Is your daily deodorant swipe safe? Deodorant, a daily staple for most since puberty, is often filled with toxic chemicals that may not only increase the risk of breast cancer, but also disrupt hormones, affect fertility, and increase inflammation during pregnancy.(1,2) So, what is a sweaty mama to do? Luckily, safer, non-toxic deodorants are making their way to a Target near you. Stop the stress sweats, protect your pits and health with our ultimate guide to non-toxic deodorant.

Ultimate Guide to Non-Toxic Deodorant

harmful ingredients to avoid

• BHT is used as a preservative and scent, but may be carcinogenic at high doses. It is linked to allergies, toxicity to the immune system, and hormone disruption. (1)
• Triclosan is used for its antibacterial properties, but is likely to disrupt hormones (which can affect fertility). It also has a moderate risk of organ system toxicity. (2,3)
• Fragrance or parfum may contain hormone-disrupting chemicals and irritants. Manufacturers are not required by law to list what exactly goes into their proprietary “fragrances.” If the product doesn’t disclose exactly what is used to scent their products, it is safer to avoid it. (5)
• Phthalates are known for their controversial risk of causing endocrine (hormone) disruption. Studies have shown correlations between phthalate exposure and premature puberty in females, abnormal ovulation, increased diabetes risk, as well as DNA changes during the first term of pregnancy. (6–11)  Phthalates are used both for their ability to made products flexible and help fragrances “stick.” Wonder how your pits can smell so florally after all that sweat? Phthalates!  
• Parabens are used as an antimicrobial preservative (not a bad thing!), but exposure increases risk of endocrine disruption and altered gene expression. (12)
• Propylene Glycol is often used as a fragrance and a solvent. It has a high risk of being an irritant and a moderate risk of possible toxicity to non-reproductive organ systems. (1)

Using an aerosol deodorant? Add butane and isobutane to your avoid list. These propellants are toxic to the immune system. Canada considers them to be likely toxic and harmful to non-reproductive organ systems. (4)

What about antiperspirants?

Antiperspirant deodorants, while handy for decreasing feelings of wetness and sweat, use aluminum as an active ingredient. Aluminum plugs sweat glands, so you sweat less from the armpits. However, in 2014, the EU determined aluminum was not safe to use in personal care products. (15)

Aluminum increases the body’s toxic load and can mimic estrogen (similarly to the above-mentioned phthalates and parabens). Hormones need to remain in a delicate balance, especially through pregnancy. Estrogen is essential for the growth and maintenance of the placenta and baby’s development. If the balance is off-kilter, inflammation is increased, as well as risks for low-weight birth and preeclampsia. (1,2)

How to ease the transition to non-toxic deodorants

If you have tried transitioning to natural deodorants before, you know it can be challenging; especially if you have been using antiperspirants. Here are a few things to remember while you make the transition: 

• Sweat is healthy. It naturally cools your body down and is one of the natural ways the body detoxes. When you sweat, just remember this is your body doing its job! With the initial switch to non-toxic deodorant, you may sweat more than usual. Your body is simply adjusting to not being blocked by an antiperspirant. With time, most people’s bodies adjust and sweat less.  
• Clean your underarms every day. That B.O. smell comes from bacteria breeding in the damp environment of our armpits. Keeping your armpits clean will cut down on this. Feeling extra stinky? Using a non-toxic charcoal soap can help!  
• It takes time for your body to adjust. Antiperspirants have been shown to alter your underarm flora and create more diversity.(17) This diversity can actually contribute to body odor. It has been shown to take up to 3-4 weeks for your flora to readjust from discontinued use of antiperspirants. (18) This is why some natural deodorants also contain probiotics. This is an attempt to edge out the odor causing bacteria with healthier strains. The process of your body detoxifying the chemicals from your previous deodorant and the transition to being able to sweat normally will take time, BUT IT DOES GET BETTER.
• If you are suffering from skin sensitivity from your natural deodorant, you may need to switch to a sensitive formulation that does not contain baking soda as it can cause skin irritation for some people. Some people also react poorly to essential oils. You may need to find a scent-free or sensitive essential oil formulation.

Non-toxic deodorant brands we love 

 

• Primally Pure
  Primally Pure is a small woman-owned business that believes nature is smarter than science, and we agree! Their deodorants are perfect for sensitive pits and keeping the stink away during lunchtime workouts. Bonus: they offer a subscribe and save option on deodorants! Save 10% on your non-toxic deodorant purchase with LIZWINTERS10
• Native
  Native offers both essential oil scented and sensitive, fragrance-free formulations. Also, it contains probiotics to balance your body’s naturally occurring bacteria. Native is readily available online and in Target.
• Schmidt’s
  Schmidt’s is a reliable deodorant brand that is available in many stores and offers budget-friendly, sensitive options.
• Fatco
  This small, family-owned business makes natural, non-toxic deodorants and a stink stop spray that can be sprayed on the underarms after sweating. It is a gym bag essential! 
• Lume
  Lume was developed by an OBGYN to eliminate odor while keeping vaginal and armpit normal flora intact.
• Type: A
  Type: A touts sweat-activated technology while keeping a clean-ingredient profile. This new, much-hyped deodorant is on our list to try.

