Got stinky pits and breath? Reaching for your chemical laden antiperspirant and toothpaste to fix these problems? Now, I’m like the next gal, I don’t want to be stuck in the elevator with the person who stinks, or work beside the guy with chronic BO and bad breath, but mainstream deodorants and toothpastes are darn right dangerous to your health.
1. Say No To Aluminum!
Aluminum is what helps block the pores in your pits and stops you from sweating. Aluminum makes up anywhere from 8%-25% of most deodorants. There is evidence-linking aluminum to Alzheimer’s. The FDA confirms that small amounts are absorbed through your skin (armpits) so those people with kidney problems can have difficulties getting rid of the aluminum in their kidneys.
2. Say No to Aerosols!
Aerosol and antiperspirant deodorants are both very heavy in petrochemicals such as butane and lung-irrating volatile organic compounds. TRUE: In 2010 AXE Body Spray were fined $1.3 million dollars for selling sprays that failed to meet California’s air quality standards.
3. Say No To Synthetic Fragrance!
I know it covers up the stink, but they are loaded with hormone-disrupting phthalates and a whole host of other questionable chemicals. I put some natural deodorants to the test on hot summer bike riding days. I want natural but I also want it to work! Here are a few I tested: Tom’s of Maine – long-lasting protection, not true. Didn’t last 10 minutes. Jason: is ‘natural’ but still full of chemicals and didn’t even last half of my bike ride. Avalon: it worked fairly well with a nice minty scent, but left yellowish stains on my clothes. Crystal (the hard little crystal ball): You need to wet the ball first, and rub it on your pits a least 20 strokes per pit. It has no odor or goopy texture. But if you drop the crystal it will crack.
Now, what about those pearly whites? This product doesn’t just go on our bodies it goes into our mouths! It’s like mouth-to-mouth with poisonous products. There is so much conflicting information on fluoride and whether or not it is good for your teeth or something you should be avoiding at all costs, and to be completely truthful, I’m kind of torn. As far as fluoride in your water goes don’t’ do it! Ingesting fluoride is bad for your body, but on your teeth it appears to have some benefits.
4. What About Antibacterial Toothpaste?
Everyone is so anti bacteria these days but we need a balance of bacteria in our bodies and our mouths have 800 different kinds! You do want to kill the bad bacteria in your mouth but you don’t want to wipe out the good ones too. Many toothpaste companies put tricloscan in their pastes to fight the bacteria’s that exist in all of us, but is this really necessary? Colgate is good, hands down at fighting bacteria but when a Swedish study found that brushing with toothpaste with triclosum/polymer and an expensive electric toothbrush for 3 years it “failed to prove additional benefits” when compared to a manual toothbrush with regular fluoridated toothpaste.
You do want to kill the bad bacteria though because bad bacteria in your mouth can lead to a whole host of problems, not just bad breath and cavities, but heart disease and other illness too.