We depend on deodorants to keep us smelling fresh throughout our day. Unfortunately, most of us stick to the habit unaware of the potential health risks that may result.
The cold hard truth is that most regular deodorants in the market today contain harmful ingredients such as parabens which have been found to exhibit estrogen inducing properties. Recent medical studies reveal that unusually high levels of estrogen in the body can increase the risk of breast cancer.
Of course, it would be unreasonable to expect people to change their entire skin care regimen right there and then. The easiest way to start would be to use an all natural alternative in antiperspirants. However, is it worth it?
More about the risks of using regular deodorants
Another common ingredient in regular antiperspirants is aluminum which works as a blocking compound for the sweat glands. As a result, sweat is kept from reaching the skin surface which takes care of the body odor. Sounds good right? Well, not necessarily.
While the use of aluminum as an active ingredient in deodorants indeed works well in controlling body odor, most people are unaware of the long-term risks. Blocking the sweat glands means impairing one of the most critical detoxifying processes in the body. As a result, the contaminants obstruct lymph nodes present around the breast and armpits which increases the risk of specific forms of breast cancer as well as other debilitating illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Why are natural deodorants a better alternative?
Sweating is our body’s natural reaction to excessive heat as well as a means to naturally detoxify itself. Hence it is easy to see that anything which interferes with the process is bound to have adverse effects on the body. Natural deodorants vary from regular ones because they do not contain any chemical-based ingredients that are potentially harmful to one’s health. Moreover, natural deodorants like Flora Remedia roll on perfume allow the body to sweat but at the same time, eliminate the bacteria that causes body odor.
Choosing a natural deodorant
When choosing an all natural antiperspirant, you would do well to make sure that it is devoid of parabens, aluminum and other chemical substances. While some of these products are sold as “organic,” it can sometimes just be a marketing ploy and some chemicals may still be in the product to make them more profitable to manufacture.
If you are in the market for a natural deodorant, it is essential that you look out for three factors:
- Absorptive quality — top organic deodorants have all natural ingredients that minimize moisture on the underarms and maintain just the right pH level so that bacterial levels never go out of hand. Such ingredients include cornstarch, tapioca powder, and baking soda.
- Antibacterial property — suppresses odor-causing bacteria. Natural deodorants get this benefit from essential oils sourced from tea tree, lemongrass and lavender
- Skin conditioning property – organic deodorants have a conditioning effect on the skin thanks to active ingredients like Shea butter. Such ingredients do not clog up the pores and are non-greasy which makes them safe and just as effective as a regular deodorant.
So there you have it — all you need to know about organic deodorants and why they are a better alternative to regular ones. In many cases, these deodorants are not as readily available and often cost a bit more than traditional antiperspirants. Still, most health experts would agree that any effort made towards making the switch to organic deodorants is well worth considering. given the health risks associated with using a regular deodorant.