Top five Toxic ingredients in deodorants or antiperspirants
Skin is the largest organ in our body. It is a living and breathing organ that’s constantly regenerating new cells. We would never use products that have tons of harsh chemicals for an organ like our heart, but millions of women and even men expose their face and skin to many skincare products that have tons of toxic chemicals.
We have spent the last few weeks talking about toxic ingredients in cosmetics, moisturizing creams, popular burn creams like Silvadene, or one of the top selling anti-aging creams (supermodel Cindy Crawford signature cream) called Meaningful Beauty products.
Toxic ingredients and petroleum based products are used in most cosmetics and skincare products in order to protect and keep the product from getting spoiled. Although it’s convenient and cost-effective for the manufacturer to use petroleum-based products and other toxic chemicals as preservative, accumulation of these chemicals can cause a wide range of health issues and problems for consumers.
To be honest, antiperspirants have never made sense to me, since perspiration is one of the great ways for body to get rid of toxins, chemicals and heavy metals. If you are wearing antiperspirants (that are loaded with tons of harsh and toxic chemicals), you are blocking a natural way for your body to cleanse itself.
If you are wearing deodorants to neutralize your body smell, it may be time to consider that most body ordors come from the foods we eat or from the reaction of our body to the food once it is digested. Keep in mind that what you eat in private will show up in public. The smell of foods that you just consumed is trying to get your of your skin and perspiration is a way for your body to get rid of the toxins and harmful stuff. Instead of hiding what you eat, maybe you should watch your diet and be mindful of what you put in your body.
You could also use essential oils like tea tree oil with peppermint oil for neutralizing the smell. Click here to find out how Diet affects the body odor and what good alternatives for deodorants or antiperspirants: http://www.seattleorganicrestaurants.com/vegan-whole-food/diet-affects-your-body-odor-natural-ways-alternatives-for-neutralizing-your-body-odor.php
Here are the top toxic ingredients and chemicals in deodorants or antiperspirants:
1. Heavy metals like aluminum: Unfortunately, thousands of consumer products including foods, cosmetics, antiperspirants or deodorants, shampoos, soaps, body lotions or creams or medications (including antacids and aspirin or vaccines) have alarming levels of this silent killer known as aluminum. Studies including the one published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology shows that even low levels of exposure to aluminum could enhance the growth of breast cancer cells. According to researchers, exposure to aluminum, even at 100,000 times lower levels of what’s found in consumer products like antiperspirant, could cause cancer.
There are also other behavioral and neurological problems associated with aluminum such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and brain damage. Find more about the health problems associated with cancer-causing neurotoxin aluminum: http://seattleorganicrestaurants.com/vegan-whole-food/aluminum-cancer-causing-neurotoxin-used-in-skincare-products-antiperspirants-deodorants-foods-drugs.php
2. Propylene glycol- Steareths: Propylene Glycol is a form of mineral oil (also used in brake and hydraulic fluid and industrial antifreeze) that prevents escape of moisture or water. Steareth-100 is another toxic chemical in deodorants, also known as polyethylene glycol ether of Stearyl Alcohol. Propylene Glycol has been linked to skin irritation, liver and kidney damage and allergies. The same stuff that goes inside your car engine is used inside skincare products because of its viscosity. Mineral oil which is a derivative of petroleum can block pores in skin and increase the risk of allergies, skin rashes and even tumors. Find out how mineral oil might be the largest contaminates in our bodies: http://seattleorganicrestaurants.com/vegan-whole-food/power-of-oil-companies-mineral-oil-might-be-the-largest-contaminant-of-our-body.php
3. Triclosan: Tricolsan (previously used as a pesticide) is widely used in skincare and personal care products including toothpaste, deodorant, and antibacterial soap. A new study by University of California Davis shows that Tricolsan can interfere with muscle function and lead to heart disease.
Previous studies have also concluded that Tricolsan could affect thyroid function. According to researchers, even exposure to low levels of triclosan disrupts thyroid hormone-associated gene expression and can alter the rate of thyroid hormone-mediated postembryonic anuran development.
4. Parabens: Studies have shown that most breast cancers happen in the upper quadrant of the breast, the same area that’s closest to lymph nodes exposed to deodorants or antiperspirants. Although many studies have linked Parabens with breast cancer in women, the cosmetic industry could not care less that cheap derivatives of Parabens are commonly used in cosmetics, skin care products, sunscreens, deodorants or antiperspirants. In fact, 99% of breast cancer tissues have this alarming level of Parabens. Find more about the toxicity of Propylparaben , Phenoxyethanol , Methylparaben, Benzyl Benzoate, and Benzyl Salicylate in skincare products or deodorants and antiperspirants: http://seattleorganicrestaurants.com/vegan-whole-food/toxic-ingredients-in-anti-aging-cream-Meaningful-Beauty-fountain-of-youth.php
5. Phthalates: The real dangers of human-made chemicals like phthalates are vastly undermined. Phthalates are commonly used in thousands of consumer products including cosmetics, deodorants or antiperspirants because they cling to the skin or nails to give it endurance and perfume. Studies have shown that most Americans have metabolites of Phthalates in their urine. Phthalates are endocrine (hormone) disruptors that have been linked to many health issues such as infertility (reduced sperm counts), early puberty, autism, breast cancer, testicular cancer and low androgen and testosterone.
Sources:
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/6-alternatives-to-toxic-deodorants.html
http://fitness.appstate.edu/pagesmith/52
