The Hidden Dangers of Body Care Products like Deodorant: A Toxic Load You Can Reduce

Hey! Welcome. I am back at it. I am trying my best to make great choices in diet, exercise, and self talk, while I detox my way to better happier health! As I strive to live a healthier life and recover from illness, I often focus on the food I eat, the air I breathe, the patches I wear, the supplements I take, and the water I drink. However, there's another crucial aspect of my daily life that can significantly impact my well-being: the beauty and body care products I use. From deodorants and shampoos to makeup and serums and lotions, these products can contain toxic ingredients that contribute to my overall toxic load, making it more challenging to heal and recover. But by simply eliminating them my body can start to turn off illness causing genes in as little as a month! Yep in as little as 30 days!

The Problem with Common Deodorants

Today I’m going to focus on deodorant. This is because it has been one of the hardest changes for me to consistently make. Many commercial deodorants contain ingredients like aluminum salts, parabens, phthalates, PFAS (forever chemicals) and artificial fragrances. These substances can cause skin irritation, hormonal imbalances, and even contribute to diseases like breast cancer and Alzheimer's. Aluminum salts, in particular, have been linked to these health issues due to their ability to mimic estrogen in the body and accumulate in the brain. They also make it harder for the body to heal and fight off Lyme, mold, autoimmune and a host of other issues.

I feel like I’ve tried dozens of options on deodorants. A traditional aluminum containing deodorant has been one of the hardest things for me to give up, especially my all time favorite, Secret baby fresh deodorant. I’ve tried several other options, but on a day when it’s really important not to smell stinky, this is my fall back fav. I’m currently on a quest to find something safer and less toxic and I hope you are too.

Here are some traditional deodorant alternatives: I have tried almost all of these. How many have you tried?

Natural Deodorants

1. Baking Soda: A natural mineral that absorbs moisture and neutralizes odor.

2. Coconut Oil: Has antimicrobial properties that can help control bacteria growth.

3. Essential Oils: Certain essential oils, like tea tree oil and lavender oil, have antimicrobial and antifungal properties.

4. Arrowroot Powder: A natural absorbent that can help keep skin dry.

5. Charcoal: Activated charcoal can help absorb moisture and reduce odor.

Crystal Deodorants (You will need to wet it to apply to your skin)

1. Ammonium Alum: A natural mineral that can help control sweat and odor.

2. Potassium Alum: Similar to ammonium alum, but often considered more gentle.

Other Alternatives

1. Lemon Juice: Lemon juice can be used as a natural deodorant due to its acidity and antimicrobial properties.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar: Has antimicrobial properties that can help control bacteria growth.

3. Witch Hazel: A natural astringent that can help reduce sweat and odor.

Brands

Some popular natural deodorant brands with clean or mostly clean ingredients include:

These currently look clean, but remember that companies can change their ingredient list on you without warning.

1. Humble (gluten free)

2. Salt and Stone (gluten free)

3. Just Ingredients (gluten free)

4. Primally Pure (gluten free)

5. Rustic MAKA Natural Deodorant (gluten free)

These are all better than traditional aluminum containing deodorants and may be worth a try for you when switching to something healthier. Plus they are ALL gluten free!

Here are 3 deodorants I have used before, but Secret is by far my kryptonite.

Keep in mind that everyone's body chemistry is different, so it may take some trial and error to find a natural/clean deodorant that works well for you. I am on this quest with you. I personally have found that my body adapts to the natural options. This has happened on numerous occasions. I’ll start out with one that works for a few weeks or months and then suddenly stops working for me. Have you had this experience?

I have done some research and I have heard that rotating through different natural deodorants or ingredients can be a solution to the problem of your body adapting. This approach is often referred to as "deodorant cycling" or "rotation."

Benefits of Deodorant Cycling

Here are a few reasons you might want to try deodorant cycling…

1. Prevents Adaptation: By switching between different deodorants or ingredients, you can prevent your body from adapting to a single product.

