On this last day of focusing on our personal hygiene self-care, we’re talking about deodorants and anti-perspirants. (If you prefer video, scroll to the bottom of this post.)

It’s pretty common knowledge that anti-perspirants block our natural sweat glands. Many people worry about the aluminum in anti-perspirants increasing the risk of breast cancer. There’s actually no proven studies that confirm this concern, however, the word is “more testing needed.” What is proven is a concern that anti-perspirants block our glands, which in turn reduce the number of good bacteria that we need in our underarms, giving bad bacteria room to flourish.

We sweat to release toxins and to cool off. It’s an essential. Consider switching to a natural deodorant. My skin, along with many others, appears to be sensitive to baking soda (look for “aluminim-free,” by the way) so I use a baking soda-free deodorant called No Pong. It’s quite popular. It works great – stinky-free all day long, works great at the gym, plus, the super bonus, there are no stains on dark coloured clothing. Zip, zero, nada. Kiss that commercial crap good-bye!

A few examples of chemicals found in deodorants are:

• Parabens: Often used in moisturizers and soaps – hormone disruptor. Hormone disruptors are chemicals that mimic our natural hormones and our body can put a chemical in place of a natural hormone which disrupts the body’s ability to do it’s job properly. Also linked to breast cancer.
• Triclosan: Often found in body wash and toothpaste – contact dermatitis, skin irritation, increase in allergic reactions.
• Phthalates: dangerous to the environment and are hormone disruptors.

Many chemicals are in the ground, in the air and saturate our environment, it’s impossible to avoid them. All the more reason, I believe, to reduce chemical exposure where we can, particularly on our own bodies and in our homes.

So, finish the deodorant or anti-persperant that you have first, then switch to one that is better for your well being. Visit your local health food store or refillery for options that best suit you.