Non toxic deodorants

Deodorants belong to the widely daily used cosmetics products that can contain quite a number of questionable ingredients. But, what are the potentially toxic ingredients in deodorants and which brands do avoid them?

In this article we look at the substances you should watch out for and give you a list of non toxic deodorants brands that you might want to use instead:

Aluminum

Aluminum, or aluminium depending on which part of the world you are from, is a major component of those type of deodorants commonly known as antiperspirants. It is used in the form of Aluminum chloride (an aluminum salt) that blocks up the sweat ducts so that perspiration can’t escape.

There have been some serious concerns expressed about the safety of this substance, with some arguing for a link between aluminum salts used in deodorants and breast cancer. While there has been no firm evidence of this, the element of doubt has made many uncomfortable.

Early studies also seemed to show a link between aluminum and Alzheimer’s disease, and those with kidney disease are advised not to use antiperspirants due to their reduced ability to eliminate aluminum from the body.

Mineral Oil

Mineral oils mainly in the form of paraffinum coat the skin and prevent excretion through the skin which will aid in keeping perspiration levels down. As a side effect it slows down the skin’s natural rate of turnover, causing premature aging.. and it is of course mineral oil that gets absorbed by the human body.

Parabens

Parabens are added to deodorants to kill the bacteria which create odour. However, a variety of issues have arisen about the effects of this chemical. For instance, there is evidence of estrogenic activity, that shows that parabens mimic natural female hormones. Also it has been proven that parabens cause DNA damage in the skin.

PEGs

Polyethylene Glycol compounds (PEGs) are used in antiperspirant deodorants for their ability to dissolve oil and grease. That’s why they are also used in spray-on oven cleaners.
There are serious concerns about PEGs ability to increase the absorption of other chemicals in the human skin, due to their action of opening the pores.

Triclosan

Triclosan may be the most concerning ingredient that is commonly contained in the average supermarket antiperspirant or deodorant. This chemical is used to kill bacteria which create odour.

Studies have found evidence linking Triclosan to immune system damage and hormonal disruption, and further suggestions of a potential link to liver and other cancers were discovered in animal trials.

In order to find a non-toxic deodorants you need to study the INCI list on the packaging.

A safe bet is to use all-natural deodorants that are ideally certified. These products use official seals like USDA Organic from the National Organic Program in the US or NATRUE, BDIH or ecocert in Europe.

Popular non-toxic deodorant brands include Every Man Jack, Green Tidings, Herban Cowboys, Kiss My Face, Malin+Goetz, Primal Pit Paste, Schmidt’s or Tom’s of Maine.

For Teens and Kids there are Brands like Good For Girls, Just 4 Kids and Junior Varsity that offer safe non toxic deodorants for our children.

We have found this list of toxic free deodorants. Feel free to contact us if you found a deodorant that should be added to that list:

Aubrey Organics
Bali Secrets
Bubble & bee
Burt’s Bee’s
Coconut Snow
Dr. Hauschka
Every Man Jack
Fresh Kidz
Freedom Stick
Green People
Green Tidings
Greener Path
Good For Girls
Jungleman
Junior Varsity Naturals
Just 4 Kids
Herban Cowboys
Jason’s
Kiss My Face
Lavera Deodorants
Lavilin Deodorants
L’Occitane Deodorants
Logona Deodorants
Malin+Goetz
Nature’s Gate
North Coast Organics
Nubian Heritage
Organic Fields of Heather
Ozone Layer
Primal Pit Paste
Real Purity
Silvanapure
Sam’s Natural
SANTE
Schmidt’s
Sky Organics
Speick
SoapMe
Tom’s of Maine
Truly’s
Weleda Deodorants
Yves Rocher
Zaffré
ZAK