Not ready to swap to safer, but still want healthier options?

That is okay!

Look for deodorants free from:

1. Fragrance
2. Phthalates
3. Parabens

Alternatively, limit deodorant use to workouts, and give your body breaks in between to detox.

By eliminating these few ingredients and reducing overall usage, you are greatly lowering your exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals and the potential side effects. 

Bottom Line for Non-Toxic Deodorant

In light of the controversial ingredients found in many common deodorants used daily, play it safe and opt for a more natural, non-toxic deodorant—especially during pregnancy. Comment and tell us about your favorite natural deodorant!

 

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Sources

1.  Grindler NM, Vanderlinden L, Karthikraj R, et al. Exposure to Phthalate, an Endocrine Disrupting Chemical, Alters the First Trimester Placental Methylome and Transcriptome in Women. Sci Rep. 2018;8(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-018-24505-w
2.   Kelley AS, Banker M, Goodrich JM, et al. Early pregnancy exposure to endocrine disrupting chemical mixtures are associated with inflammatory changes in maternal and neonatal circulation. Sci Rep. 2019;9(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-019-41134-z
3.   EWG Skin Deep® | What is BHT.     https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredients/700741-bht. Accessed January 27, 2020.
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5.   EWG Skin Deep® | What is TRICLOSAN. https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredients/706623-triclosan. Accessed January 27, 2020.
6.   EWG Skin Deep® | What is ISOBUTANE. https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredients/703156-isobutane. Accessed January 27, 2020.
7.   “Trade Secret” Ingredients | FDA. https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-labeling/trade-secret-ingredients. Accessed January 27, 2020.

8.   Gale Academic OneFile – Document – Estimation of plasma levels of bisphenol-A & phthalates in fertile & infertile women by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. https://go-gale-com.nunm.idm.oclc.org/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=T002&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&currentPosition=1&docId=GALE%7CA573831131&docType=Report&sort=Relevance&contentSegment=ZONE-MOD1&prodId=AONE&contentSet=GALE%7CA573831131&searchId=R2&userGroupName=nunm&inPS=true. Accessed January 21, 2020.

9.   Al-Saleh I, Coskun S, Al-Doush I, et al. Couples exposure to phthalates and its influence on in vitro fertilization outcomes. Chemosphere. 2019;226:597-606. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.03.146
10.   Zuccarello P, Oliveri Conti G, Cavallaro F, et al. Implication of dietary phthalates in breast cancer. A systematic review. Food Chem Toxicol. 2018;118:667-674. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2018.06.011
11.   Grindler NM, Vanderlinden L, Karthikraj R, et al. Exposure to Phthalate, an Endocrine Disrupting Chemical, Alters the First Trimester Placental Methylome and Transcriptome in Women. Sci Rep. 2018;8(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-018-24505-w
12. Hashemipour M, Kelishadi R, Amin MM, Ebrahim K. Is there any association between phthalate exposure and precocious puberty in girls? Environ Sci Pollut Res. 2018;25(14):13589-13596. doi:10.1007/s11356-018-1567-4
13. Radke EG, Galizia A, Thayer KA, Cooper GS. Phthalate exposure and metabolic effects: a systematic review of the human epidemiological evidence. Environ Int. 2019;132. doi:10.1016/j.envint.2019.04.040
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15. Darbre PD. Aluminium and the human breast. Morphologie. 2016;100(329):65-74. doi:10.1016/j.morpho.2016.02.001

16. Krewski D, Yokel RA, Nieboer E, et al. Human health risk assessment for aluminium, aluminium oxide, and aluminium hydroxide. J Toxicol Environ Heal – Part B Crit Rev. 2007;10(SUPPL. 1):1-269. doi:10.1080/10937400701597766
17. elstant. Opinion of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety on o-aminophenol (A14); Opinion of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety on o-aminophenol (A14). 2014. doi:10.2772/63908
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20. Deodorants and antiperspirants affect the axillary bacterial community.: EBSCOhost. http://web.a.ebscohost.com.nunm.idm.oclc.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=1&sid=721c128f-4d0d-4b68-a1d5-5be52fa5523d%40sdc-v-sessmgr03. Accessed January 27, 2020.