2. Maintains Effectiveness: Rotating deodorants can help maintain their effectiveness over time.

3. Reduces Buildup: Switching between products can help reduce buildup on the skin.

How to Cycle Deodorants

1. Start with a Base Deodorant: Choose a primary deodorant that works well for you.

2. Rotate Every 2-3 Months: Switch to a different deodorant or ingredient every 2-3 months or sooner if you have quicker failure rate to keep you smelling fresh.

3. Try Different Ingredients: Experiment with different ingredients, such as baking soda, coconut oil, or essential oils.

4. Monitor Your Body's Response: Pay attention to how your body responds to each deodorant and adjust your rotation accordingly.

Examples of Deodorant Rotation

1. Baking Soda-Based Deodorant: Use a baking soda-based deodorant for 2-3 months, then switch to a coconut oil-based deodorant.

2. Essential Oil-Based Deodorant: Use an essential oil-based deodorant for 2-3 months, then switch to a charcoal-based deodorant.

3. Rotate Between Brands: Rotate between different natural deodorant brands every 2-3 months.

Tips for Successful Deodorant Cycling

1. Keep a Deodorant Journal and record when things go stinky or stay fresh. I think a note on my phone is the simplist way for me to do this.

2. Experiment with Different Products

There is some effort involved in tracking these details, but finding something or several things when cycled that work is a goal of mine this year. And here is why…

Health Problems Associated with Toxic Beauty Product

The cumulative effect of using these toxic beauty products can lead to a range of health issues, including:

- Hormonal imbalances and reproductive problems (painful periods and trouble getting pregnant)

- Skin irritation and allergic reactions

- Respiratory issues and asthma

- Cancer and neurological disorders

- My body struggling more with keeping the Lyme in remission

The Challenge: Find a Healthier Deodorant or Cycle that Works for You!

This month, I challenge you to take a closer look at your deodorant and consider switching to a healthier alternative. I'm excited to try the lemon juice method and share my findings with you. If you're up for it, I'd love for you to join me in this challenge and share your experiences on Instagram and Facebook using the hashtag #LemonDeodorantChallenge

The Lemon Deodorant Challenge

Here's how the challenge works:

1. Cut a lemon and squeeze the juice into a small spray bottle: Glass is the best bottle material to use.

2. Apply coconut oil under the armpit first (if you have sensitive skin): This will help protect your skin from any potential irritation.

3. Spray on the lemon juice: Keep the extra juice in the fridge for up to 1 week and use daily.

4. Do a sniff test at lunchtime and again at the end of the day: You might be surprised at how well this natural remedy works!

5. Carry a backup deodorant with you (if needed): If you're concerned about body odor sneaking up later in the day, feel free to carry a backup deodorant with you.

It may be that this will be one product that’s natural and very inexpensive that we can use for a few months or even years to eliminate body odor. Or it may work in a rotation with other products? We are all different, but I have high hopes this will be something natural and healthy I can work in my routine. If your skin is super sensitive the lemon juice may not be for you. Try one of the other natural options listed above and let me know how it goes.

Why Lemons Are Effective at Detoxing and Controlling Odors

Lemons have natural antibacterial and antifungal properties that make them an effective tool for controlling body odor. The acidity in lemons helps to balance the pH of the skin, creating an environment that's less conducive to the growth of odor-causing bacteria. Additionally, lemons contain compounds like limonene, which have been shown to have detoxifying effects on the body.

Join the Conversation

As I mentioned, I would love to hear about your experiences with the lemon deodorant challenge. Share your thoughts and feedback on social media using the hashtag #LemonDeodorantChallenge. I want to work together to create a community that prioritizes health and wellness and your feedback counts.

Conclusion

Remember, the beauty care products we use can have a significant impact on our overall health and well-being. By being mindful of the ingredients in these products and making informed choices, we can reduce our toxic load and promote healing and recovery. And with these changes, we can turn off genes that trigger illness and disease in 30 days! Join me in this challenge, and let's take the first step towards a healthier, more sustainable approach to beauty and wellness.

Remember use the hashtag: #LemonDeodorantChallenge

This post contains links and some affiliate links that will provide me with a small compensation if you make a purchase. Thank you for your support.