Is Your Deodorant Toxic?

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Would you swallow a spoonful of toxic ingredients? Of course not! So why does it seem okay to smear the same toxic compounds on your underarms every day in the form of antiperspirants and deodorants? We forget that some of what goes on our skin is absorbed into the body, going into the bloodstream and organs.

Let’s be honest; deodorants are a staple in our daily hygiene routines. While there is great benefit to smelling nice and feeling confident, the issue is with the ingredients used in some products. As shown below, some of the common ingredients in deodorants have been linked to health issues including hormonal imbalance, liver damage, and even some types of cancer.

1. Aluminum: Aluminum is a common compound commonly put in antiperspirants due to its ability to stop sweating by plugging sweat ducts. Unfortunately, it’s linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer in men, breast cancer in women, and Alzheimer’s disease.

2. Parabens: Parabens are predominantly used as preservatives in several personal care products such as deodorants. Exposure to parabens is linked to hormonal imbalances, organ toxicity, and birth defects. ^[1]

3. Propylene Glycol: Prolonged exposure to this compound can cause damage to the heart, liver, and central nervous system.

4. Phthalates (pronounced tha-lates): Phthalates are chemicals occurring fragrance ingredients in personal care products and used for making other constituent compounds more flexible. They are notoriously associated with an increased risk of cell mutations (hence tumor growth), disruption of hormone receptors, and birth defects.

5. Triclosan: Did you know that Triclosan is classified as a probable carcinogen and pesticide by the EPA and FDA, respectively? Despite it’s known dangers, the chemical is still used in products such as deodorants due to its ability to kill odor-causing bacteria. But at what price?

Please note that this content should never be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinicians.

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Graphic ©herbshealthhappiness.com. Image source – Wikipedia – lic. under CC 3.0