n may be any number like say 100), may be vegetable derived but is reacted with ethylene oxide (ethoxylated), a known human carcinogen. Instead choose deodorants with ingredients like vegetable glycerin, natural preservatives like bioflavanoids and lichen, herbs or herbal extracts, de-ionized water or distilled water, green tea, aloe vera, baking soda and essential oils.

A word of caution: Plant extracts listed on labels can already contain parabens and propylene glycol. These do not have to be listed on the label. Very few herbs supplied to manufacturers are free of parabens or other synthetic preservatives unless they are extracted in vegetable glycerine. To make sure that the products you buy are healthy and free of these harmful chemicals, call the deodorant manufacturer and ask them for detailed information.

7 comments:

TEAM SWITZER said...

OMG Marcie! I am totally with you! I have actually been using the Crystal Stick for about 10 years. (Well, not the same one, but it does last me about 2 or more years unless I drop it and break it- which I usually do at least every couple of years!) I don't seem to smell unless I DON'T use it. Once I went to a dermatologist for a strange rash that started after I shaved (TMI, huh) and she recommended it and I was already using it and she was proud of me. And just last month again I had to see the doctor about a rash that started as a result from overheating during nursing and hormones (TMI again) and both of the doctors that I saw had NEVER heard of it and so I brought it in and showed them. I am thinking that because I am such a huge fan of it I should probably be getting paid to promote it to everyone. HMMMM, maybe I should contact them and offer my services.

Brianna said...

I know my sister tried Tom's for the same reason and had the same results. If you find something that works, I expect to read about it on the blog!

Anonymous said...

I see what you're saying about aliminium and the possible risk of breast cancer, but wouldn't mens deodrant have aliminium in too? Why does the study just mention women? Surely men are just as much at risk as women. Just food for thought.

MKD said...

Helen I agree about men's deodorant!
I will research it and see if I can't find any info on it for men as well.
I can say they offer Men's "natural" deodorants as my husband used one once. I should compare the ingredient list.

Rachel Ann said...

OMG!

Way too funny! So my first thought when I was reading was of Holly because I know she uses the crystal stick...and lo and behold there is Holly as the first commenter...too funny!

Well, I like you even if you have B.O....but I might just keep my distance if it gets too bad! :)

Side note: is work not going well? You commented that it was hard to make friends at work?

LOVE YOU!!!

MKD said...

Holly BTW- you can NEVER have too much TMI for me!
I'm very open to be honest about ummm...bodily stuff. Just wait until you read my post about ummm women stuff! ;)

The Young Family said...

I learn so much from your site!

Thank you Marcie.