Choose natural deodorant

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A good greenie knows that chemicals are the pits. But how does one stay fresh and chem-free without making a stink? Turn to a wide variety of natural deodorants that replace chemical nasties like aluminum, triclosan, parabens, and formaldehyde with gentle, natural—and sometimes organic—bacteria-fighting agents.

Find it! Natural deodorants

Pick and choose from just a small sampling of natural deodorants listed below, and while you're at it, look for those that carry green certifications, too. And remember, deodorants are not the same as antiperspirants. The former fights odor-causing bacteria while the latter halts the natural process of perspiration. Because they contain substances like aluminum, antiperspirants are not available in natural varieties. Also check out GreenYour's recommended crystal deodorants.

Alba Botanica deodorants

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Alba Botanica's deodorant sticks offer the triple threat of antibacterial alpine lichen, baking soda, and organic aloe vera to prevent swampy, stinky underarms. The deodorants—available in Lavender, Tea Tree, and unscented Aloe—are paraben-, aluminum-, and propylene glycol-free.

Aubrey Organics deodorants

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Aubrey Organics offers three vegan smell-busters—Calendula Blossom Natural Deodorant Spray, Men's Stock Natural Dry Herbal Pine Deodorant, and E Plus High C Roll-On Deodorant—that offer the same benefits as conventional deodorants but without harmful synthetics.

Dr. Hauschka deodorants

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From the good doctor (Dr. Hauschka, that is) comes two natural roll-on deodorants, Floral and Fresh, that contain zinc ricinoleate (an odor fighter that doesn't disrupt natural skin functions) and extracts of sage, neem, and witch hazel.

L'Occitane Purifying Roll-On Deodorant

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With this deodorant from L'Occitane—an all-natural Provence-based beauty line with a rapid cult following worldwide—you can render your pits odor- and moisture-free with the essential oils of lemon, cardamon, and eucalyptus. All L'Occitane products are animal-free, tested under medical supervision, and of plant origin (organic when possible.)

LUSH deodorants

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This sweet-smelling UK-based purveyor of natural handmade goodies for body and bath offers both packaging-free solid deodorants and powders: Mr T, Aromaco, T'eo, and Fuwari, to name a few. All are vegan, aluminum- and synthetic-free, and contain sodium bicarbonate, vinegar, fruit juices, and essential oils to help fight "the BO Blues".

Terra Naturals deodorants

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Terrified of putting chemicals under your arms but want to keep underarm odor at bay? Turn to Terra Natural's deodorant sticks, sprays, and roll-ons for men, women, teens, and active folk. All are free of synthetics, alcohol, aluminum, and GMOs and come in various essential oil and plant extract powered scents.

Tom's of Maine deodorants

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Since 1976, Tom's of Maine has been at the forefront of the natural BO battle. Deodorants include Original, Roll-On, and Long-Lasting varieties in scents like Lemongrass, Lavender, Woodspice, and Calendula.

Weleda deodorants

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Weleda is an eco-conscious beauty company that sources fair trade ingredients from around the globe and cultivates its own organic and biodynamic botanicals at production facilities in Germany, France, the UK, Argentina, Brazil, and New Zealand. Weleda's aluminum- and phthalate-free deodorants conquer unwelcome odors without halting the perspiration process.

Before you buy

As with any personal care or cosmetic product, it's important to read the label carefully. Because the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) spends only a tiny portion of its budget investigating the chemical composition and toxins in skin care products,[1] deodorants can tout their use of organic ingredients and still have up to 30 percent synthetic materials, even the ones labeled "organic" or "made with organic ingredients."[2] Fortunately, the guidelines for labeling a deodorant as "100% Organic" are strict. The USDA Organic Seal carried on the label guarantees that every ingredient is organically produced as defined by the National Organics Standards Board, which bans the use of harmful pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and genetic engineering.[3]

Also keep in mind that if you choose a natural deodorant concocted with green ingredients in lieu of an easy-to-find variety, you'll likely be confronted with a higher price tag as chemicals generally come cheaper than botanical, organic-certified ingredients. For example, a stick of Tom's of Maine Woodspice natural deodorant will set you back $5.49 while a stick of Brut with Trimax costs $2.99.

Choosing natural deodorant helps you go green because...

They rely on ingredients found in nature, not health- and eco-unfriendly chemicals, to battle odor-causing bacteria.
Like other conventional skincare and cosmetic products, deodorants and antiperspirants contain petroleum-derived components. Petroleum is a non-sustainable resource with various eco-repercussions.
Many makers of natural deodorants also follow green business practices, such as using recycled packaging and harnessing renewable energy sources like wind power.

