If you’re like me, you’ve tried them all.  I would venture to say I’ve bought literally hundreds of different natural deodorants, to no avail, but with the stats on store-bought deodorant, what’s the alternative?

First things first.  Store-bought is killing you, literally.  It’s obvious everyone wants to smell fresh.  95% of Americans use it, making it an $18 billion dollar a year industry!  But is it worth it?

Let’s face facts.

1. Store-bought deodorants contain chemicals.  As in, really nasty ones, such as parabens (ethylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben), a.k.a. endocrine disrupters.  While great at preventing bacterial growth, they negatively impact reproductive, neurological, and immune responses, to which no one can live without a healthy immune system.
    
2. They contain carcinogens too.  Yep, the buggers that cause cancer.  Breast to be specific.  [bctt tweet=”Aluminum compounds used in deodorants not only block sweat ducts, therefore preventing sweating”] – a naturally detoxifying bodily function – but they mimic estrogen too, which promotes the growth of breast cancer cells.  FYI parabens are suspected of causing cancer too.
    
3. Antiperspirants don’t stop sweat!  The FDA only requires any one antiperspirant only reduce sweat by 20% in order to claim “all day protection.”  If it’s extra strength, it’s only 30%!  So all in all, they’re not really all that effective anyways.
    
4. It's good they are, because sweating is good for you.  We are born with 2-4 million sweat glands – for a reason!  Sweating helps your body cool down, stay cool and detoxify.  It also supports proper immune function, prevents toxic overload, and kills certain viruses and bacteria too.
    
5. They have pesticides.  Triclosan, an antibacterial agent, commonly found in soaps, personal care products, and deodorant, is registered as a pesticide with the EPA, and flagged as a risk to human health due to the fact that it can alter hormone regulation and contributes to antibiotic resistant bacteria.  They put that in there?  Yep!  Note: a 2008 study found triclosan in the urine of 75% of the people tested!
    
6. They stain your clothes.  Aren’t you sick of those sweat stains already?  But is it sweat, or aluminum?  The aluminum in antiperspirants are actually what is believed to cause clothing stains, which are impossible to remove, not to mention unsightly. 
    
7. They can get pricey.  Sometimes as much as $5 or $6 or more each!  Which really adds up over time, especially when you can make your own all-natural version for pennies.

Despite what you may think, there are natural ways to stay odor-free without putting your heath at risk.  Certain foods will make you stink, such as garlic, onion, caffeine, and alcohol.  Even processed and fatty foods, so do your best to avoid them.  Herbs like parsley, basil, mint, sage, and rosemary, plus chlorophyll and wheat grass, are considered natural body deodorizers.

You can help your body stay cool by eating water-filled foods like watermelon, pears, celery, and cucumber, as well as drinking plenty of water.

You can also try some easy and cheap homemade deodorant recipes!

Like, naturallivingideas.com suggests, blend a quarter cup of baking soda with 10 to 20 drops of essential oil of your choice.  Pat it under your arms each morning after your shower over the sink since it’s messier than stick deodorant!

Or, per theoildropper.com, concoct a spray of ½ cup organic witch hazel, ¼ cup aloe vera gel, ¼ tsp baking soda and 10 drops clary sage essential oil.  Use daily.

Or, from The Wellness Mama, try 4 oz magnesium oil and 10-15 drops of your favorite essential oils.

Do your own internet search and you’ll find hundreds of alternatives to store-bought deodorants.  Pinterest is a great place to look too.  No matter what you do, rest assured you have choices, particularly ones that won’t cause long-term health risks but still keep you fresh and dry all day!

To grab your free copy of The Top 10 Ways to Stop Feeling So Tired All the Time – Drug-Free and Naturally! just click below now!

~ Angela

Angela Minelli is an author, speaker and founder of Angela Minelli International, a heart-based global business serving purpose-driven everyday women and entrepreneurs whose self-image and weight issues are inhibiting their confidence and blocking them from pursuing their life’s passion. 

Angela's joy is in taking a stand for women who are living less than ideal lives, stopped by fear and doubt, which prevents them from stepping into their innate power and delivering their God-given genius to the world. Her coaching programs and products are designed for women with busy lifestyles yet allow for powerful transformation to take place within a small segment of time.  

As a natural health practitioner and digestive health specialist, Angela specializes in helping people overcome weight and energy issues through holistic, non-invasive protocols that address the root cause of their conditions, including adrenal fatigue, candida, thyroid disorders, and more.  

Explore the ideals that are the cornerstone of her work at angelaminelli.com.