|
 So let's talk armpits.
Specifically, let's talk about something you probably put on your armpits every morning: deodorants and antiperspirants. These B.O. blasters come in almost every scent imaginable, in forms from roll-ons to clear gels. Your supermarket aisle probably stocks two dozen varieties.
Almost every one will have something in common: aluminum chlorohdrate or aluminum zirconium. And that could be a problem.
Concern about aluminum
Natural health groups have been pressing government and regulatory agencies for years to take a hard look at the long-term safety of aluminum in cosmetic products. Aluminum is what gives antiperspirants their wetness-fighting ability, and they're highly effective. Commercial deodorants can contain up to 25% aluminum salts by weight.
The problem is this: nobody really knows what aluminum does in the human body. In the case of deodorants, you're applying aluminum directly to the skin and leaving it there. With women, in particular, that skin might be broken from shaving.
You'll notice most antiperspirants contain a warning to discontinue use if you experience irritation from its use, and quite a few people are sensitive to the aluminum salts, parabens, and triclosan common in over-the-counter products. But what really worries some health experts is aluminum's possible connection to breast cancer.
The cancer question
Before we go any further, let's be clear: there are no definitive studies which link the use of antiperspirants to an increased risk of cancer. These concerns have been floating around for at least a decade, and groups such as the American Cancer Society still consider commercial deodorants to be safe.
That hasn't stopped some researchers from fretting. Take Dr. Philippa Darby of the U.K.'s University of Reading. She's recently published a paper in the Journal of Applied Toxicology showing that aluminum salts increase estrogen-related gene expression in cultured human breast cancer cells. In other words, the aluminum appears to mimic estrogen under lab conditions. Elevated estrogen levels are tied to a higher risk of breast cancer.
More study is in order, but Darby's research raises new question for investigators.
Safer deodorants
Maybe you're concerned about the possible risk factors of commercial deodorants, or are someone with skin sensitivities. Perhaps you're just looking to reduce the chemical exposure in your life. The good news is there are effective deodorants which don't use aluminum chlorohydrate or aluminium zirconium -- and they're cheap!
We all want to smell good and feel clean. Those not-so-fresh moments are caused by bacteria which thrive in warm, moist places. Armpits are the Monte Carlo of the single-cell jet set. But you can deport them with an inexpensive deodorant stone.
These stones -- sometimes called by one of their trade names, Thai Sticks -- are large, smooth crystals of potassium alum (potassium aluminum sulfate). Potassium alum is a naturally occurring form of aluminum salt. The difference between potassium alum and aluminum chlorohydrate is that potassium alum is a much larger molecule, not thought to be absorbable through human skin. Wet the stone and apply it like a conventional roll on. Rinse and set it aside to dry. That's it.
There are no perfumes or additives, and you probably won't need any. A deodorant stone don't stain, and it works all day. If you want something fancier, there are spray and roll-on versions with additives such as aloe and essential oils. Jason, Alba, Thai Stick, and Kiss My Face are among those you'll find online or at your local natural health store.
A plain stone will cost you five or six dollars, and could last up to a year.
If you're looking to completely eliminate aluminum from your deodorant from your medicine cabinet, there are other options. Tom's of Maine makes a well-regarded line of non-aluminum products featuring zinc ricinoleate and natural ingredients. Zinc ricinoleate is also the basis of Dr. Hauschka Deodorant Fresh in scented and floral formulas. Burt's Bees Herbal Deodorant uses oil of sage for its active ingredient, and Trader Joe's sells a natural deodorant which relies on a cotton product to approximate the antiperspirant action of aluminum zirconium. Surprisingly, mainline manufacturer Adidas also makes a non-aluminum deodorant: Adidas 24-hr Control. It's not expensive, and the sort of thing you'd find in a conventional drugstore.
Have you tried a deodorant stone or one of its natural equivalents? How did it work for you? Please share in our comments section -- or log in start a new topic in the Hints and Tips section of our brand-new Lighter Footstep Forums!
Readers have left 24 comments. 1. Untitled
Count0, Guest I have tried two different D-O stones and they both caused a serious rash. The last time I tried one the rash took about three months of treatments and not using any deodorants at all to get over. I have talked with several other people who have had similar results. The stones work great for a few months then blam-o huge infectious rash. I have talked with at least one person who has successfully used the stones on a long term basis. I like not having the sticky under arms and I enjoy not having the perfume from deodorants. While I was able to use the stone I really liked them. I don't mind the sweating so much I just don't like to smell funky. I wish the stones would be a long term solution for me.
In the end just try one for a while but watch for a rash very closely for the first three or four months and stop using the stone at the first sign of skin irritation.
