You are dressed and ready to take off from home. But wait a minute, you forgot to put on your deodorant and you are simply afraid to step out without them. For many, putting on deodorant every morning is part of their routine.

Yet, the continuous use of deodorants and antiperspirants can lead to health hazards in the long run. Concerns range from skin allergies and increased risk of breast cancer. Is this something to worry about? Read on to know the health risks of using deodorants and what you can do to minimize your usage.


Deodorants vs Antiperspirants

Deodorants create odors that target the armpit area. They don’t keep you from sweating. On the other hand, antiperspirants contain compounds, typically aluminum salts, that can prevent sweating. Most of today’s products use both the compounds or act as both deodorants and antiperspirants.

Here’s the bitter truth about the ingredients used in several deodorants and antiperspirants:


Deodorant Ingredients – What’s In Them?


Aluminum

The active ingredient found in antiperspirants is aluminum chloride that acts by blocking the sweat duct and prevent secretions coming of the sweat glands. The higher the concentration of aluminum, the stronger its effect.

Excess aluminum usage can be a concern if you have a weakened kidney function. As too much aluminum in the body can cause dementia and bone diseases, usually, the excess aluminum is filtered out the kidneys. When the kidneys are not working optimally, the aluminum in cosmetics that is absorbed through the skin will not be efficiently filtered out.


Parabens

Another vital compound found in most cosmetics today, parabens mimic estrogen hormone in your body. Several studies link increased estrogen hormones to breast cancer risk. Another part of the fact is that the majority of breast cancer lesions are found in the upper quadrant area near the armpit. This only deepens the link between prolonged deodorant use and increased risk of breast cancer in women.

However, at this stage, there is no proven link between the two. It does not have a causal link, nevertheless, there is an element of risk. So if you can stick to deodorants and antiperspirants that have no parabens or aluminum, it would be the best for you.


Other Ingredients and Allergies

Apart from these two, deodorants also contain antiseptics that are often used to kill the odor-causing bacteria. These chemicals include benzalkonium chloride, triclosan and ammonium products.

Some people also tend to have allergic reactions due to ingredients like propylene glycol – a chemical that gives a deodorant stick its shape, Phthalates frequently used in fragrance and biological additives. At times it can be hard to find what is causing an allergy.


How Deodorants Affect Your Health: Why You Should Refrain From Using Deodorants

If you are concerned about using conventional deodorants, switch to a natural deodorant that does not have harmful chemicals. It will be non-toxic and free of ill-effects. Keep reading to know why deodorants can be bad for your health:


1. Undermines Detox

Conventional deodorants and antiperspirants, especially, tend to clog your pores and make it hard for the body to get rid of toxins through sweat. Using a natural deodorant will not hamper the body’s effort to perspire and keep it under control.


2. Causes Stains

Chemical-laden formulations tend to cause yellow pit stains, especially the ones with aluminum. Stay away from the pesky yellow stains that can degrade your clothing and also cause several health risks.


3. No Health Benefits

The majority of deodorants contain chemical fragrance compounds as the base which can negatively impact your health. Using essential oils like sandalwood, lavender, calendula, and others will help your body to reap benefits from its natural polyphenol compounds.


How to Protect Yourself?

Check the ingredient label of your deodorant and antiperspirants to ensure that it does not contain harsh chemicals like aluminum, parabens, triclosan, phthalates. Opt for natural deodorants that are chemical-free with natural compounds and essential oils as the base.

Even though there is no conclusive evidence of a direct link between the use of deodorants and health issues, chemical exposure increases your risk for certain conditions.