I get it. Smelling floral fresh and feeling clean is Step #1 of the Winning at Life rule book. The good news is that we now have healthy, non-toxic options to combat odor and perspiration.
We know the importance of eating a healthy, nutritious diet. Getting enough sleep. Minimising stress and living well. But, sometimes our coveted personal care products are the last to go because natural alternatives don’t always add up. When it comes to antiperspirants and deodorants, though, making the switch to non-toxic, all-natural options is a must for optimal health.
The Dark Side
Conventional antiperspirants work by attempting to plug your sweat glands; a bad idea, since sweating is a healthy, natural way for your body to detox. Conventional deodorants (which typically contain harmful ingredients like aluminum, parabens, chemical-laden fragrances, and triclosan) work by masking body odor and killing the bacteria present on your skin.
If you’re not sure, a good rule of thumb is to always run your personal care products and their ingredients through EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetic’s Database (link: http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/), to determine their safety.
The Bright Side
The clean beauty movement has fortunately provided us a variety of healthy options. But first a hint: Even before you make the switch to a natural deodorant, cleaning up your diet and lifestyle both contribute to healthier (and better smelling) perspiration; some even suggest that the need for deodorant wanes the more you up your water, vegetable and fruit intake, while minimizing processed foods, something I can personally attest to.
Here are a few of my favorite natural deodorants!
