Natural Deodorant
and Antiperspirant
To
understand the difference between deodorants and
antiperspirants, there must be some
understanding of perspiration and body odor.
Perspiration serves several purposes: it
regulates body temperature; it removes toxins
from the body; and carries the human scent. Body
temperature is regulated by evaporation. When
the body becomes over heated, the body perspires
or sweats, covering the skin with dampness. As
the dampness evaporates, the body is cooled.
When this perspiration occurs, toxins that are
stored in the limbic system are released in the
sweat, thus removing them from the body. Some of
these sweat glands, the ones under the arms for
example, also release lipids and proteins that
carry the human scent. These extra additives in
the sweat, attract bacteria and promote
microbial growth. It is this human scent and
bacterial growth that causes so much trouble.
Humans no longer need scent to mark their
territory. In today’s society, body odor is
offensive. So many people turn to deodorants and
antiperspirants. Deodorants contain chemicals
and perfumes to not only mask the odors, but
kill the bacteria causing the odor.
Antiperspirants usually contain deodorant, but
also contain aluminum that clogs pores and stops
perspiration all together. Both commercial
deodorants antiperspirants contain strong
chemicals that are harmful to humans and toxic
to the environment. There are early studies that
show that the inability to remove the toxins in
the body, may lead to cancer. Antiperspirants
are made with a few different types of aluminum.
Aluminum can collect in the brain and body and
have been linked to diseases like Alzheimer’s
and Breast Cancer. These products also contain
parabens. This is a chemical that reacts in the
body like estrogen and can cause cancer.
Triclosan is another dangerous chemical. It is
added as an anti bacterial agent. For some
reason, this chemical accelerates the growth of
resistant bacteria. This means that
antiperspirants and deodorants with triclosan
are adding to the growing problem of “bugs” that
can’t be treated by antibiotics that are
currently in use. The danger to the environment
in reference to these products not only comes
with producing the chemicals in the products,
but also when the consumer showers. These
chemicals are washed off on the body and into
the water system. This can cause serious health
problems in birds and fish and cause damage to
the landscape.
There are several alternatives on the market.
There are several different types of natural
deodorants that naturalize odor but using
natural components to kill odor causing
bacteria. Some of these components include:
vegetable glycerin, charcoal, aloe vera, baking
soda, and bioflavonoid. Crystal deodorants are
among the longer lasting deodorants. They are
made from the salt, ammonium alum. Crystal
deodorants and deodorants made with tea tree oil
can be too harsh for sensitive skin. There are
many other varieties specially formulated for
those that need something gentler. Some people
opt for making their own deodorant at home with
baking soda and essential oils or apple cider
vinegar.
With so many healthy alternatives on the market
there is little need to risk the harsh chemicals
of commercial products. It may take a bit of
trial and error to match the right natural
product to the individual, but it is well worth
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