Put Down the Toxic Deodorant and Put ya Hands in the Air, Like ya Just Don't Care!

It’s time to talk deodorant. Sure, armpits are not the most appealing part of the body… however, they really have quite the impact in the social scene. Am I right, or am I right!? As much as I wish I could say I’m out there rolling in meadows, deodorant-free without a care in the world, I am not. Don’t get me wrong, I am all for a natural beauty journey (obviously)… but I am also 100% supportive of using nature to stay sexy. Is that so wrong? I’m just going to answer that for myself and say no. No, it is not.

-What is wrong with common “Deodorants”-

First off, the majority of deodorants that people are using these days are actually antiperspirants, which are designed to block sweat. Sure, nothing is wrong with not wanting to be gross and sweaty, I don’t blame you. What IS wrong, is the common ingredients that these big companies are using to keep you “fresh”. Not only are most antiperspirant chemicals horrible for your skin, but they are also extremely hazardous internally. Obviously you’re not topping your pancakes with your drugstore deodorant at breakfast, but we need to remember that everything in our external environment is absorbed through our skin and into our blood stream.

Antiperspirants work by clogging the pores in your armpits so that perspiration cannot be released. This is not exactly a good idea. Release is good for you. By blocking your pores, you are just holding in your sweat beneath the skin, which can cause bacteria inflammation and actually trap the bad odor, ultimately making it worse. Did you know those yellow “pit stains” are not caused from sweat? They are actually due to the chemical reaction aluminum compounds have with most fabrics. Gross. Here you are poisoning your body so you can look good and be “clean”, and as soon you raise your arms you look like the dirtiest person in the room. Funny how that works.

-What to avoid-

Aluminum is number one. Most people have heard about the dangers of aluminum-based products, but not enough people are taking it seriously. Aluminum is a metal that is used in deodorants to block sweat. Aluminum has also been linked to breast cancer, prostate cancer and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Another commonly mentioned ingredient to stay away from, is the not-so-lovely family of synthetic preservatives- Parabens. Parabens are a cheap way for big companies to make products last longer. Seriously, they are sneaking this shit in everything. The biggest problem with these synthetic preservatives, are that they are seriously effing with our hormonal balance. We are constantly hearing about children hitting early puberty at an extremely rapid rate which is scary enough, however, this hormonal disturbance is also increasing our risk of hormonal cancers. Proplyene Glycol is a commonly used ingredient in skin "care” that allows products to be applied easier to the skin. It has also been said to cause damage to the central nervous system, causing heart, liver and kidney failure. The easy application makes it totally worth it though, right!? Ugh. Phthalates are another dangerous class of ingredients that pregnant women especially should look to avoid. This is another ingredient that is used to create a better consistency in products, but at what cost? Studies have shown, that women with high Phthalate levels in their urine or blood are linked to a higher risk of having a child with birth defects. Phthalates are said to mess with hormones and increase the risk of cell mutation. Let's wrap up this horror story with Triclosan. This ingredient alone proves how useless the term “FDA- approved” is. Triclosan is classified BY THE FDA as a pesticide. This exact ingredient is also classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a “Probable Carcinogen”. How it is still legal for companies to use it in deodorant as an ingredient to kill odor, is beyond me. Kill odor and kill me, please. No thankyou.

*These are only the main ingredients you should avoid. Also, remember that just because a deodorant says "Non-Antiperspirant" or "Aluminum free" does not mean it is safe! Always do your research!*

-How to Make the Switch-

I’m not going to lie to you. Making the switch was not the easiest thing in the world. The hardest part for me was finding a deodorant that was all natural AND actually worked. This took literally months. There were moments where I truly thought I could end up single forever because I was a living breathing man repellent. I tried everything. Toms, homemade products, essential oils… you name it and I STILL smelled like I just ran a marathon. I hate the fact that I am constantly having to embarrass and call myself out on these posts, but it’s true. Luckily for my readers, I get to do the trial and error while you guys reap the benefits. UH, YOU ARE WELCOME! Anyways, I finally came across a company called Soapwalla. I was in love with everything from their company statement down to their entire product line. Soapwalla is entirely organic skin care line that guess what, makes the best deodorant I have ever used in my life. This is coming from a girl who used to use the prescription strength antiperspirant nonsense AND hide a heavily scented stick of drugstore deodorant in her purse. Soapwalla creates a completely safe and natural cream based deodorant that you apply with your hands. This deodorant not only goes on easy with a great texture, but also keeps you dry and smelling fresh all day with no mid-day applying. A little goes a long way and it lasts me about 4-5 months! I finally feel completely confident about going natural, and my armpits are no longer irritated and itchy like they were with my past deodorants. I can finally raise the roof in public like it is 1999 without making anyone pass out. Order Soapwalla Deodorant by clicking here. Making the switch is SO worth it.

Smell fresh and stay alive, sounds like a good motto to me!

Peace.Love&Beauty