5 Reasons to Ditch Your Drugstore Deodorant
Deodorant is something we talk a lot over here at PP. Why? Because this one little tube actually plays a BIG part in your health.
Don’t believe me? Keep on scrolling down.
If you’ve landed on this post, I’m going to just go ahead and assume that either: you’re already on the non-toxic deodorant train and fully get why it’s so important to make the swap OR you’re investigating this new, natural approach to supposedly combat BO, but are trying to gather all the reasons why your Old Spice or Secret will still suit just fine.
If you’re in the first category, before you click over to the next must-read Pure Life Blog post (I mean, you really should read all about this facial tool and its insane beauty benefits), I encourage you to stick around, get a little refresher on how real ingredients are so effective, and then be sure to share this post with someone you love who needs a little non-toxic nudge.
Oh, is that someone you? Are you finding yourself in the second category I described? Well, welcome. This post is your nudge. I’m breaking down why deodorant really IS a big dealand how this seemingly insignificant product can actually enhance your wellness (helping you flourish, feel energized, and smell fresh, of course) or lead to some pretty serious health issues (this isn’t a scare tactic, sweet friend, it’s just the plain truth).
Regardless of where you’re at on your natural deodorant journey, I hope this post will shed a little more light on why we’ve literally built our brand around this single product – and how it impacts more than just your pits, but your overall health and wellness.
So, here we go.
5 reasons why you should ditch your drugstore deodorant.
#1. YOU
I was going to end with this reason, but realized this one really is the most important. The biggest reason you should ditch your drugstore deodorant is because your. health. is. worth. it.
Yes, I’m about to get into the details about the dangerous chemicals lurking on your product labels and the diseases they’re linked to – but, before all that, I want to lay a solid foundation to build upon. And that foundation is YOU. Your health, your family, your future.
Like I said, deodorant is probably a bigger deal than you’ve realized before.
So many people are bogged down by toxic buildup, low energy levels, auto-immune conditions, hormonal imbalances and other health issues that sadly our society has just accepted as a way of life. When a few simple product swaps can promote a positive difference in hormone health, energy, adrenal glands, overall wellness and so much more.
Want to take control of your well-being and create a solid foundation of health for yourself, your family and your future? Start by ditching your drugstore deodorant.
#2. DAILY OFFENDERS IN DEODORANT
Think about it. This is one product you apply every single day (and sometimes, multiple times a day) to your underarms – located right next to your lymph nodes and breast tissue. Once you start to learn about the harsh reality of harmful chemicals found in drugstore deodorants, you’ll get a better picture of how this daily application is actually exposing your skin and body to an array of ingredients that have been proven to cause more harm than health.
Our bodies can often handle occasional chemicals BUT when exposed consistently and daily, disease and health conditions are more likely to happen. I know this can be a lot to take in, so I’m going to try to simplify common chemicals found in drugstore deodorants and why you want to avoid them at all costs.
Here are a few:
Aluminum – Linked to Alzheimer’s disease and heavy metal toxicity.
Triclosan – Linked to liver toxicity, skin allergies and thyroid dysfunction.
Propylene Glycol – Linked to organ toxicity and skin irritations (and because it improves product penetration, it helps to carry other harmful ingredients in the product through the skin).
Parabens – Endocrine/hormone disruptors, found in 99% of breast cancer tissue sampled in this study.
Phthalates – Linked to permanent birth defects and endocrine disruption.
Benzyl Salicylate – Linked to endocrine disruption, weakened immune system and skin allergies.
Fragrance – Check out the section below for all the dirty deets.
Okay, I’ll give you a second to go grab your drugstore deodorant and take a look at the ingredient label. How many of those are listed? 5? 4? 2? It’s time to toss it.
#3. WATCH OUT FOR GREENWASHING
Okay, you might be thinking, I don’t get my deodorant at the drugstore – I shop at (fill in the blank) health food store! But just because there’s a green leaf or the word “organic” or “natural” on the front of the jar or tube, I want to kindly (ahem, strongly) encourage you to be wary of what’s actually inside.
Sadly, greenwashing is becoming common in the skincare industry and is deceiving consumers that the products they’re purchasing are pure, natural, or organic – when in reality, the ingredient list reveals otherwise.
This is where you have to do some digging and become your own private deodorant detective.
Marketing messages may claim “NO” this and “NO” that… But rather than focusing on what’s NOT in the product, look at the ingredient label to see which ingredients are really being used instead. Unfortunately, the natural beauty market has become highly saturated and product quality consistently compromised.
Even if “natural” brands lining the shelves claim to be aluminum-free, several are loaded with fillers and other harmful ingredients that we definitely don’t want on our pits. Check out the section above again to see if any are listed on your “natural” deodorant!
#4. DEO SCENT = SMOKING
Obviously, the scent of your deodorant is big a deal. It’s meant to help cover up body odor and leave a lingering smell of freshness – whether it’s as if you just stepped out of the shower or spent time frolicking in a field of flowers (yes, please!).
But did you know that your favorite drugstore deodorant scent is actually considered the new second-hand smoke? Clearly, this is serious stuff and plays a significant role in the state of your overall health.
One of the. most. toxic. ingredients you’ll find on any product label (even many “natural” deodorant labels!) is fragrance.
Fragrance is an ingredient that can be easily overlooked because it’s actually a word we can pronounce – and we think we know what it means. However, this common ingredient in conventional deodorants is such an elusive word because it can mean a thousand different things.
These synthetic scents can contain any combination of 3,000+ chemical ingredients (yes, you read that correctly: 3,000) and are linked to numerous health issues including hormone disruption, respiratory problems, allergies, skin sensitivities, kidney damage, birth defects and other diseases.
Smelling floral + fresh at the risk of developing any of those diseases? Don’t think so. Ditch that drugstore deo asap.
#5. REAL INGREDIENTS REALLY WORK
But that doesn’t mean to have to sacrifice smelling GOOD!
Rather than using artificial, harmful fragrances to cover up odor, active essential oils play a key part in our natural deodorant. Our formula fights B.O. with scents that actually support the health of hormones, the nervous system, immunity, and mindset. We refuse to compromise our product quality (or compromise the health of customers) by using highly toxic synthetic fragrances on our ingredient labels.
Sadly, so many of us have been led to believe (whether by our current culture, marketing messages or well-meaning family members) that chemicals + synthetic ingredients are necessary for effectiveness. We’ve believed the lies for too long that ingredients don’t matter, sweating is bad, and strong chemicals are a must stay dry and odor-free.
But times have changed.
With powerful moisture-absorbing properties and odor-fighting ingredients like fair-trade coconut oil, arrowroot powder, kaolin clay, baking soda, and organic essential oils, our natural deodorant formula prevents odor + keeps bacteria at bay. Plus, our good-for-you ingredients, including nourishing vitamins and essential fatty acids with anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, work together to help to improve the health of skin, leaving pits smooth and protected – and stink-free, of course.
Who knew there was a deodorant formula available that powerfully combats unwanted odor, leaves pits smooth + protected and has a positive impact on the health of your hormones, lymphatic system, liver and overall sense of wellness?