Top 5 Personal & Environmental Health Factors to Consider When Buying Deodorant

March 14, 2018

When purchasing a natural deodorant, we all want to be covered. We strive to find a product that will keep us smelling our best in even our most heated moments. However, there are deeper questions of our own personal wellbeing as well as the health of the environment that should be considered in our hunt for a favorite brand. Please read on for the top 5 personal and environmental health factors to consider in making your all-important selection.

1. Physiology of Our Sweat

When searching for the best natural deodorant, it is important to understand the different types of sweat glands and their effects on body odor. One type is sweat produced from eccrine glands, which is generally heat or exercise-induced and largely formed of water. The second type is sweat from apocrine glands, which is stress- or anxiety induced, and formed to a greater extent by lipids. This stress-induced sweat is much more likely to lead to body odor because the lipids from this excretion attract bacteria that produce a stench upon their digestion of these molecules. On the other hand, exercise-induced sweat only begins to smell from heavy quantity or from waiting too long to wash it off, which attracts odor-producing bacteria in a similar mechanism. Becoming familiar with the quantity that you regularly sweat as well as which form of sweat production that you are more likely to experience can help influence your deodorant selection. In general, if you are stress or anxiety-prone, exercise heavily, or sweat often from internal or external heat, you’ll benefit from a stronger deodorant - one containing a greater amount of anti-odor ingredients such as coconut oil, baking soda, magnesium and charcoal. Additionally, look for ingredients that help absorb excess sweat, such as arrowroot powder, to help keep you dry throughout the day.

2. Scent

Scent is closely tied to our mental health and wellbeing. Did you know that he scents that we surround ourselves with impact our mood, our behavior, and even our work performance? For example, pleasant ambient smells have been found in scientific studies to enhance scores in anagram and word completion tests, whereas foul smells were shown to lower individuals’ abilities to withstand feelings of frustration. Unfortunately, most of these smells are often produced by chemical fragrances and/or perfumes. These chemicals have been linked to major health concerns, such as hormone disruption, birth defects, and even cancer, among many others. Please watch our short explainer video that highlights the startling, daily pollution that is taking a major toll on our bodies. Instead of chemical fragrances, choose products that are scented with organic essential oils. These oils not only smell wonderful, but also contain beneficial healing properties.

3. Irritation

There are a number of added ingredients within conventional deodorants and antiperspirants that can lead to skin irritation and allergies. Examples include parabens, triclosan, and fragrances, among many others. This makes purchasing a deodorant made with organic ingredients an asset to the health of your skin. However, natural deodorants may still contain irritating, unhealthy chemicals. Choose organic over natural to ensure yourself a product that is certified to be free of synthetic ingredients.

4. Long-term Health Consequences

What could be worse than temporary irritation that may be caused by conventional or natural deodorants? Well, how about the long-term health consequences that may ensue from chronic use of harmful chemicals, such as aluminum, phthalates, propylene glycol, formaldehydes, and parabens, among others! Although further research is needed to establish direct causal links, aluminum is an endocrine-disruptor that is a strong suspect for increasing breast cancer risk. Choosing a deodorant without aluminum is a much safer way to avoid these potential health impacts. However, please pay attention to your labels, as many chemicals can often hide behind clever marketing.

5. Environmental Impact

Minimal product packaging is one way to lessen the environmental impact of your deodorant. Searching for this certification ensures purchasing a product that was crafted without the use of fertilizers, pesticides, or GMO’s. One of the most threatening yet unnoticed way in which deodorants can harm the environment is through body washing. For example, triclosan, an antimicrobial, antifungal agent widely used in skin care products worldwide is a great threat to waterways. With the increasing use of skin care products, chemicals like triclosan are accumulating in rivers and streams, and are believed to aid in the formation of dioxin and chloroform, which are known carcinogens. Triclosan washes off our bodies and reaches surface water, which in turn makes it way to larger bodies of water. Additionally, there is evidence to support that it may be toxic to aquatic organisms and impacts their endocrine system.

With all of this information in mind, you are now equipped in your search to find the best natural deodorant for your body. Our recommendation is to find a deodorant that supports a healthy planet and protects your health while giving you peace of mind from your concerns about personal scent. Handcrafted deodorant from Pure Skin Co. is a perfect representation of an organic deodorant that actually works, and that is made lovingly from organic ingredients, such as aluminum-free baking soda, organic virgin coconut oil, and organic shea butter. Made with four organic essential oil-based scents and an unscented option, there is a fragrance to cover everyone!