We all have that friend who just. doesn’t. sweat.
For us mere mortals, on the other hand, we need a daily dose of deodorant to keep the flies away.
For a product that most of us use every day, it’s worth understanding the active ingredients in deodorant and how they affect our bodies.
There’s one ingredient in particular that divides deodorant shoppers: Aluminum. There are staunch believers in the stuff, and there are others who consider it a toxin. (Spoiler alert: we’re part of the latter).
Here’s why we sweat the small stuff…
The Aluminum-Free Deodorant Debate: What You Need to Know
First off, let’s get some facts straight. We all know what deodorant is, but how does it work?
Deodorant is a topical cosmetic that prevents unwanted odors caused by bacteria on your skin mixing with your sweat. Deodorant de–odorizes your underarms. It’s right there in the name.
Deodorants get the job done with a two-prong attack:
- Anti-bacterial ingredients minimize the bacteria that create body odor.
- Added fragrances mask body odor with a more pleasant scent.
So what’s wrong with aluminum in deodorant?
A-ha gotcha! Here’s the catch: aluminum isn’t actually in deodorant – it’s technically only found in antiperspirants.
But aren’t antiperspirants and deodorants the same thing?
Deodorant vs. Antiperspirant: What’s the Difference?
Nope. Deodorant is a cosmetic while antiperspirant is an over-the-counter drug that actually changes your body chemistry. Antiperspirant doesn’t just attack the smells radiating from your armpits, it actually prevents your body from producing sweat.
That’s the aluminum working.
Why Is Sweating So Important?
Stay with us for this mini science lesson: Aluminum-based compounds block your sweat ducts; this prevents sweat from leaving your skin and therefore it never mixes with the bacteria in your armpit to produce the odor.
And this shouldn’t come as a surprise to you, but sweating is an essential bodily function that helps regulate your temperature and keep you from overheating.
Aluminum-based compounds are commonly manufactured to provide body odor protection by sweat clogging. Sounds nice, but it’s really not healthy for your body.
What Else Should You Avoid in Deodorant?
The ugly cousin of aluminum — parabens — are also often found in some deodorants and antiperspirants as a preservative.
The Risks of Parabens in Deodorants
All forms of parabens (look for words like methyl-/ethyl-/benzyl-/butyl-) mimic estrogen and can interfere with your body’s naturally occurring hormones. This can cause a wacky hormone imbalance, while widespread presence and high exposure to parabens can lead to increased risk of breast cancer and reproductive toxicity.
Aluminum and Parabens: Potential Health Concerns
Many studies have raised concerns about the safety of aluminum and parabens in our bodies. There have been alleged links to breast cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, kidney disease, and dementia in people with low-functioning kidneys (less than 30% function).
While the health effects of aluminum and parabens remain controversial, All Good is focused on only providing products that are deemed safe for you and your loved ones.
How Do You Know if Your Hygiene Products Are Paraben-Free?
Look at the ingredients!
At All Good, we strongly advocate for the use of ethical body care products that have been clearly and unequivocally deemed safe by the FDA. We offer a swath of deodorant options, all made with botanical ingredients that are safe, nontoxic, and aluminum- and paraben-free!
When you’re buying a product to use on your body or on the bodies of the people you love most, All Good only brings the best, nontoxic ingredients to the table.
The Risks of Traditional Antiperspirants
Traditional antiperspirants might seem like a quick fix for sweat, but they may come with their own set of risks. The aluminum salts in these products can accumulate on your skin and clothes, potentially leading to irritation and those dreaded yellow stains. But that’s not all. The FDA requires warnings for people with kidney problems because aluminum can cause serious issues if not properly filtered out by the kidneys. And if that’s not enough to make you reconsider, some studies suggest a link between long-term antiperspirant use and health issues like breast cancer. It’s definitely food for thought.
How Natural Deodorants Work
Natural deodorants harness the power of nature to keep you smelling fresh without relying on harsh chemicals. Ingredients like Saccharomyces Ferment and Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate offer natural antimicrobial properties that help eliminate odor-causing bacteria. Arrowroot powder and diatomaceous earth absorb moisture, creating an environment that makes it more difficult for bacteria to thrive. Soothing ingredients like aloe vera and calendula flower help calm and nourish the skin, while essential oils contribute their natural antibacterial properties and pleasant smell. By combining these plant-based and mineral-rich ingredients, natural deodorants effectively neutralize body odor and absorb moisture, offering a healthy and skin-friendly alternative.
