Deodorants and breast cancer?

[Star73]

Has anyone read about this and changed their deodorants based on this? If so, what did you change to?

I subscribed to emails from Dr. Mercola and there was one talking about this. Also, one of my FB friends said she quit using over the counter deodorants and makes her own. Is this just another thing out there to have us worried? Or maybe there is cause for concern???

[alex57]

I stopped using deodorants several years ago because they actually seemed to make my clothes smelly under the arms. Didn't want to wash out very well. Was also concerned about chemicals and such.

Now I just dust my armpits with plain ol' baking powder after my shower. Works for me.

[tobelowcarber]

Originally Posted by alex57

I stopped using deodorants several years ago because they actually seemed to make my clothes smelly under the arms. Didn't want to wash out very well. Was also concerned about chemicals and such.

Now I just dust my armpits with plain ol' baking powder after my shower. Works for me.

I did the same and actually use baking soda for the past few years.

[alex57]

Duh....... baking SODA is what I meant to say.

[Radmom413]

I have heard that same thing Star.
It supposedly is the aluminum chlorihydrate in anti antiperspirants - or something like that.
I alternate between Tom's natural and my regular.
Tom's is only a deodorant.

[Star73]

I may look into buying Tom's. However, I know Secret and Sure and all those other brands have been around for a long time. "They" really don't know what causes breast cancer. I think the less chemicals the better though..

[becominglex]

Well, I never use anti-perspirants because we are designed to sweat and I usually don't use deodorants... I will shower more often (and use soap with tea tree oil to inhibit bacterial growth, which is what causes most BO)- also found that using soap with charcoal and lemon balm works. Natural deodorants that work well... I really love Body Shop's Deodry brand. It smells SO GOOD and clean and fresh, is paraben free and does not contain any aluminum salts. It is my favourite although there are quite a few good, natural brands that don't contain aluminum salts or parabens and aren't loaded with chemicals to make them "smell" good.

All the body shop deodorant "deodry" options are good but I love this one the best:
DeoDry™ Dry-Effect Deodorant Cool & Zesty Roll On
Many health food stores have really great deodorants that are scent, paraben and aluminum salt free. Remember that is bacteria on the skin that causes b.o. so using a naturally anti-bacterial soap (like one with tea tree oil) is also good. I have also found that when I eat food that doesn't contain animal products my sweat almost has no smell at all. Some medications become toxic in the body and overload the liver over years and these can also smell nasty when the body excretes them in the form of sweat (and in severe cases, the urine and feces will also smell, as will the person's breath) and liver cleanses can really help long-term with general body odours. If you have access to a sauna and pure, filtered water without chlorine and flouride drinking half your body weight in ounces a day (or more) and sweating out toxins in the sauna as often as possible (don't spend longer than 10 minutes at a time in the sauna) can help with body odour problems and also helps the body excrete toxins which can make body odour worse over time.

[becominglex]

Star, I think breast cancer, like most cancers, is a cluster of illnesses and not just one illness and has many causes. The allopathic community, in my opinion, wouldn't want to cure cancer even if they could because that does not generate money... keeping people well enough to work and make money but sick enough to require ongoing medication and medical treatments seems to be how they make their money. I agree, the fewer pollutants the body has to deal with, the better. The aluminum products in deodorants are highly toxic and accumulate in the body and have been linked to cognitive decline as well. I hate having amalgam fillings because of the mercury in them. Since I have been becoming more invested to living a healthy life (over the last two years and definitely the last year) I have come to realize that maybe 99% of all the shampoos, soaps, cleaners and foods that we regularly buy and consume or use are full of some many chemicals that the body is not meant to process (not all chemicals, obviously, are bad- the body is composed of chemicals) and toxins. It is pretty amazing just how toxic so much stuff is out there that we pay perfectly good money for! I am surprised most people are as healthy as they are!

[Hildebeest]

I have been using a mineral crystal as a deodorant for many years. They last a LONG time (both for odor control and for longevity of the stone) and I like that they are not anti-perspirant, simply deodorant. They are available at drugstores marketed under the 'Crystal' brand name, but I find the Crystal products to be NOT as effective as the slightly more expensive 'thai deodorant stone' available at Amazon and various health product stores. It's just a little round stone of mineral salts that neutralizes bacteria - it won't make you stop sweating, but it makes your sweat smell like nothing; and you can use it anywhere on your skin.

[Star73]

Originally Posted by Hildebeest

I have been using a mineral crystal as a deodorant for many years. They last a LONG time (both for odor control and for longevity of the stone) and I like that they are not anti-perspirant, simply deodorant. They are available at drugstores marketed under the 'Crystal' brand name, but I find the Crystal products to be NOT as effective as the slightly more expensive 'thai deodorant stone' available at Amazon and various health product stores. It's just a little round stone of mineral salts that neutralizes bacteria - it won't make you stop sweating, but it makes your sweat smell like nothing; and you can use it anywhere on your skin.

That sounds really neat! I'm going to look for that at the healthfood store the next time I go! Thanks!

[sdfarm]

I have wanted to get away from "aluminum" deodorants for years but every time I tried anything with "natural" on label I was not satisfied. Felt stinky after a couple hrs at best. It was interesting to find this thread and read about the deodorant stone - I ordered one and this is day 3 of very happy results. Thank you so much for posting this information.

[capricapers]

I've had one of those big clear cyrstals for years and they last forever. Works well, just not against dampness.