I will keep watch in this thread for any suggestions about the rash. If anybody has dealt this this problem please let me know.
Thanks! 2. Untitled
Justin, Guest I tried one for about 6 months in college. Though I thought it was working, my poor roommates didn't agree. I think it's a gimmick. I have been using a great product recently made by Doctor Burt's (Burt's Bees products) called "The Defender" Herbal Deodorant with oil of sage. Has worked great for about 6 months. Also, if your pits are super stinky, you may have some fungus or bacteria built up. I periodically shave my pits to get rid of the hair that collects bacteria after awhile and use a mix of baking soda and fresh lime juice for a few days. That tends to give a good deep cleaning periodically and then the Doctor Burts keeps things pretty fresh day to day. 3. Untitled
Chris Baskind, Guest I'm one of the people who are somewhat allergic to standard deodorants. I've used different kinds of this product for five years while living in a semi-tropical climate. Everyone's chemistry is different, but the crystals work very well for me.  4. Untitled
Matt, Guest Been using one for years and it works great and last a long time. I don't see how it could cause a rash - I mean it's mostly salt that neutralizes the odor but allergies are so relative.
It's not a fad any more than baking soda used to cleaning is a fad vs. Fantastik. If anything the opposite is true b/c the deodorant stone idea has a long history whereas aluminum based antiperspirants are an oil age trend. 5. Untitled
Alexander, Guest how is an aluminum salt that comes in a rough block better than the aluminum salts in commercial deodorants? i mean other than in terms of less packaging - but if you're trying to avoid aluminum, then an aluminum salt block that you handle with your bare hands is probably not the way to go.
and Matt, potassium alum is a sulfate of potassium and aluminum, it does not contain sodium or chlorine, so saying that it's "mostly salt that neutralizes the odor" is not correct. Just because something is called a mineral salt does not mean that it has anything to do with "salt" - it's just an ionically bonded neutralization product. It's the aluminum that neutralizes the odor. 6. Untitled
the blue penny, Guest one safer yet very effective deodorant that i use is from Miessence Certified Organics. Its come scented & unscented and the secret is the tried but true stand-by, baking soda! it works, it's all natural and without alum or any synthetics. it's available via my website, www.bluepennyorganics.com 7. Untitled
Chris Baskind, Guest The distinction between naturally occurring alums and aluminum compounds such as aluminum chlorohydrate and aluminum zirconium (the "aluminum" used in most commercial antiperspirants) is a very old one -- though potassium alum is, indeed, potassium aluminum sulfate. This differentiation is so common, dating back at least two centuries, and the properties of the compounds are so rather dissimilar that I thought the common usage would be understood. To be clear, I have amended two instances of the phrase "aluminum" with "aluminum chlorohydrate and aluminum zirconium," the two synthetic aluminum compounds commonly used in commercial antiperspirants. Both compounds have been clinically demonstrated to be absorbed through the skin. Potassium alum in not thought to be absorbed in this way. Until the last few years, concern about the amount of aluminum we take in -- primarily though food additives -- was not thought to be a significant problem. This school of thought is changing in view of recent Alzheimer's research, which may yet formally indict aluminum, and discoveries such as the one mentioned in the article. Alexander: I have no idea what I'm personally sensitive to in commercial deodorants. There's a lot of stuff in there.  8. Untitled
Hepatitis_B_Good, Guest I tried the crystal deodorant before and while I didn't get a rash, it only protected against odors for a few hours and then abruptly stopped working. I get a mild itchiness when I use any deodorant that contains any of the aluminium salts, though I keep a stick on hand for weddings, job interviews, ect where a mild itching is preferable to puring gallons of sweat over a freshly dry cleaned jacket. Anyways, to save you from looking through each and every stick of deodorant on the store shelves, look at either the organic (expensive) deodorants or the cheapest ones on the shelves. Old Spice has several varieties such as High Endurance and Redline that have the aluminium in them, but their most basic offering does not and at least in the Pacific Northwest seems to be available everywhere. 9. Untitled
rider, Guest I have found the trader joes unscented deodorant with cotton to work quite well. Its both aluminum and paraben free and compared to other similar natural deodorants quite cheap $3. I've talked about it several times on my site www.sustainableisgood.com its worth checking out. 10. Untitled
Heather Hughes, Guest Why don't you just not wear deoderant? Who cares what people think of you. Honestly. And why are guys even worrying about this article. Breast cancer is pretty rare in guys. 11. Untitled
tropical, Guest I use the "Crystal" brand (comes in a solid and fluid roll-on) sold at Walgreens. Works great, no irritation at all, even if applied right after shaving. And the stuff lasts forever, too. 12. Untitled
passerby, Guest Eat bitters with every meal and be free of body odor.