Similar to other beauty and skincare products such as lipstick, shaving cream, and body lotion, many popular deodorants and antiperspirants contain mineral oil, a petroleum-based substance.[4] The production of the petrochemicals used in deodorants and antiperspirants pollutes the environment by releasing hazardous chemicals into the air and water.[5] Mineral oil-based deodorants support the hazards of the petroleum industry, which include about 2.6 million gallons of oil spilled every month during transportation and about 71 million pounds of toxins released into the air and water during refinement.[6]

Aluminum, the agent that closes pores and prevents wetness in astringent compounds found in antiperspirants, destroys ecosystems, pollutes water, and uses massive amounts of energy during the mining process.[7] Formaldehyde, a chemical solvent compound that's also found in cigarette smoke, car exhaust, and home construction materials,[8] is one of the world's most hazardous compounds to both ecosystems and health, according to the Environmental Defense Scorecard.[9] Formaldehyde can be found in the preservatives DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, quaternium-15, and Bronopol—it's more of a threat in roll-on antiperspirants, and can offgas during perspiration.[10]

Also look out for: parabens, known endocrine disrupters that are not only detrimental to human health, but also destructive to animal hormones and development, and triclosan, a potent antimicrobial agent used in some deodorants and other personal care products that's been found in 55 percent of streams examined in 2002 at levels high enough to disrupt the natural life cycle of frogs.[11][12]

And although they are not as popular as in the past, aerosol spray deodorants and antiperspirants usually contain nonrenewable fossil fuels such as butane and propane. Aside from being flammable, these ingredients can lead to respiratory irritation when inhaled.[10]

Green claims

With the surge to be the first to provide eco-friendly products, especially in the personal care industry, companies are touting their products' green attributes with claims that at times can be confusing and misleading. Making sense of environmentally friendly standards is an important part of being a wise consumer.

What does “organic” really mean?

One murky area is the term “organic.” While the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) maintains clearcut standards for organic food, the same can’t be said for body care products. The industry is in turmoil trying to agree upon a set of standards. Some companies use the USDA certified organic food standard, which requires 95 percent of the ingredients to be organic. Others use the less stringent California state standard for organic cosmetic products, which requires at least 70 percent organically produced ingredients. And still others label their products organic without meeting any external criterion.

In the meantime, a nonprofit standard-setting group called NSF International has released a draft set of rules for organic personal care products and a group of 30 cosmetic companies recently devised their own set of specifications called Organic and Sustainable Industry Standards (OASIS). How it all washes out remains to be seen.

Watching out for all creatures great and small

While you're contemplating green attributes, you may also wish to join the cruelty-free movement. Just keep in mind: a company may claim that they don’t employ animal testing for their products, but without third-party verification, it’s hard to know whether these statements are in fact completely true. So stick to those products certified as cruelty-free by looking for products with the Leaping Bunny Logo or the Certified Vegan Logo. You can rest assured that no bunnies (or monkeys or cats for that matter) were harmed in the making of these non-animal-tested products.

Controversies

In a 2008 study that shook the natural products industry, 100 “natural” and “organic” soaps, shampoos, dish liquids, lotions, body washes, and deodorants were tested and nearly half contained 1,4-Dioxane, a carcinogenic chemical. This toxin has been found in conventional personal care products, but this study commissioned by the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) was the first to test green products.

In scientific studies, 1,4-Dioxane has caused cancer in animals; scientists have not yet confirmed the long-term effects on humans. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says current levels do not pose a hazard to consumers but they have advised manufacturers to lower amounts in cosmetics as much as possible. None of the products tested that were Certified Organic by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) contained 1,4-Dioxane. In response to this study, some of the affected companies have said they will work toward removing 1,4-Dioxane from their products.

Related health issues

Although the chemicals found in deodorants have largely been ignored by the FDA, studies have found high levels of parabens in tumors from human breast tissue.[13] However, because the potential damage to the endocrine system has yet to be proven, the controversy surrounding the toxicity of parabens is still being debated.[14] While DEA is infrequently used in skin care products because it is a known carcinogen, the more commonly used chemicals TEA and MEA are often contaminated with diethanolamine. Lauryl/laureth sulfates are common skin irritants that can dry out the skin and hair with longterm use.[15] In 2005, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified formaldehyde as a known carcinogen.[16]

For years, rumors have circulated that the neurotoxic aluminum found in antiperspirants is a cause of breast cancer, although actual scientific results regarding the matter have been inconclusive. Antiperspirant manufacturers and the FDA claim the cancer-antiperspirant link to be strictly myth, while groups such as the American Cancer Society believe the correlation should not be completely ruled out.[17] Similar myths have linked aluminum to Alzheimer's disease after a study in the 1980s revealed that the brains of Alzheimer's patients contained high amounts of aluminum. Subsequent findings have debunked this hypothesis.[18] In 2004, the FDA added a new warning label to antiperspirants containing aluminum, specifically to alert those suffering from kidney disease.[19] Aluminum can also lead to contact dermatitis, aluminum chloride being the most irritating of aluminum compounds found in antiperspirants.[10]

Glossary

formaldehyde: A flammable reactive gas belonging to the VOC (volatile organic compound) family of chemicals. It is widely used in personal care products, building materials, insulation, and home furnishings. Ingestion of the chemical can cause severe physical reactions, including coma, internal bleeding, and death.[20] The US Department of Health and Human Services considers it a probable human carcinogen.[21]
parabens: This family of preservatives (which includes methyl-, ethyl-, propyl- and butyl-parabens) can affect the endocrine system, which produces the body's hormones.
triclosan: An antibacterial agent that can cause everything from skin and eye irritation to the formation of dioxin and chloroform under the right circumstances. Both are probable carcinogens.

External links

Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
The Green Guide - Readers Rate Eco-friendly Deodorants
MSNBC - GreenDAY: Want a fresh, green deodorant? Don't sweat it!
US Food and Drug Administration - Antiperspirant Awareness: It's Mostly No Sweat
Ideal Bite - Sweating over the ingredients contained in most antiperspirants and deodorants?
Environmental Working Group - Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database Check out where your favorite deodorant/antiperspirant ranks on the hazard scale