[Macc0021]

I get itchy from nearly every deoderant that I have tried. I thought it was the aluminum, but I tried the Arm & Hammer Natural brand with no aluminum and I still broke out in an itchy, burning rash. I have two brands of Tom's (one stick, one roll-on "24 hour" protection... yeah right) that don't make me itchy, but I seriously stink halfway through the day. I need to find something that actually WORKS! Since it is hot out, I started using Secret again (since it actually works) - I figure I will suffer through the burning/itching... as I don't want to be the "smelly person" at work. UGH.

I have not tried the crystal deoderants... do they actually WORK?? Any other suggestions?

TIA!

[capricapers]

"have not tried the crystal deoderants... do they actually WORK??"

Yep, works like a charm against odor. Will not help wetness though. Start with clean skin - rub the wet crystal stone on the underarm (keeping that area hair free helps too.)

I like Secret Clinical Deo - but trying to wean off of those. Try the crystal. It looks pretty in the bathroom too.

[Macc0021]

Originally Posted by capricapers

"have not tried the crystal deoderants... do they actually WORK??"

Yep, works like a charm against odor. Will not help wetness though. Start with clean skin - rub the wet crystal stone on the underarm (keeping that area hair free helps too.)

I like Secret Clinical Deo - but trying to wean off of those. Try the crystal. It looks pretty in the bathroom too.

Thank you! I am more than willing to give it a shot -- should I try the "Crystals" brand -- or the actual crystal??

[capricapers]

Originally Posted by Macc0021

Thank you! I am more than willing to give it a shot -- should I try the "Crystals" brand -- or the actual crystal??

The only one I've ever had is a thing that looks like a quartz stone (don't know the name brand) It's the size of say a BIG lemon and has lasted for 20 or so years? It will last a lifetime by the looks of things. The other may be as good - could not say as I have no experience with it. Maybe the same thing - just packaged differently? IDK

[Macc0021]

Originally Posted by capricapers

The only one I've ever had is a thing that looks like a quartz stone (don't know the name brand) It's the size of say a BIG lemon and has lasted for 20 or so years? It will last a lifetime by the looks of things. The other may be as good - could not say as I have no experience with it. Maybe the same thing - just packaged differently? IDK

Thank you!!

[capricapers]

You're welcome!

[Auntie Em]

I sometimes use Milk of Magnesia, or a mixture of two parts non-GMO cornstarch and baking soda with a few drops of essentials oils. I keep the mixture in a glass jar.

[tobelowcarber]

Originally Posted by Auntie Em

I sometimes use Milk of Magnesia.

That's an interesting one. Does it come in powder or liquid ?

[capricapers]

Heck, I forgot to mention coconut oil. I use Nutiva unrefined virgin co now and then (use it on bug bites too) and it works great. "The lauric acid in coconut oil kills odor-causing bacteria." Of course do not put it on right before wearing a silk blouse - but after it dries and is absorbed - good to go!

[Auntie Em]

Marika, the only Milk of Magnesia I know is the liquid, sold in bottles, as a laxative. I make sure to buy the kind without sodium hypochlorite. That is listed in the inactive ingredients if that brand contains it. Sodium hypochlorite is bleach, as in Clorox.

I just shake the bottle and dab it on. I make sure to get the plain kind, not mint, as the "mint" irritates my skin. I don't know if the mint used is from mint plants or made from petrochemicals.

[Macc0021]

I just got my new Thai Deoderant Stone in the mail yesterday! Today is Day 1 - I can't wait to see if it actually works! It had such rave reviews on the website that I purchased it from. I hope it works!! It also looks pretty on my soap dish -- and my soap dish now has a purpose!!

My husband was laughing at me when he saw it... I told him he can smell me after work and see if it "works"!!!!! I really hope it does!!

Thanks for all of your suggestions/help!

[tobelowcarber]

Auntie Em- Thanks! I will look for the plain milk of magensia

Capricapers- I am going to try coconut oil experiment. I have read about it long time ago but was always concerned about oily stains. I will give a shot tomorrow.

I have been using baking soda as a deodorant for the past few years, but there is concern that some baking soda may contain aluminium, so I have switched to Bob's Red Mill aluminium-free baking soda.

I thought I would mention that I also use baking soda for washing my hair (I buy the Arm & Hammer 5 lb bag for it). I have not used shampoo in over 3 years. It takes time for the hair to adjust but once figure out the amount you need, you will never go back to using commercial shampoos (even the most natural ones). I take empty cup of yogurt, put 2 tbs of baking soda and fill it up half way with warm water (I have long, thick hair). I wet my hear and put the liquid on and massage and rinse and follow with vinegar rinse (1 tbs vinegar in yogurt container filled with water).

[Macc0021]

Proud to report that after 5 hours at work, I don't stink!!! YAY!

I hope it lasted for another 4!!!

I am curious to try the coconut oil deoderant idea as well.. I love CO!!

[capricapers]

Originally Posted by Macc0021

Proud to report that after 5 hours at work, I don't stink!!! YAY!

I hope it lasted for another 4!!!

I am curious to try the coconut oil deoderant idea as well.. I love CO!!

yeah to being odor free - hahahaha. Hope it works like a charm for you! The CO is good too - not as good (IMO) as the crystal. The M of M one sound intersting too.

Nice re the shampoo - good to have alternatives, thanks for the instructions too!