Antiperspirants generally work to block sweat through either chemical or physical means. Deodorants work to cut odor by attacking the stinky bacteria that grow in moist, dark places like our armpits. There are so many new products on the market that it can be intimidating to try and wade through them all.įirst, it's essential to understand the difference between a deodorant and an antiperspirant. Finding natural, non-conventional deodorants and antiperspirants was tricky at best in those days, but today, you can find a wide variety of options everywhere, from Target and Walmart to Amazon and Whole Foods. At the time, some reports tied aluminum and parabens, common ingredients found in most conventional deodorants and antiperspirants, to increased cancer risk. It was aggressive and fast-moving, and it shook me to my core at 16 years old. I chose to start using natural deodorant and antiperspirant almost 24 years ago when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 50. Most of those ingredients are also generally very polluting to create, mine, and harvest. Each of those ingredients have come under scrutiny as the possible cause of various serious health issues, including cancer and mental health and behavioral problems. They include things like aluminum, parabens, fragrances, and emollients (usually petroleum-based). How Safe is Conventional Deodorant and Antiperspirant?Ĭonventional deodorants and antiperspirants are generally made up of four basic ingredients.

Wherever you are on your eco- journey, check out the list I've put together that you can follow to find the right natural deodorant or antiperspirant that actually works for you. Maybe you've cut back on shampoos and conditioners that contain petroleum-based products, made the switch to clean makeup, or perhaps you've chosen green cleaning supplies and laundry detergent. If you’re like me, you’ve spent countless hours (and not-insignificant amounts of cash) trying to find a way to cut down on toxic beauty products. Follow these steps, and you're sure to find a product that works for you. Finding a natural deodorant and antiperspirant that actually works (without toxic chemicals) may seem as difficult as discovering the Holy Grail.

Real purity deodorant