why natural is best
Your skin is the largest organ in your body and what you put on it matters. Most traditional deodorants and antiperspirants contain harmful ingredients, which could potentially seep into your blood system.
Two of the most common ingredients found in deodorants are parabens and aluminium.
Parabens – these are used to keep products free from bacteria. Studies have found traces of parabens in breast-cancer tumours and concluded that they mimic oestrogen, which is said to play a part in breast cancer formation.
Aluminium compounds – yes most non-natural antiperspirants contain aluminium as it’s effective at blocking up sweat ducts and stopping you from sweating. Studies have shown that some aluminium compounds can interfere with oestrogen-receptors again a possible cause of breast cancer.
It’s important to note here that there haven’t actually been many studies on humans and the results on the harm from these chemicals are not always conclusive. But do you know what – I think our health is too important to mess with and I would rather not take a chance.
The good news is that there are now loads of natural deodorants on the market that do an excellent job of masking unpleasant smells. However I found that it can take a week or two for your body to get used to using natural so don’t give up straight away. The reason for this could be that antiperspirants can actually increase the number of bacteria living under your armpit. Natural deodorants don’t stop you perspiring so they don’t do this. They do however leave you smelling fresh so don’t panic. I found that if I used no deodorant for week (obviously best to do this when it’s not too warm and you don’t have many social engagements) my body and underarms adjusted and I actually smelt much less. In fact during the winter months I can now go without deodorant on non-training days without smelling at all.
In my quest to find the perfect natural deodorant I have tested many. My favourites are listed below.
Active Deodorant Balm from The Natural Deodorant Company. £11
Aurelia Botanical Cream Deodorant. £18
Soapwalla deodorant cream £14. Available from Content Beauty. I find the scented one can leave me with a rash but the unscented one doesn’t.
Malin + Goetz Eucalyptus Deodorant £18 Available from Space NK.
Bionsen Mineral Protective Deodorant. £2.35 Available from supermarkets and most pharmacies.
References
Darbe P (2005) ‘Aluminium, antiperspirants and breast cancer’ Journal of inorganic biochemistry. Volume 99 p1912-1919
Darbre P, Mannello F, Exley C (2013) ‘Aluminium and breast cancer: Sources of exposure, tissue measurements and mechanisms of toxicological actions on breast biology’ Journal of inorganic biochemistry. Volume 128 p257-261
Chris C, Prawira H, Van de Wiele T, et al. (2014) ‘Deodorants and antiperspirants affect the axillary bacterial community’ Arch Dermatol Res.
