It's Natural: Aluminum Free Deodorants

Update: I tried Tom's of Maine aluminum free deodorant. It worked for about half a day, as long as I didn't get sweaty. By the end of the day or after getting hot, you wouldn't know I was wearing any. I've switched back to my regular deodorant for the time being, but I will be trying other aluminum free varieties in the near future.

Plain deodorants and antiperspirant deodorants are very different. Antiperspirants are composed of aluminum salts that block the sweat ducts, preventing sweat and toxins from reaching the skin's surface and exiting the body. The idea is that if there's no sweat, there's no odor. The sweat is not the problem though...from what I understand, the bacteria causes the odor. Plain deodorants kill or neutralize the bacteria to prevent odor while still allowing the body to excrete the sweat and toxins. Sweating in our underarms allows our bodies to cleanse and detoxify itself. Blocking this with antiperspirants can cause a build-up of toxins in our systems.

There have been many debates over the last several years about the possible harmful effects of aluminum in antiperspirant deodorants. Rumors have run rampant across the internet about its link to breast cancer, though the Mayo Clinic's stand is "No clinical studies have yet given a definitive answer to the question of whether these products cause breast cancer. But the evidence to date suggests these products don't cause cancer." More recently, people are drawing links between the aluminum and Alzheimer's. The Alzheimer's Association said "The link between aluminum and Alzheimer's disease has never been conclusively proven... The research community is generally convinced that aluminum is not a key risk factor in developing Alzheimer's disease."

I'm not convinced that the aluminum does not effect breast cancer or Alzheimer's. For both diseases, the evidence has been "nonconclusive." Regardless of whether there're links or not, antiperspirants prohibit the body from naturally getting rid of toxins. That's enough right there for me to look into deodorants without antiperspirants.

Handmade Deodorant from Spa Therapy

Here are a few handmade, aluminum-free deodorants on Etsy. Etsy is a site for crafters and artists to sell their goods. Registration is free, but you have to register to buy anythin. There are many more sellers with aluminum-free deodorant...just do a search for deodorant on the Etsy site.

Spa Therapy on Etsy

Florere on Etsy

Dailey's on Etsy

For a factory-made aluminum-free deodorant, there's Adidas' Absorbent-Deo for Women with CottonTech Complex.

I have to be honest - I haven't tried any of the brands listed in this post. I just started looking into the aluminum in anti-perspirants, so I haven't gotten a chance to buy an aluminum-free deodorant yet.