Ever since I was diagnosed with PCOS, I’ve been on a quest to remove endocrine disruptors from our home, bathroom cabinet, and diet. There are so many chemicals and pesky ingredients in our household items and skincare products—in fact, most of us aren’t aware of how many chemicals we’re exposed to! As in like, 80,000, every day. Over time, these unnatural ingredients wreak havoc on our hormones (exacerbating conditions like PCOS), longevity, blood sugar, and more. The fewer we come in contact with, the better. And this begins at home. Today, we’re digging into deodorant. You’ll learn how to choose the best non-toxic deodorant and a few of my staples.
Are natural deodorants actually better for you?
Don’t be fooled by labels that say “natural” or “all-natural.” Unfortunately, much of the marketing suggests that they’re safer than more traditional underarm products, but that hype is not based on science. Experts say there is no definitive evidence that natural deodorants are much better for you than regular deodorants. While natural deodorants might contain seemingly healthier ingredients than your conventional drugstore antiperspirant, they can still have skin-irritating substances. No matter how carefully you’ve selected your natural deodorant, any deodorant can claim to be “clean”—while still containing ingredients that are not. Therefore, rather than opt for slapped-on label that says natural, go the extra step and opt for non-toxic.
Allow your body to sweat, naturally
Alumnium chlorohydrate in your deodorant? No, thanks. For years, I’ve been on the hunt for the best non-toxic deodorants that check a few different boxes. For starters, deodorant shouldn’t contain any aluminum, parabens, or toxic chemicals. However, it should be effective at stopping odors, nourish your skin, and leave a minimal imprint on the environment. Along with eliminating endocrine disruptors, an important reason to use a non-toxic deodorant is to support your sweat. Clean deodorants allow your body to sweat, naturally. Sweating helps you regulate your body temperature and release toxins that have made their way into your system. However, chemical-laden, traditional deodorants tend to clog pores and make it harder for your body to sweat the way it needs to. Organic, non-toxic deodorant still helps to prevent odor while allowing your body to sweat the way it should.
how to choose the best non-toxic deodorant
Ready to upgrade your deodorant? Follow these guidelines:
1. Read product labels: Make sure your deodorant doesn’t contains aluminum (commonly found in antiperspirants), parabens, and phthalates (used as artificial preservatives). You also want to avoid triclosan and diethanolamine (DEA). Instead, look for the following: shea butter, arrowroot powder, mineral clay, activated charcoal, and candelilla wax. The EWG Skin Deep Database is a great resource for investigating ingredients.
2. Choose ingredients that are gentle on sensitive skin: How to choose the best non-toxic deodorant means understanding ingredients. Underarm skin is thinner and more likely to become irritated from harsh ingredients—even natural ones, such as baking soda. Baking soda is very alkaline, causing irritation for some. It’s important to check deodorant labels for baking soda. What’s the alternative? Look for products that rely on Dead Sea minerals, antioxidant salts, and tapioca starch.
3. Avoid labels that say fragrance: Many natural products use synthetic fragrances that show up on deodorant labels as “parfum,” “fragrance,” or even “natural fragrances.” Instead, look for a complete list of essential oils.
The best non-toxic deodorants
To save you the hassle, I compiled my top three favorite non-toxic deodorants. These smell heavenly, work naturally while reducing odor, and won’t clog pores.
Primally Pure
My current go-to! I love my Primally Pure deodorant. I prefer the lavender scent, but they are all wonderful and effective. Their deodorants contain a small amount of baking soda to combat odor, but are fortified with kaolin clay (powerful detoxifier) and non-nano zinc oxide (soothes irritation). Other good-for-you organic ingredients include grass-fed tallow, fair trade coconut oil, arrowroot powder, beeswax, and essential oils.
Beautycounter
I’ll let the reviews speak for themselves, but Beautycounter’s deodorant neutralizes body odor, absorbs sweat, glides on smoothly, leaves no white residue, and comes in a refillable case.
Each & Every
Each & Every deodorant is made from simple, clean ingredients—that work. Their formula is backed by world-class science and research. They source their ingredients with nothing to hide.
This article contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting Wellness with Edie! This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and we recommend that you always consult with your healthcare provider.
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