13. Untitled
Tony Miller, Guest Here we are a week later. I have to switch deodorants every month or two because my pits start turning red and hurting. Youch! I went to the local organic store and found the Thai Crystal Deodorant Stick. I've actually passed on this before because it seems like most things that are "Crystal Powered" are marketing scams. At least it seems that way to me.
After reading this article and doing some research online I decided to give the Thai Stick (yeah, try Googling that term) a shot. I really am amazed at how well it works. If my body doesn't reject it within a couple of months I'll have a deodorant for life! 14. Untitled
Chris Baskind, Guest Way to go, Tony! I've used deodorant stones for years -- they're really quite good. At some point, I'm going to try a few of the non-aluminum products soon and will report back. 15. Untitled
Lizzie, Guest I've been using the Adidas 24-Hour control for over a year now and it works really well for me. I still sweat a bit sometimes if it's really hot out but I don't start to smell which is a big plus. I used to use one of the Tom's of Maine roll-on varieties and that seemed to work for a bit but any amount of physical exercise and I'd start to sweat and smell--much worse than if I'd just not worn any. It was strange. But the Adidas stuff is great. 16. Untitled
Anna Hackman, Guest We stopped using regular deodorant when we learned that there may be a link between Alzheimers and deodorant. Studies have shown an elevated amount of aluminium in Alzheimer's patients. Deodorant contains aluminium.
Both my husband and I use the crystal. He also uses arrowroot in addition to the crystal to stop wetness. Arrowroot looks like baby powder and can be used in cooking as a thickner.
My teenager felt the crystal did not stop the smell so he uses a deodrant made by Jason. anna www.green-talk.com 17. Untitled
Jose, Guest Do any of these deodorants also prevent sweating? I sweat like crazy, all the time, even if it's cold outside. I'd like to use a safer deodorant but it seems that these options only prevent smell and not sweating. Any suggestions? 18. Untitled
magda, Guest i tried the crystals, but they don't work very well. you know what works really well? baking soda. seriously, it really, really does. to apply: wet your armpits, sprinkle some on your hands, and slap it on your armpits. you will still sweat, but you won't stink. this even works for my very active and stink-prone man. 19. Untitled
Susie, Guest yes, actually my boyfriend and I had this problem yesterday. We tried to find a deodorant yesterday that is somewhat Eco-friendly but had to resort to buying a regular brand for him. It's so hard to shop consciously sometime. If anyone knows of a good deodorant for men that's also good for the environment. I would love to know about it..however it can be too crunchy granola or my boyfriend will not go for it. 20. Untitled
Beth Terry, Guest I had been using Queen Helene natural aloe deodorant, but a week ago I started a project to eliminate as much plastic as possible from my life and thankfully discovered LUSH Aromaco Deodorant bar (http://usa.lush.com/cgi-bin/lushdb/051?expand=Closeup). The crystal never worked for me. This deodorant bar has no plastic container. If you buy it at a Lush store, the clerks cut you a piece in whatever size you want and sell it by weight. I was thrilled to find something that works well and doesn't include a plastic container to be discarded later. And it smells great and my pits are actually drier than they were with the Queen Helene. 21. deodorant
Guest, Guest My son likes the Adidas 24hr Control (uses cotton to control wetness), but I wanted something without propylene glycol (which is the 1st ingredient in Adidas, and even found in Tom's brand). I tried various herbal recipes I found online, but the best by far is simple baking soda! I swear it controls odor longer than anything you can buy in the store! 22. Untitled
amanda, Guest haven't tried the stone, but, honestly, i'm a bit scared.
i've used lady mitchum for years; over the last couple of years, i've managed to cut out ALL products tested on animals -- aside from my deodorant. thing is, i get rashes from EVERYTHING except lady mitchum. i've tried jason, kiss my face, desert essence, burt's bees -- and many more. tea tree was the worse rash -- i swear i'm scarred from it. :( has anyone else had this problem with natural deodorants?
anyway, i'll look into the stone (but I'm going to try baking soda first), and i'll also check a few of the links provided in previous comments. 23. Tom's of Maine
Guest, Guest Tom's of Maine deodorants do have a pleasant fragrance. But the deodorant just doesn't work for me in the summertime, and I'm not someone who sweats profusely. 24. More on rashes
Guest, Guest Like amanda, I get a rash every time I try to use anything but my typical mainstream antiperspirant, unscented Sure. Maybe baking soda is the answer, but (like others) I also want an antiperspirant, not just a deodorant. |
Enter your email address: