Topic of the day: How to choose an effective deodorant that respects both your skin and the environment?

Did you know that we produce on average ½ liter of sweat per day? Luckily for us, deodorants are here! Yes, but... If we told you that your deodorant could be dangerous, you'd look at us with wide eyes, wondering if we were serious?! And of course, you wouldn't consider going without it for a second!

Of course not, but it's essential to be vigilant. The skin in our armpits is delicate, and the composition of deodorants can irritate it or even be extremely harmful to our health!

Deodorant VS. Anti-perspirant?

What a question, are they the same thing? Well, no!

Indeed, we use the term "deodorant" to refer to anything we put under our armpits, and sometimes you can even read "deodorant - anti-perspirant" on the label. But the two categories of products are very different, both in their composition and their action. And that changes everything!

• Deodorants mask odors without blocking the natural sweating process. They fight against skin bacteria, which are responsible for unpleasant odors.
• Anti-perspirants reduce the amount of sweat emitted, which prevents the formation of sweat odors. They contain aluminum salts that will block the sweat glands (those that secrete sweat).

So, which one should you choose?

It all depends on your body, your allergic sensitivity, and your level of perspiration.

We would of course recommend deodorant, which respects the natural process, but if you sweat excessively, an anti-perspirant may sometimes be necessary.

Nevertheless, it is important to know the components of both to choose your deodorant or anti-perspirant with full knowledge of the facts...

Like any cosmetic widely distributed in supermarkets, deodorants and anti-perspirants contain various substances that can be harmful: parabens, triclosan, aluminum salts, and various alcohols...

We are well aware of parabens and triclosan, which are endocrine disruptors (we even wrote an article about it). And some denatured alcohols ("alcohol denat" on the label), which provide a fresh effect, are irritants.

Ingredients to avoid

Aluminum Salts

What is it? Metal!

THE COMPONENT that is the subject of controversy, which you have all heard about: aluminum salts. They are present in approximately 80% of anti-perspirants.

Aluminum salts capture sweat and tighten skin pores. They penetrate the skin barrier, enter the body, and attach to organs and tissues. There is no real proof of their harmfulness, but they are suspected of promoting breast cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and causing anemia and bone damage. It is obviously necessary to reach a certain threshold, but while the ANSM (French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products) recommendations are not to exceed 0.6%, some anti-perspirants contain 20%! So, as a precaution, it's better to do without them! At least, do not apply them to freshly shaved or epilated skin, as the product penetrates through micro-fissures.

You are probably wondering then, why are they still used if they are so dangerous?
Well, because they are very effective against perspiration and, a major asset for manufacturers: they are inexpensive!

How to identify them?

On labels, they appear under the following terms: Aluminum chlorhydrate, Aluminum Chloride, Aluminium Chlorhydrex, Aluminium Sesquichlorohydrate, and Aluminium Zirconium Trichlorohydrex GLY.

Conclusion

Avoid using an anti-perspirant that contains aluminum salts (complicated, since 80% are concerned!)

Propylparaben

From the paraben family, this compound is used as a preservative. Present in the list of suspected endocrine disruptors that strongly regulate the hormonal system, it's best to avoid products containing it.

Cyclopentasiloxane

Same as its counterpart propylparaben, except that it belongs to the silicone family.

Triclosan

A very effective antibacterial agent, this molecule is strongly suspected of reducing reproductive capacity, among other things...

 Alum Stone

It's all the rage right now, and it's natural at least! Yes, originally, it's a mineral found in deposits of the Earth's crust in the Andes and Mediterranean countries. After the discovery of the harmful effects of aluminum salts, there was a surge of enthusiasm for it. But is this translucent stone really a good alternative? Well, we're going to disappoint you, not so much...!

It regulates sweat and deposits a light, odorless antibacterial layer, certainly.

It can be natural (potassium alum) but most often synthetic (ammonium alum) and in both cases, it is still an aluminum derivative... Its potential toxicity is still debated. We can't get out of this! When in doubt, we prefer not to use it. A clarification: it is sold as a deodorant and not an anti-perspirant.

So now you're definitely despairing...

Solution: Natural Deodorant

Don't worry, healthy solutions certainly exist! First, as you've understood, we choose a deodorant (with a neutral pH if possible, to limit the risk of irritation) rather than an anti-perspirant, and without components harmful to health or the environment.

Ingredients to favor

So, we adopt deodorants composed of natural ingredients that we can spot on the labels:

Vegetable oils, waxes, and butters: shea butter, coconut oil, candelilla wax, carnauba, etc.
Powders: such as baking soda or clay
Vegetable hydrolates: witch hazel, sage, etc.
Essential oils: palmarosa, tea tree, noble laurel, lavender, rose, peppermint, lavandin, etc.

Do you think organic or natural deodorants are less effective? Not at all, their formulas are evolving. They absorb sweat with their powder base, and the purifying and fragrant virtues of their essential oils are highly appreciated.

Preferred forms

Choose solid deodorants or balm forms, which are economical and have more eco-friendly packaging. And in any case, banish highly polluting aerosols that cause asthma.

And for our planet?

Even today, the majority of deodorants are packaged in plastic. The production of plastic is a process that requires the use of non-renewable natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, or coal.

Then, even if plastic is recyclable, it's only in theory! In France, only certain types of plastics are recycled, and the process is very long, very costly, and requires a lot of energy consumption.

Moreover, the plastic in packaging contains non-biodegradable toxic substances and particles, added during production, which once discarded infiltrate water and soil, and remain toxic for several decades or even centuries.

To combat this scourge, healthy and ecological deodorants are booming; there are notably solid forms with minimalist packaging, to be applied with the fingers. An interesting alternative, but not always very easy in terms of daily use, especially for those new to natural cosmetics... Similarly, when one does not have access to a faucet to wash one's hands, it can be constraining...
There are also some natural (healthy), ecological (recyclable), AND practical deodorants due to their easy-to-use tube packaging.
We advise you to take a look at the new Les Petits Prödiges deodorants : The 1st biodegradable tube deodorant, 100% natural, vegan & Made in France.

Effective, it naturally neutralizes odors, absorbs moisture, and is suitable for all skin types, while being super practical with a tube and its push-up system that dispenses the "deodorant balm".

The plus? The tube is recyclable (yellow bin) and even biodegradable.

They contain exclusively natural ingredients: Shea Butter, Arrow Root Powder, Sunflower Oil, Carnauba Wax, Candelilla Wax, Coconut Oil, Sodium Bicarbonate, Magnesium Hydroxide, Lavandin Essential Oil, and Vitamin E.

What's more, there's something for everyone, with three different scents:

Lemon & Bergamot : A zest of exoticism with Lemon and Bergamot Essential Oil.
Cotton Flower : All softness with a 100% natural Cotton Flower fragrance.
Charcoal & Eucalyptus : For a little freshness with Charcoal Powder and Eucalyptus Essential Oil.

I'M BUYING IT

In summary:

We opt for a deodorant rather than an anti-perspirant due to aluminum salts, we ditch alum stone, and we rush to natural solutions from stores or "home-made" for the bravest.

To make your choice, you can use applications such as Yuka, INCI Beauty, and Clean Beauty! In fact, we've compared these tools for you, here's what you need to remember about these 3 applications!

There you go, we hope this topic will help you make more conscientious choices for yourself and our beloved planet. You have to dare to take the leap because science works wonders! Even 100% natural...!