Is Using Natural Deodorant Really Better For Your Health?
There is nothing new about natural deodorants. You're likely to find entire shelves of it while browsing the grocery store's aisles, along with natural versions of many other personal care, home, and beauty items. They are frequently more expensive than their more traditional equivalents.
The suggestion is that compared to the long-used, allegedly "unnatural," alternatives, natural products are intrinsically safer and purer.
But do natural deodorants truly have a greater health impact than Speed Stick? Here are some recommendations made by professionals and scientific proof.
Natural Deodorant Versus Conventional Deodorant: What's the Difference?
It's important to note that deodorants and antiperspirants are two distinct product categories within the deodorant category before comparing natural and conventional deodorants. As mentioned in an article in Annales de Dermatologie et de Vénéréologie in 2020, antiperspirants are created to inhibit perspiration, and they use aluminum salts as the active ingredient to do so.
On the other hand, deodorants don't actually stop perspiration. Instead, they try to cover up sweat odor with fragrance and an active antimicrobial component to slow down the spread of bacteria that causes odors. Conventional deodorants frequently contain the active ingredient triclosan, which studies have proved to be a synthetic antibacterial agent, according to a study in the International Journal of Dermatology. Contrarily, natural deodorants frequently use plant and essential oil extracts, which not only provide scent but also certain antibacterial qualities.
Most natural deodorants, but not all, are aluminum-free. Even such distinctions are hazy, though. For instance, the natural products company Tom's of Maine sells a few antiperspirant products that actually include aluminum in addition to its other aluminum-free deodorant options. Although such antiperspirants don't have "natural" on the label, the fact that they are sold by a business that promotes the use of natural ingredients may cause confusion among customers. also, the U.S. The term "natural" as used in cosmetics labeling has not been defined by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), hence there is no real control of how brands use the phrase or what substances might be in purportedly "natural" products.
Are traditional antiperspirants and deodorants harmful?
According to Jeffrey Fromowitz, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the medical director of Dermatology of Boca in Boca Raton, Florida, "the controversy over conventional deodorants dates back to the early 1990s, when an email chain letter claimed deodorants block sweating and toxin purging, and could swell lymph nodes and cause cancer." "To yet, there has been no evidence of these hazards."
The email chain was referred to as a hoax in a 2004 article in Nature Medicine that also mentioned a study that examined data from 1,600 women and concluded that deodorant use wasn't linked to breast cancer in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute in 2002. The Nature Medicine article also questioned the reliability of two studies, including one that found parabens (preservatives used in cosmetic products, including deodorants, that mimic estrogen) were present in breast tumors and was published in 2004 in the Journal of Applied Toxicology. These studies were both published in 2003 and 2004 respectively. The results of the first study weren't supported by subsequent research, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS), and it was tiny and poorly planned. According to the ACS, the second study discovered parabens in breast cancer tumors, but it did not demonstrate that these parabens contributed to or caused the development of the tumors or that using goods that contained parabens was associated with breast cancer.
According to Dr. Fromowitz, there was also concern regarding aluminum exposure and Alzheimer's. He adds that standard deodorants and antiperspirants are safe to use since "scientists have disregarded this premise as the knowledge of disease has improved."
Conventional deodorants and antiperspirants are completely safe for human usage on a regular basis, according to the FDA. If you're still concerned about using conventional antiperspirants, you can find solace in the fact that the FDA has classified these products as both cosmetics and drugs due to the way they function, making them subject to more stringent regulations than natural and conventional deodorants, which are only classified as cosmetics.
Natural deodorants don't appear to have any detrimental effects on health as of now either. But they might contain substances to which some people are allergic or sensitive, just as traditional deodorants. Deodorant chemicals that add aroma are most frequently to blame for dermatitis, a common skin irritant that typically manifests as a rash or a patch of dry, itchy skin. Fromowitz advises consulting a dermatologist if you notice irritation or other skin issues under your arms after using deodorant or antiperspirant.
How to Choose a Natural Deodorant
Some people prefer to use natural deodorants and antiperspirants created without artificial components, despite the fact that the research does not support this claim. People who have tried a lot of conventional antiperspirants and deodorants and discovered that their skin is sensitive to them may find that natural deodorants are a wonderful option. However, it's crucial to keep in mind that aluminum-free natural deodorants merely cover up the smell of perspiration, not stop it.
Jenelle Kim, a doctor of Chinese medicine and the founder of JBK Wellness Labs in San Diego, advises consumers looking for natural deodorants to read the ingredients list rather than relying solely on front-of-label claims like "natural" or "clean beauty." Ideally, brands should be transparent about what's in their products rather than simply listing terms like "natural fragrance" without being specific about what ingredients that fragrance is derived from, she says. Additionally, Fromowitz advises paying close attention to the essential oils and other smells present in the items you select because these are most likely to irritate your skin.
Beyond that, there isn't enough research or general agreement to conclude that one ingredient in natural deodorant is superior to another. If you wish to use natural deodorant, experiment with a handful with various ingredients to see which, if any, suits you the best.
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