Replace Your Harmful Deodorant with a Healthy Alternative
Technically, deodorants are only used to stop odor while antiperspirants are substances applied to the body to prevent odor and reduce sweating. Most people use antiperspirants even though they call them deodorants. For this article the term deodorant will be used for both deodorant and antiperspirant.
A superior, healthier alternative:
Baking soda - deodorizer
Cornstarch - moisture absorber
Mix equal amounts of baking soda and cornstarch into a closable container. Seal and shake well. You're going to want a container that seals tightly because if (really when) you knock it over you'll have a huge mess to clean up. Plus you don't want water getting into your mixture. I use a re-purposed plastic cheese tub with a lid. Some people add a few drops of an essential oil such as lavender or lemon to give the deodorant a bit of a scent. The one time I tried this it just made a clumpy mess so I stick with the unscented version.
Applying your new deodorant is simple but can be a little messy. Use a washcloth to dampen the skin. Hold your armpit over the sink. Grab a little deodorant between your fingers and apply to skin. Yes, some of the powder will fall into the sink. But most will stick to your skin if you only grab a little at a time. Rub in the powder. Repeat until all the skin you want is covered. I also use an old make-up brush my girlfriend gave me to apply the deodorant. This works really well and I highly recommend it. Just wipe up any stray powder and you're done.
I've found this deodorant to work surprisingly well. It won't provide 24-hour coverage but I've had no problems getting through the day with it. And I tend to sweat a lot. Sure it takes a little bit more time and effort to make and apply this deodorant than the typical store bought deodorant. And there is a minor amount of clean up afterwards. But the benefits overwhelmingly outweigh the disadvantages.
Benefits
Health
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), deodorants are classified as cosmetics while antiperspirants are classified as drugs. When I used to put on my antiperspirant in the morning I never thought I was handling a drug.
Aluminum is usually present in antiperspirants and is sometimes used in deodorants. Various types of aluminum compounds are used to dilate and clog the pores of the skin. This reduces or stops you from sweating. Although aluminum is not considered a heavy metal (like lead), it can be toxic in large doses.
Some people are allergic to aluminum and can experience contact dermatitis (an itchy, burning rash). Even if you're not allergic you can still get contact dermatitis from deodorants and antiperspirants. Additionally, aluminum is a neurotoxin at very high doses and can cause DNA damage, kidney damage, and affect the blood-brain barrier. While not conclusive, there is data to suggest that increased aluminum exposure is linked to Alzheimer's disease and breast cancer. Unfortunately, the FDA also reports that aluminum can be absorbed through the skin. Finally, the FDA warns people with renal dysfunctions that they are at a higher risk if they use antiperspirants that contain aluminum (which most do). Think about the effects of slapping on your typical antiperspirant and then having that against your skin all day long.
In addition to aluminum, most commercial deodorants and antiperspirants contain numerous chemicals. While many are "most likely non-toxic", there are some that have proven to be toxic or potentially toxic. Parabens are commonly found in many cosmetic and antiperspirant products and some data suggests a link to breast cancer.
Finally, antiperspirants work by clogging your pores and preventing sweat from being released. This may sound good but the reality is that underarm sweat is a natural function necessary for cooling and getting rid of toxins.
Environment
The manufacturing and transportation of off-the-shelf deodorants consume resources, produce toxins, and contribute to global climate change. Palm oil, the first ingredient listed on the stick of antiperspirant I'm currently holding, is a major cause of rainforest deforestation and habitat loss. Huge swaths of rainforest are being cut down right now to grow palm trees specifically for the production of palm oil. And while I don't have all the details, I'd bet the production of aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex (the active ingredient) isn't a particularly environmentally friendly process either. Add in all the fossil fuel consumed in making the product and transporting it and you can start to see why our little every day decisions have a huge impact on our planet.
Less waste is generated when you make your own deodorant. The last solid deodorant I purchased left me with 3 ounces of plastic once it was all used up. This product couldn't be recycled and ended up in the trash. Think about how much waste packaging your deodorant leaves behind and then multiply that by all the deodorants you'll go through in a lifetime. That's a huge amount of plastic waste. The baking soda and cornstarch I buy comes in cardboard boxes that are easily recycled. Finally, baking soda and cornstarch are non-toxic and easily biodegradable. You don't have to worry about them getting into our water supply or environment.
Finances
Conventional deodorants are not cheap. You can easily spend $4 for single stick. It costs a fraction of this to buy the ingredients to make your own deodorant. You won't save a ton of money but over a year (or several years) all the little savings will add up.
Resources
(1) U.S. Food and Drug Administration - http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/CosmeticsQA/ucm136560.htm
(2) U.S. Food and Drug Administration - http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/03-14140.htm
(3) National Cancer Institute - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/risk/ap-deo
(4) CosmeticsInfo.org - http://www.cosmeticsinfo.org/HBI/14
(5) American Cancer Society - http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerCauses/OtherCarcinogens/AtHome/antiperspirants-and-breast-cancer-risk
Published by Ben Smith
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