Every morning, you likely go through your personal care routine without much thought. Whatever you do—whether it’s shower, exercise, eat breakfast or anything else—has probably become a habit by now. Do you think about the products you’re using every day? Chances are you might not, but there is one personal care product that has been the subject of much controversy for a while now: deodorant.
The Scare Over Traditional Deodorants
Antiperspirants and deodorants have been in health news for a while due to a largely believed claim that the chemicals in these products can cause severely negative health effects. How did this start? Years ago, a story began to circulate on the internet that claimed chemical antiperspirants were linked to causing cell mutations and hormone imbalances. It was believed that the active ingredient in antiperspirants that keeps you dry, an aluminum-based compound, is absorbed into the skin where applied, traveling into lymph nodes and negatively impacting a person’s health over time.
The aluminum compound was not the only concern. People also became worried about parabens. Parabens are a class of commonly used preservatives often found in cosmetic and personal care products. Because parabens are known to have estrogen-like qualities, they have caused controversy in their believed effects on natural estrogen levels.
If this sounds alarming, rest assured that there is another side to the story. According to the National Institutes of Health, there is not much scientific evidence that proves a direct link between the active chemical ingredients in antiperspirants and deodorants and severe health risks. However, it’s understandable that many people are still opting to go the natural route.
Choosing to Go Natural
Herbal deodorants have had a negative reputation in the past. Their ability to effectively control odor or perspiration has been questioned time after time. Thankfully, with more research and newer formulas, herbal deodorants have evolved into effective and more accessible choices for people wanting to steer clear of chemical ingredients.
How do they work? In chemical antiperspirants, the aluminum-based compound works to keep skin dry by creating a temporary blockage in the sweat duct that stops secretions from the sweat gland. The higher the concentration of this compound, the stronger the antiperspirant is. In herbal deodorants, the aluminum compound isn’t present at all. Instead, mineral salts are used to eliminate odor. Even though they don’t work like traditional antiperspirants to keep you dry throughout the day, their effect on odor will still give you that fresh, clean feeling. Without deodorant, sweat leaves the body and mixes with bacteria on the skin, causing odor. Mineral salt deodorants leave a protective film on the skin, thus eliminating odor.
At the end of the day, you don’t have much to worry about if you’re set on sticking with your regular antiperspirant. But if natural products seem more appealing to you, you can still get an effective deodorant to keep you feeling fresh all day long. Swanson Health Products carries several deodorant products for you to choose from. Check out our selection and shop from popular brands such as Thai Deodorant Stone, Schmidt’s Deodorant and Crystal.
Featured Products
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| Thai Crystal Deodorant Stone | Bergamot + Lime Deodorant | Body Deodorant Roll-On |
Which do you prefer: chemical or herbal?
