What's Not Right With Our Deodorant?

Are you a stickler for cleanliness and searching constantly for a deodorant with a strong scent? A teaspoon of harmful cosmetic components is not something we would ingest. However, using deodorant or antiperspirant beneath our arms may be worse in several respects. Our liver and digestive system break down food when we consume it, but when we apply something to our skin, it sometimes enters our circulation without being broken down first.

Depending on the chemical, not all or even any of what we rub on our skin will enter our bloodstream. Blood tests, however, reveal that several of the ingredients frequently found in deodorant products may, in fact, penetrate the epidermis and enter the bloodstream.

According to research, some deodorant ingredients are absorbed and retained in fat cells, which are common in the underarm region. Hormone receptors in our underarm tissue may also be affected by some of the same deodorant components. All of these factors make specialists convinced that some ingredients in deodorant may contribute to or cause cancer as well as reproductive or developmental problems. According to additional studies, some of these compounds can interfere with the bacteria that reside on and in your body.

The following substances should be avoided while selecting a deodorant: 

1. Aluminum. This metal, which is often exclusively present in antiperspirants, can lead to "gene destabilization" in breast tissue. Because of this instability, alterations may occur that favor the development of tumors or cancerous cells. The upper outside quadrant of the breast, close to the underarm area, is where more than 50% of breast cancers first appear. Although there is no concrete evidence linking the usage of items containing aluminum to breast cancer incidence, it does seem to be the case. Applying an aluminum-containing treatment to the skin that has been damaged, particularly if we have shaved beneath our arms, might be harmful.

2. Parabens, which are preservatives used in deodorant and other personal care products, come in a variety of forms. According to research, certain parabens may affect how our body makes and controls estrogen and other hormones. The concern is that putting parabens daily close to estrogen-sensitive tissue in the breast might encourage the formation of cancerous cells. For both men and women, the data shows that long-term, low-dose combinations of environmental toxins, including parabens, "could cause cancer."

3. Phthalates. Any product with a scent that persists after use or application usually contains this, which are responsible in part for the stickiness of scents. That includes everything, including body wash, shampoo, lotion, hairspray, and soap. These ingredients aid in the adhesion of deodorant and other cosmetics, such as scent, to our skin. Additionally, they seem to interfere with "androgen function," or how our bodies make and use the hormone testosterone. Contrary to popular belief, women also generate the hormone testosterone, which is important for maintaining muscular mass and vitality. When it comes to phthalates, the biggest worry is that they can harm a man's capacity to reproduce or affect a pregnant woman's fetus.

4. Triclosan. Many cosmetic products, including anti-acne treatments, certain deodorants and antiperspirants, and sanitizing hand soaps, include this chemical, which cosmetic producers add to products to avoid bacterial contamination and to kill microorganisms on the surface of the skin. Triclosan is so widely used that there are measurable quantities of it in the urine of 75% of Americans. According to the FDA, triclosan poses no recognized risks. However, the government also notes that since it issued that classification, the research has changed, and it may soon reverse its position.

If these substances are a problem, the only way to make sure we're not being exposed to possibly harmful chemicals is to stop using all underarm deodorant products. In the absence of that, look for natural deodorant without aroma. Shop for items marked paraben- and fragrance-free, and make sure triclosan isn't listed in the ingredients by looking for those products that are marked with those labels. Manufacturers will stop utilizing these chemicals more frequently when more consumers spend their money on alternatives that don't contain them.

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