Its time everyone stop using conventional deodorant/ antiperspirants and start using low tox deodorants.

Why?
- Deodorants are a product most of us use daily- making it a product that is worth switching out for the lowest toxic option.
- Per this study, the underarm area tends to have a higher absorption rate than the skin on other areas of the body
- Add to this the fact that conventional deodorants contain ingredients linked to endocrine disruption ( fragrance, parabens, antimicrobials) and concerns for cancer ( aluminum salts). When we eat something with harmful ingredients at least the liver and digestive system help and break things down and (if all is working correctly) excrete some of the harmful toxins. However, when you place something directly on your skin it can enter your bloodstream without being metabolized

What to avoid
• Aluminum
• propylene glycol
• Parabens
• Pthalates
• PEG’s
• Fragrance
• Talc
• BHT
• Butane
• Triclosan
• You also want to avoid antiperspirants …. You want to sweat. Sweating allows you to detox, also the main ingredient used to block sweat glands are aluminum salts which then are absorbed by our skin, make their way to our blood stream and then fatty tissue ( like breast tissue which is why some people believe there is a link between breast cancer and aluminum… however there are no strong epidemiologic studies that link breast cancer risk and antiperspirant use, )

Tips for transitioning to a low tox deodorant
It can take up to 30-days for your body to learn to regulate itself after years of using conventional deodorants and antiperspirants. Those first few days and weeks its completely normal for your armpits to smell a little pungent. .. in fact it is really common for there to be an initial increase of smelly bacteria in the underarms of antiperspirant users when they stop using these. The good news is that with time this bacterial growth will slow down and fade. Usually after 2 weeks you will see low tox deodorants start working and you smelling less.

MAKING THE SWITCH

Some things you can do to help “ detox” your armpits and help them regulate and stop smelling :
• Shower more often- at least twice a day
• EXFOLIATE UNDERARMS- this will help slough off all bacteria ( that is the reason you might stink) and make sure your underarms are clean. 
• SWEAT without any deodorant nor antiperspirants on… really let those pores breath and naturally detox. Just shower soon after to avoid bacteria growth after sweating ( which is what will cause a smell)
• Drink plenty of water
• Eat a light healthy diet

APPROVED DEODORANTS
*But first: A note on baking soda
Baking soda is often used in non toxic deodorants and is a totally non-toxic ingredient. Many people, however, are allergic to baking soda and will get a skin irritation or rash in their underarms within the first week of using deodorants that contain baking soda.

Be vigilant and if this is you, stop using and switch to a baking soda free deodorant (I have some options identified below) … i have seen underarms that look like they are burned so it can get bad if ignored!

I personally do not have a problem with baking soda so usually use deodorants that contain baking soda because i find they work better on me- however my husband is allergic so we found baking soda free options for him that both of us have used and like!

Some deodorants we use at home and approve of ( i have personally tried all of these . My husband and teenaged son use deodorants from this list too)

1.Primally pure $16

2. Earthmama ( baking soda free) $5.99

3. Just Ingredients ( baking soda free) $13.99

4. Soapwalla ( glass container) $18
5. Meow meow tweet ( baking soda free and plastic free- cute packaging for kids) $14
6. AgentNateur holi stick $24 also available on Amazon
7. Beautycounter: Comes in a refillable case. Start cost is $31 and refills $20
8. Humble: plastic free packaging $16.99 or conventional (plastic) packaging from $9

9. Native, plastic free - I only recommend their unscented deodorant because they dont disclose all their ‘fragrance’ ingredients (they say “We use the term fragrance for proprietary reasons. Our goal is to deliver amazing fragrance experiences with perfumes that abide by our high quality & safety standards. To make our unique scents we use a blend of essential oils, synthetic oils, and natural extracts. All of our products are phthalate-free and paraben-free, and we abide by the International Fragrance Regulatory Association (IFRA) guidelines to ensure the safety of our formulations.”)

10. Pretty Frank Deodorant (previously primal pit paste) $14 They have both with and without baking soda