Benefits of Aluminum-Free and Bio-Active Deodorants
When you decide to opt for ANY plant-based body care product or a bio-active deodorant stick, you’re kicking potentially toxic, harmful ingredients to the curb. For you, that means greater safety and peace of mind. For the planet, that means less runoff from unsafe chemicals.
Here are just a few benefits and reasons why you may want to jump on the aluminum-free deodorant lifestyle:
- Less stress. Say buh bye to stressing about your daily deodorant and the potential harm it’s causing. At the end of the day, your (and your family’s) health isn’t worth risking!
- No more yellowed pit stains ruining your favorite shirt. It’s not you, it’s aluminum. Do that white shirt a favor and ditch the aluminum and other toxins.
- Using the best bio-active deodorant can actually be good for you! Your body will definitely thank you for the daily dose of soothing calendula and aloe in place of aluminum salts! If you need convincing, check out more info on the benefits of calendula.
- Our plant-based deodorants are also cruelty-free and vegan. Even your armpits can advocate for your values.
- And finally – you will sweat with the best of ‘em. By opting for our aluminum-free deodorants, will join the ranks of some of the most daring (and dare we say “sweaty”) All Good Athletes. Plant-based deodorant may not give you the skills to be a big wave surfer, but at least you’ll smell as good as Paige Alms, Sensi Graves, and Moona Whyte.
Just say no thanks to toxic, harmful chemicals in your daily hygiene routine — trust us, you won’t miss traditional aluminum deodorant.
Do Aluminum-Free Deodorants Actually Work?
Long gone are the days of rubbing baking soda in your underarms and calling it “plant-based deodorant.” In fact, all of our All Good bio-active deodorants are baking-soda free!
The best aluminum-free deodorants are infused with herbs, essential oils, and botanical ingredients that pack a punch against smelly pits without dousing your body in chemicals. Our bio-active deodorants utilize naturally occurring enzymes and essential oils to kill odor causing bacteria.
Our deodorants also have Aloe Leaf Extract, Calendula Flower Extract, Tea Tree Oil, Basil Oil, Neem Seed Oil, Frankincense Oil. Plus, they are GMO-free, gluten free, and vegan.
Just because you’re switching to a plant-based deodorant doesn’t mean you’re sacrificing your hygiene or personal care. But don’t just take it from us… our deodorants create their own advocates…
What Do I Need to Know About Switching to Aluminum-Free Deodorant?
Like any change in your personal skin care routine, you have to find what’s best for you and ease into it. You might’ve heard a friend complain, “This deodorant isn’t working,” or “I’m smellier and sweatier than ever!”
When you first switch from an antiperspirant lifestyle to a plant-based deodorant one, your body actually goes into a detox — it needs to rid itself of the buildup of aluminum and other toxic chemicals. This could take 3-4 weeks, so be patient during the switch and let your body get back to its natural state.
You may experience a little more wetness than you’re used to. While the arrowroot powder in our deodorant is working to absorb moisture and dry those underarms, keep in mind that you don’t have aluminum blocking your sweat glands anymore so all this sweat might feel like a strange sensation.
So just to be clear: when you switch to aluminum-free deodorant you will sweat — it’s normal, natural and humans need to sweat — but you won’t smell. And rest assured, a little sweat doesn’t mean yellow stains. Now that you’ve left aluminum behind, those yellow stains are a thing of the past.
Are There Allergens in Aluminum-Free Deodorant?
Just like toxin-filled products, botanical ingredients can have allergens as well — it all depends on how your body reacts. Read the ingredients on everything and test a small patch on your skin before going all in.
While we include aloe and our homegrown calendula just to soothe your skin, be cognizant of the essential oils and plant-based ingredients used in each product.
Get Fresh Underarms With Aluminum Free Deodorant
You only get one body, and we here at All Good are determined to keep that body healthy, happy, and toxin free.
If you are avoiding aluminum, browse our unisex plant-based aluminum free deodorant fragrances for men and women or go for unscented to keep everyone happy.
If you want to be kind to your body and kind to the person sitting next to you, All Good’s aluminum-free, bio-active deodorant is ready for ya!
