When shopping our selection of low-waste products, you may have come across our new vegan aluminum-free deodorant. You’ve probably seen the term “aluminum-free” advertised on natural deodorants in your local grocery store before, but have you ever given the term much thought? Choosing an aluminum-free, plastic-free deodorant is an easy way to get away from harmful ingredients in your daily routine, all while helping the planet. In this guide, we’ll explain the benefits of aluminum-free deodorant and why you should consider making the switch.
Aluminum-free deodorant is exactly what it sounds like: a deodorant containing no aluminum or its salt derivatives. The main purpose of aluminum in antiperspirants and deodorant-antiperspirants is to block sweat ducts, thereby reducing the body’s ability to perspire and preventing sweat before it has the chance to mix with odor-causing bacteria.
Unfortunately, several studies have implicated high levels of aluminum as a potential cause of breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Although the FDA and the American Cancer Society maintain that there is not yet sufficient evidence linking antiperspirant to either of these health concerns, many people are choosing to err on the side of caution by switching to an all-natural deodorant.
Perhaps the most obvious benefit of aluminum-free deodorant is peace of mind. Currently, there are a lot of conflicting reports on the use of aluminum-based antiperspirants and their potential effects on human health. The fact is, we need more evidence to reach a consensus. But if you find yourself stressing about the potentially harmful effects of your antiperspirant, why not make the switch to plastic-free natural deodorant and free yourself from worry?
As far as the benefits of aluminum-free deodorants go, gaining peace of mind is just the tip of the iceberg. Here are a few more reasons to ditch conventional antiperspirant and go aluminum-free!
Sweating is a natural bodily process that offers numerous benefits. On top of helping cool your body down, sweating helps to flush out toxins — like bisphenol A (BPA), an industrial chemical found in certain plastics. When you use antiperspirant, you're effectively blocking the sweat glands and preventing the flow of sweat to the surface of the skin. By allowing your body to sweat freely, you can rid your body of more toxins and optimize your body’s cooling mechanism.
In addition to aluminum compounds, antiperspirants and antiperspirant-deodorants may contain parabens, artificial colorants, propylene glycol and other potentially harmful ingredients that aren’t good for us or the planet. If you’re trying to get away from toxic chemicals, choosing an aluminum-free deodorant is a smart move. Our aluminum-free deodorant is formulated with natural ingredients, making them gentler not only on your skin, but also on the environment.
Conventional deodorants and antiperspirants often use preservatives that, in addition to causing irritation, may disrupt your skin microbiome, the delicate ecosystem of microorganisms on the surface of the skin. When this ecosystem becomes unbalanced, it can pave the way for skin diseases, prolonged inflammation and other problems. Aluminum-free deodorants, while still somewhat disruptive to skin microbiota, are typically free of preservatives and other irritating ingredients that may significantly alter the skin microbiome.
Aluminum-based antiperspirants and deodorants are more likely to use artificial fragrances that irritate the skin, whereas aluminum-free deodorants tend to contain natural fragrances — like lavender, citrus and bergamot — that mask body odor with a pleasant smell. (Pro tip: If you want to smell extra amazing, be sure to suds up with one of our plant-based body wash bars before you swipe on your aluminum-free deodorant!)
Finding a non-irritating deodorant or antiperspirant can be tricky, especially if you have sensitive skin. Aluminum salts, parabens, harsh astringents and other ingredients commonly found in aluminum-based antiperspirants can quickly lead to dry, irritated skin. With an aluminum-free deodorant, you’re less likely to encounter those problems so you can go about your day without dealing with itchy, inflamed skin. That said, our Deodorant does include baking soda, which can be irritating for some people, so we recommend patch testing first if you have especially sensitive skin!
Another major problem with aluminum-based deodorants and antiperspirants? They’re often housed in hard-to-recycle plastic. Fortunately, The Earthling Co. has you covered with our new plastic-free deodorant. By making one simple switch, you can say goodbye to potentially harmful chemicals and reduce your carbon footprint to boot!
