Deodorants and Detoxification – Pamper Your Pits

You might have noticed that we have been showcasing activated charcoal deodorants quite a bit lately here at Charcoal and Body. But what we haven’t talked a lot about is the detoxification process that comes with switching deodorants. Before we do that here’s a recap of why you might consider moving from a more commercial deodorant to a more natural alternative.

What is so wrong with my current commercial deodorant?

OK so if you have been using a commercial deodorant for many years, those products tend to contain a few “nasties”. There are a range of chemicals and toxins that play a pivotal role in keeping you dry and “un-smelly”. However the way that these ingredients tend to work, is that they clog or plug your pores.

An aluminum-based compound temporarily plugs the sweat ducts and prevents you from perspiring. They can also be absorbed into your skin.

Parabens – are said to disturb the body’s hormonal balance and to mimic estrogen. Estrogen is said to play a part in breast cancer formation

Fragrances – can cause skin irritation, are harmful to the environment, and a trigger for allergies and organ system toxicity

Silica – a known skin irritant, it may also be contaminated with crystalline quartz which is a carcinogen (capable of causing cancer)

Triclosan – can irritate your skin and cause contact dermatitis. Your body contains good as well as bad bacteria, but triclosan kills both. The FDA classifies triclosan as a pesticide, while the IARC has it listed as a possible carcinogen.

Talc – IARC, claims that if talc contains asbestiform fibers, then it is considered a carcinogen. The quantity of asbestiform fibers in deodorants is unclear as it is not regulated in cosmetic products

Propylene glycol – may cause delayed allergic reactions, and is considered a neurotoxin, which may cause kidney and liver damage

Steareth-n – The “n” stands for a number. So the label may say, for example, steareth-1. It is actually derived from vegetables, but it is reacted with a known carcinogen, ethylene oxide

So let’s get back to the good stuff. What is so great about natural Activated Charcoal Deodorants?

There is a lot to love about natural deodorants containing activated charcoal. We explore those benefits in detail in our Ultimate Guide to Natural Deodorants Containing Activated Charcoal. Feel free to become a Charcoal and Body subscriber to get this guide delivered straight to your inbox.

We applaud everyone who makes the switch to a natural deodorant. However you do need to be aware that you can’t high five everyone around you just yet. Well you can, but you may still be a little “woofy”. When moving from a commercial deodorant containing toxins to a natural deodorant, your armpits first need to go through a bit of a detox.  This is because your pores first need to release all of the toxic chemical ingredients that have been under your arms and in your pores for years.

Kaia Naturals, one of our favourite Activated Charcoal brands, has a great explanation of the detoxification process and we encourage you to take a look at that page of their website here to learn more about the process itself and the ways to manage during the detox process.

Persevere – It Will be Worth It

The key message here is that you should definitely persevere when you first start using an activated charcoal deodorant. Many of the reviews we round up from various reputable sources contain at least a few people stating natural deodorants just don’t work for them at all. In many cases we think this is because that have given up a little too soon. Stay the course. Your body and your armpits will thank you for making the change to a more natural alternative and once your detox is complete you won’t look back.

If you would like to know more about activated charcoal deodorants then sign up to become a Charcoal and Body subscriber. We will send to you our Ultimate Guide to Activated Charcoal Natural Deodorants, a list of great DIY Natural Deodorant recipes (to make your own deodorant if that is your thing) and provide you with a comprehensive list of the many activated charcoal deodorants on the market for you to choose from.   

Of course if you want to hear more about the activated charcoal deodorants Charcoal and Body has already reviewed click here to see our Top 6 rated Activated Charcoal Deodorants or head to our Product Review page to see even more Activated Charcoal Deodorants.

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