Nowadays, our exposure to toxins is higher than ever before. Toxins are in the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the water we drink.
Their effects on our health and well-being are being researched and the toxins from antiperspirants and deodorants are no exception.
This is why it’s important to make smarter and toxin-free purchases of products we use on our skin and reduce our exposure to toxins as much as we can.
With this in mind, the next time you’re looking to buy a deodorant or an antiperspirant, make sure you check the ingredients list! When possible, choose toxin-free alternatives and organic deodorants and antiperspirants that are free of these harmful toxins!
5 Harmful Toxins That Your Deodorant May Contain
Research has associated the most common chemicals found in antiperspirants and deodorants with various health problems such as cancer and issues with reproductive development.
Despite studies connecting these diseases with the chemicals that these products contain, there’s no conclusive and unanimous decision from the scientific community that these toxins are 100 percent bad for the health.
To decrease your risk of health issues and lead a toxin-free lifestyle, avoid using deodorants and antiperspirants that have these toxins on the ingredients list:
- Triclosan
Triclosan is a known pesticide that’s used to lower and avert bacterial contamination.
A lot of brands add it to deodorant to destroy bacteria.
However, in combination with water, this pesticide forms chloroform, a carcinogenic gas.
Studies done in animals have concluded that triclosan may impede hormonal regulation.
Moreover, other studies note that this pesticide may increase the risk of resistant bacteria strains; however, conclusive data is unavailable for such claims.
- Parabens
Although most US brands have removed parabens from their deodorants and antiperspirants, there are still brands that keep using them.
Parabens are one of the most common chemicals found in hygiene products and deodorants are no exception.
However, this preservative has been found to mimic estrogen in the body and mess up with hormone regulation.
In a study from 2004, it was concluded that parabens were present in the tissues of 18 out of 20 breast cancer patients. But, this study didn’t prove that the parabens were the cause of their cancers.
- Phthalates
These plasticizers are present in so many products we use on a daily basis, from kids’ toys to deodorants.
Unfortunately, they have been associated with serious health issues, including asthma, breast cancer, autism, obesity, fertility problems, reproductive development issues, etc.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and the FDA claim that the level of phthalates we’re being exposed to on a daily basis is safe; however, Congress overruled these findings and has even prohibited certain phthalates from being used in toys for kids.
California and the EU have banned phthalates.
- Aluminum
Though aluminum has been associated with breast cancer and Alzheimer’s, the director of medical content for the American Cancer Society, Dr. Ted S. Gansler, claims that there’s not sufficient evidence noting that deodorant and antiperspirant use elevates the risk of cancer.
Similar to the case with parabens, some studies have found aluminum in the breast tissue of cancer patients; however, it wasn’t proven that these chemicals caused the cancer.
- Propylene glycol
This chemical is present in certain foods and consumer products. It has a bad reputation for being added to antifreeze and for the EPA’s safety disclosure instructions that note it has to be handled with gloves and disposed of by being buried.
Despite these facts, there’s no definite proof that propylene glycol is a harmful ingredient. In fact, the WHO and the FDA classify it as ‘generally safe’ for use in cosmetics, food, and pharmaceuticals.
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