Why I'm Ok with B.O.

Seriously, I could really care less if I emit a "little" b.o. here and there. I know I am clean. I bathe daily. (I know your eyes are like silver dollars at the moment and I'm totally fine with it.) Through research and reading, I have come to realize that deodorant is more harmful than good... in my opinion.

Awhile back I did a post on the skin... our skin is the barrier that can either trap or absorb what it comes in contact with. For instance, if it is something that is spread onto the skin and is made up of a laundry list of chemicals, it will definitely be absorbed. In respect to the use of deodorant, breast cancer is high on the list of concerns, not only because of the underarm's close proximity to breast tissue but because several common ingredients in deodorants are estrogenic compounds.

Deodorant contains several ingredients, four of which are dangerous chemicals that are absorbed through the skin. They are: aluminium, parabens, propylene glycol and triclosan.

First, the aluminum in deodorant is designed to plug pores and stop the skin from emitting sweat. Sweating is an important function in the body for maintaining proper body temperature and to eliminate toxins. So by using deodorant you are stopping something that nature intended. More importantly, aluminum is a metal that mimics estrogen and can promote the growth of cancerous and non-cancerous cells. One of estrogen's roles in the body is to promote the growth of breast tissue, so an excess might lead to cancerous overgrowth.

Another chemical found in deodorant are parabens. Parabens are artificial preservatives found in over 13,000 personal care products. Again we have another hormone disruptor being introduced to the skin around the armpit, and then being absorbed into the body... very close to the breast. Studies prove that evidence of parabens are present in breast tissue and tumors.

Next harmful chemical in deodorant is proplyene glycol, this is an agent that prevents things from drying out. Ironically, proplyene glycol is a chemical currently found in antifreeze. It is a neurotoxin that is known to cause dermatitis, kidney and liver damage.

Lastly is triclosan, an antimicrobial agent used to kill bacteria on the skin and other surfaces. There are studies showing that triclosan disrupts thyroid and other hormonal functions in the body. You can read more about triclosan here.

To me, the dangers of deodorant definitely outweigh the benefits. Why mess with nature? We can't eliminate every toxin our body comes in contact with, but we can take baby steps in the choices we make when it comes to the products we put on our body.

So you may be asking, "what do I do about the smell... the sweat?". Luckily, all natural deodorants are becoming more mainstream and have improved their effectiveness over the years. They are using ingredients like baking soda, hops and essential oils. You may have to try different kinds until you find one that works for you. Make sure to look for "paraben-free" and "aluminum-free".

But to be honest with you, your diet plays a major role in your body's smells whether it be from your breath, bowels or underarms. Eating a clean diet... a diet with minimally processed and sugary foods, lots of fruits and vegetables and less animal products ... over time will actually eliminate some of those odors that we try to mask.