We use health and beauty products to feel better about ourselves. From taking care of your body to looking and smelling nice, we rely on these products every single day. Deodorant is one of the most important components of your morning routine, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good for you. Like many of our favorite cosmetics, deodorant comes with chemicals, synthetics, and other ingredients that pose a risk to your health. It’s important to know what you’re getting into with every stick of deodorant you buy. Keep an eye out for these harmful ingredients in your deodorant, so you can choose a product that avoids them and takes better care of you and your body.
Triclosan
You can find triclosan in a wide range of cosmetic products, as many manufacturers use it to kill bacteria and other odor-causing germs. This makes it a convenient ingredient for deodorant, but that doesn’t mean it’s beneficial to you. Some studies suggest that triclosan can cause problems by affecting hormonal levels in your body. Triclosan is also harmful to the environment. This chemical contributes to water pollution and can cause serious damage to aquatic life when it washes off your body and down the drain.
Parabens
Many cosmetic brands use parabens as preservatives to help prevent fungi and bacteria from growing in or on the deodorant or other products. While they are effective at their job, parabens have also been known to mimic estrogen in your body’s cells. Parabens can be absorbed through the skin, which puts this ingredient close to the estrogen-sensitive tissue of the breast, potentially increasing the risk of breast cancer in both men and women.
Phthalates
Personal care products use phthalates in combination with other ingredients to make them more flexible. Phthalates can also help fragrances stick to your skin and last longer. However, these compounds may also mess with the way your body produces certain hormones. Some studies suggest that exposure to phthalates can create problems with the reproductive system, causing infertility in men or impairing fetal development in pregnant women.
While scientists are constantly conducting research on the harmful ingredients in your deodorant, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Why choose chemicals and other artificial ingredients when you can use a safe, all-natural deodorant instead? The next time you replace your deodorant, make the healthy choice for yourself and the environment by buying an organic deodorant that is also plastic-free deodorant from Island Deodorant.
Fragrances in deodorant are also harmful. Learn more about that in our post on Why you should choose unscented organic deodorant.