7 Toxins Lurking in Your Deodorant
Did you know that every day you’re exposed to thousands of toxins and chemicals? There are over 10,000 chemical ingredients, some of them known or suspected carcinogens, in soaps, shampoos, lotions, make-up and beauty products, and other personal care products.
One of the most harmful chemicals that both men and women put on their bodies is deodorant.
When you think about it, it makes sense. Deodorant is a product that inhibits your body’s natural secretion of toxins. An antiperspirant and deodorant will clog your skin follicles so that you’re not able to sweat as much as your body requires.
On top of inhibiting your body’s natural cleansing and detoxifying process, deodorants and antiperspirants also release tons of harmful chemicals into our bodies.
7 Toxins Lurking in Your Deodorant
Just look at the list of chemical ingredients in an average deodorant:
1. Aluminum Compounds
Aluminum is the ingredient in antiperspirants that actually clogs your pores and prevents sweating. Aluminum exposure has been linked with the development of Alzheimer’s disease and interferes with your estrogen levels. When your body can’t process estrogen properly, there’s a higher risk for breast and prostrate cancer.
2. Parabens
This chemical is used in a lot of products these days as a preservative, but it is possibly one of the most harmful additives of all. Sometimes parabens act as estrogen in your body, which disrupts hormonal balances and has been linked to breast cancer and prostate cancer.1
3. Steareths
These additives are the product of ethoxylation (weakening of harsh chemical in the manufacturing process), which simultaneously produces carcinogens and dioxanes.
4. Triclosan
The FDA has classified triclosan as a pesticide, yet it is in the majority of brand name deodorants. It’s used to kill bacteria in the manufacturing process, as well as when it comes in contact with your skin. When triclosan is combined with water it can also create a carcinogenic gas called chloroform.1
5. Propylene Glycol
If used everyday, this chemical can cause damage to your central nervous system, heart and liver. It is also shown to irritate skin, especially if you have sensitive skin. Propylene glycol can be harmful at as small a percentage as 2%, yet deodorants generally have a high dose of 50% propylene glycol.2
6. TEA and DEA
Triethanolamine (TEA) and diethanolamine (DEA) are chemicals can seep into your skin and affect your liver and kidneys. In fact, they’re so harmful that these two chemicals have already been banned from products in Europe because they are known carcinogens.2
7. Artificial Colors
Some artificial colors and bleaches in deodorants can cause serious allergic reactions and are also known carcinogens.
