What's in your deodorant?

Do you know the ingredients in your deodorant? Take a closer look at the label and make sure it doesn't contain any of these nasty ingredients.

1. Aluminium compounds

The aluminium compounds used in deodorant, such as aluminium chlorohydrate and aluminium zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly, clogs your pores and therefore prevents sweating. However, aluminium has been linked with Alzheimers and can interfere with your esterogene levels and there are studies that linked the increasing deodorant use and rising rates of female breast cancer and prostate cancer in men.

2. Parabens

There's a reason why a lot of products are labeled "Paraben Free" these days. Parabens can be found in cosmetics and deodorants and is a synthetic preservative, but it is also one of the most harmful ingredients in our skin care products. Parabens can mimic the esterogen in the body and disrupt the hormonal balance which has been linked to hormonal cancers, early puberty in children, birth defects and organ toxicity.

3. Propylene Glycol

Propylene Glycol is a petroleum based material with a smooth consistency. It is a cheap way of softening cosmetic products to make them easier to apply to the skin. Studies have shown that Propylene Glycol, in large quantities, can cause damage to the central nervous system, liver and heart.

4. Phtalates

Another chemical group that is used in cosmetics, skin care and perfumes. Phtalates are used to dissolve other ingredients and create a smoother consistency. Phtalates have been linked with birth defects, disruption of hormone receptors and an increase in the likelihood of cell mutation.

5. Triclosan

Used as the odor killing part of deodorants and for it's anti-bacterial properties. Triclosan can also be found in antibacterial soaps, hand wipes and gels, but what a lot of people don't know is that it is also classified as a pesticide by the FDA and as a probable carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Needless to say, do we really need to put these chemicals on our bodies? Look for deodorants based on mineral salts with active ingredients, such as ammonium or potassium alum, which constrict the protein in sweat so that bacteria has less to feed on.

I have tried a bunch of different deodorants and have found one that works great all year around. It is a mineral deodorant from a brand called Finesse, you can buy it at any Eataly store or here