Deodorant: The 7 Best Ingredients To Avoid

The first thing you should do whenever you buy deodorant or any product that goes on your skin or on your body is to read the ingredients. They are usually in very small print on the back of the label. If you have trouble reading the fine print, take a magnifying glass with you so you can read before you buy. This is critical because what you put on your skin can be absorbed directly into your bloodstream. And harmful ingredients in your blood can have life-threatening effects on your body.

Here are 7 ingredients to avoid when choosing your deodorant:

Aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum tetrachlorohydrex and zirconium gly or any aluminum compound. 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 derivatives of toluene, a toxic petrochemical derivative. Toluene is toxic if ingested or inhaled. It is also harmful in contact with the skin. There is some evidence that repeated exposure to toluene can cause reproductive harm. Since the year 2000, 13 research studies have shown that various types of parabens act like estrogens in animals and in tissue cultures. Estrogen is known to drive the growth of cancer cells.

triclosan it is a skin irritant and can cause contact dermatitis. It can kill healthy bacteria and harmful bacteria. May contain carcinogenic contaminants. It is stored in body fat and is classified as a pesticide by the FDA.

talcum powder it is classified as carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer if it contains asbestiform fibers. The amount of asbestiform fibers in cosmetic grade talc is not regulated. If the talc is listed on the label, there is no way to know whether or not it contains asbestiform fibers.

Propylene glycol It is quickly absorbed through the skin and is a penetration enhancer. May cause delayed allergic reactions. NIOSH says that propylene glycol is a neurotoxin and can cause kidney or liver damage. The EPA says it is not fully investigated for its carcinogenic potential.

silica it is a skin irritant. It may be contaminated with crystalline quartz, which is carcinogenic.

Steareth-n (n can be any number such as 100), may be of plant origin but reacts with ethylene oxide (ethoxylated), a known human carcinogen.

Instead, choose deodorants with ingredients like vegetable glycerin, natural preservatives like bioflavonoids and lichen, herbs or herbal extracts, deionized or distilled water, green tea, aloe vera, baking soda, and essential oils.

A word of caution: Plant extracts listed on labels may 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 glycerin. To make sure the products you buy are healthy and don’t contain these harmful chemicals, call the deodorant manufacturer and ask them for detailed information.