Shocking Facts about Deodorant

“Not a single cosmetic company warns consumers of the presence of carcinogens in its products.”
~Dr. Samuel Epstein, MD – Environmental Medicine Specialist

In today’s modern world, it is practically a personal requirement that everyone wears some type of deodorant on an everyday basis. Unfortunately, many companies producing these personal care products often put corporate profits and efficiency before consumer health concerns.

Thankfully, everyday more and more people are increasingly becoming educated that many of the ingredients used in antiperspirants and deodorants include some of the most toxic compounds found on earth such as aluminum, butane, propylene glycol, etc. These substances are causing tremendous damage to the immune system and the body, as well as impacting our brain functionality.

Toxic Ingredients Found In Deodorant

Here is some more information about these toxic ingredients so that you and your family can make the healthy choice to keep these toxic chemicals away from your body.

• Aluminum chloride, aluminum chlorohydrate, and aluminum-zirconium compounds, most notably aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly and aluminum zirconium trichlorohydrex gly, are the most widely used in antiperspirants.
• These heavy metals are common ingredients found in deodorants and are known to accumulate in the brain, where only the most effective cleansing methods can begin to restore health and remove them from the body and organs.
• Amazingly, aluminum is not only a common skin irritant; it is also a poisonous neurotoxin that accumulates in the body over time. Research done at the World Health Organization have linked exposure to aluminum to Alzheimer’s disease, with higher frequencies of deodorant use corresponding to higher risks of developing Alzheimer’s. Abnormal accumulation of aluminum has been found in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease, and when aluminum is injected into the brains of laboratory animals, the animals develop a neurological disease similar to Alzheimer’s.
• According to a study done by the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Report, ingredients in deodorants are linked to developmental and reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity, and organ system toxicity.
• Select deodorants also contain Butane, a chemical linked to allergies, immunotoxicity, and organ system toxicity, and 18% Aluminum Chlorohydrate, which is linked to developmental and reproductive toxicity and neurotoxicity. Deodorants also contain Dimethicone, a silicone emollient, which coats the skin not allowing toxins out. It may promote tumors and accumulate in the liver and lymph nodes.

Below are some more common deodorant toxins:

• Alcohol Denatured: Known or suspected teratogen (Birth Defects)

• Eugenol: Immune toxicant

• BHT: Immune toxicant

• Triethanolamine: Possible human carcinogen

• Parabens: Reproductive system toxicity

• Ethanolamine: Known human carcinogen

• Lactic Acid: Immune toxicant

• Fragrance: Immune toxicant

• Disodium EDTA: Penetration enhancer

• Steareths: Usually listed with a number (like steareth-15), these additives come from a cheap process that makes harsh ingredients more mild. The process (known as ethoxylation) produces carcinogenic compounds called dioxanes during manufacturing.

• Triclosan: Used as an antibacterial agent and preservative, triclosan reacts with tap water to create chloroform gas, a potential carcinogen. Triclosan also exhibits endocrine system disrupting properties in marine animals—which should concern everyone because it also has shown up in human breast milk and blood.

• Propylene glycol: Because this ingredient functions as a penetration enhancer, it can be more harmful when paired with other chemical additives. Propylene glycol—even in concentrations as low as 2 percent—provokes skin irritation in some people, yet manufacturers can create a product with 50 percent propylene glycol content. Believe it or not, you’re likely to find this ingredient even in many “natural” deodorants.

Natural Deodorant Alternatives

• Mineral salts: The ingredients found in solid crystal deodorants, ammonium or potassium alum, work by constricting the protein in sweat so bacteria have less to feed on.
• Clay and powders: To help absorb moisture use clay minerals such as kaolin and bentonite, as well as natural powders like cornstarch or arrowroot.
• Astringents: Witch hazel, sage and other astringents work by evaporating the moisture on the skin and constricting the pores.

References

• http://www.care2.com/greenliving/6-alternatives-to-toxic-deodorants.html
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22260395
• http://www.good.is/post/nyu-student-adds-diy-warning-labels-to-secret-deodorant