Ursa Major Deodorant

Is Deodorant toxic? This is the question I often get from followers, and here I’ll explain why conventional ones are toxic and why you should make the switch. You’ll also find some exciting natural deodorant swaps.

Let’s talk about deodorant, my friends. It’s the one non-toxic product I always hear people tell me is hard to switch. I get it. It’s hard to make a transition with something that can leave you feeling sweaty and smelly. Been there and understandably so. But let me explain why this is the one product two switch out immediately. Don’t worry though, I have some natural deodorant swaps as well.

For starters, switching to non-toxic deodorant is totally doable and very important. I can see why people don’t want to fathom the thought of making the switch because it’s also not a one size fits all kind of switch. But I’m here to tell you to do so IMMEDIATELY! Here’s why…

Conventional deodorants and antiperspirants are filled with toxic chemicals and ingredients that are harmful to your body. Some common ingredients you’ll find include the following:

Ursa Major Deodorant me looking at camera

Common Toxic Chemicals Found in Deodorant

  • Aluminum: the active ingredient in many antiperspirants* – linked to Alzheimer’s and breast cancer. The heavy metal buildup in the body can contribute to acute or chronic toxicity. Long-term exposure can cause physical, muscular, and neurological degenerative processes, or even worse, cancer. Those toxins you place under your arms can lead right into the breast tissue. Yikes! Other terms you’ll see this as are: Lead, Mercury, and Heavy Metals. Have you checked out my blog post “Let’s Talk Pits?” I go more in-depth about aluminum, deodorants, and how to detox your armpits naturally.
  • Parabens: hormone-disrupting chemicals often used as preservatives. They are made to act like estrogen in the body and can disrupt hormone function.
  • Phthalates: hormone-disrupting chemicals hiding in the fragrance or other ingredients. It’s a large group of chemicals that have been shown to disrupt the endocrine system and cause birth defects. They are commonly used in fragrances to make the smell linger as well as plastic.
  • Fragrance:  a catch-all term for thousands of chemicals that can cause allergies or worse. ou will see this labeled as many different things such as perfume, parfum, aroma, and synthetic musk. Unfortunately, “fragrance” has no FDA regulation and can be a combination of over 3,000 different stock chemicals that imitate a smell or contain phthalates.
  • Triclosan: an endocrine disruptor and probable carcinogen
  • Propylene glycol: when derived from natural gas (most common form), it is a potential allergen and a non-renewable resource
Holding multiple deodorants

One more note about aluminum…

Aluminum, more specifically, is put in deodorant to keep you from sweating by blocking your pores and help so you don’t get wet. The problem is, our body was made to sweat, and our body uses sweat as a way to clear toxins from our bodies. Don’t mask your odor with more toxins. It doesn’t do you any favor. Instead, you can read Let’s Talk Pits blog post where I break down ways to help make the switch easier like doing a scrub and armpit detox. Now, with all this talk about bad ingredients, let’s chat about the good ingredients in natural deodorant.

Clean Ingredients in Non-Toxic Deodorant

  • Baking Soda: This is an odor neutralizing agent that raises PH of skin, making it less susceptible to bacteria growth. I will note, some people are ultra-sensitive to this ingredient (myself included), so if you’re one of those as well, look for baking soda free deodorants.
  • Activated Charcoal: also an odor neutralizing agent. This acts like a magnet to help draw out the odor-causing bacteria and any other toxins from the body
  • Essential Oil: Helps with odor but also is antibacterial.
  • Arrowroot, Tapioca, or Corn starch: These all help absorb the wetness. Believe it or not, I even use this ingredient in my hair to absorb the oils like dry shampoo does.
  • Coconut oil, Shea Butter, Jojoba, Beeswax, Aloe Vera: those all bring in hydration and moisturization to the skin. It protects the skin from being irritable with those soothing ingredients.

A Note About Your Transition

Unfortunately, with deodorant, there’s not a one size fits all kind of product. What works for me and what I love may be different from what you like or look for in a product. So, before you make the switch, keep in mind that there will be some trial and error to make sure you find the right one for you.

The other thing to keep in mind is once you begin your journey to non-toxic deodorant, your body will take time detoxifying all the toxins from your conventional deodorant. So be patient and give yourself a few months to adjust. See All About Pits post for detoxifying steps to help make your transition easier.

All Deodorant Pics

Natural Deodorant Swaps

We’re so lucky to have non-toxic deodorants on the market and it continues to grow. Here’s a list of some amazing brands to help with your natural deodorant swap. The first 5 I have tried and loved. I am sensitive to baking soda, so for me, I have to ensure my deodorants are free from that ingredient.

  • Ursa Major: My hubby and I both use and love this brand. This is the one we find ourselves going back to each time. Works amazing and they have baking soda fee options and manly scented options.
  • Meow Meow Tweet: I absolutely love this one because it’s baking soda free. WHat’s great about this one is that it’s packaged entirely in a paper tube and it’s a push-up deodorant. It has a creamy, balm-like texture made with nourishing organic plant oils to help soothe underarms. Aluminum-free and made with magnesium and arrowroot starch absorb excess moisture and keep odors at bay.
  • Agent Nateur: LOVE this one. I wore it for a few months until I broke out due to the baking soda ingredient. I then tried the baking soda free option and it was a winner. Slightly more expensive than Ursa Major but another option I would buy again.
  • Honestly pHresh Spray Deodorant: Love that this one is a spray and designed to keep your pH levels in check with the help from the pre and probiotics. Use code: Natalie20. Offer expires Sept 25, 2020.
  • Native: This really helped with neutralizing order but they all contained baking soda and my pits broke out.
  • Primarily Pure: Loved this one and in fact, it’s my sister’s personal favorite. The natural scents were amazing.
  • Toms: This is an affordable option but I found myself sweating even more and not helping with odor. I didn’t even finish this one and ended up tossing it.

Other Non-Toxic Deodorants

These are a list of other deodorants on the market that I haven’t yet tried.

As you can see after reading about the toxic ingredients found in your conventional deodorants, this is the ONE product to switch out immediately. It takes time to find the right one and to allow your body to detoxify the odors, but it’s so worth it. Trial and error my friends, you will find the perfect natural deodorant swap.

Xo,

Natalie

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through these links. Please note that I’ve linked to these products purely because I recommend them and they are from companies I trust. There is no additional cost to you.