It's widely known that conventional deodorant ingredients are unhealthy but many women continue to use it for lack of a better alternative. I totally get it, no one wants to stink, but is it worth the risk? Your skin is the largest organ in your body and it soaks up anything you put on it. The underarm area is especially concerning because of its proximity to lymph nodes and glands. 

Antiperspirant

There are no true non-toxic replacements for antiperspirant. Here's why that's not such a bad thing – your body sweats for a reason. Sweating is the body's cooling system and using an antiperspirant to stop this from happening is going against what you body is made to do (doesn't sound too natural). The other reason why antiperspirant should be avoided is because of the ingredients used to make your body stop sweating.

Deodorant

Conventional deodorant ingredients (without antiperspirant) are still questionable. Deodorants work a bit differently, they kill off the bacteria on the skin that mixes with sweat to cause the stink in the first place. They also help to cover up leftover smells with synthetic fragrances. (synthetic fragrances are the number one thing that the Environmental Working Group says to avoid)

Top 5 Deodorant Ingredients to Avoid

1. Aluminum chlorohydrate is a salt that prevents sweating. This may sound harmless but it's not. First off, it adds to the number of chemicals your body must eliminate which causes added stress on your body. Years ago there was a claim that aluminum had a link to cancer (breast cancer specifically). Although in 2002, the the National Cancer Institute said there was no link. It is well proven that aluminum is a neuro-toxin that can alter the function of the blood-brain barrier but we don't know if using it in antiperspirant is a risk for this (surely applies to cookware).
2. Parabens are used as preservatives with anti-microbial properties. Parabens have a clear link to cancer, they mimic estrogen in the body, and have been found inside breast cancer tumors. These preservatives are widely used in conventional products which makes them all the more dangerous. The more products you use that contain them, the higher your risk.
3. Phthalates are used in plastics and personal care products to create the desired texture. They have been found to be endocrine disruptors which means that these chemicals that can affect your hormones.
4. Fragrances are used just as you would think, as fragrance. There are over 3,100 chemicals that are considered “fragrances.” Companies do not have to disclose everything in their fragrances because they are considered trade secrets (which is super scary!). According to the Environmental Working Group: “The average fragrance product tested contained 14 secret chemicals not listed on the label. Among them are chemicals associated with hormone disruption and allergic reactions, and many substances that have not been assessed for safety in personal care products.”
5. Talc acts as an absorbent in deodorants. The problem is talc is a known carcinogen so it's an absolute must to avoid it. 

Baking Soda-Free Natural Deodorants

While baking soda is a non-toxic ingredient to use in deodorant, it is irritating to the skin for many people. I personally tested a long list of baking-soda free natural deodorants a few years ago and these are still my top four favorites today:

1. Crystal Rock Deodorant Stick
2. Schmidt's Sensitive
3. Clay Dry Deodorant
4. Primal Life Organics Deodorant

These are linked to Amazon but another good place to get healthy personal care items is Thrive Market.

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe to stay in the loop. If you are looking for some of the healthy tools and resources mentioned in my articles, take a look at my healthy shopping guide.

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Have you ever heard of the oil cleansing method? Whether your skin is dry, normal or oily, there is a certain amount of oil on your skin. The oil cleansing method dissolves the oil on your face and also carries away any dirt that you don't want on your face to clog up your pores and replaces it with clean oil from the cleanser to re-nourish your skin. It might seem strange to wash your face with oil but when you use soap on your face it strips your skin of all the oils – including the good oils – and creates more dryness and more oil which is why many people have “combination skin.”

What is the Oil Cleansing Method?

The oil cleansing method involves two main ingredients – Castor oil and olive oil.  Castor oil is an extremely good cleanser because it will remove dirt and dead skin cells from your pores without stripping the natural oil balance of your skin. Olive oil is a great skin nourishing oil that provides lots of anti-oxidants.

When you was your face with oil, the ratio of extra virgin olive oil and caster oil will depend on your skin type.  Here are the general rules for mixing the oil according to skin Type:

Skin Type	Extra Virgin Olive Oil	Caster Oil
Dry	3 tablespoons	1 tablespoon
Normal	2 tablespoons	2 tablespoons
Oily	1 tablespoon	3 tablespoons

You can also add other oils to the mixture for other healing properties like tea tree oil, lavender oil, rose hip seed oil, or any other essential oil.  I add a few drops of tea tree oil to my cleanser which is great if you have acne prone skin.

How to use the Oil Cleansing Method?

Once you have your oil mixed up you are all set to wash your face.  Here are the steps:

1. Start with a dry face and put a a generous amount of the oil mix into the palm of your hand then gently massage it into the skin on your face and neck.
2. Once you have massaged the oil onto your face, get a wash cloth and run it under hot water in the faucet.  Lay the cloth over your face as a bit of a steam treatment to let the olive oil soak into your skin.
3. After a minute or so, use the cloth to wipe off the excess oil from your face.

This will remove makeup, dirt, and oil from your skin. It's so moisturizing that some people even feel they don't need any moisturizer after they do this cleansing method.  If you have dry skin you will likely still want to follow with a moisturizer.

It's easy to mix your own cleanser at home because it does not require a lot of ingredients. We have an oil cleanser in our shop if you would rather purchase the oils already mixed and measured. Click here to purchase our Oil Cleanser. If you are dealing with dry skin you might want to read this post for more ways to keep your skin hydrated.

Lastly, If you want more skin care recipes to try making yourself, download our skincare recipe book here.

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe to stay in the loop. If you are looking for some of the healthy tools and resources mentioned in my articles, take a look at my healthy shopping guide.

Some of our links are affiliate links, which means if you click and buy, I earn a small commission. The price is the same for you, though. Thank you!

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